Browse Topic: Biofuels

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Experimental study of warm-up and startability operations in a spark ignition engine fueled with ethanol gasoline blends2026-01-0738To be published on 07/01/2026
Thermal transients during warm-up phase influence fuel consumption and combustion stability. Moreover, during engine warm-up, tailpipe emissions are the highest since the catalytic converter has not reached the light-off temperature yet. Therefore, reducing warm-up time would be beneficial for both performance and emissions. In this work, an experimental investigation is carried out on a naturally aspirated four-cylinder spark ignition engine with a displacement of 1.2 liter, equipped with a port fuel injection system. The study compares conventional gasoline with an E30 (i.e. 30% ethanol in gasoline). Tests are performed starting from cold engine conditions and stopped when a fully warmed state is reached. The experimental campaign is conducted at a fixed operating condition of 2000 rpm and 20 Nm load, representative of typical warm-up operation. The analysis focuses on the warm-up duration, defined as the time required to reach steady thermal conditions, and on engine performance
Falbo, Luigi, Falbo, Biagio, Perrone, Diego, Castiglione, Teresa
Biofuel Effect on Regeneration Capability and Soot Reactivity in SCRoF Systems2026-01-0750To be published on 07/01/2026
Biodiesel blends (B7, B20, B100) were evaluated in a Stage V-compliant SCR on Filter (SCRoF) system for heavy-duty applications to quantify soot reactivity and filter regeneration capability. Compared to conventional diesel (B7), B20 showed slightly faster regeneration performance under real-driving conditions, while B100 resulted in reduced particulate formation and higher soot reactivity, with more intense exothermic events requiring careful management. These differences are attributed to the distinct physical-chemical properties of the fuels (oxygen content, lower heating value) and their interaction with Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC)/SCRoF. All tests were conducted on an engine dynamometer with a Cursor 9 FPT (Fiat Powertrain). Findings are discussed in the context of EU Stage V limits and practical control strategies for heavy-duty applications.
Costa, Simone
Impact of High Compression Ratios on Ethanol Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition2026-01-50386/10/2026
Ethanol requires elevated intake temperatures to initiate autoignition in Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) as a high-octane single-stage fuel. To leverage the high thermal efficiency, low engine-out NOx, and near-zero soot inherent to HCCI with ethanol, a custom piston design was developed to enable high compression ratios (CR) up to 22.5:1. This study investigates HCCI combustion with ethanol at three CRs of 17.5, 20.0, and 22.5 through equivalence ratio and boost sweeps performed to assess the reduction in the intake temperature requirement at high CRs and the emissions and efficiency trade-offs. Results indicate a clear benefit with reduced intake temperature requirements with increasing CR. However, a combustion efficiency penalty was observed at high CRs. Three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed using Large Eddy Simulation (LES) coupled with a detailed chemistry model to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the combustion
Vedpathak, Kunal, Kumar, Mohit, Motwani, Rahul, Datar, Aditya, Gainey, Brian, Lawler, Benjamin
Methane Emission Mitigation in Large-Bore Dual-Fuel Engines via Negative Valve Overlap Diesel Injection: Thermochemical Pathways and Reactivity Control2026-37-00456/9/2026
Low-load natural gas–diesel reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) in medium-speed marine engines is constrained by an insufficient charge thermal state. This limitation leads to partial fuel oxidation, producing high methane emissions. This work evaluates the use of negative valve overlap (NVO) combined with NVO diesel injection as an in-cylinder reactivity enhancement strategy. The simulation study was performed using the University of Vaasa’s advanced thermo-kinetic multi-zone model (UVATZ), extended for reactive simulations during NVO. The extended framework was validated against test-bench data from a prototype Wärtsilä 6L20 dual-fuel engine operating in RCCI mode. The baseline low-load operating point for reforming simulations was defined by reducing the intake manifold temperature to replicate conditions close to partial misfire with 52% combustion efficiency. The parametric sweeps of NVO injection timing and ratio showed that the strategy can be used for in-cycle
Soleimani, Amir, Nurmi, Mikael, Hunicz, Jacek, Kim, Jeyoung, Hyvonen, Jari, Mikulski, Maciej
Alcohol-Based Energy Carriers in Transportation: Status, Standards, and Outlook2026-37-00426/9/2026
The global transport sector accounts for approximately 30 % of total final energy consumption and 15.9 % of worldwide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with road transport alone accounting for the largest share at 11.8 %. Decarbonizing this sector requires energy sources that combine scalable generation from renewable sources with compatibility with various modes of transportation and existing infrastructure. Methanol and ethanol emerge as promising alternative energy carriers that can leverage existing logistics infrastructure while reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Global methanol production reached 112 million metric tons, and global ethanol production totaled approximately 93.5 million metric tons in 2024, compared to more than 2 billion metric tons of gasoline and diesel produced annually. The review assesses production pathways and cost trajectories for both alcohols, evaluates fuel requirements across multiple transport modes, including passenger vehicles, light- and heavy-duty
Fitz, Patrick, Fellner, Felix, Rößlhuemer, Raphael, Härtl, Martin, Jaensch, Malte
Experimental Investigation on Cold Start and Warm-Up Phases for an Ethanol Fueled SI Engine2026-37-00316/9/2026
The reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions represents a key challenge for the transportation sector, requiring the adoption of renewable fuels capable of ensuring both environmental benefits and compatibility with existing internal combustion engine technologies. In this context, bioethanol emerges as a viable solution for Spark Ignition (SI) engines, offering a low life-cycle CO₂ footprint and favorable combustion characteristics. Nevertheless, despite its well-known advantages under steady-state operation, the widespread use of high-ethanol-content fuels is still limited by critical issues during engine cold start. The aim of this work is to experimentally investigate the influence of ethanol content on cold-start behavior and idle warm-up transient operation of a Naturally Aspirated (NA), Port Fuel Injected (PFI) SI engine. The experimental campaign was carried out under idle conditions using four fuels with increasing ethanol content, namely commercial gasoline (E5), E30, E60
Falbo, Luigi, Falbo, Biagio, Perrone, Diego, Castiglione, Teresa
Development of a Diesel Combustion System for Next-Generation Heavy-Duty Engines Using a Synergistic Analysis-and-Testing Approach2026-37-00046/9/2026
