Environmental Assessment of Emission and Performance of Diesel Engine Fuelled by Propylene Glycol-Biodiesel-Diesel

Abstract The environmental aspect of combustion can be considered one of the main factors in achieving sustainable power production. While various studies emphasised the positive aspect of propylene glycol as an additive for diesel-biodiesel fuel composition on emission and performance metrics of a diesel engine, an unknown element of the role of this additive in sustainable power generation cycles is still not achieved. The role of this additive in the sustainable power generation cycle is unclear, and this is considered a research gap. In this study, an environmental assessment of engine performance and emission specifications was conducted in the propylene glycol, diesel, and biodiesel fuel combination. Propylene glycol was mixed with B2 and B5 fuels at 3, 5, and 7% ratios. Fuel samples were examined in a diesel engine. Environmental assessment was conducted using life cycle assessment according to IMPACT2002+ life cycle inventory analysis instruction. According to the results, the lowest midpoint and endpoint indicators of environmental impacts were related to B5PG7, i.e., 18% lower than the control. Accordingly, B5PG7 was selected as the best fuel sample from an environmental and efficiency point of view.