Performance of Anisole and Isobutanol as Gasoline Bio-Blendstocks for Spark Ignition Engines

Abstract

Several countries have set ambitious targets for the transport sector that mandate a gradual increase in advanced biofuel content in the coming years. The current work addresses this transition and indicates two promising gasoline bio-blendstocks: Anisole and isobutanol. The whole value chains of these bio-components were considered, focusing on end-use performance, but also analyzing feedstock and its conversion, well-to wheel (WTW) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and costs. Three alternative fuels, namely a ternary blend (15% anisole, 15% isobutanol, 70% fossil gasoline on an energy basis) and two binary blends (15% anisole with fossil gasoline and 30% isobutanol with fossil gasoline), were tested, focusing on their drop-in applicability in spark ignition (SI) engines. The formulated liquid fuels performed well and showed the potential to increase brake thermal efficiency (BTE) by 1.4% on average. Measured unburned hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions were increased on average by 12–29% and 17–51%, respectively. However, HC and CO concentrations and exhaust temperatures were at acceptable levels for proper catalyst operation. The studied blends were estimated to bring 11–22% of WTW GHG emission reductions compared to base gasoline. Additionally, the fleet performance and benefits of flexi-fuel vehicles (FFV) were modeled for ternary blends.

Internal Combustion Engines and Carbon-Neutral Fuels: A Perspective on Emission Neutrality in the European Union

“…Thus, at present, there is already very high agricultural production of maize, sugarcane, wheat, and other biomass products worldwide. These sugars are subjected to fermentation, to obtain bioethanol [82] or biobutanols [83], which are used as biofuels in spark ignition engines. Therefore, the necessary technology and knowledge are available to implement these agricultural and industrial processes that would allow, in the next decades, for an important substitution of fossil gasoline in road transport.…”

Thermodynamic Analysis of CO2 Hydrogenation to Higher Alcohols (C2–4OH): Effects of Isomers and Methane

“…14 , 15 Ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, and isobutanol have been reported as alternative fuels in a gasoline/diesel engine. 16 − 26 The higher alcohols can be blended with gasoline/diesel or can be used alone, and their content varies from below 0.05 to 1. Depending on the nature of the higher alcohol and its content, the engine can be used directly or after modifications.…”

“…Converting CO 2 to fuels such as methane, higher hydrocarbons, methanol, and higher alcohols (C 2–4 OH) has attracted considerable interest in recent years. − Among them, higher alcohols possessing a high volumetric energy density, a relatively high octane/cetane number, and low vapor pressure are promising alternatives for gasoline and diesel. , Ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, and isobutanol have been reported as alternative fuels in a gasoline/diesel engine. − The higher alcohols can be blended with gasoline/diesel or can be used alone, and their content varies from below 0.05 to 1. Depending on the nature of the higher alcohol and its content, the engine can be used directly or after modifications.…”