Hydrogen is considered one of the main gaseous fuels due to its ability to improve thermal performance in diesel engines. However, its influence on the characteristics of lubricating oil is generally ignored. Thus, in the present investigation, an analysis of the effect on the physical and chemical properties of lubricating oil with mixtures of diesel fuel–hydrogen was carried out, and the environmental impacts of this type of mixture were assessed. The development of the research was carried out using a diesel engine under four torque conditions (80 Nm, 120 Nm, 160 Nm and 200 Nm) and three hydrogen gas flow conditions (0.75 lpm, 1.00 lpm and 1.25 lpm). From the results, it was possible to demonstrate that the presence of hydrogen caused decreases of 3.50%, 6.79% and 4.42% in the emissions of CO, HC, and smoke opacity, respectively. However, hydrogen further decreased the viscosity of the lubricating oil by 26%. Additionally, hydrogen gas produced increases of 17.7%, 29.27%, 21.95% and 27.41% in metallic components, such as Fe, Cu, Al and Cr, respectively. In general, hydrogen favors the contamination and oxidation of lubricating oil, which implies a greater wear of the engine components. Due to the significantly negative impact of hydrogen on the lubrication system, it should be considered due to its influence on the economic and environmental cost during the engine’s life cycle.

Contexto: La inminente preocupación en torno a la emisión de gases de efecto invernadero asociada a los motores de combustión interna ha motivado a la industria y la academia a proponer soluciones confiables para mitigar los efectos adversos de las maquinas térmicas. La sustitución parcial de combustible es una diversa, conveniente y prometedora tecnología que puede contribuir a minimizar los niveles de emisión. Método: El estudio incorporó un montaje para pruebas experimentales de un motor diésel de baja cilindrada que permite controlar las condiciones de operación para evaluar el desempeño térmico, de consumo de combustible y de niveles de emisión. Se produjo una mezcla biodiésel de aceite de alga a un porcentaje de substitución del 5 % (AB5) y 15 % (AB15) a través de una técnica de transesterificación. La evaluación de desempeño se centró en el impacto de la relación de compresión variable y el margen de torque del motor. Resultados: La implementación del aceite de alga como mezcla biodiésel redujo los niveles de emisión del CO, CO2 y HC en un 40-95 % en comparación con la operación autónoma de diésel comercial. En contraste, se incrementaron las emisiones de NOx en una proporción razonable (<45%). Se pudo obtener una minimización adicional de las emisiones de CO y HC al incrementar la relación de compresión, pero las emisiones de CO2 y NOx fueron negativamente afectadas. Adicionalmente, al aumentar la relación de compresión se incrementó la presión durante la combustión, lo cual mejoró el consumo de combustible y el desempeño térmico. Contrariamente, un mayor contenido de aceite de alga en la mezcla biodiesel redujo la presión dentro del cilindro, lo que aumentó el consumo de combustible y redujo el desempeño térmico. Conclusiones: En conclusión, la implementación de biodiésel demostró ser una herramienta robusta para mitigar en gran medida las emisiones globales del motor. Los resultados negativos en cuanto a desempeño térmico y consumo de combustible son consecuencia de la alta densidad y la menor capacidad calorífica. Sin embargo, esto puede ser parcialmente contrarrestado al incrementar la relación de compresión del motor. La exploración del hidrógeno e hydroxy es alta recomendada para contribuir a mejorar el desempeño global de las tecnologías de sustitución parcial de combustible.

This research studies the current state of the Colombian industrial sector, which is focused on self-generation processes. The study’s objective is to search for viable technological strategies that strengthen this particular sector’s competitiveness and sustainable development. The analysis shows that internal combustion engines represent 49% of the technologies used for self-generation. The main fuel used in the sector is natural gas, with a percentage of 56%. The lack of strategies for the use of residual heat and technological inefficiencies caused a loss of 36% in the energy used in the Colombian industrial sector. Thermoelectric generators are a feasible way to recover energy from exhaust gases in engines used for self-generation. Additionally, they allow a 4% reduction in fuel consumption and an improvement in the engine’s energy efficiency. The use of hydrogen as fuel allows a 30% reduction in polluting emissions, such as CO2, CO, HC, and particulate matter. Hydrogen production processes, such as water electrolysis, allow the participation of Colombia’s solar energy potential, leading to sustainable hydrogen production, efficiency (60–80%), and a lower economic cost. In general, the application of thermoelectric generators and the use of hydrogen gas allow the improvement of the Colombian industrial sector’s environmental, social, and economic aspects due to greater competitiveness and the reduction in emissions and operating costs.

This study evaluates the influence on the combustion process, fuel consumption, and polluting emissions in a diesel engine, which operates with biodiesel from soybean oil and water emulsions with percentages of 4% and 8%. For this study, a stationary diesel engine operating at four different torque conditions and a fixed rotation speed of 3400 rpm is used. Test fuels are diesel, soybean oil biodiesel, and SB4W and SB8W water emulsions. The results indicate that SB4W and SB8W cause a 6% reduction in calorific value and an 18% and 1% increase in viscosity and density. However, the presence of water in biodiesel can help reduce engine BSFC by 8%. The SB4W and SB8W allow a 23% reduction in NOx emissions. With the use of SB4W fuel, a reduction of 16%, 29%, and 14% in CO, HC, and smoke opacity is obtained compared to soybean oil biodiesel. The maximum inclusion of 8% water in soybean oil biodiesel is recommended since a higher percentage can cause the presence of incomplete combustions.