The impact of using pure ethanol additives on gasoline fuel with respect to SI engine emissions

Abstract

Abstract A major problem in the gasoline engine operation process under heavy-duty conditions is the knocking phenomenon, noises produced in the combustion chamber during the combustion procedure as a consequence of the pre-ignition process. These occur effect of the high temperature of the air, which causes fuel to ignite without additional activation energy (spark). The octane number for gasoline fuel measures the resistance of the fuel to such auto-ignition. Experimental work was done in this study to study the influence of adding pure ethanol to conventional Iraqi gasoline fuel at percentages varying from 10% to 90% in 10% increments by volume, with various fuel properties like density, octane number, viscosity, fuel vapour pressure, and flash point temperature, measured and compared. Ethanol additives were found to increase fuel density, flash point temperature, viscosity, and octane number while reducing fuel vapour pressure. The engine utilised in the trials was a single-cylinder, gasoline engine, naturally aspirated and air-cooled. The experimental outcomes for specific fuel consumption showed decreases of up to 29% at the 90% volumetric percentage of ethanol in conventional gasoline fuel, and emissions of engine NOX, CO, and HC decreased by 67. 7%, 69%, and 61%, respectively, However, CO2 emissions increased.