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Practical Measures for an Effective "Bio-Based" Fuel Change in Internal Combustion Engines for Agriculture and Cogeneration

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A4: Bio-Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2021) | Viewed by 15062

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Flavio Caresana

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Guest Editor

Department of Industrial Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
Interests: cogeneration; gas turbines; internal combustion engines; energy conversion; renewable energy technologies; waste heat recovery

Dr. Marco Bietresato

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Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences- DI4A, University of Udine, I-33100 Udine, Italy
Interests: agricultural engineering; mechanical and energy aspects of agricultural machines and equipment for agrifood processing systems; agricultural engines and biofuels; safety of agricultural machines; test systems for agricultural machines; numerical modelling and optimization of agricultural machines and equipment for agrifood processing systems
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Dr. Massimiliano Renzi

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Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
Interests: hydropower; pump-as-turbines; thermal management in automotive powertrains; electrification of vehicles; biofuels; hydrogen-enriched fuels use; cogeneration; internal combustion engines; micro gas turbines; optimization of energy systems; energy storage; energy transition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The use of biofuels in internal combustion engines certainly offers interesting opportunities and scenarios: Indeed, their chemical and physical properties would allow obtaining a better combustion and a lower emission of pollutants, energy recovery from agrofood wastes, in accordance with the “circular economy” principles, and also a minimum energetic independence of the agricultural sector, in which biofuels are produced. A change of fueling in existing engines, however, also requires some attention at a practical level, ranging from finding a compromise solution in terms of emissions reduction and limitation of mechanical performances drops up to identifying a series of necessary technical interventions to do on the energy conversion system. Modifications to the fuel-supply and pollutant-abatement subsystems, initially designed for conventional fuels, may be necessary; for example, to better manage the new biofuels, there may be the need to create a fuel-supply system parallel to the original one, or preheating and fluidification systems, cooling and cryopreservation systems, including pressurized storages, up to a careful assessment of the chemical compatibility of metallic and plastic materials, as well as lubricants that come into contact with biofuels, and the need for a review of the structural components to house the new supply systems. This Special Issue aims at giving the readers an overview of the possible practical problems that manufacturers and users might face in a possible scenario of total or partial fuel conversion of their engines (in particular engines intended for applications in the agricultural and cogeneration sectors), with a very concrete multidisciplinary and cross-sector approach.

Prof. Dr. Flavio Caresana
Dr. Marco Bietresato
Dr. Massimiliano Renzi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Biofuels
Technical solutions
Adjustments to existing engines
Fuel-supply and pollutant-abatement subsystems
Preheating and fluidification systems
Cooling and cryopreservation systems
Chemical compatibility of biofuels with metals, plastics, lubricants

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 8494 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Injection and Combustion Analysis of Pure Rapeseed Oil Methyl Ester (RME) in a Pump-Line-Nozzle Fuel Injection System

by Flavio Caresana, Marco Bietresato and Massimiliano Renzi

Energies 2021, 14(22), 7535; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14227535 - 11 Nov 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1675

Abstract

This work suggests an interpretation to the quantitatively higher formation of NO_x in a compression ignition (CI) engine when fueled with pure biodiesel (B100). A comparative study about the use of rapeseed oil methyl ester (RME) and diesel fuel mixtures on injection timing, in-chamber pressure, heat release rate, and NO_x emissions were carried out using a diesel engine equipped with a pump-line-nozzle injection system. Such engines are still widely adopted mainly in agriculture, as the fleet of agricultural machinery is particularly old (often over 20 years) and the use of biofuels can reduce the environmental footprint of the sector. This work aims to supply some general explanations and figures useful to interpret the phenomena occurring within the fuel line and in the combustion process when using biodiesel, as well as in engines with different construction characteristics and fueling systems. Given the contradictory results available in the literature, the so-called “biodiesel NO_x effect” cannot be explained solely by the different physical properties of biodiesel (in particular, a higher bulk modulus). Experimental results show that, with the same pump settings, the start of injection with the RME is slightly advanced while the injection pressure values remain almost the same. With the RME, the pressure in the injection line increases faster due to its greater bulk modulus but the pressure rise starts from a lower residual pressure. The start of combustion takes place earlier, the heat release during the premixed phase is steeper, and a higher peak is reached. The NO_x emissions with the RME are at least 9% higher when compared to mineral diesel fuel. The greater amount of the RME injected per cycle compensates for its minor lower heating value, and the brake torque at full load is similar to the two analyzed fuels. Finally, a variation of the pump line timing is evaluated in order to assess the effect of the delay and the advance of the injection on the performance of the engine and on the emissions. A viable and simple solution in the variation of the injection strategy is suggested to counterbalance the biodiesel NO_x effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Practical Measures for an Effective "Bio-Based" Fuel Change in Internal Combustion Engines for Agriculture and Cogeneration)

