Harnessing the potential of n-pentanol usage in internal combustion engines: An approach to actualizing cleaner combustion at low load

Fossil fuels have powered transportation and industry for over a century, promoting economic growth at the cost of environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Research into alternative fuels such as n-pentanol, a biomass-derived biofuel with emissions-reducing and combustion-boosting properties, has been prompted as a result. This study investigated the effects of single and double injections of 60% by volume of n-pentanol and 40% by volume of diesel at varying intake temperatures and injection pressures. For the double injection, the main injection (representing 80% of the total fuel mass) was injected at −15°CA aTDC. The remaining fuel mass, which constitutes the pilot injection, was injected at various start-of-injection times ranging from −15°CA aTDC to −35°CA aTDC. The double injection strategy shows improved engine performance at −15°CA and −33°CA aTDC, achieving a thermal efficiency of 48.02% and a better fuel economy of 169.61 g/kWh, compared to 47.26% and 172.33 g/kWh for single injection. It also reduces soot, carbon monoxide and greenhouse gas emissions by 28.57%, 26.61% and 0.20%, respectively, although NOx emissions slightly increase compared to single injection. The double injection strategy significantly reduces soot and NOx emissions, staying well below the Euro VI standard, proving its effectiveness at low loads without requiring engine modifications.