Effect of E20 Fuel on Small Commercial Vehicle Powered of Twin Cylinder Gasoline engine

In alignment with its carbon reduction commitments, India is transitioning towards higher ethanol-blended fuels, with E20 set for nationwide implementation by 2025. Ethanol is a renewable, domestically sourced biofuel produced through fermentation of biomass such as sugarcane, corn. It possesses a higher octane rating and oxygen content compared to conventional gasoline, making it a favorable additive for improving engine performance and reducing emissions. This study investigates the impact of E20 fuel on performance parameters of a twin-cylinder MPFI gasoline engine. For deriving maximum benefits of increased Octane rating of E20, compression ratio increased. Experimental analysis was conducted to assess the changes in combustion behavior, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), torque output, engine out emissions and thermal efficiency when operating on E20 compared to baseline gasoline-E10. Results indicate that E20 enables more efficient combustion due to its higher laminar flame speed and oxygen content, contributing to improved low-end torque within real-world operating speed ranges. Furthermore, engine brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) was comparable to that of gasoline-E10 fuel. However, the use of gasoline-E20 resulted in increased hydrocarbon emissions. The high octane number of ethanol reduces the tendency for knock, allowing for more aggressive ignition timing and higher compression ratios without compromising engine durability. Thermal benefits are also taken into consideration, with a reduction in peak mid-catalyst temperatures, which contributes to enhance exhaust after-treatment system life and reduced thermal stress on engine components. This enables stoichiometric operation throughout operating range without any enrichment. These improvements suggest that engines calibrated specifically for E20 can be benefited the fuel’s inherent properties to achieve higher thermal efficiency and lower tailpipe emissions. In conclusion, the incorporation of E20 fuel in internal combustion engines shows notable advancements in engine performance and efficiency.