Browse Topic: Fuels and Energy Sources

Items (36,924)
This research, path planning optimization of the deep Q-network (DQN) algorithm is enhanced through integration with the enhanced deep Q-network (EDQN) for mobile robot (MR) navigation in specific scenarios. This approach involves multiple objectives, such as minimizing path distance, energy consumption, and obstacle avoidance. The proposed algorithm has been adapted to operate MRs in both 10 × 10 and 15 × 15 grid-mapped environments, accommodating both static and dynamic settings. The main objective of the algorithm is to determine the most efficient, optimized path to the target destination. A learning-based MR was utilized to experimentally validate the EDQN methodology, confirming its effectiveness. For robot trajectory tasks, this research demonstrates that the EDQN approach enables collision avoidance, optimizes path efficiency, and achieves practical applicability. Training episodes were implemented over 3000 iterations. In comparison to traditional algorithms such as A*, GA
Arumugam, VengatesanAlagumalai, VasudevanRajendran, Sundarakannan
Electric vehicles represent a shift towards sustainability in the automotive industry, with the Brake-by-Wire (BBW) system as an innovation to enhance safety, and performance. This study proposes an electromagnetic BBW system for Formula SAE vehicles, optimizing an electromagnet with a genetic algorithm as the actuator. Through a selection process from a million individuals, the system was modeled. Integrated with electric motors using CarMaker® software, the optimized electromagnet surpassed the minimum required force of 228.08 N without reaching its nominal current of 12.5 A, achieving a force of 231.1 N for 150 W power, indicating an energy efficiency of 0.706 N/Watt. The system also exhibited a response time of 17.92ms for an 80 bar increase, 1.52 times better than compared systems. Simulation under varying braking intensities demonstrated dynamic behavior, with settling times for slow, moderate, and sharp braking at 193 ms, 62 ms, and 21 ms, respectively. Efficiency during
Salgado, Vinícius Batista AlvesGomes, Deilton GonçalvesAndrade Lima, Cláudio
The aim of this study is to compare possible approaches that support the goal of achieving a carbon-neutral society in the mobility sector, with a specific focus on the two-wheel segment of the mobility sector. One of the key considerations in the mobility sector is the transition from a fossil fuel-based energy mix to a more renewable one. While there are numerous options available for achieving a carbon-neutral society in the four-wheel scenario, the two-wheel sector presents a different challenge due to a smaller number of available options. This study introduces a new comparison between full electric, gasoline, and ethanol-powered two-wheeled vehicles. It suggests that ethanol is a feasible solution for reducing carbon emissions in the two-wheel sector. The study includes an analysis of CO2 emissions for two-wheel vehicles using a life cycle approach, focusing on the technologies of full electric motorcycles, motorcycles with flex-fuel internal combustion engines running on
Pereira, Thaynara K. E.Lima, FlavioUema, Fabio K.Sambuichi, Eduardo M.
The world’s commitment towards the mitigation of climate changes has driven many sectors into an effort to reduce their carbon footprint. The transit bus sector, which currently strongly relies on diesel fueled buses, is challenged to reduce its carbon footprint, as well as to reduce the emission of criteria pollutant and noise, which negatively affect the world cities’ population, especially those living nearby the large transit bus corridors. In this context, the Battery Electric Buses (BEB), has been set as the transit sector’s workhorse for reaching the global, regional and local environmental targets. However, despite the relative maturity level of both the electric powertrain and the energy storage devices (ESD) technologies, the bus electrification transition is a disruptive process, from both a technological, operational and managerial standpoint, which might take into account both the (electrical) infrastructure, as well as the operational customization requirements. Moreover
Barbosa, Fábio Coelho
In recent years, the use of ethanol fuel in internal combustion engines has gained importance due to environmental and commercial factors, since ethanol produces lower emission rates at similar performance parameters compared to gasoline fuel. The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the effects of engine performance parameters on the vibration level of the engine block operated with gasoline and ethanol fuel. The experimental tests consisted of operating an Otto cycle engine on a bench dynamometer under full load conditions varying rotation and correlating the vertical, longitudinal and transverse vibration levels of the block engine with the engine performance parameters. The results showed that the engine vibration level was influenced by engine speed, load, type of fuel and performance parameters of the engine. The combustion process is primarily responsible for the highest level of vibration reached when using ethanol as a fuel. Under all operating conditions, the
Santana, Claudio MarcioSantana, Linicker Lopes BrunoAlmeida, Helder Giostri Alves
