3E analyses of different blend fuels in an internal combustion engine

Abstract

In response to the escalating emphasis on sustainability across diverse sectors, this study addresses the imperative to combat environmental degradation through conscientious development. The primary focus is on assessing the feasibility of replacing fossil fuels with renewable alternatives in internal combustion engines (ICEs) equipped with direct fuel injection. The research employs energy and exergy analyses, coupled with economic analysis, to comprehensively evaluate the performance of fuels and blends. Applying the Lotus Engine software, computational analyses are conducted, taking into account the specific geometry of the engine. Simulations explore different λ‐factors to identify optimal performance configurations for each fuel or blend. Noteworthy outcomes reveal that blends featuring green hydrogen yield remarkable improvements, showing high torque (max. +11.5%), power (max. +14.35%), thermal efficiency (max. +3%), and exergy efficiency (max. +21.56%). These blends also demonstrate reduced operating costs (max. −10%), although with higher exergy losses, indicating areas for potential enhancement. Conversely, fuels containing ethanol show intermediate values between the blends and pure fuels. Consequently, this study effectively establishes the significance of these fuels in ICEs, supported by comprehensive energy, exergy, and economic analyses. The findings underscore the promising potential of renewable fuels as viable alternatives to fossil fuels, marking a substantial stride towards sustainable energy solutions and environmental preservation.