Renewable Fuels for Internal Combustion Engines

The continuous need for systematization and open dissemination of knowledge on Renewable Fuels intended for use in Internal Combustion Engines forms the premise of the presented Special Issue titled “Renewable Fuels for Internal Combustion”. Experts in the field were encouraged to share their latest findings in the form of original research papers, case studies, or short reviews. Works targeting all aspects of the value chain were considered necessary, including the following: (liquid and gaseous) fuel production process, upgrading (catalytic and fractional blending), up to end, valorization in combustion engines (conventional and advanced concepts). Finally, techno-economic analyses aiming to valorize the value chain holistically were warmly encouraged to submit papers in this Special Issue of the Energies Journal. In this book, the reader will find successful submissions that present the latest findings from the discussed research field, encapsulated into nine chapters.

Advanced Emission Controls and Sustainable Renewable Fuels for Low Pollutant and CO2 Emissions on a Diesel Passenger Car

Research efforts into advanced emission control systems led to significant reduction of pollutant emissions of modern internal combustion engines. Sustainable renewable fuels are used to further reduce their Well-to-Wheels greenhouse gas emissions. The novel aspect of this paper is the compatibility investigation of existing advanced emission control technologies for achieving low pollutant emissions with the use of sustainable renewable fuels with vehicle tests. This is done on a diesel demonstrator vehicle, equipped with Lean NOx trap and dual-SCR technologies in combination with a 48V mild-hybrid powertrain. Tailpipe pollutant and CO2 emissions are measured for market diesel fuel with 7% renewable fatty-acid-methyl-ester (FAME) (B7), diesel fuel with 30% FAME (B30), and 100% renewable hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). Results show no significant difference in pollutant emissions between the different fuels used. In a second part of the study, a Well-to-Wheels (WTW) analysis is conducted. This includes different pathways for the biomass-to-liquid fuels that were tested on the vehicle, as well as a power-to-diesel (e-diesel) assessment. Results show that significant WTW CO2 reductions are possibly compared to the state-of-the-art market diesel fuel. Part of this reduction is already possible for the existing fleet as most of paraffinic compounds are drop-in for market diesel fuel.

Engineering of renewable fuels in the energy complex of the region

The article discusses the solution to the problem of the integrated use of renewable fuels in order to minimize ecological damage to the environment. A mathematical model has been developed that operates with averaged values of stocks of raw materials and fuel requirements. It allows you to determine the optimal number of enterprises for the production of each type of fuel, while obtaining the final formulas characterizing the schemes for the optimal location of production, as well as the relationship between these indicators. Applied calculations were carried out on the example of the Udmurt Republic.

Evaluation of the efficiency of using biodiesel fuel as a motor fuel

The article analyzes the problem of replacing traditional fossil fuels with alternative renewable fuels. Indicators characterizing the operation of a diesel engine when it is converted to biodiesel fuel are given. The main criteria that are recommended for assessing the efficiency of using biodiesel fuel as a motor fuel are considered. Key words: DIESEL ENGINE, FUEL, MIXTURE, ECOLOGY, INDICATOR, CRITERION, EFFICIENCY

Antecedents of Personal Norms and Social Media Information towards Biofuel Purchase Intention in Special Region of Yogyakarta

This examination means to re-analyze the effect of the ascription of responsibility, awareness of the consequences, personal norms, and social media information on biofuel purchase intentions in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. This study tries to re-examine the merger of two theories: Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and The Norm Activation Model (NAM). The results showed that the ascription of responsibility and awareness of consequences affected personal norms. This study also indicates that personal norms and social media information positively and significantly impact biofuel purchase intentions. The awareness variable is the most dominant variable from the data processing results from the consumer’s point of view. Meanwhile, the personal norm variable is the most dominant from the industrial point of view of data processing. This investigation’s practical implication is to give industry, the government, and the wider community to jointly promote one of the government programs, switching from non-renewable fuels to renewable fuels.

Hydrocarbon Species Impact on NO to NO2 Conversion in a Compression Ignition Engine Under Low Temperature Combustion Conditions

Low temperature combustion has proved to be beneficial for low NOx and particulate matter emissions. Renewable fuels, such as biodiesel, alcohol fuels, and ether fuels can further decrease the carbon footprint of the engine. The NO to NO2 ratio in engine out NOx emissions has shown dependency on the concentration of hydrocarbon emissions. This relationship has a significant impact on the design of exhaust after-treatment systems. However, the effect of the renewable fuels on NO to NO2 conversion process is less understood. This paper investigates the impact of DME and propane on the in-cylinder conversion of NO to NO2 in a compression ignition engine. Firing test under low temperature combustion condition is first performed to demonstrate the impact of HC concentration on exhaust NO concentration and composition. Then, motoring tests are performed with a mixture of the HC and NO dosed into the engine intake manifold. The simplified testing scenario makes it easier to understand HC-NO interaction. To simplify the process of understanding the difference in fuel behavior a study of NO to NO2 conversion as a resolution of engine cycle is conducted using a Gas Sampling Valve which is capable of collecting in-cylinder gases at varying crank-angles. The FTIR data from these compression tests can help assist future mechanism studies to be performed. This study aims to describe the impact of the two fuels on the NO to NO2 conversion process and the boundary conditions at which these differences occur.