Applicability of furan-gasoline blends with energy, exergy, sustainability, and entropy generation analysis for SI engines

Biomass-derived furan additives are emerging as promising components for gasoline blends, offering a renewable, sustainable alternative to conventional fuels. Furan derivatives, oxygenated hydrocarbons from lignocellulosic biomass, are promising compounds to be used as an additive to gasoline. This study explores the feasibility of using furanic compounds, including 2-methylfuran, tetrahydrofuran, and methyl-tetrahydrofuran, as oxygenated fuel additives in gasoline blends (5 %, 10 %, and 15 % by volume). The blends were tested in multi-point fuel injection spark ignition engines, with a focus on energy-exergy analysis, sustainability, and entropy generation rate. The fuel blends with 5 % methyl-tetrahydrofuran and 5 % tetrahydrofuran with 95 % gasoline delivered brake thermal efficiencies of 32.61 % and 32.62 %, respectively, at 3500 rpm, along with sustainability index values of 1.349 and 1.347 closely matching gasoline. Entropy generation rates were also evaluated, with lower rates at 3500 rpm compared to 4500 rpm. At 3500 rpm, the entropy generation rates for 2MF10, THF10, MTHF10, and other blends ranged from 0.113 to 0.129 kW/K, increasing at higher engine speeds because of higher fuel consumption, friction, and heat losses. The study highlights the potential of furan-gasoline blends as sustainable alternatives to conventional fuels without significant engine modifications.