Effect of fuel additives on internal combustion engine performance and emissions

Abstract

Internal combustion (IC) engines have been an underlying part of our civilization since their invention. Internal combustion engines play major role in transport of goods and humans. Use of renewable and cleaner fuels in IC engines are recommended due to the depletion of fossil fuels and its harmful impact on environment. Biodiesel has been considered as a potential replacement of diesel in compression ignition (CI) engines. Higher density, lower calorific value, poor oxidation stability, higher nitric oxide emissions and poor cold flow properties etc. are major hindrances for the utilization of biodiesel in higher percentage. Fuel additives are used with biodiesel to solve these problems and enhance the efficiency and reduce the emissions of diesel engines. In this paper the use of different types of fuel additives to improve the properties of biodiesel and its impact on engine behaviour are discussed. Different classes of additives such as oxygenated additives, metal additives, antioxidant additives and their impacts on environment have also been covered in this article.