Evaluation of combustion characteristics and emission reduction potential of fusel oil–gasoline blends in a turbocharged 1.8 L gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine

Alternative energy sources are crucial because of rising energy demand and pollution concerns. Fusel oil is a by-product of ethanol distillation from molasses. This study compares the combustion characteristics, performance, and emissions of a 1.8 L turbocharged four-cylinder, direct-injection, spark-ignition engine using fusel–gasoline blends. A steady-state experiment with a constant engine speed of 2000 rpm and a throttle load of 40% was carried out. Four samples were tested: pure gasoline and 10%, 20%, and 30% fusel oil blends, referred to as F0, F10, F20, and F30, respectively. Results showed that fusel oil blends increased brake specific fuel consumption by 5–20% compared to pure gasoline. The combustion behavior, including in-cylinder pressure, rate of heat release, rate of pressure rise, and mass fraction burn, was lower by 2–5% and exhibited an earlier crank angle degree by 2–3 compared to pure gasoline. Due to differences in attributes and oxygen content, the brake thermal efficiency of combustion dropped 13–16% compared to pure gasoline. The blends emitted 120–90 ppm less hydrocarbon and 0.3–0.5% more carbon monoxide than pure gasoline did. In summary, fusel oil can be blended with gasoline, significantly impacting turbocharged gasoline direct-injection engine performance.