Abstract
The use of alternative fuels is a contemporary trend in science aimed at the protection of non-renewable resources, reducing the negative impact on people and reducing the negative impact on the natural environment. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is an alternative fuel within the meaning of the European Union Directive (2014/94/UE), as it is an alternative for energy sources derived from crude oil. The use of LPG fuel in low-power internal combustion engines is one of the currently developed scientific research directions. It results from the possibility of limiting air pollutant emissions compared to the commonly used gasoline and the lower cost of this fuel in many countries. By “gasoline 95” the Authors mean non-lead petrol as a flammable liquid that is used primarily as a fuel in most spark-ignited internal combustion engines, whereas 95 is an octane rating (octane number). This article presents the results of research on fuel consumption, toxic exhaust gas emission, and operating costs of a woodchipper used for shredding branches with a diameter of up to 100 mm in real working conditions. The woodchipper, powered by a 9.5 kW internal combustion engine, fueled by gasoline and LPG was tested. Liberal regulations of the European Union (Regulation 2016/1628/EU) on the emission of harmful exhaust compounds from small spark-ignition engines (up to 19 kW) and non-road applications contribute to the low technical advancement level of these engines. The authors researched a relatively simple and cheap LPG fueling system, as in their opinion, such a system has the best chance of being implemented for use. In the study, the branches of cherry plum were shredded (Prunus cerasiferaEhrh. Beitr. Naturk. 4:17. 1789 (Gartenkalender4:189-204. 1784)). Their diameter was ca. 80 mm, length 3 m, and moisture content ca. 25%. The system was tested during the shredding of the branches in real working conditions (the frequency of supplying the branches about 4 min−1 and the mass productivity of about 0.73 t/h). Based on the recorded results, it was found that the LPG fueled engine was characterized by higher carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by 22% and 27%, respectively. A positive effect of using LPG was the reduction of fuel consumption by 28% and carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrocarbons (HC) emissions by 37% and 83%, respectively. The results of the research show that the use of alternative fuels can bring benefits in terms of CO2 and HC emissions, but at the same time be characterized by an increase in CO and NOx emissions. Further research should be conducted on innovative alternative fuel supply systems, such as in the automotive industry. At the same time, legislators should limit the use of low-quality fuel supply systems with the limits of pollutant emissions in exhaust gases, contributing to the development and economic competitiveness of new fuel injection systems.
Highlights
Air pollution in urban areas is a serious environmental problem in many cities around the world (e.g., Europe [1], Asia [2], North America [3], South America [4], Australia [5], and Africa [6]).Green infrastructure has been lost in many urban areas as a result of population growth and urbanization.One way to improve air quality is to increase green areas in cities [7]
The results of the hourly emissions of harmful exhaust gas compounds and fuel consumption for the chipper powered by a gasoline 95 and Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) engine are shown in the figures: carbon monoxide (CO) (Figure 6), CO2 (Figure 7), HC (Figure 8), nitrogen oxides (NOx) (Figure 9) together with the fuel consumption during the shredding process (Figure 10) as a function of time
The description of CO emissions as a function of time shows that the LPG-powered engine is characterized by higher emissions, which is related to the control of the fuel–air mixture composition in the scope of lean mixtures
Summary
One way to improve air quality is to increase green areas (for example parks) in cities [7]. The most important problem of modern cities is the loss of urban green areas [7]. Reducing their surface increases air pollution [8], and above all its dustiness [9]. Considering that scientists are working on determining the species of plants that will be used in urban areas, the increase in the demand for machinery and equipment necessary for the care of these plants is noticeable. Chippers used for works in urbanized areas are mainly driven by spark-ignition internal combustion engines, whose power usually does not exceed
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