Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a Fuel for Internal Combustion Engines

Abstract

Liquefied hydrocarbon gases, containing mostly the mixture of C3-C4 hydrocarbons, in many countries serve as an important source of energy, also for internal combustion engines. On a world scale, at present, about 270 million tonnes of this fuel is produced, of which motorization consumes 26 million tonnes (~10%). Poland is one of these countries, where LPG is a popular engine fuel. Annual consumption of so called autogas is about 1.7 million tonnes with increasing tendency. Almost 3 millions of cars with bifuel engines, mostly spark ignition ones, are driven on Polish roads. An extensive logistical infrastructure accompanies the development of the use of this type of fuel in Poland. There are numerous production companies in Poland working to meet the needs of this branch of industry, as well as a modern service base. Intensive research and development works in this field are carried out. The exceptional advantages of LPG as an alternative engine fuel have been highly appreciated in Poland. These advantages result mainly from the simplicity of its production. Relatively low investment costs and energy consumption are needed to produce high-quality fuel by degasolining of natural gas or crude oil stabilization. LPG is produced as a byproduct in numerous petroleum refining processes and its quality is relatively close to the engine fuel requirements. The source of aliphatic hydrocarbons falling into LPG range can also be the processes of biomass conversion and in the near future, fermentation processes. Environmental advantages of LPG are primarily very low emission of almost all toxic components of engine exhaust gases compared to gasoline or diesel fuel. In this chapter the results of research works aimed at the improvementof exploitation properties, logistics and LPG combustion processes in spark ignitionengines are presented. In this area, anti-corrosion additives for LPG of very high effectiveness were obtained and tested. Also, with the help of additives, the problem of water separating from LPG during storage and transport in tankers has been solved. A multifunctional additive was obtained giving LPG adequate lubricity and detergent properties. The influence of water on the process of LPG combustion in a gasoline fuelled engine as well ways to supply water to the combustion zone are being studied. A mathematical model is being elaborated, precisely describing correlations between density and chemical composition of LPG as well as changes of density as a function of fuel tempera- ture. In the realization of these plans LPG producing companies, research and development teams as well as producers of automobile LPG systems are involved. Successful completion of research works and design works will result in elimination of scarce disadvantages of LPG as an engine fuel, preserving at the same time all its numerous advantages as an alternative fuel for the future -the new era source of energy.

System for studying the parameters of gas solenoid valves

“…Additionally, LPG is a mixture of several gases (mainly propane and butane) in different proportions depending on the season and the country in which they are sold. (Paczuski, 2016) To determine the actual flow characteristics of gas injectors and to avoid mathematical operations to equate the used gases with the characteristics of LPG and influence of discharge coefficient, the experimental conditions should be as close as possible to the real ones and LPG sold at gas stations should be used.…”

“…For the present, LPG remains the most popular alternative fuel (Paczuski, 2016). Its main advantages are lower emissions, good energy density, efficient combustion characteristics, high octane rating (Morganti, 2013), higher knock resistance, low energy price and many others.…”

Effect of a New Design Electronic Control System on the Emissions Improve for Diesel ‎‏Engine Operation by (Diesel + ‎LPG)‎

“…LPG is safer than petrol and diesel, as it consists mainly of simple hydrocarbon compounds. LPG contains very little sulfur and is free of lead and most additives [15][16][17]. Compared with vehicle emissions of petrol and diesel, LPG-driven vehicle emissions include lower levels of hydrocarbon compounds (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides, Air toxics, and particulate matter [18].…”

“…They found the economic and ecological benefits of using these engines, and more often sell vehicles with Autogas systems built in the factory. It creates a positive image of Autogas as an environmentally friendly, cost effective and fully safe fuel [16,35]. This is a very positive indication of the possibility of using liquefied gas as a dual fuel with diesel being available in this country Iraq as well as from material and economic foreigners and it can be produced according to what the combustion process requires in internal combustion engines [13].…”

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Bottling Process and Required Safety During Bottling: A Case Study

“…LPG is extracted from heated crude oil using a distillation tower. This LPG can be separated into its three primary parts: propane, butane, and isobutene [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. LPG is a clean and efficient fuel that emits 20% less carbon dioxide (CO2) than heating oil, 50% less CO2 than coal and 70% less CO2 than wood.…”