Abstract
It is known that biogas without prior purification to biomethane is a commonly used fuel only for the stationary internal combustion engines but not for vehicle engines. The current study evaluates the use of biogas without its prior upgrading to biomethane as fuel for tractor engines. The following tests were carried out: biochemical methane potential tests, dynamometer engine tests, and field tests with the use of a tractor. The average methane content in biogas obtained from vegetable wastes exceeded 60%. The tests performed on the engine dynamometer showed that the engine powered by dual fuel worked stably when diesel was replaced by 40% biogas (containing 50% of CO2) or 30% methane. Dual fuel supplying of the engine caused an increase in the concentration of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in the exhaust gases and a decrease or no effect in the concentration of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. It did not significantly affect the dynamics of the vehicle and its useful properties. Biogas that contains a maximum of 50% CO2 and from which H2S, moisture, and siloxanes have been largely removed, is suitable as a fuel for tractors. Such biogas can be obtained in biogas plants from different substrates, e.g., vegetable or agriculture wastes as well as biodegradable municipal wastes.
Highlights
Biogas is produced by microorganisms from organic raw materials during the methane fermentation process
The authors evaluated the possibility of using biogas without prior upgrading to biomethane as fuel for an agriculture tractor engine
The physicochemical properties of biogas and its availability are key prerequisites for its use as an alternative engine fuel, affecting the reduction of dependence on fossil fuels, and the diversification of energy sources. Such biogas should contain at least 50% methane and it ought to be cleaned from hydrogen sulphide, water, and siloxanes
Summary
Biogas is produced by microorganisms from organic raw materials during the methane fermentation process. In several research institutions, work on the use of other substrates, e.g., microalgae for biogas production, has been conducted [5,6]. Biomethane, and natural gas (CNG—compressed natural gas, LNG—liquefied natural gas) are classified as methane fuels. Biogas is mainly used for the production of heat and electricity in cogeneration systems [7,8]. This gas, after appropriate purification to biomethane quality, can be pressed into the natural gas distribution network or used as fuel to power spark ignition (SP) and self-ignition (SI) engines of vehicles [9,10,11]. It is possible to use biogas in fuel cells [12,13] or to Energies 2019, 12, 1071; doi:10.3390/en12061071 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies
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