Otto Cycle can operate with both gasoline and ethanol; however, these fuels have different properties that will result in different performance parameters. This work aims to compare the thermal energy balance of an internal combustion engine fueled with gasoline and ethanol. The experimental tests were carried out on a dynamometer bench varying engine speed between 1500 and 6000 rpm and at full load condition. The results showed that the engine’s maximum thermal efficiency ranged from 30.51% with gasoline to 31.72% with ethanol. The percentage of energy dissipated to the cooling system varied from 16.93% with gasoline from 16.12% with ethanol. The percentage of energy dissipated to the exhaust system ranged from 32.82% with gasoline from 34.64% with ethanol. The percentage of energy wasted due to incomplete fuel combustion varied from 3.50% with gasoline from 10.00% with ethanol. The percentage of energy dissipated to the lubrication system ranged from 3.95% with gasoline from 3.76
Santana, Claudio MarcioSantana, Linicker Lopes BrunoAlmeida, Helder Giostri Alves
The increasing impacts of the greenhouse effect have driven the need to reduce pollutant emissions from internal combustion engines. Renewable fuels are promising alternatives for emission reduction, and enhancing engine efficiency can further decrease specific emissions. This study explores the development of dual-fuel engines to meet these goals, focusing on dual-fuel combustion in spark-ignition (SI) engines using two different bioethanol and natural gas mixtures. A novel methodology for 1-D predictive combustion simulation in dual-fuel SI engines was developed and implemented in GT-Suite software. The approach involves a straightforward estimation of the laminar flame speed of the fuel mixture and the calibration of turbulent combustion parameters using a genetic optimization algorithm, without the need for complex chemical kinetics models. The results indicate that the proposed methodology can reproduce combustion characteristics, achieving satisfactory outcomes across most tested
Pasa, Giovanni DuarteMartins, ClarissaCota, FilipeDornelles, HenriqueDuarte, ThalesRosalen, RodrigoPujatti, Fabrício José Pacheco
In the global scenario marked by the increasing environmental awareness and the necessity on reducing pollutant emission to achieve the decarbonization goals, action plans are being proposed by policy makers to reduce the impact of the climate change, mainly affecting the sectors that most contribute to CO2 emissions such as transportation and power generation. In this sense, by virtue of the National Energy Plan 2050, the Brazilian market will undergo the decommissioning of thermal power plants fueled by diesel and heavy fuel oil (HFO) by 2030, compromising about 6.7 GW of power capacity according to the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency (ANEEL) database. An alternative to the scrapping of these engine power plants is their conversion to operate with fuels with a lower carbon footprint, such as the natural gas. This work, therefore, aims to numerically assess the conversion feasibility of a HFO large bore four-stroke turbocharged engine to operate with natural gas by means of a
Gonçalves, Vinícius FernandezZabeu, Clayton BarcelosAntolini, JácsonSalvador, RobertoAlmeida, RogérioValiati, Allan SoaresFilho, Guenther Carlos Krieger
Despite the increasing electrification of current vehicles, Diesel engines will continue to be used for several decades to come. There is still a need to introduce emission control technologies, especially those that show good potential and do not require extensive engine modifications. The increasing focus on reducing pollutant emissions and improving energy efficiency has prompted engine manufacturers to continuously strive for technological progress. The aim is to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and the fulfillment of social expectations. Specifically, new Diesel engine projects face the challenge of minimizing both nitrogen oxides (NOx) and soot emissions, which requires significant investiment in research to develop innovative combustion methods and exhaust gas treatment. One of these innovative methods is Ducted Fuel Injection (DFI), which aims to reduce emissions by improving spray development to obtain a better mixture at flame upstream. This study presents an
Dias, Fábio Jairodos Santos, Leila RibeiroRufino, CaioGarcia, Ezio CastejonLomonaco, RaphaelArgachoy, CelsoLacava, Pedro Teixeira
The growing demand for decarbonization and reduction of emissions from internal combustion engines used in the agricultural sector is mainly responsible for the utilization of alternative or low-carbon fuels. In this context, in situ biogas production and Dual-fuel technology bring an important opportunity for farmers to use gas with diesel or biodiesel in the agricultural machinery, reducing production costs and carbon emissions. To this end, this work evaluates efficiency, emissions, and economic performance in an internal combustion engine equipped with a Dual-fuel injection for diesel and methane. The tests were carried out on a four-cylinder turbocharged Agrale tractor, model BX6110, with modifications for run on diesel-NGV blends under operating conditions with engine speed from 1500 to 2150 rpm, fuel injection times of 80 to 200, at full load. The results showed that the diesel flow was constant during the tests, therefore, power increases depending on the NGV injected. Maximum
Rincon, Alvaro Ferney AlgarraAlvarez, Carlos Eduardo CastillaFilho, Aldir Carpes MarquesOliveira Faria, RafaelVolpato, Carlos Eduardo SilvaOliveira Notório Ribeiro, Jéssica