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17 pages, 1756 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Costs to Reduce the Human Health Toxicity of Biogas Engine Emissions

by Alberto Benato and Alarico Macor

Energies 2021, 14(19), 6360; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14196360 - 05 Oct 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1602

Abstract

The anaerobic digestion of biodegradable substrates and waste is a well-known process that can be used worldwide to produce a renewable fuel called biogas. At the time of writing, the most widespread way of using biogas is its direct usage in combined heat and power internal combustion engines (CHP-ICEs) to generate electricity and heat. However, the combustion process generates emissions, which in turn have an impact on human health. Therefore, there is a need to: (i) measure the ICE emissions (both regulated and unregulated), (ii) compute the impact on human health, (iii) identify the substances with the highest impact and (iv) calculate the avoided damage to human health per Euro of investment in technology able to abate the specific type of pollutant. To this end, the authors conducted an experimental campaign and selected as a test case a 999 kW_el biogas internal combustion engine. Then, the collected data, which included both regulated and unregulated emissions, were used to calculate the harmfulness to human health and identify the more impactful compounds. Thus, combining the results of the impact analysis on human health and the outcomes of a market analysis, the avoided damage to human health per Euro of investment in an abatement technology was computed. In this manner, a single parameter, expressed in DALY €⁻¹, provided clear information on the costs to reduce each disability-adjusted life year (DALY). The impact analysis on human health, which was performed using the Health Impact Assessment, showed that NO_x was the main contributor to damage to human health (approximately 91% of the total), followed by SO_x (6.5%), volatile organic compounds (1.4%) and CO (0.7%). Starting from these outcomes, the performed investigation showed that the technology that guarantees the maximum damage reduction per unit of cost is the denitrification system or the oxidizing converter, depending on whether the considered plant is already in-operation or newly built. This is an unexpected conclusion considering that the most impacting emission is the NO_x. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Practical Measures for an Effective "Bio-Based" Fuel Change in Internal Combustion Engines for Agriculture and Cogeneration)

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14 pages, 6176 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transesterification of Pyrolysed Castor Seed Oil in the Presence of CaCu(OCH₃)₂ Catalyst

by Vikas Sharma, Abul Kalam Hossain, Ganesh Duraisamy and Murugan Vijay

Energies 2021, 14(19), 6064; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14196064 - 23 Sep 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1722

Abstract

Energy consumption is on the rise due to rapid technological progress and a higher standard of living. The use of alternative energy resources is essential to meet the rising energy demand and mitigate the carbon emissions caused due to use of fossil-based fuels. Biodiesel produced from non-edible oils such as castor seed oil (CO) can be used in diesel engines to replace fossil diesel. However, the quality and yields for CO biodiesel is low due to the presence of ricinolic acid C18:1OH (79%). In this study, two-stage conversion techniques were used to improve the yields and properties of CO biodiesel. The catalyst CaCu(OCH₃)₂ was prepared from waste eggshell and synthesized with copper oxide in the presence of methanol. The castor oil was subjected to pyrolysis at 450–500 °C and then transesterified in the presence of modified catalyst. The reaction parameters such as methanol-to-oil ratio and catalyst and reaction time were investigated, and the optimum combination was used to produce castor biodiesel from pyrolysis castor oil. Results showed that the cetane number and oxidation stability were increased by 7% and 42% respectively. The viscosity, density, flash point, and iodine value were decreased by 52%, 3%, 5% and 6%, respectively. The calorific values remained the same. This study suggests that pyrolyzed castor seed oil followed by transesterification in the presence of a modified catalyst gave better fuel properties and yields than the conventional transesterification process for biodiesel fuel production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Practical Measures for an Effective "Bio-Based" Fuel Change in Internal Combustion Engines for Agriculture and Cogeneration)

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18 pages, 2561 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Complementing Syngas with Natural Gas in Spark Ignition Engines for Power Production: Effects on Emissions and Combustion

by Carlo Caligiuri, Urban Žvar Baškovič, Massimiliano Renzi, Tine Seljak, Samuel Rodman Oprešnik, Marco Baratieri and Tomaž Katrašnik

Energies 2021, 14(12), 3688; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14123688 - 21 Jun 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2310

