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Combustion of Alternative Fuel Blends

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "I2: Energy and Combustion Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2024) | Viewed by 5003

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute of Fluid Flow Machinery, Polish Academy of Sciences, 80-231 Gdańsk, Poland
Interests: pyrolysis fuels; diesel engine; turbines; altrernative fuels; fuel blends
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Fluid Flow Machinery, Polish Academy of Sciences, 80-231 Gdańsk, Poland
Interests: combustion; alternative fuel; pyrolysis process; thermodynamics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are delighted to announce the call for papers for the Special Issue titled "Combustion of Alternative Fuel Blends" in the MDPI open access journal Energies (Impact Factor: 3.2).

The transition towards sustainable energy systems underscores the critical need for developing and implementing alternative fuels that can efficiently replace or complement traditional hydrocarbon-based fuels. This Special Issue focuses on innovative combustion technologies and the application of alternative fuel blends, including, but not limited to, mixtures involving biofuels, hydrogen, ammonia, synthetic gases, and other non-traditional fuels. The aim is to explore their potential in reducing the environmental impact of energy production, particularly in terms of carbon dioxide emissions, and enhancing energy efficiency as well as sustainability.

We invite contributions that cover a broad range of topics related to the combustion of alternative fuel blends. These include advancements in combustion processes, innovative burner and reactor designs, the optimization of fuel mixtures for specific applications, emissions analyses, and the environmental impact assessment of using alternative fuel blends. Studies on the theoretical modeling, numerical simulation, and experimental investigation of combustion characteristics, flame dynamics, and the performance evaluation of alternative fuel blends in various combustion systems (e.g., internal combustion engines, gas turbines, and industrial furnaces) are particularly welcome.

This Special Issue aspires to gather original research articles and comprehensive reviews that offer insights into the latest scientific and technological advancements in the field of alternative fuel blend combustion. We aim to highlight work that contributes to the global effort of decarbonizing the energy sector, improving air quality, and moving towards more sustainable and efficient energy systems.

We look forward to your valuable contributions to this timely and relevant topic.

Dr. Tomasz K. Suchocki
Dr. Paweł Kazimierski
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • alternative fuel blends
  • gas turbines
  • DI engines
  • sustainable combustion
  • emission reduction
  • energy efficiency
  • biofuel combustion
  • hydrogen-enriched combustion
  • ammonia combustion
  • synthetic fuels
  • environmental impact of combustion
  • advanced combustion technologies
  • pyrolysis processes

