The effects of limonene and eugenol additives in n-heptane and low-octane gasoline on the emission characteristics and fuel consumption of single-cylinder gasoline engine

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of two additive polarities: polar (eugenol) and nonpolar (limonene) additives blended into n-heptane and low-octane gasoline. These compounds were chosen due to their unique molecular structure characteristics which influences the exhaust emissions. The physicochemical properties, fuel consumption, and exhaust gas emissions of a single-cylinder gasoline engine were measured. Four fuel blends were created by blending eugenol and limonene on a volumetric basis, n-heptane-eugenol (NHE), n-heptane-limonene (NHL), low-octane gasoline-eugenol (GE), and low-octane gasoline-limonene (GL). Tests were conducted on a single-cylinder gasoline engine. The exhaust gas emissions were analyzed using gas chromatography, and the role of each additive substance in the formation of carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbon (HC), residual oxygen (O2), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions was validated using Hyperchem simulation and gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Owing to differences in the molecular structure and energy content of the two additives, the fuel consumption of NHE-fueled vehicles increased by 19.69% compared to NHL, whereas GE decreased by 32.15% compared to GL. Owing to the presence of oxygen atoms and low binding energy, blending eugenol with n-heptane and low-octane gasoline significantly reduced CO by 1.87% higher than limonene. However, eugenol’s aromatic structure can only reduce 14.45% of HC emission, while limonene, with its dynamically moving electrons and nonpolar properties can reduce up to 18.24%. It was discovered that the two additives could improve the quality of exhaust gas emissions.