Mobility in Brazil, dominated by road transportation, is responsible for consuming around a third of the energy matrix and for emitting approximately half of the energy-related emissions in the country. Among the alternatives to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, the use of low-carbon hydrogen has a strong potential for decarbonization and improvement of engine efficiency. Thus, this study experimentally investigated the partial replacement of commercial diesel (with 12% of fatty acids methyl esters (FAME) biodiesel) by hydrogen in a commercial vehicle equipped with a compression-ignition internal combustion engine. To investigate the effects of this substitution on performance and emission profile, the vehicles was adapted for dual-fuel operation and hydrogen was injected together with air into the MB OM 924 LA engine of a Mercedes-Benz Accelo 1016 vehicle. Tests were carried out on a chassis dynamometer with 0%, 2% and 4% slope and at speeds equal to 50, 60 and 70 km/h to simulate
Assis, GuilhermeSánchez, Fernando ZegarraBraga, Sergio LealPradelle, Renata Nohra ChaarSouza Junior, JorgePradelle, FlorianTicona, Epifanio Mamani
Road loads, encompassing aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance, and gravitational effects, significantly impact vehicle design and performance by influencing factors such as fuel efficiency, handling, and overall driving experience. While traditional coastdown tests are commonly used to measure road loads, they can be influenced by environmental variations and are costly. Consequently, numerical simulations play a pivotal role in predicting and optimizing vehicle performance in a cost-effective manner. This article aims to conduct a literature review on road loads and their effects on vehicle performance, leveraging experimental data from past studies from other researchers to establish correlations between measured road loads and existing mathematical models. By validating these correlations using real-world measurements, this study contributes to refining predictive models used in automotive design and analysis. The simulations in this study, utilizing five distinct empirical
Pereira, Leonardo PedreiraBraga, Sérgio Leal
It is emerging the need to take action to reduce the greenhouse effect, which is one of the major causes of climate change and environmental disasters that has been occurring frequently in recent decades throughout the planet. The burning of fossil fuels for electricity and energy generation are the main concerns and those that have greater incentives for its reduction, as its by-product of the reaction of burning CO2, which among the greenhouse gases is primarily responsible for its aggravation. The transport sector excels in CO2 emissions, emits about 20% of gas, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a scientific organization linked to the United Nations (UN). A promising solution to reduce the impact of this sector would be the use of hydrogen fuel cell, which if carried out through renewable energies, the electrolysis of hydrogen has zero CO2 emission throughout the cycle. However, one of the biggest challenges to make viable the use of hydrogen as fuel
Alves, JoyceSilva, AntônioPaterlini, BrunoSantos, FelipePedroso, HenriqueHenrique, PedroMilani, Pedro
This paper proposes a theoretical drive cycle for the competition, considering the battery pack project under design. The vehicle has a non-reversible, double-stage gear train, created without a dynamic investigation. To evaluate the effect on performance, several ratios were analyzed. Dynamic model uses Eksergian’s Equation of Motion to evaluate car equivalent mass (generalized inertia), and external forces acting on the vehicle. The circuit is divided into key locations where the driver is likely to accelerate or brake, based on a predicted behavior. MATLAB ODE Solver executed the numerical integration, evaluating time forward coordinates, creating the drive cycle. Linear gear train results provided data as boundary conditions for a second round of simulations performed with epicyclic gear trains. Model is updated to include their nonlinearity by differential algebraic equation employment with Lagrange multipliers. All data undergoes evaluation to ascertain the mechanical and
Rodrigues, Patrícia Mainardi TortorelliSilveira, Henrique Leandro
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) combine combustion and electric propulsion means to achieve key objectives, such as: reducing fuel consumption, minimizing pollutant emissions, and enhancing the overall energy efficiency of the Powertrain System. The series hybrid electric vehicles, in special, have a topology compound by four Subsystems, which are: Traction, Storage, Energy Generation, and Energy Management. The Energy Generation Subsystem is responsible for the power supply of the electric traction motors and batteries, depending on the control strategy promoted by the Energy Management Subsystem. The Energy Generation Subsystem is essentially made by an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and a Generator. Effective control of the power output from the Energy Generation Subsystem necessitates precise regulation of the engine speed. Thus, it is necessary to control the engine speed because this is directly related to the power demand of the consumers of other subsystem components. This
Júnior, João Marcos Hilário Barcelosde Sousa Oliveira, Alessandro BorgesTeixeira, Evandro Leonardo SilvaPereira, Bruno LuizPinheiro, Leandro Soaresdos Santos Ribeiro, Eduardodos Santos de Oliveira, Jordano