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 2149 KiB  
Article
Effect of Adding Halloysite to Different Solid Biomass Fuels on Combustion Process in a Small-Scale Domestic Retort Boiler
by Michał Chabiński and Andrzej Szlęk
Energies 2024, 17(24), 6287; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17246287 - 13 Dec 2024
Viewed by 501
Abstract
Biomass combustion in small-scale boilers in Eastern Europe has recently become a very popular heating option. Biomass boilers are gradually replacing old, coal-fired installations, especially in the domestic sector. In comparison with coal, biomass contains more phosphorus, chlorine, and potassium, which may cause [...] Read more.
Biomass combustion in small-scale boilers in Eastern Europe has recently become a very popular heating option. Biomass boilers are gradually replacing old, coal-fired installations, especially in the domestic sector. In comparison with coal, biomass contains more phosphorus, chlorine, and potassium, which may cause the corrosion, slagging, and fouling of heating surfaces inside the combustion chamber. Such problems may be reduced by properly controlling the combustion process, as well as adding substances like halloysite to the fuel. This paper presents the results of adding halloysite to wood pellets made of coniferous wood, rape straw, and wood/rape blend in the combustion process of a 25 kW retort boiler. The results demonstrate that adding halloysite to biomass increases the ash sintering temperature, which may, in turn, reduce slagging. The addition of halloysite also reduces the KCl concentration in the ash and the total solid compounds, potentially lowering the risk of corrosion in the boiler. A slight reduction in CO, OGC, and SO2 concentrations was observed for rape straw biomass pellets with the halloysite addition. Moreover, the experimental results indicate that the addition of halloysite to fuel may influence boiler efficiency, especially during the combustion process of agricultural biomass and its blends. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Combustion of Alternative Fuel Blends)
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15 pages, 11756 KiB  
Article
Effects of Lean Burn on Combustion and Emissions of a DISI Engine Fueled with Methanol–Gasoline Blends
by Miaomiao Zhang and Jianbin Cao
Energies 2024, 17(16), 4023; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17164023 - 14 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1349
Abstract
Methanol has significant potential as an alternative fuel for internal combustion engines. Using methanol–gasoline blends with lean-burn technology in traditional spark-ignition engines can enhance fuel economy and reduce emissions. This paper investigates the effects of lean burn on the combustion and emissions in [...] Read more.
Methanol has significant potential as an alternative fuel for internal combustion engines. Using methanol–gasoline blends with lean-burn technology in traditional spark-ignition engines can enhance fuel economy and reduce emissions. This paper investigates the effects of lean burn on the combustion and emissions in a commercial direct-injection gasoline engine fueled with methanol–gasoline blends. The lean-burn mode is adjusted by controlling the injection strategy. The results show that homogeneous lean burn (HLB) has earlier combustion phase and better power performance when the excess air ratio (λ) is less than 1.3, while its combustion phase extends more than stratified lean burn (SLB) when λ exceeds 1.4. Both lean-burn modes achieve optimal fuel economy at λ = 1.2–1.3. Under stable conditions, BSFC decreases with higher methanol blending ratios, with SLB being more economical at low blending ratios and HLB at higher ratios. The lowest HC and particulate matter emissions for both modes are achieved around λ = 1.3. SLB has lower NOX emissions when λ < 1.3, while HLB shows lower NOX emissions when λ > 1.3. The particulate size distribution is bimodal for blending lean-burn conditions, with SLB having the highest nucleation mode peak and HLB the highest accumulation mode peak. M20 (20% volume of methanol) corresponds to the highest particle emissions under lean-burn conditions. This study can provide a deeper understanding of methanol–gasoline blending lean burn, and provide a reference for emission control of spark-ignition engines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Combustion of Alternative Fuel Blends)
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12 pages, 2324 KiB  
Article
Exploring Performance of Pyrolysis-Derived Plastic Oils in Gas Turbine Engines
by Tomasz Suchocki, Paweł Kazimierski, Katarzyna Januszewicz, Piotr Lampart, Bartosz Gawron and Tomasz Białecki
Energies 2024, 17(16), 3903; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17163903 - 7 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1087
Abstract
This study explores the intersection of waste management and sustainable fuel production, focusing on the pyrolysis of plastic waste, specifically polystyrene. We examine the physicochemical parameters of the resulting waste plastic pyrolytic oils (WPPOs), blended with kerosene to form a potential alternative fuel [...] Read more.
This study explores the intersection of waste management and sustainable fuel production, focusing on the pyrolysis of plastic waste, specifically polystyrene. We examine the physicochemical parameters of the resulting waste plastic pyrolytic oils (WPPOs), blended with kerosene to form a potential alternative fuel for gas turbines. Our findings reveal that all WPPO blends lead to increased emissions, with NOX rising by an average of 61% and CO by 25%. Increasing the proportion of WPPO also resulted in a higher exhaust gas temperature, with an average rise of 12.2%. However, the thrust-specific fuel consumption (TSFC) decreased by an average of 13.8%, impacting the overall efficiency of waste-derived fuels. This study underscores the need for integrated waste-to-energy systems, bridging the gap between waste management and resource utilization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Combustion of Alternative Fuel Blends)
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12 pages, 2640 KiB  
Article
Effects of Castor and Corn Biodiesel on Engine Performance and Emissions under Low-Load Conditions
by Keunsang Lee and Haeng Muk Cho
Energies 2024, 17(13), 3349; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17133349 - 8 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 787
Abstract
Growing concerns over resource depletion and air pollution driven by the rising dependence on fossil fuels necessitate the exploration of alternative energy sources. This study investigates the performance and emission characteristics of a diesel engine fueled by biodiesel blends (B10 and B20) derived [...] Read more.
Growing concerns over resource depletion and air pollution driven by the rising dependence on fossil fuels necessitate the exploration of alternative energy sources. This study investigates the performance and emission characteristics of a diesel engine fueled by biodiesel blends (B10 and B20) derived from castor and corn feedstocks under low-load conditions (idle and minimal accessory loads). We compare the impact of these biofuels on engine power, fuel consumption, and exhaust emissions relative to conventional diesel, particularly in scenarios mimicking real-world traffic congestion and vehicle stops. The findings suggest that biodiesel offers environmental benefits by reducing harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) during engine idling and low-load operation. However, replacing diesel with biodiesel requires further research to address potential drawbacks like increased NOx emissions and lower thermal efficiency. While a higher fuel consumption with biodiesel may occur due to its lower calorific value, the overall benefit of reduced contaminant emissions makes it a promising alternative fuel. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Combustion of Alternative Fuel Blends)
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Review

