Effects of Biofuels (Methanol, Ethanol, and Butanol) on Internal Combustion Engine Performance and Exhaust Emissions

Abstract

Biofuels, derived from renewable biological resource, are universally recognized as viable alternatives to fossils fuels foe powering automotive internal combustion engines. In this study, fuels blends with biofuels (methanol, butanol or ethanol) and pure ultra-low-sulfur oil were used in a turbocharged diesel engine to test its performance and exhaust emission compositions. It was found that addition of 2 wt. % methanol, butanol or ethanol to fuel blends reduced exhaust emissions on average by 4.15, 5.8, and 8.89%, respectively, when compared with ultra-low-sulfur diesel. The reason for the reduced emissions is absence of sulfur and sulfuric acid in the biofuel blends.