Biofuels and Their Blends—A Review of the Effect of Low Carbon Fuels on Engine Performance

Qian Xiong, Yulong Duan, Dezhi Liang (), Tie Li, Hongliang Luo and Run Chen ()
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Qian Xiong: College of Power and Energy Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
Yulong Duan: College of Power and Energy Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
Dezhi Liang: College of Power and Energy Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
Tie Li: School of Ocean and Civil Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Hongliang Luo: College of Power and Energy Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
Run Chen: School of Ocean and Civil Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-34

Abstract: Energy is an important aspect concerning global economic development and environmental conservation. Economic growth has been accompanied by extensive use of fossil fuels, resulting in significant emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Therefore, researchers have turned their attention to low/zero carbon fuels. Among these, biofuels have attracted wide attention due to their relatively low cost, clean combustion products and renewability. This article reviews the combustion, performance and emission characteristics of internal combustion (IC) engines fueled with biofuels categorized into three generations by their raw material sources. According to most research findings, biofuels generally exhibit poorer combustion performance in IC engines compared to fossil fuels due to their high viscosity and low lower heating value. However, these biofuels, characterized by a high oxygen content, facilitate more complete combustion and reduce emissions of CO, UHC and smoke, albeit increasing NO x emission and fuel consumption. Both thermal efficiency and brake power also tend to decrease, but various optimization strategies such as advanced combustion modes or injection control methods can partially compensate for these drawbacks. In conclusion, biofuels should be a promising low-carbon fuel for IC engines in the future.

Keywords: low/zero carbon; biofuels; combustion; performance; emission; thermal efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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