Regulators and policymakers have introduced increasingly stringent limits on tailpipe CO₂ and pollutant emissions to accelerate the decarbonization of heavy-duty vehicle applications. The development of innovative propulsion technologies — such as advanced combustion systems, low-friction reciprocating components, and improved aftertreatment solutions — combined with hybridization and the adoption of alternative fuels (e.g., biogas, HVO, green hydrogen), is a key pathway for meeting future emission and GHG targets. In this study, advanced combustion systems were developed for a 13-liter diesel engine for heavy-duty truck applications, with the objective of meeting forthcoming Euro VII regulations while maximizing thermal efficiency. The combustion system architecture—including open-bowl geometry with high aspect ratio, injector nozzle with wider spray opening angle, and reduced swirl ratio—was optimized using a Machine Learning–algorithm trained on high-fidelity 3D CFD combustion data
Belgiorno, Giacomo, Centini, Maria Pia, Pezza, Vincenzo, Cozza, Ivan F., Pesce, Francesco C., Vassallo, Alberto, Colombo, Giovanni, Gallo, Alessandro, Mirzaeian, Mohsen, Borg, Jonathan
Numerical Simulation of Spark-Ignited Flame Kernels towards Prospective Application to Hydrogen SI Engines2026-37-00156/9/2026
The ongoing energy transition demands the decarbonization of the transport sector, for which the use of premixed hydrogen in spark-ignition (SI) engines appears very promising. However, modeling the combustion of the lean hydrogen/air mixtures required for safe, efficient, and low-NOx engine operation involves multiple open issues. Correct prediction of flame kernel initiation and growth is a difficulty that hydrogen shares with hydrocarbon fuels, while properly accounting for the instabilities that characterize lean hydrogen flames is an additional demanding task. In this work, a 1D kernel expansion model of general validity recently proposed by the authors is implemented into OpenFOAM, an open-source 3D CFD software package, to enable numerical simulation of expanding spark-ignited flame kernels. Firstly, the OpenFOAM framework is presented focusing on XiFluid, its flame propagation model based on a regress variable whose evolution depends on the laminar flame speed. Then, the
Dotteschini, Enrico, Pretto, Marco, Giannattasio, Pietro, Gadalla, Mahmoud
Effect of Burning Biomass Fuel Cyclohexanol on Diesel Engine Performance2026-99-17085/22/2026
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Chen, Ke, Yang, Chenxi, Wang, Yibin, Fan, Jinyu, Liu, Yuchen, Ye, Zixiao, Huang, Jialiang
Effect of Liquidized-Gas Fluid Properties in a High-Pressure Fuel Pump2026-01-02734/7/2026
Paper considers the effects of fluid properties from liquified gases during high pressure pumping, at ranges from 200 to 1500 bar, and at speeds of 500 to 1500 rpm. Tests represent highest to date pressure ranges attained with liquified fluids such as DME. The paper examines the effects of compressibility on the pumping and resulting loading torque characteristics described over the pumping cycle as resolved by a high-fidelity sensor. Experimental tests and simulated performance based on a 1-D model are compared for Diesel and DME for a high-pressure fuel pump, piston style, featuring two plunger-barrels. Each of the pump’s plunger-barrel is inlet metered electronically, allowing the pump to run at a variable displacement and with the flexibility to deactivate one or both plungers fully. The model captures the response of the inlet metering valve and output valve lifts across speed and loads. The output check valve is subject to pressure pulsations and shows the importance to optimize
de Ojeda, William, Wu, Simon (Haibao)
Effect of Pre-Chamber Geometry on Methanol Cold-Start Combustion in an SI Engine2026-01-03074/7/2026
Vehicle pollutant emissions are a major challenge in the development of internal combustion engines. To meet increasingly strict regulations, the automotive sector is exploring alternative fuels and lean-burn strategies. Methanol is gaining importance as a carbon-neutral fuel due to advances in green production technologies. Methanol, despite its potential for renewable production, faces severe limitations due to its inherent poor cold-start performance with conventional ignition systems. In this context, the present study aims to investigate the influence of pre-chamber ignition on cold-start combustion by using high-speed optical diagnostics to visualize flame propagation while simultaneously measuring in-cylinder pressure and engine performance. A major result concerns the significant cyclic variability of conventional spark ignition (SI) under cold-start conditions, which exhibits significant cyclic variability. Instead, passive pre-chamber ignition significantly enhances cold
Sementa, Paolo, Altieri, Nunzio, Tornatore, Cinzia
Effect of Injector Tip Temperature on Methanol Spray Dynamics during Cold-Start Conditions2026-01-03404/7/2026
Methanol is one of the most readily produced e-fuels and remains in liquid form at ambient conditions, making storage and transportation relatively simple. In the marine sector, methanol has already been actively adopted as a pathway toward carbon neutrality. For automotive sectors, methanol offers significant potential for carbon emission reduction owing to its higher octane number and lower carbon content compared with gasoline. However, its high latent heat of vaporization and low vapor pressure suppress evaporation at low ambient temperatures, leading to increased emissions during cold-start operation. To address this issue, previous studies have explored heating the injector tip or fuel rail to enhance evaporation and atomization. The present study focuses on visualizing and quantifying the improvement in methanol evaporation characteristics under cold-start conditions by applying controlled heating to the injector tip. Experiments were conducted in a constant-volume chamber where
Lee, Seungwon, Kim, Hyunsoo, Bae, Sumin, Hwang, Joonsik, Bae, Choongsik
Combustion and Emission Characteristics of Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel in a 4-Stroke Locomotive Engine2026-01-03154/7/2026
Rail transportation in North America consumes over 4 billion gallons of diesel fuel [1]. This is raising energy security and supply chain resilience concerns. Adopting renewable or alternative fuels is a practical approach to reduce petroleum dependence and improve supply security. The objective of this paper is to investigate the combustion and emission characteristics of biodiesel and renewable diesel as drop-in fuels without engine modification. In this study, a single-cylinder, four-stroke locomotive engine was employed to investigate the combustion and emissions characteristics of four fuels: conventional diesel No. 2, plant-based biodiesel, animal-based biodiesel, and renewable diesel. The experimental campaign was carried out under both part-load and full-load operating conditions, with injection duration adjusted to achieve the targeted engine load and speed. Results indicate that both biodiesel fuels and renewable diesel deliver comparable peak in-cylinder pressure and brake
Ewphun, Pop-Paul, Biruduganti, Munidhar, El-Hannouny, Essam, Longman, Douglas, Fu, Xiao, Subramanya, Raghavendra
