Investigation of gasoline containing GTL naphtha in a spark ignition engine at full load conditions

Abstract

Gas-to-liquid (GTL) naphtha can be used as a gasoline blend component, and the challenge of its low octane rating is solved by using ethanol as an octane booster. However, currently there is little knowledge available about the performance of gasolines containing GTL naphtha in spark ignition engines. The objective of this work is to assess full load performance of gasoline fuels containing GTL naphtha in a modern spark ignition engine. In this study, four new gasoline fuels containing up to 23.5 vol.% GTL naphtha, and a standard EN228 gasoline fuel (reference fuel) were tested. These new gasoline fuels all had similar octane rating with that of the standard EN228 gasoline fuel. The experiments were conducted in an AVL single cylinder spark ignition research engine under full load conditions in the engine speed range of 1000-4500 rpm. Two modern engine configurations, a boosted direct injection (DI) and a port fuel injection (PFI), were used. A comprehensive thermodynamic analysis was carried out to correlate experiment data with fuel properties. The results show that, at the full load operating conditions the combustion characteristics and emissions of those gasoline fuels containing GTL naphtha were comparable to those of the standard EN228 gasoline fuel. Volumetric fuel consumption of fuels with high GTL naphtha content was higher due to the need of adding more ethanol to offset the reduced octane rating caused by GTL naphtha. Results also indicate that, compared to the conventional compliant E228 gasoline fuel, lower particulate emissions were observed in gasoline fuels containing up to 15.4 vol.% GTL naphtha.

Combustion Analysis of an Aviation Compression Ignition Engine Burning Pentanol–Kerosene Blends under Different Injection Timings

“…Alternative biofuels have been recognized as a promising means of reducing the dependence on petroleum-derived fuels and have thus been promoted greatly. − In particular, alcohols have been widely used in internal combustion engines due to their preferable physicochemical properties such as lower viscosity, high evaporative cooling, and high laminar flame propagation speed. − Gasoline engines fueled with alcohols have demonstrated these benefits thanks to their higher octane number and evaporative cooling effects (particularly in GDI engines). − However, the application of alcohols in diesel engines has encountered some difficulties due to the lower cetane number, longer ignition delay, and higher latent heat of vaporization of alcohols . Ongoing research has focused more on the usage of short-chain alcohols (e.g., methanol and ethanol) as a blending agent in a diesel fuel − and found some drawbacks such as lower heat value and poor miscibility.…”

“…For a diesel engine, fuel injection timing is probably the most critical parameter influencing the combustion, engine performance, and exhaust emissions. − Varying injection timing changes the in-cylinder air motion, which consequently affects ignition delay (ID). Advancing or retarding injection timing also changes the in-cylinder temperature, cylinder pressure, indicated thermal efficiency, combustion efficiency, and fuel consumption.…”

Operating of Gasoline Engine Using Naphtha and Octane Boosters from Waste as Fuel Additives

“…Naphtha is one of the leading products of refineries. It is used in many industries like the petrochemical industry as a feedstock, gasoline fuel blend, and widely as a diluent [18][19][20][21]. The biggest producer of naphtha worldwide is the Middle East.…”

“…Wang et al [20] conducted a study to investigate the performance of modern SI engine operation with a blend of gasoline fuel and gas to liquid naphtha at full load conditions. Thermal analysis was conducted for correlating fuel properties with experimental engine data.…”

Engine Thermal Efficiency Gain and Well-to-Wheel Greenhouse Gas Savings When Using Bioethanol as a Gasoline-Blending Component in Future Spark-Ignition Engines: A China Case Study

“…Among the biofuel candidates for spark-ignition (SI) engines, bioethanol is the most widely used. Studies have proven ethanol blends in improving engine efficiency, reducing emissions, such as particulates and unburned hydrocarbons, − and reducing deposit formation . Ethanol has also been blended with diesel and used in compression ignition engines. , By adoption of optimized injection and exhaust gas circulation strategies, ethanol–diesel combustion maximized the utilization of low-carbon fuels and reduced nitrogen oxides and particle emissions.…”