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A Review of Isobutanol as a Fuel for Internal Combustion Engines

Author

Listed:
  • André L. Olson

    (Department of Energy Sciences, Lund University, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden)

  • Martin Tunér

    (Department of Energy Sciences, Lund University, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden)

  • Sebastian Verhelst

    (Department of Energy Sciences, Lund University, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden)

Abstract

Isobutanol, one of the four isomers of butanol (C 4 H 9 OH), possesses some favorable properties that make it an attractive fuel for internal combustion engines. For instance, when compared to ethanol, isobutanol features a higher heating value and lower hygroscopicity (which prevents corrosion and enables it to be transported via pipelines). Moreover, its addition to gasoline does not distort the fuel blend’s vapor pressure to the same extent as ethanol does. All of this while having a high octane rating. Those advantages over ethanol suggest that isobutanol has the potential to be used as a gasoline oxygenate or even as a neat fuel. Furthermore, the advances made in biotechnology have enabled isobutanol to be produced from biomass more efficiently, allowing it to be used in compliance with existing renewable energy mandates. This article reviews some of the relevant literature dedicated to isobutanol as a motor fuel, covering its merits and drawbacks. Several studies on its combustion characteristics are also discussed. Most of the included literature refers to the use of isobutanol in spark-ignition (SI) engines, as its properties naturally lend themselves to such applications. However, isobutanol’s utilization in diesel engines is also addressed, along with a couple of low-temperature combustion examples.

Suggested Citation

  • André L. Olson & Martin Tunér & Sebastian Verhelst, 2023. "A Review of Isobutanol as a Fuel for Internal Combustion Engines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-28, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:22:p:7470-:d:1275640
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Li, Jun & Zhao, Renyong & Xu, Youjie & Wu, Xiaorong & Bean, Scott R. & Wang, Donghai, 2022. "Fuel ethanol production from starchy grain and other crops: An overview on feedstocks, affecting factors, and technical advances," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 223-239.
    2. Mack, J. Hunter & Schuler, Daniel & Butt, Ryan H. & Dibble, Robert W., 2016. "Experimental investigation of butanol isomer combustion in Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engines," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 612-626.
    3. Irimescu, Adrian, 2012. "Performance and fuel conversion efficiency of a spark ignition engine fueled with iso-butanol," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 477-483.
    4. Sayin, Cenk & Balki, Mustafa Kemal, 2015. "Effect of compression ratio on the emission, performance and combustion characteristics of a gasoline engine fueled with iso-butanol/gasoline blends," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 550-555.
    5. Shota Atsumi & Taizo Hanai & James C. Liao, 2008. "Non-fermentative pathways for synthesis of branched-chain higher alcohols as biofuels," Nature, Nature, vol. 451(7174), pages 86-89, January.
    6. Karavalakis, Georgios & Short, Daniel & Vu, Diep & Russell, Robert L. & Asa-Awuku, Akua & Jung, Heejung & Johnson, Kent C. & Durbin, Thomas D., 2015. "The impact of ethanol and iso-butanol blends on gaseous and particulate emissions from two passenger cars equipped with spray-guided and wall-guided direct injection SI (spark ignition) engines," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 168-179.
    7. Karabektas, Murat & Hosoz, Murat, 2009. "Performance and emission characteristics of a diesel engine using isobutanol–diesel fuel blends," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(6), pages 1554-1559.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alli, Anil Kumar & Kotha, Madhu Murthy & Srinivasulu, G. Naga, 2025. "Low temperature reactivity controlled compression ignition strategy using compressed natural gas-isobutanol blends and exhaust gas recirculation for enhanced emission control," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 335(C).
    2. Alli, Anil Kumar & Kotha, Madhu Murthy & Alur, Veeresh Babu, 2025. "Optimization of RCCI engine characteristics using RSM with CNG-Isobutanol under variable EGR and injection timings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 341(C).

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