An overview: Energy saving and pollution reduction by using green fuel blends in diesel engines

Abstract

The diesel engine offers superior fuel and thermal efficiencies, greater power output, superior torque and better durability compared to the spark ignition engine. On the other hand, the diesel engine is a major source of both criteria and non-criteria air pollutants, which contribute to the deteriorating air quality further putting the health of mankind at risk. Thus, there is a need to find sustainable and environmental friendly fuel types for the diesel engine application. Therefore, in this review, we embark on a discourse on the application of oxygenated alternative fuels such as biodiesel, acetone–butanol–ethanol (ABE) solution and water-addition as green fuel reformulation strategies aimed at achieving engine pollutant reduction, while maintaining the integrity of the energy performance of the diesel engine. Furthermore, more research and study is recommended on these green fuels to gain more insight on their effect especially on the unregulated vehicle emissions such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), persistent organic compounds (POPs) and carbonyls. Compared with conventional fossil diesel, by using the biodiesel and/or ABE solution in the diesel blends do reduce the emissions of particulate matter (PM), CO, PAHs and POPs, while in the most cases, the NOx emission will be increased. However, due to the combination mechanisms of higher oxygen content, more complete combustion and cooling effect, if the diesel blend contains proper amount of biodiesel, ABE solution and a small amount of water (0.5%), it is a green fuel, which displays a excellent performance in both brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and NOx–PM trade-off and in significant emission reductions for PAHs and POPs, while, the emissions of both carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HCs) may elevated and therefore a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) is needed. This review article proposes a green diesel fuel blend not only for scientific study but also for future practical application.