Abstract

Power generation units based on the bio-syngas system face two main challenges due to (i) the possible temporary shortage of primary sources and (ii) the engine power derating associated with the use of low-energy density fuels in combustion engines. In both cases, an external input fuel is provided. Hence, complementing syngas with traditional fuels, like natural gas, becomes a necessity. In this work, an experimental methodology is proposed, aiming at the quantification of the impact of the use of both natural gas and syngas in spark ignition (SI) engines on performance and emissions. The main research questions focus on investigating brake thermal efficiency (BTE), power derating, and pollutant emission (NO_x, CO, THC, CO₂) formation, offering quantitative findings that present the basis for engine optimization procedures. Experimental measurements were performed on a Toyota 4Y-E engine (a 4-cylinders, 4-stroke spark ignition engine) at partial load (10 kW) under different syngas energy shares (SES) and at four different spark ignition timings (10°, 25°, 35° and 45° BTDC). Results reveal that the impact of the different fuel mixtures on BTE is negligible if compared to the influence of spark advance variation on BTE. On the other hand, power derating has proven to be a limiting factor and becomes more prominent with increasing SES. An increasing SES also resulted in an increase of CO and CO₂ emissions, while NO_x and THC emissions decreased with increasing SES. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Practical Measures for an Effective "Bio-Based" Fuel Change in Internal Combustion Engines for Agriculture and Cogeneration)

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19 pages, 9839 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multifaceted Comparison Efficiency and Emission Characteristics of Multi-Fuel Power Generator Fueled by Different Fuels and Biofuels

by Weronika Gracz, Damian Marcinkowski, Wojciech Golimowski, Filip Szwajca, Maria Strzelczyk, Jacek Wasilewski and Paweł Krzaczek

Energies 2021, 14(12), 3388; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14123388 - 08 Jun 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2472

Abstract

The negative effect of liquid and gaseous fuel combustion is toxic gases (i.e., carbon and nitrogen oxides NO_x) and particulate matter (PM) formation. The content of harmful and toxic components of exhaust gases is strongly dependent on the quality and type of burnt fuel. Experimental research is required to verify the use of current technical and technological solutions for the production of electricity on farms, using various types of conventional fuels and biofuels. The aim of the current research was to comprehensively verify the use of commonly available fuels and biofuels without adapting the internal combustion engine. Gaseous fuels—propane-butane mixture (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG) and biogas (BG)—were added to liquid fuels—methyl esters of higher fatty acids (RME) and diesel fuel (DF)—in six different power configurations to evaluate the effect on the emission of toxic gases: carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO), nitric dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM), and the efficiency of fuel conversion. The use of RME in various configurations with gaseous fuels increased the emission of oxides and reduced the emission of PM. Increasing the share of LPG and CNG significantly increased the level of NO emissions. The use of gaseous fuels reduced the efficiency of the generator, particularly in the case of co-firing with DF. For medium and high loads, the lowest decrease in efficiency was recorded for the RME configuration with BG. Taking into account the compromise between individual emissions and the configuration of RME with BG, the most advantageous approach is to use it in power generators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Practical Measures for an Effective "Bio-Based" Fuel Change in Internal Combustion Engines for Agriculture and Cogeneration)

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Review

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22 pages, 890 KiB

Open AccessReview

Progress in the Use of Biobutanol Blends in Diesel Engines

by David Fernández-Rodríguez, Magín Lapuerta and Lizzie German

Energies 2021, 14(11), 3215; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14113215 - 31 May 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3835

Abstract

Nowadays, the transport sector is trying to face climate change and to contribute to a sustainable world by introducing modern after-treatment systems or by using biofuels. In sectors such as road freight transportation, agricultural or cogeneration in which the electrification is not considered feasible with the current infrastructure, renewable options for diesel engines such as alcohols produced from waste or lignocellulosic materials with advanced production techniques show a significant potential to reduce the life-cycle greenhouse emissions with respect to diesel fuel. This study concludes that lignocellulosic biobutanol can achieve 60% lower greenhouse gas emissions than diesel fuel. Butanol-diesel blends, with up to 40% butanol content, could be successfully used in a diesel engine calibrated for 100% diesel fuel without any additional engine modification nor electronic control unit recalibration at a warm ambient temperature. When n-butanol is introduced, particulate matter emissions are sharply reduced for butanol contents up to 16% (by volume), whereas NO_X emissions are not negatively affected. Butanol-diesel blends could be introduced without startability problems up to 13% (by volume) butanol content at a cold ambient temperature. Therefore, biobutanol can be considered as an interesting option to be blended with diesel fuel, contributing to the decarbonization of these sectors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Practical Measures for an Effective "Bio-Based" Fuel Change in Internal Combustion Engines for Agriculture and Cogeneration)

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