Eventos Anais de eventos
COBEM 2023
27th International Congress of Mechanical Engineering
Comparative study of energy efficiency in low-displacement engines fueled with methane-based gases and ethanol liquid as fuel.
Submission Author:
Marcos Paulo Garcia , DF
Co-Authors:
Marcos Paulo Garcia, Fábio Lisboa
Presenter: Fábio Lisboa
doi://10.26678/ABCM.COBEM2023.COB2023-2070
Abstract
In the pursuit of new fuels that would result in a reduction of carbon emissions to the atmosphere, the use of gases derived from the decomposition of organic matter presents itself as a promising alternative. Biogas is a renewable fuel produced through the anaerobic digestion process that produces a methane-rich gas, which can be purified and used as a vehicle fuel. Its use reduces greenhouse gas emissions, as the decomposition of organic waste emits greenhouse gases that are potentially worse than the products of combustion in automotive engines. Another advantage of biogas is its flexibility regarding vehicles. It can be used in natural gas-powered vehicles, such as those already on the market, or in vehicles converted to this type of fuel. Furthermore, biogas can be mixed with conventional natural gas, which increases the availability of this fuel and reduces dependence on fossil fuels. However, the use of this gas as a vehicle fuel faces some challenges: the lack of infrastructure for the production and distribution of this fuel, as well as the cost of the high-pressure purification and packaging process, which require advanced and expensive technologies. In this context, an experimental apparatus was set up, where a VW EA211 MPI engine adapted to run on both liquid and gaseous fuels was used. In the tests, natural gas with a known composition was used as a substitute for biogas. To collect comparative data on performance and energy efficiency under different operating conditions, programmable engine control units were used, and their control strategies and maps were developed and optimized. Engine parameters were measured using laboratory instruments, ensuring rigorous consumption data of air and fuel. Pressure and temperature data were also collected in real-time to map the best operating conditions under different load levels. As a result, curves and tables were obtained with the best engine settings for each type of fuel. Comparative energy efficiency between both fuels was equally presented, showing the limitations of use for each energy vector.
Keywords
Methanee-based fuel, landfill gas recovery, renewable fuel