The Effects of Ethanol on Combustion in a Super-Lean-Burn Engine2026-01-03034/7/2026
To mitigate global warming, many countries are working toward carbon neutrality. Reducing CO₂ emissions from vehicles requires electrification technologies in hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs, PHEVs) and improving thermal efficiency of internal combustion engines (ICEs). Lean-burn combustion is one approach to improving ICE thermal efficiency. Biofuels and synthetic fuels can also reduce CO₂ emissions in existing vehicles. Ethanol, a bio-derived fuel, is widely used in varying contents worldwide, and its further utilization is anticipated. This study examines the effects of ethanol blending on emissions, thermal efficiency, knocking, and combustion speed in a super-lean-burn engine. Gasoline surrogates with varying ethanol contents were tested at an excess air ratio (λ) of 2.5. Higher ethanol content reduced nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions due to lower adiabatic flame temperature. Total hydrocarbon (THC) emissions measured by a Flame Ionization Detector (FID) showed a
Sugata, Kenji, Matsubara, Naoyoshi, Yamada, Ryota, Kitano, Koji
Persistent Elevated Soot Emissions Induced by Clustered Stochastic Preignition Events2026-01-03144/7/2026
Stochastic Preignition (SPI) is an abnormal combustion phenomenon that can occur in spark-ignition engines particularly under high-load operation. SPI is characterized by uncontrolled initiation of combustion prior to spark discharge, an abnormal combustion process that can lead to severe knock events and significant engine damage. SPI has been associated with fuel properties, lubricant composition, and engine design and operation. In this work, a single-cylinder test engine with a dry-sump oil system was utilized to study the SPI response of E10 and E25 fuels with a range of Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP). An automated test procedure was employed, consisting of ten square-waved load profile segments, with each segment composed of 5 min of low-load operation followed by 25 min of sustained high-load operation. These tests were replicated across multiple days of testing including a lubricant triple flush between tests, and an online Fuel in Oil diagnostic measurement. Exhaust particulate
Splitter, Derek, Jatana, Gurneesh, DelVescovo, Dan, Douvry-Rabjeau, Julien, Fioroni, Gina, Chapman, Elana, Salyers, John
Impact of Hydrogen on Methane and Pollutant Emissions over Three-Way Catalysts with Natural Gas–Hydrogen Blends2026-01-03574/7/2026
Blending natural gas (NG) with hydrogen (H₂) can improve combustion and engine performance while potentially facilitating the catalytic conversion of methane and other pollutants, resulting in cleaner tailpipe emissions. This study evaluates the impact of H2 on the conversion of methane, CO, and NOx emissions on a commercial three-way catalyst (TWC) in a flow reactor using synthetic gas mixtures that simulate stoichiometric engine exhausts with NG or NG+H₂ combustion. The work examines whether, and how, the additional amount of H₂ in the exhaust stream affects the conversion efficiency of methane and other pollutants. Experiments were conducted with both degreened and aged catalysts under controlled conditions, systematically varying temperature, the air-to-fuel equivalence ratio (λ), and λ modulation. Test conditions covered λ values from 0.996 to 1.000 to represent nominally stoichiometric engine operation with different λ modulation amplitudes, as well as a range of temperatures to
Prikhodko, Vitaly, Wang, Min, Park, Yeonshil, Chen, Hai-Ying, Pihl, Josh
Technical Outlook on the Potential of HVO and Biodiesel Blends for Cleaner Combustion2026-01-03164/7/2026
The increasing need to decarbonize the transport sector is accelerating the adoption of renewable and low-carbon fuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and biodiesel as sustainable substitutes for fossil diesel. These fuels are evaluated as drop-in solutions requiring no engine recalibration, enabling immediate GHG emission reduction in existing diesel fleets. This study experimentally investigates the combustion, performance, and emission characteristics of a turbocharged common-rail two-cylinder diesel engine (Kohler LWD 442 CRS) operated with conventional fossil Diesel, pure HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), and an HVOB20 blend (80% HVO and 20% biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil and animal fats). Tests were carried out under steady-state conditions at the DIIEM Engine Laboratory of Roma Tre University. The analysis focused on in-cylinder pressure evolution, brake power, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), and both regulated and unregulated emissions. Regulated
Zaccai, Martina, Chiavola, Ornella, Palmieri, Fulvio, Verdoliva, Francesco
Challenges to Ranking Diesel Fuels for NO x Emissions Using a Constant-Volume Combustion Chamber2026-01-03484/7/2026
The market is witnessing an unprecedented proliferation of low-emission fuel components. To effectively evaluate the suitability of these novel fuels for engine applications, fuel blenders and original equipment manufacturers require rapid and reliable assessment methodologies. Traditionally, such evaluations rely on comprehensive engine testing, which, while thorough, is both time-intensive and costly. In response to the growing diversity of emerging fuel options, this work aims to establish a streamlined screening approach capable of effectively replicating the outcomes of full-scale engine testing. We examined the use of a constant volume combustion chamber for the measurement of fuel effects on NOx emissions, with the goal of developing a method to rapidly screen or rank fuels in a small - volume experiment. A small amount of fuel was injected into air at 650°C and 20 bar, where it ignited and burned. The chamber was sampled post-combustion using a chemiluminescence NOx analyzer
Luecke, Jon, Rahimi, Mohammad, Mohamed, Samah, Naser, Nimal, Chausalkar, Abhijeet, McCormick, Robert
Challenges of Mixture Formation in Methanol Port Fuel Injection Engines2026-01-03374/7/2026
Port fuel injection (PFI) is an attractive strategy for methanol adoption in both spark-ignition and dual-fuel compression-ignition engines due to its lower cost and simpler hardware compared to direct-injection. However, methanol PFI mixture formation can be challenging due to methanol’s high heat of vaporization, low volatility at cold conditions and high tendency to wall wetting. Understanding and addressing these challenges is critical to ensure robust engine operation. In this study, the effects of injector geometry, coolant temperature, intake temperature and fueling rate on mixture formation of methanol PFI have been investigated for anhydrous methanol and for a blend of 90%vol methanol plus 10%vol water in an optical engine. Mie scattering and infrared imaging were applied to assess the liquid and vapor methanol distribution in the cylinder. For a high-flow injector compatible with methanol, significant amounts of liquid were detected in the cylinder at all conditions tested
Lee, Sanguk, Narayanan, Abhinandhan
Methanol Mixing Controlled Combustion Process Enabled by Methanol Dehydration to Dimethyl Ether2026-01-03224/7/2026
