Investigating the Effects of Environmentally Friendly Additives on the Exhaust Gas Composition and Fuel Consumption of an Internal Combustion Engine

Abstract

This article shows the effect of the addition of effective microorganisms and silver on the exhaust gas composition and fuel consumption. Exhaust emission standards are becoming increasingly stringent, which makes it difficult for engine manufacturers to meet them. For this reason, intensive work is underway to use alternative propulsion systems on ships, and for diesel engines, alternative fuels. Among other things, this applies to mixtures of petroleum-based fuels with vegetable oils and their esters. Unfortunately, their use, due to their physicochemical properties, can negatively affect the performance of the engine and the wear of its components. Therefore, the aim of this study was to see how additives of effective microorganisms in the form of ceramic liquid and tubes, and a silver solution and colloidal silver would affect some engine parameters, including the exhaust gas composition and fuel consumption. The authors are not aware of the results of previous research on this issue. The tests were carried out on a diesel engine for four types of green additives at concentrations of 2% and 5%, at different ranges of its load. The additives added to the diesel fuel were characterised, and the test stand was presented, along with the parameters of the tested fuel. The effect of additives on selected engine parameters, including fuel consumption, was presented. The characteristics of hourly fuel consumption and selected components of the exhaust gas, including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide as a function of the concentration of ecological additives are shown and analysed. It was found that the most beneficial additive that had a positive effect on the exhaust gas composition and fuel consumption was a silver solution in a 2% concentration. There was a decrease of up to 4% in the NOx content of the exhaust gas, a decrease in carbon monoxide of more than 28%, a decrease in carbon dioxide of 4.6% and a decrease in fuel consumption of around 3% was achieved under the tested conditions. The use of these additives is an innovative solution that has a positive impact on reducing the emissions of harmful compounds into the atmosphere. In further research, it will be necessary to study the effect of this additive on the combustion process in the engine and the wear of its components, as well as to confirm the results obtained in real operating conditions.