The fuel economy performance of road vehicles is one of the most important factors for a successful project in the current automotive industry due to greenhouse effect gases reduction goals. Aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics play key roles on leading the automaker fulfill those factors. The drag coefficient and frontal area of the vehicle are affected by several conditions, where the ground height and pitch angle are very relevant, especially for pickup trucks. In this work, we present a combined study of suspension trim heights and aerodynamics performance of a production pickup truck, where three different loading conditions are considered. The three weight configurations are evaluated both in terms of ground height and pitch angle change considering the suspension and tires deflection and these changes are evaluated in terms of drag coefficient performance, using a Lattice-Boltzmann transient solver. Results are compared with the baseline vehicle at road speed condition, where both
Buscariolo, Filipe FabianTerra, Rafael Tedim
Society in actual engineering must promote sustainable developments in new renewable technologies in the transport sector, with resiliency and low greenhouse gas emissions produced. Pollutant emissions must be reduced to obtain an environmental equilibrium and stabilize part of the world’s climate change. With this, the principal objective of this research is to do different blends of diesel- biodiesel and diesel-hydrogenated biodiesel in proportions of 10, 20, 40, 80, and 100% to evaluate the performance of these samples of fuels in the internal combustion engine (ICE) diesel, model BD 5.0, connected to dynamometer XL43, located in the engines laboratory of University UFVJM, in Diamantina MG- Brazil at 1384 MASL, to obtain torque and power in different conditions of rotation. These tests were performed with blends of diesel-biodiesel and biodiesel- diesel with bubbling hydrogen (H2). The obtained data were developed with different comparisons, and results showed a positive influence
Barón Pinilla, José D.Silva, N. S.Melo, R. A. A.Santos, Alexandre S.Nery, M. C.Junqueira, H. H. B.
High and ultra-high pressure direct injection (UHPDI) can enhance efficiency gains with flex-fuel engines operating on ethanol, gasoline, or their mixtures. This application aims to increase the engine’s compression ratio (CR), which uses low CR for gasoline due to the knocking phenomenon. This type of technology, involving injection pressures above 1000 bar, permits late fuel injection during the compression phase, preventing auto-ignition and allowing for higher compression ratios. UHPDI generates a highly turbulent spray with significant momentum, improving air-fuel mix preparation, and combustion, resulting in even greater benefits while minimizing particulate matter emissions. This study aims to develop ultra-high-pressure injection systems using gasoline RON95 and hydrated ethanol in a single-cylinder engine with optical access. Experimental tests will be conducted in an optically accessible spark ignition research engine, employing thermodynamic, optical, and emission results
Malheiro de Oliveira, Enrico R.Mendoza, Alexander PenarandaMartelli, Andre LuizDias, Fábio J.Weissinger, Frederico F.dos Santos, Leila RibeiroLacava, Pedro Teixeira
The (commercial) aviation sector (passenger and freight), which is strongly engaged with the world efforts to mitigate the carbon emissions and their inherent climate change effects, has accounted in 2018 for 2.4 % of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (pre-pandemic levels). Despite the reductions in air travel demand during the 2020 pandemic, with a reduction of up to 80% in passenger travel during the peak pandemic period, the air travel demand has already recovered to around 80% of the pre-pandemic level, with aviation emissions in 2022 reaching around 800 Mt CO2, accounting for 2% of the global energy related CO2 emissions. Moreover, the demand for air travel is expected to double by 2040, growing at an annual average rate of 3.4%, which means that. despite the efficiency improvement trend (average 2%/year), will almost double the aviation’s greenhouse (GHG) emissions, with a significant increase in its relative GHG share, compared to the other transport modes. Meanwhile the
Barbosa, Fábio Coelho
Otto cycle internal combustion engines have undergone technological developments that can be fueled by various types of fuels in different mixture proportions. To achieve this, a detailed study of the main factors that influence the engine combustion process is necessary. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of varying the ignition advance on the performance parameters and vibration level of the engine operated with regular gasoline, premium gasoline, ethanol and a mixture of ethanol with regular gasoline. The experimental tests consisted of operating an Otto cycle engine on a bench dynamometer under full load conditions, varying rotation and ignition advance by 5, 10 and 20% in relation to the original ignition advance and correlating the levels of pre-ignition, knock, engine vibration levels with engine performance parameters. The results showed that the engine vibration level was influenced by the type of fuel used, engine performance parameters and the presence of
Santana, Claudio MarcioSantana, Linicker Lopes BrunoAlmeida, Helder Giostri Alves
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