The Evaluation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Utilization as an Alternative Automobile Fuel in Nigeria

Abstract

The utilization of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as an alternative automobile fuel in Nigeria was studied, focusing on varying different blend ratios of propane and butane as an alternative fuel in a single-cylinder, four-stroke, and spark ignition (SI) engine. Ricardo WAVE, 1-Dimensional engine simulator was used to model the internal combustion engine where the different blend ratios of propane and butane (P100, P90B10, P80B20, P70B30, P60B40 and P50B50) were tested and compared with a gasoline engine operating under same conditions. From the simulation results for the different LPG blends, there was no significant difference in the engine performance and emissions, but when compared with pure gasoline, it was observed that the LPG showed improved engine performance and lower emissions. The engine power output in using the blends was 25% higher compared to using gasoline; CO emission was 50% less, UHC was 20% less while NO x at low speed was significantly lower.