This work demonstrates an initial proof-of-concept approach for operating a compression ignition off-road and marine relevant engine using neat methanol. The approach utilizes mixing controlled compression ignition (MCCI) of methanol that is enabled by a homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) pre-burn of premixed dimethyl ether (DME). Although two fuels are used, this work explores and evaluates the opportunity and performance to generate the premixed fuel via methanol catalytic dehydration over an alumina catalyst at engine relevant temperatures, pressures, and space velocities. Conversion purity and species output results from catalytic dehydration bench flow reactor studies were coupled with single-cylinder experiments of the characterized output species for pre-burn HCCI performance. Subsequently, methanol MCCI performance is also evaluated and compared to conventional diesel combustion. The detailed flow reactor results show that the catalytic dehydration conversion
Jatana, Gurneesh, Splitter, Derek, Park, Yeonshil, Szybist, James, Svensson, Kenth, Montgomery, David
Achieving Euro 7 WHSC NOx Emission Targets from a Spark Ignited Engine Using Methanol-Hydrogen Co-Fuelling2026-01-03214/7/2026
E-methanol is increasingly seen as a promising clean fuel because its chemical makeup is close to fossil fuels, making it easier to use in existing engines. It offers a carbon-neutral option to help reduce greenhouse gases in sectors where cutting emissions is especially difficult, such as transportation. However, while e-methanol avoids adding new carbon dioxide, burning it in internal combustion engines still releases harmful gases like oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and other toxic by-products like formaldehyde and formic acid that damage both health and the environment. This report explores a new strategy that combines methanol with hydrogen to run engines under “ultra-lean” conditions and its impact on emissions, performance and efficiency. Experiments were carried out on a single-cylinder spark ignition engine, with directly injected methanol and port fuelled injection of hydrogen. The findings show that adding about 10% hydrogen (energy basis) at low engine loads can extend the lean
Ambalakatte, Ajith, Geng, Sikai, Cairns, Alasdair, Varaei, Amirata, Harrington, Anthony, Hall, Jonathan, Bassett, Mike, Cracknell, Roger
Effect of Key Operating Parameters on Homogenous Reactivity-Controlled Compression Ignition Concept with Renewable Fuels03-19-02-00094/1/2026
As part of the dTEC MORE project, sustainable powertrain technologies are being explored, including an alternative combustion concept tailored for engines in serial hybrid powertrains. Among the low-temperature combustion strategies, Reactivity-Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) is a prominent approach, offering significant reductions in NOx and soot emissions while enhancing combustion efficiency. The dual-fuel nature of RCCI enables improved control over combustion by utilizing fuels of differing reactivities. In this study, a premixed RCCI strategy was implemented using ethanol as a port-injected low-reactivity fuel and octanol as a directly injected high-reactivity fuel. The experimental work was conducted on a single-cylinder research engine with design features that are found in a gasoline passenger car application. Key combustion parameters such as the start of injection (SOI) of the high-reactivity fuel, injection pressure, intake temperature, lambda, premixed fuel ratio
Sundaram, Pravin Kumar, Grundl, Larissa Michaela, Trapp, Christian Thorsten, Tinschmann, Georg
New Graphite-Based Catalyst in Biodiesel Production04-19-02-00093/20/2026
Climate change and the depletion of fossil fuels have increased the need for renewable energy sources such as biodiesel. Biodiesel is an environmentally friendly fuel derived from various vegetable oils through a process known as transesterification. In this study, a new graphite-based heterogeneous catalyst was developed by modifying it Na2CO3, K2CO3, Al2O3 and was used for biodiesel production from linseed, cottonseed, sunflower, olive oils. Catalyst activity gradually decreased from 90.0 to 76.7% for cottonseed oil, from 93.0 to 76.0% for olive oil, from 95.0 to 77.0% for sunflower oil, and from 89.0 to 69.0% for linseed oil after the fourth operation. The fuel properties of the obtained biodiesel samples were investigated and the most favorable characteristics of cottonseed oil–based biodiesel were found to be d 4 20 = 0.8448, ν 40 = 3.3820, flash point of 93°C. Based on the X-ray broad peaks at 22.8° and 26.4°, we can note that after the four-time reaction cycle, the structure of
Mamedov, Ibrahim, Mamedova, Gulben, Mamedova, Yegana
Detecting Fuel Adulteration for Otto-Cycle Vehicle Using Onboard Diagnostics Data and Supervised Machine Learning04-19-02-00082/26/2026
Fuel adulteration affects operating costs, vehicle efficiency, and air pollution. Published estimates suggest it accounts for at least 10% of global sales. The Brazilian National Petroleum Agency (ANP) reported noncompliance in about 23% of inspections in 2023, including 4.3% confirmed adulteration. Quality verification requires laboratory equipment, and sensor-based approaches are often inaccessible to end consumers. This article proposes a sensorless (software-only) method that detects water adulteration in hydrated ethanol from standard Onboard Diagnostics (OBD) data using supervised machine learning, enabling on-vehicle fuel quality monitoring without additional hardware. The proposed approach is evaluated on real-world driving data from two production vehicles with three water adulteration levels in hydrated ethanol (0.0%, 2.5%, and 5.0%), achieving 84.85%–95.85% multiclass classification accuracy. These results indicate that software-only, OBD-based monitoring can provide a
Marchezan, Andre Ricardo, Giesbrecht, Mateus
CFD Simulation of Combustion and Emission Characteristics of Pure Spirulina Microalgae Biodiesel in a Single-Cylinder DI Diesel Engine2026-28-00432/12/2026
In this study, the combustion and emission characteristics of a single-cylinder direct injection (DI) diesel engine fueled with Spirulina biodiesel along with diesel blends were examined using a combined CFD and thermodynamic simulation framework. Three test fuels, including pure diesel (D100), Spirulina biodiesel blends (B20 and B40), and pure Spirulina biodiesel (B100), were analysed at 1500 rpm under full load. In the first stage, CFD simulations were performed in ANSYS Fluent, where the Discrete Phase Model (DPM) was applied to capture spray atomization and droplet evaporation, while a non-premixed combustion model coupled with the RNG k-ε turbulence model was employed to resolve in-cylinder flow and heat release dynamics. Subsequently, the Diesel-RK software was utilised to predict engine performance and exhaust emissions based on compression ratios (18.5) and injection timings. Results from the CFD analysis revealed faster atomization and reduced ignition delay for biodiesel
Kumar, B Varun
Enhancing Combustion, Performance and Emission Profiles Using Kapok Methyl Ester Blends with Hydrogen2026-28-00582/12/2026
