Energy-ecological Efficiency of Dual-Fuel Serie Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Considering WTW Emissions

This paper discussed the possibility of replacing the series plug-in hybrid electric vehicle using the single-fuel spark-ignition engine (SFSIE) fuelled with gasoline A and Brazilian gasoline by the series plug-in hybrid electric vehicle fuelled with 50% bioethanol and 50% biogas in dual-fuel mode. The simulation of bioethanol, biogas and gasoline A combustion were carried out through GASEQ software to calculate the energy-ecological efficiency of the SFSIE and the dual-fuel spark ignition engine (DFSIE). The well-to-pump (WTP) emissions of the sugarcane bioethanol and biogas production pathway were evaluated through GREET software. The tank-to-wheel (TTW) emissions were determined to each series PHEV operating modes. Thus, the well-to-wheel emissions were calculated through the sum of the WTP, TTW and electricity mix emissions. The results showed that the energy-ecological efficiency for the DFSIE was 10.7% and 24.1% higher than that found for SFSIE fuelled with gasoline and Brazilian gasoline, respectively. The losses during the biogas production aggravate linearly the WTP emissions, and consequently the WTW emissions of the series PHEV. Besides that, the DFSIE presented 15.5% and 12.8 less TTW emissions than the SFSIE fuelled with gasoline A and Brazilian gasoline, respectively. Comparing to the emission standards, the DFSIE presented TTW emissions 30.5% higher than the EU emission standard by 2021. Although the DFSIE does not meet none of the emission standards, this engine mode can be an alternative to at least reduce the tailpipe emissions.