Issue 9, 2017

Performance evaluation of gasoline alternatives using a thermodynamic spark-ignition engine model

Abstract

In light of climate change and due to the fact that surface transportation heavily relies on internal combustion engines, many different alternatives to gasoline have been proposed. Herein, we present a model, incorporating only first order effects, which allows a quick assessment of the suitability of a certain molecule as a replacement for gasoline. Using global sensitivity analysis, the elemental composition and the vapor heat capacity have been identified as main influencing fuel parameters. A case study using the currently proposed alternative fuels (methanol, ethanol, n-butanol, dimethylfuran, methylfuran, and α-pinene) as well as gasoline and several hydrocarbons (cyclohexane, n-heptane, isooctane, and benzene) revealed n-butanol as the best performing alternative fuel. The use of this compound entails a significant decrease in CO2 emissions and an increased efficiency, but also a higher consumption in comparison with gasoline.

Graphical abstract: Performance evaluation of gasoline alternatives using a thermodynamic spark-ignition engine model

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
02 Jun 2017
Accepted
28 Aug 2017
First published
29 Aug 2017

Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2017,1, 1991-2005

Performance evaluation of gasoline alternatives using a thermodynamic spark-ignition engine model

D. Gschwend, P. Soltic, P. Edinger, A. Wokaun and F. Vogel, Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2017, 1, 1991 DOI: 10.1039/C7SE00276A

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