Acetone–Gasoline Blend as an Alternative Fuel in SI Engines: A Novel Comparison of Performance, Emission, and Lube Oil Degradation

Abstract

The disproportionate use of petroleum products and stringent exhaust emissions has emphasized the need for alternative green fuels. Although several studies have been conducted to ascertain the performance of acetone–gasoline blends in spark-ignition (SI) engines, limited work has been done to determine the influence of fuel on lubricant oil deterioration. The current study fills the gap through lubricant oil testing by running the engine for 120 h on pure gasoline (G) and gasoline with 10% by volume acetone (A10). Compared to gasoline, A10 produced better results in 11.74 and 12.05% higher brake power (BP) and brake thermal efficiency (BTE), respectively, at a 6.72% lower brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC). The blended fuel A10 produced 56.54, 33.67, and 50% lower CO, CO2, and HC emissions. However, gasoline remained competitive due to lower oil deterioration than A10. The flash-point and kinematic viscosity, compared to fresh oil, decreased by 19.63 and 27.43% for G and 15.73 and 20.57% for A10, respectively. Similarly, G and A10 showed a decrease in total base number (TBN) by 17.98 and 31.46%, respectively. However, A10 is more detrimental to lubricating oil due to a 12, 5, 15, and 30% increase in metallic particles like aluminum, chromium, copper, and iron, respectively, compared to fresh oil. Performance additives like calcium and phosphorous in lubricant oil for A10 decreased by 10.04 and 4.04% in comparison to gasoline, respectively. The concentration of zinc was found to be 18.78% higher in A10 when compared with gasoline. A higher proportion of water molecules and metal particles were found in lubricant oil for A10.

Comparative Analysis of Performance and Emission Characteristics of Biodiesels from Animal Fats and Vegetable Oils as Fuel for Common Rail Engines

“…Therefore, interest in biodiesel as an eco-friendly energy source that can replace petroleum resources is increasing [7,8]. These eco-friendly alternative fuels utilize various energy resources on Earth, and various research is being conducted in an effort to reduce the toxic gases emitted during engine combustion [9][10][11]. Biodiesel can be extracted from vegetable and animal materials and can also be manufactured from various waste resources discarded in nature.…”

Reduction of Fossil Fuel Usage and Emissions of Diesel Engines by the Application of Quaternary Blends and Varied Fuel Injection Pressures

“…The immense and unsustainable utilization of fossil fuels, with diesel as its core, has resulted in numerous environmental threats . The growing energy demand has triggered global energy insecurity and the need for sustainable-alternate fuel for the modern transport sector. , Based on the above concerns, researchers have emerged with biodiesel and alcohol as oxygenated alternate fuels for diesel engines. Their similar fuel properties of surrogate fuels, as compared to diesel, make them readily applicable in the diesel engine without any design modifications. , …”

Comparative Assessment of Ethanol and Methanol–Ethanol Blends with Gasoline in SI Engine for Sustainable Development

“…The addition of methanol decreased the HC, CO 2 , NO x and CO emissions by 4.75%, 6.48%, 9.16% and 26.6%, respectively, in comparison to ethanol. Usman et al [16] ascertained the performance of the SI engine when acetone was added to gasoline. A10 (10% acetone in 90% gasoline) produced 11.74% and 12.05% higher brake power (BP) and BTE, respectively, at a 6.72% lower BSFC.…”