A review of fuel additives' effects and predictions on internal combustion engine performance and emissions

Abstract

<abstract> <p>In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in additives for fuel research in the field of internal-combustion engines. Many studies have been conducted to improve the performance and emissions of the engine. Many kinds of additives in the form of solids, liquids, and gases have been used. The objective of this review is to examine the effects of having additives on the performance and emissions of an internal combustion engine. Additives such as alcohol, hydrogen, and metal oxides are proven to be successful in improving performance or reducing emissions. Results from selected papers are discussed and summarised in a table. With the new developments in nanotechnology, many researchers have shown an increased interest in carbon-based nanoparticles such as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT). Lately, with the discovery of graphene production techniques, graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) have also been applied as fuel additives. In addition to understanding the effects of the additives on the engine performance and emissions, researchers extended the research to predict the outcome of the performance and emissions. The experiments involving the predictions efforts are summarised in a table. From the summary, it is found that the prediction of the GNP as fuel additive effects to the performance and emissions has not yet been explored. This gap is an opportunity for researchers to explore further.</p> </abstract>