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23 pages, 472 KiB  
Review
Exploring the Effects of Synergistic Combustion of Alcohols and Biodiesel on Combustion Performance and Emissions of Diesel Engines: A Review
by Fangyuan Zheng and Haeng Muk Cho
Energies 2024, 17(24), 6274; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17246274 (registering DOI) - 12 Dec 2024
Viewed by 763
Abstract
Diesel engines are extensively employed in transportation, agriculture, and industry due to their high thermal efficiency and fuel economy. However, the combustion of conventional diesel fuel is accompanied by substantial emissions of pollutants, including carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx [...] Read more.
Diesel engines are extensively employed in transportation, agriculture, and industry due to their high thermal efficiency and fuel economy. However, the combustion of conventional diesel fuel is accompanied by substantial emissions of pollutants, including carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon dioxide (CO2), posing significant threats to environmental quality. Biodiesel, as a renewable and cleaner alternative fuel, can significantly reduce emissions of CO, HC, and particulate matter (PM) due to its unique molecular structure. Nonetheless, its lower calorific value and poor cold-start performance limit its application, while its high oxygen content may contribute to increased NOx emissions. To address these limitations, researchers have proposed blending biodiesel with alcohol-based fuels such as methanol, ethanol, or butanol to create synergistic combustion systems that optimize engine performance and emission characteristics. This paper systematically reviews the effects of alcohol fuels on the performance and emission characteristics of biodiesel blends in diesel engines. Studies indicate that the addition of alcohol fuels can significantly enhance engine performance by improving fuel atomization, extending ignition delay, and increasing premixed combustion efficiency. These enhancements result in higher cylinder pressure, net heat release rate (HRR), and brake thermal efficiency (BTE), while reducing brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) to some extent. Moreover, most studies report that alcohol fuels help reduce CO, HC, smoke, and NOx emissions but tend to increase CO2 emissions. However, some findings suggest that in certain cases, the opposite results may occur. The impact of different types of alcohol fuels on performance and emissions varies significantly, requiring a comprehensive evaluation of their properties, such as latent heat, viscosity, and oxygen content. Although the appropriate addition of alcohol fuels demonstrates substantial potential for optimizing engine performance and reducing emissions, excessive blending may lead to adverse effects, necessitating careful control of the blending ratio. Future research should consider mixing two or more alcohol fuels with biodiesel to explore synergistic effects beyond the capabilities of single alcohols. Additionally, further studies should focus on optimizing fuel compositions and emission control strategies for varying operating conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Combustion of Alternative Fuel Blends)
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