This study investigates the potential of using a dual green alternative fuel combination, the one is hydrogen fuel and another one is biodiesel for enhancing the Performance, combustion and emission profile of a compression ignition engine. The kapok oil biodiesel was blended with Diesel in proportions of 20% (K20) and 40% (K40) by volume. The hydrogen gas was supplied at a constant flow of 4 liter per minute (LPM). The experimental fuels are neat diesel D100, K20 (80% Diesel and 20 % kapok methyl ester), K40 (60% Diesel + 40 % Kapok methyl ester), K20 + H4L (K20 with 4 LPM hydrogen) and K40+H4L (K40 with 4 LPM hydrogen). These test blends are investigated in a single cylinder direct injection CI engine under 0% to 100% load conditions at a fixed speed of 1500 rpm combustion, and emissions characteristic were evaluated and compared with base fuel. The outcomes indicated that the use of B20 and B40 blends without hydrogen led to reduced BTE because of their lower cetane number and
Anbarasan, B, M, Kumaresan, Balamurugan, S, Rajesh, Munnusamy
Flow-Based Corrosion Analysis of NBR-PVC Fuel Hoses in Ethanol-Gasoline Blends2026-28-00792/12/2026
The integration of ethanol into gasoline presents compatibility challenges for automotive fuel-system materials. In this study, the degradation of NBR-PVC fuel hoses exposed to ethanol-gasoline blends (E30, E50, E70, and E100) was investigated under dynamic flow conditions. A custom-designed test rig simulates real-time fuel circulation for 1,200 h. FESEM, ATR-FTIR, and elemental mapping analyses revealed ethanol-induced degradation, including dehydrochlorination, plasticizer leaching, and filler detachment. Among the blends, E30 exhibited the least material degradation, whereas E100 showed significant surface damage and chemical alteration. This study recommends multilayered fuel hose structures with ethanol-resistant inner linings for enhanced durability.
PC, Murugan, L S, Adhitya, G, Arun Prasad, W, Beno Wincy, T, Karthi
Rolls-Royce pursues pure methanol for marine engines26TOFHP02_052/1/2026
Rolls-Royce has successfully tested the world's first high-speed marine engine powered exclusively by methanol on its test bench in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The company began this engine-development journey six years ago when it gathered experts to determine what the future fuel of the maritime industry should be, according to Denise Kurtulus, senior vice president of global marine at Rolls-Royce. “For us, it's clear. It's methanol,” she said. Rolls-Royce worked with industry partners as part of the joint project meOHmare, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. Injection system specialist Woodward L'Orange and the WTZ Roßlau technology and research center contributed their expertise. Their goal was to not only develop a comprehensive concept for a CO2-neutral marine engine based on green methanol, but also to run it on the test bench by the end of 2025.
Gehm, Ryan
Comparative Journey Towards Sustainable Energy: CNG and Bio-Diesel Fuels in India2026-26-01161/16/2026
India being highly populated and developing country, the demand for various alternative fuel is increasing drastically. It is driven by the need to reduce dependency on traditional fossil fuels & reduce impact on environmental issues like Greenhouse gas, emissions & pollution. The potential options, CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) & Biodiesel, are becoming increasingly popular and important. Biodiesel, a renewable fuel which is produced from waste materials & crops which grown repeatedly & easily available while CNG is more sustainable than diesel as natural gas is a cleaner-burning fossil fuel in comparison to coal or oil. This paper will focus on comparison between basic properties of Diesel, CNG & Biodiesel. In this study will also focus on survey of various Government initiatives, policies & infrastructural development which are evolving to encourage the usage of CNG & Biodiesel. These fuels are emerging as promising alternative contenders to traditional diesel. It has the potential
Bondada, Nandita, Baruah, Labanya, Mokhadkar, Rahul
Flex-Fuel Technology for India: Challenges, Opportunities, and Compliance with Emerging Emission Norms2026-26-01091/16/2026
The adoption of flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) in India presents a significant opportunity to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and ensure compliance with the country’s evolving emission norms. This paper explores the key aspects of flex-fuel technology in the context of Indian four-wheeler regulations, particularly Bharat Stage VI and potential future emission norms. The study begins with an overview of flex-fuel technology, detailing its advantages and associated challenges. A critical focus is placed on blend identification techniques, which play a vital role in optimizing combustion efficiency and ensuring seamless transitions between different ethanol-gasoline blends. Furthermore, the impact of ethanol blending on various fuel properties is examined, including changes in energy content, latent heat of vaporization, octane number rating, and stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. These factors significantly influence engine performance and emission
Balasubramanian, Karthick, KR, Prabhakar, Kallahallii Somu, Santhosh Kumar
For CNG and FFV Fuel Application Exhaust Valve Redesign and Robustness Improvement to Combat Abnormal Valve Guide and Seat Wear2026-26-01251/16/2026
Today, passenger car makers around the world are striving to meet the increasing demand for fuel economy, high performance, and silent engines. Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations implemented in India to improve the fuel efficiency of a manufacturer's fleet of vehicles. CAFE goal is to reduce fuel consumption and, by extension, the emissions that contribute to climate change. CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) engines offer several advantages that help manufacturers meet and exceed these standards. The demand for CNG vehicles has surged exponentially in recent years, CNG engine better Fuel efficiency and advantage in CAFÉ norms make good case for OEM & Customer to use more CNG vehicle. CNG is dry fuel compared to gasoline. These dry fuels lack lubricating properties, unlike conventional fuels like petrol, diesel and biofuels, which are wet and liquid. Consequently, the operations and failures associated with these fuels differ. The materials and designs of engine parts, such as
Poonia, Sanjay, Kumar, Chandan, Sharma, Shailender, Khan, Prasenjit, Bhat, Anoop, P, Prasath, Neb, Ashish
Effect of E20 Fuel on Vehicle Performance Parameters of 694CC Gasoline Engine for Commercial Vehicle Application2026-26-05651/16/2026
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 produced 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 694 cc MPFI , water-cooled, twin-cylinder gasoline engine. For deriving maximum benefits of increased Octane rating of E20, compression ratio was increased to 12.5:1. 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). Base results indicate that E20 promotes more
Kulkarni, Deepak, Malekar, Hemant A, Thonge, Ravindra, Kanchan, Shubham
Performance Optimization of 2 Cylinder Flex Fuel Engine for Small Commercial Vehicle – A STEP TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY2026-26-01191/16/2026
