The study on the engine pressure variation of utilizing n-butanol-gasoline blends at fueling spark ignition engines

Abstract Alternative fuel solutions are highly regarded as potential solutions to more emissions regulation as well as more efficient energetic consumption requirements. The more efficient combustion engines become, the lesser resources they require to propel vehicles thus resulting in lower carbon footprint and lower pollutants such as CO, HC and NOx. Alcohols are promising alternative fuels that can be used to fuel vehicles, on their own or in blends with conventional fuels such as gasoline and diesel. A lot of studies have been done on alcohols such as ethanol, butanol and methanol. Each of the mentioned solutions have their advantages and disadvantages. Butanol looks a promising solution due to its high miscibility properties making it possible to blend in higher percentages with other fuels such as gasoline for example. Compared to ethanol, butanol is also less corrosive, making it ideal for older vehicles as well without any modifications to the fuel systems. Many studies have shown that the high oxygen content of butanol can help improve the combustion process in spark ignition engines, may improve thermal efficiency resulting in lower emissions and better overall engine stability. An improved engine stability can be measured by a lower variability between engine cycles during engine functioning. The objective of this paper is to determine the impact of fueling a spark ignition engine with a blend of 15% vol. n-butanol – 85% vol. gasoline on pressure variability and combustion. No engine adjustments/optimizations are done at fueling with the blended fuel vs pure gasoline. The baseline was set at an engine speed of 2500 min-1 and load of 55% while fueling with pure gasoline. After setting the baseline, the same measurements are done at fueling with the blended fuel.