The effect of sweet orange peel addition into premium gasoline on fuel consumption and flue gas emissions

Abstract

This study offered an investigation as to how the use of sweet orange peel oil as an additive for premium gasoline can increase octane performance which influence combustion. Sweet orange peel oil-acting as a RON booster-contains monoterpene compounds and oxygenated hydrocarbons which can improve the quality of combustion. The study also aimed to analyze the combustion characteristics of premium gasoline mixture affected by sweet orange peel additives on SI engines. This study carried out tests on an engine fuel consumption and HC emissions. The cyclic rings and methyl groups of monoterpene compounds in sweet orange peel additives contribute to the increase of electronegativity of additives, therefore being able to interfere with the premium gasoline’s compounds which are dominated by aromatics hydrocarbons. It has an impact on the branches of single-bond molecules series of premium gasoline. This makes the premium gasoline cannot be ignited at low temperatures, which results in perfect combustion. In addition, the polarity of triacetin and eugenol, which includes oxygenated hydrocarbons, is able to reduce CO as the avoided gas in combustion. Sweet orange peel additives—processed by maceration extraction method—are added to premium gasoline. There are 3 ratios of additives in this study; orange peel essential oil extracted with a concentration ratio of dried orange peels simplicial to n-hexane (v / v) of 1% (EO A); 0.75% (EO B); and 0.6% (EO C). To determine the effect of the additive, exhaust gas emission testing and fuel consumption measurement were carried out on the 2013 Honda Absolute Revo motorcycle 4-step, SOHC, 1 cylinder, 109.17 cc engine. The exhaust gas, i.e. CO, HC, CO2, and O2 were analyzed using a Stargas-898-type gas analyzer. Furthermore, fuel consumption measurement was carried out at 3500 rpm engine speed. The results show that CO could be reduced by 37.7%, while the remaining O2 was reduced by 17%. The addition of sweet orange peel additives could increase CO2 levels in exhaust gases when compared to premium gasoline combustion without additives. However, the premium gasoline with additive A (EO A) blend tends to produce higher hydrocarbon emissions compared to other types of premium additive proportions. In conclusion, adding sweet orange peel additives to premium gasoline can reduce fuel consumption by 3.3%; 3.2%; and 3.4% for each blend, respectively.