Increasing ethanol blending in gasoline is significant from both financial (reducing dependency on crude oil) and sustainability (overall CO2 reduction) points of view. Flex Fuel is an ethanol-gasoline blend containing ethanol ranging from 20% to 85%. Flex Fuel emerges as an exceptionally advantageous solution, adeptly addressing the shortcomings associated with both gasoline and ethanol. Performance optimization of Flex Fuel is a major challenge as fuel properties like knocking tendency, calorific value, vapour pressure, latent heat, and stoichiometric air-fuel ratio change with varying ethanol content. This paper elaborates on the experimental results of trials conducted for optimizing engine performance with Flex Fuel for a 2-cylinder engine used in a small commercial vehicle. To derive maximum benefit from the higher octane rating of E85, the compression ratio is increased, while ignition timing is optimized to avoid knocking with E20 fuel. For intermediate blends, ignition timing
Kulkarni, Deepak, Malekar, Hemant A, Upadhyay, Rajdip, Katkar, Santosh, Undre, Shrikant
Correlation of Particulate Matter Species on Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) Vehicle with Ethanol Blended Gasoline: Real Drive Emissions based Portable Emission Measurement System2026-26-02161/16/2026
On the way to net zero emissions and to cut the oil import bills, NITI Aayog, Government of India and Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoP&NG) has rolled out roadmap for ethanol blending in India during 2020-2025. Also, National Policy on Biofuels – 2018, provides an indicative target of 20% ethanol blending under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme by 2030. Considering these Government’s initiatives current studies were performed on BSVI compliant gasoline direct injection vehicle on RDE compliant route (Route formulated by Indian Oil R&D Centre) with different ethanol blended gasoline fuel formulations i.e., E0 (Neat Gasoline), E10 (10% Ethanol in gasoline) & E20 (20% Ethanol in gasoline). The study aims to determine the compliance of Conformity Factor (C.F.) for ethanol blended gasoline fuel on Direct Injection gasoline engine. The conformity factors were calculated in each case for CO, NOx & PN using moving window average evaluation method. For reference CO2
Kant, Chander, Arora, Ajay, Saroj, Shyamsher, Kumar, Prashant, Sithananthan, M, Chakradhar, Dr Maya, Kalita, Mrinmoy
Material Compatibility Studies of Ethanol Blended Diesel2026-26-01291/16/2026
The Government of India has mandated biofuel blending in automotive fuels to reduce crude oil imports and support the national economy. As part of this initiative, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have begun nationwide blending of E20 fuel (20% ethanol in petrol). Ethanol supply is expected to exceed demand by the end of 2025 due to initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana. Alternative applications for ethanol are being explored; one promising approach is its use as a co-blend with diesel fuel (ED blends). However, ethanol’s low cetane number and poor lubricity pose challenges for direct use in diesel engines without modifications. ED blends demonstrated reduced emissions while maintaining performance comparable to conventional diesel. To further address concerns related to materials compatibility of ED blends with fuel system components, particularly plastomers that may impact engine durability, a detailed study was conducted using elastomers such as FVMQ, FKM, HNBR, and NBR in
Johnpeter, Justin P, Chakrahari, Kiran, Chakradhar, Maya, Arora, Ajay, Prakash, Shanti, Pokhriyal, Naveen Kumar
Development of Flex Fuel Engine for Indian Market2026-26-01171/16/2026
This paper presents the methodology and outcomes of modifying a 1.2L naturally aspirated (NA) engine to enable flex-fuel compatibility, targeting optimal performance with ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E100. Ethanol is being increasingly promoted due to its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to provide an additional source of income for farmers. As per the road map for Ethanol blending released by Govt. of India, there has been continuous increase in blending of ethanol in gasoline. An initial target of 20% ethanol blending in gasoline by April 2025 has already been achieved. This work is in alignment with the broader push for development of flex-fuel vehicles, which necessitates engine adaptations capable of operating on varying ethanol blends. The primary objective was to upgrade the engine, which can give optimum performance with both lower range of ethanol blends starting from E20 as per IS 17021:2018 standard till higher blends of up to E100 as per IS 17821:2022
Tyagarajan, Sethuramalingam, Pise, Chetan, Kavekar, Pratap, Agarwal, Nishant Kumar
Improving Late Pilot Injection Strategy in Dual-Fuel Diesel/Methane Engines through Supercharging and Hydrogen Enrichment03-18-08-004912/24/2025
In this study, a novel dual-fuel combustion strategy is investigated, employing late pilot injection in diesel–methane engines to improve performance and reduce emissions. The engine was first tested with conventional diesel and methane, exploring a wide range of pilot injection timings, injection pressures, and intake boost pressures. Subsequently, experiments were repeated using a methane/hydrogen blend to assess the influence of hydrogen addition. Results show that, when using only methane, delayed pilot injections have minimal effects on engine performance. In naturally aspirated operation, unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide are reduced, while in supercharged conditions, emissions increase; however, they remain within acceptable limits. Nitrogen oxides and particulate matter reach their lowest levels with delayed injection. Introducing hydrogen reduces engine performance and hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions; notably, it suppresses the typical nitrogen oxides
Carlucci, Antonio Paolo, Strafella, Luciano, Ficarella, Antonio
Biodiesel Production via Homogeneous Route (KOH) and Heterogeneous Route (K 2 O/Nb 2 O 5 )2025-36-011612/18/2025
Biodiesel, a renewable biofuel obtained from vegetable oils or animal fats, has emerged as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. This fuel has stood out for its ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helping to mitigate environmental impacts. Biodiesel is produced by reacting oil with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst, which can be homogeneous or heterogeneous. Heterogeneous catalysis has advantages such as ease of separation, greater tolerance to oils with a high fatty acid content and the possibility of reusing the catalyst, which reduces costs and minimizes waste generation. Among the various heterogeneous catalysts available, niobium-based compounds stand out. The use of niobium-based catalysts is advantageous due to the vast reserves of this element in Brazil, guaranteeing autonomy in production and strengthening the national biofuels industry. This work investigated the production of biodiesel from soybean oil using the homogeneous and heterogeneous
Coelho, Gabriella Vilela, Alvarez, Carlos Eduardo Castilla, Ribeiro, Jessica Oliveira Notório
