Abstract: This paper is a further contribution on alternative energy sources with emphasis on the prospects and challenges of combustion of biofluids in internal combustion engines. The paper thus reviewed the performances of the different types of biofluids in three types of internal combustion engines – the Compression Ignition (CI), Spark Ignition (SI) and the Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI), and noted that each type of engine exploits the physical and chemical properties of the fuel it burns. Technically, biofuels technology has grown from the initial first-generation food crop-based source to third and fourth generation biofuels that rely on algae and better extraction processes. In terms of performance, all types of biofuels demonstrated reduced emissions of CO, CO2, unburned hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and solid particulates. Specifically, biodiesels, and green diesels also demonstrated improved combustion efficiencies by decreasing both the maximum cylinder pressure and the rate of pressure increase, mainly due to its higher cetane number which shortens the ignition delay period and the premixed combustion phase. Also, the lower viscosity of green diesel allows a better mixing of the liquid fuel droplets with air and reduces the ignition delay. These benefits, notwithstanding, the paper also noted some drawbacks in the combustion of biofuels as they produce complicated mixture of additional chemicals that are potentially harmful to humans and the environment, like acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) increase relative to straight gasoline. Also, biodiesels are also more prone to atmospheric oxidation than diesel, thereby, making the biofuels acidic and forming insoluble gums and sediments that plug the fuel filters and impact of the engine performances. As part of improving the combustion efficiencies, vehicle manufacturers are working hard to decrease the exhaust emissions produced by internal combustion engines down within legal limits by using systems such as high-pressure fuel injection, multi-stage injection, three way catalytic converter, exhaust gas recycling, particle filters and injection start control through diesel engine management. While these are ongoing efforts, the paper recommends for vehicle manufacturers to also consider developing engines that will run solely on biofluids. Finally, the paper further recommended for a more collaborative global efforts towards more consistent policies to manage the entire life cycle of biofuel production to combustion, while also legislating for standards for biofuel compatible engines, for mass production if this energy transition to renewables by 2040 will be of any consequence.
Keywords: Biofluids, International Combustion Engines, Emissions, Pollutants, Renewables, Non-Renewables.
Title: COMBUSTION OF BIO-FLUIDS AS AN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCE: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES
Author: AMIEYEOFORI VALENTINE FELIX
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
Research Publish Journals