Effect of Ultra-High Fuel Injection Pressure on Combustion Characteristics, Engine Performance and Pollutant Emissions of a Multi-Cylinder Engine2025-36-021212/18/2025
The concern about CO2 emissions from commercial vehicles powered with internal combustion engines has been motivating research and development projects to reduce the transportation sector carbon footprint. One of the promising alternatives is the use of biofuels associated with high-efficient internal combustion engines, taking advantage of the current infrastructure of car manufacturers and automotive suppliers, as well as of the potential growth in biofuel production. With the stringent emissions regulations, the use of downsized SI engines for passenger cars has driven the adoption of direct injection technology, enabling the use of different fuel injection strategies such as stratified mixtures and multiple injection events, as well as the increase of the compression ratio as a way to improve engine thermal efficiency. This path also led to a gradual increase in injection pressure, aiming to improve spray formation and reduce the formation of particulate matter. In this sense, the
Antolini, Jácson, Zabeu, Clayton Barcelos, Pires, Gustavo Cassares, Polizio, Yuri
Ignition Delay and Combustion Efficiency Analysis of Marine Diesel-Biodiesel-Ethanol Blends in a Rapid Compression Machine2025-36-013112/18/2025
In alignment with the International Maritime Organization’s 2023 GHG Strategy and the Paris Agreement, this study investigates the viability of ternary blends of marine diesel, biodiesel, and ethanol as low-emission marine fuels. While previous studies have established the physicochemical behavior and storage stability of such blends, particularly the co-solvency role of biodiesel to prevent phase separation, limited data exists on their combustion performance under engine-relevant conditions. This work addresses this gap through a series of controlled experiments conducted in a Rapid Compression Machine (RCM), which enables the approximate a single-cycle combustion in a compression ignition engine. The tested blends included varying proportions of ethanol (up to 20% in volume) in a blend of fossil fuel with 25% of biodiesel (25%), and their combustion were evaluated across different injection timings. Key performance metrics such as ignition delay, maximum temperature and pressure
Lobato, Maria Letícia Costa, Sánchez, Fernando Zegarra, Ticona, Epifanio Mamani, Pradelle, Renata Nohra Chaar, Braga, Sergio Leal, Coelho, Lucas Dos Santos, Pradelle, Florian
Analysis of Light Duty Vehicle Particulate Matter Emissions Using Scanning Electron Microscopy2025-36-007412/18/2025
Particulate matter (PM), mainly its finer fraction, is among the main atmospheric pollutants present in an urban environment. The relationship between the increase in the concentration of this pollutant and the harm to human health is well established. The main sources of particulate matter in urban areas are mobile sources, which include the exhaust emission from light duty vehicles. This work measured the emission of PM in three light duty passenger vehicles, characterizing it in terms of emitted mass in one “flex” vehicle with port fuel (indirect) injection (PFI), using ethanol and gasohol (mixture of 22% anhydrous ethanol and 78% gasoline, by volume), in another “flex” vehicle with direct fuel injection (GDI), and in a diesel vehicle. In addition to mass measurement, images of the filters used in PM sampling were produced using scanning electron microscopy. The processing of these images made it possible to determine the average PM size, as well as establish a particle size
Borsari, Vanderlei, Neto, Edson Elpídio, de Abrantes, Rui
Calculation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in CO 2 Equivalent per Hectare of Sugarcane Cultivated for Brazilian Ethanol Production2025-36-019112/18/2025
This study aims to quantify, through Monte Carlo simulation (100,000 iterations), the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the complete production cycle of ethanol from sugarcane in Brazil, expressed in kg CO2eq/ha, and to project these emissions over a 20-year horizon. To achieve this, the production cycle was segmented into distinct stages - land use change, soil management and preparation, fertilization, harvesting and straw management, soil carbon sequestration, and industrial processing - and the parameters for each stage were defined based on recent. Three representative scenarios were considered: Worst-case (unsustainable practices involving conversion of native vegetation, high fertilizer dosages, and complete burning of the straw), Typical (conventional practices, with conversion of degraded pastures and sustainable management), and Ideal (best practices, characterized by reduced input dosages, the use of nitrification inhibitors, and high straw retention). The
Assis, Marcelo Suman Silva, Paula Araújo, Gabriel Heleno de, Baeta, José Guilherme Coelho, Abreu, Pedro Blaso Barbosa de, Filho, Fernando Antonio Rodrigues
Optimization of Biogas Combustion in SI Engines Applied to the Pre-Chamber Ignition System2025-36-020912/18/2025
The diversification of the energy matrix, combined with the use of renewable and less polluting fuels in internal combustion engines, has encouraged numerous research efforts both nationally and internationally. In this context, the utilization of waste for biofuel production stands out as a promising alternative, offering a clean and economically viable energy source. Biogas is one of the most sustainable options and has been widely used in the industry. However, it presents low lower heating values (LHV) and difficulties in burning stoichiometric mixtures, which compromise engine performance, resulting in higher specific fuel consumption and lower power output compared to fossil fuels. To address this challenge, this study aimed to improve biogas combustion in internal combustion engines by investigating the application of a new pre-chamber ignition system in the combustion process and engine performance parameters. For this, experimental tests were conducted with two biofuel
Siqueira, Caio Henrique Moreira, Ázara, Luiz Eduardo Martins, Ribeiro, José Vitor Puttini, Soares, Gabriel Faria, Silva, Fábio Moreira, Alvarez, Carlos Eduardo Castilla
Mixing Rules for Accurate Prediction of Physicochemical Properties in Automotive Diesel-Biodiesel-Ethanol Blends2025-36-013512/18/2025
The increasing demand for reduced emissions in the automotive sector has driven research into alternative fuels, including Diesel, Biodiesel, and ethanol blends. This study aims to optimize mixing rules to predict the physicochemical properties of ternary fuel blends, essential for improving engine performance and minimizing emissions. Seven established mixing rules—Kay’s Equation, Semilogarithmic Equation, Grunberg-Nissan Equation, Modified Lederer Equation, Hu-Burns Equation, Power Law, and Polynomial Equation—were evaluated to estimate key properties such as kinematic viscosity, cetane number, cetane index, flash point, pour point, and cloud point. A comprehensive database, sourced from previous literature, included pure fuel properties and blend data for 33 to 101 cases. MATLAB was used to implement nonlinear optimization, adjusting coefficients to minimize error metrics like Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), and Standard Deviation (SD). The physical
Tirado, Carlos Andrés Abanto, Lobato, Maria Letícia Costa, Passos, Sthefany Faber, Pradelle, Renata Nohra Chaar, Pradelle, Florian
Review of the Potential for Utilizing Organic Waste for Biogas Production in Latin American Countries2025-36-008312/18/2025
Environmental agreements and the urgent need to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions have positioned biogas as a sustainable alternative for bioenergy production. Biogas is a highly versatile fuel that can be used for heat and electricity generation, as well as a substitute for fossil fuels. However, its contribution to the global energy matrix remains limited. This study presents a literature search aimed at assessing the potential for biogas and bioenergy production in Latin American countries, with an emphasis on agro-industrial, agricultural, and urban waste sources. This source was conducted using articles retrieved from the CAPES Journals Portal. Based on the findings, Brazil stands out due to its extensive agro-industrial sector, while countries such as Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico also offer substantial opportunities which biogas could meet a significant share of regional energy demand. The review showed that sugarcane residues in Colombia could replace up to 44% of gasoline
Rodrigues, Jônatas Soares, Moreira, Thiago Augusto Araújo, Souza Pereira, Felipe Augusto de, Castro, Daniel Enrique
Performance Analysis of Methanol- Ethanol Blend Fuel in a Spark-Ignition Flex-Fuel Engine2025-36-014812/18/2025
Flex-fueled vehicles (FFV) dominate the Brazilian market, accounting for over 75% of the national fleet. Ethanol fuel is widely used, primarily in the form of hydrated ethyl alcohol fuel (HEAF). Given the similar physicochemical properties of ethanol and methanol, fuel adulteration is a growing concern, often involving the addition of anhydrous ethanol, methanol, or even water to hydrated ethanol. These adulterants are visually imperceptible and can only be detected through analyses conducted by regulatory agencies using specialized instruments. However, they can significantly affect vehicle performance and accelerate engine component deterioration. The experiment was performed with a small displacement 3-cylinder port fuel injection flex-fuel engine on an engine test bench (dynamometer) and compared when fueled with ethanol and methanol. Data acquisition included combustion pressure, spark plug temperature, torque, air-fuel ratio, fuel flow, spark maps, and the overall effects of
Mascarenhas, Giovana Rebellato, Gomes, Ederson, Cruz, Diego, Duque, Edson Luciano
Effects of Vehicle Usage on Aldehyde Emissions in Flex-Fuel PFI Engines Using Ethanol2025-36-009812/18/2025
Brazil PL8 regulation has required that manufacturers comply with new emissions levels for all of vehicle life – 0 km up to 160.000 km. On this study, tests found that results between new and used vehicles are remarkably similar except for Aldehydes on Ethanol tests. To better understand this phenomena, two main ideas were considered: first, the engine mileage needed to stabilize aldehydes emissions; and second, the main factors responsible for higher acetaldehyde values on new engines only.
Fernandes, Sarah, Borsari, Marcio, Brondani, Dhouglas
Experimental Investigation of Additive Formulations for Ethanol Use in Compression Ignition Engines Using a Rapid Compression Machine2025-36-018512/18/2025
The transition to renewable fuels is critical to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon neutrality in the transportation sector. Ethanol has emerged as a promising biofuel for compression ignition (CI) engines due to its renewability and low-carbon profile. However, its low cetane number, high latent heat of vaporization, poor lubricity, and corrosive properties severely limit its auto-ignition capability and durable operation under conventional CI conditions. Building upon previous work using a Rapid Compression Machine (RCM) to assess ignition improvers for ethanol, this study explores a broader range of fuel formulations to enhance ethanol-based combustion. A total of nine blends were prepared, consisting predominantly of hydrated ethanol (50-80% by volume), combined with 5-25% biodiesel and up to 5% of a commercial ignition improvers. The biodiesel component acted both as a co-solvent and as a combustion stabilizer, particularly under cold-start conditions. Tests were
Bacic, Denise Amato, Sánchez, Fernando Zegarra, Ticona, Epifanio Mamani, Pradelle, Renata Nohra Chaar, Santos Coelho, Lucas dos, Mota, Crislane Almeida Pereira da, Pradelle, Florian
Numerical Simulation of Additized Ethanol: Impact of Engine Parameters on Combustion, Performance and Emissions2025-36-025012/18/2025
One alternative to fossil fuels is the use of bioethanol in internal combustion engines. However, the application of this renewable fuel in compression-ignition engines is limited due to its low cetane number. This barrier, however, can be overcome by using additives that enhance this property. Consequently, additized ethanol emerges as a promising option with significant potential for decarbonization and improved combustion efficiency. In this context, the present study numerically investigated, using the CONVERGE CFD software, the use of additized ethanol in a compression-ignition internal combustion engine used in marine transportation. As a comparative baseline for each investigated setup, cases involving conventional diesel fuel were also analyzed numerically. The reaction mechanisms used for modeling the combustion of both additized ethanol and conventional diesel were validated against experimental data available in the literature. Di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) was the studied
Assis, Guilherme, Sánchez, Fernando Zegarra, Pradelle, Renata Nohra Chaar, Braga, Sergio Leal, Ticona, Epifanio Mamani, Souza Junior, Jorge, Pradelle, Florian
Unveiling Biodiesel’s Environmental Trade-Offs: A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment for Urban Buses2025-36-003712/18/2025
This study presents a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of urban buses powered by Diesel S10 with three fuel blends: B7 (7% biodiesel), B15 (15% biodiesel), and B100 (100% biodiesel). Employing a well-to-wheel approach, the analysis covers the extraction, production, distribution, and use of the fuels, as well as vehicle manufacturing and maintenance. The environmental impacts were quantified using the CML-IA and ReCiPe 2016 (Midpoint and Endpoint) methods. Results indicate that B100 significantly reduces Global Warming Potential, yet exhibits higher impacts in eutrophication, abiotic depletion, and ecotoxicity. Sensitivity analysis regarding vehicle occupancy revealed greater variability for B100. In conclusion, the optimal fuel choice depends on the prioritization of specific impact categories, providing insights for sustainable transportation policies.
Cavaliero, Carla Kazue Nakao, Barboza, Franciele Alves, Seabra, Joaquim Eugênio Abel, Ferreira, Marcela Cravo, Carpoviki, Renan Siqueira, Cruz, Robson Ferreira
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