Circularity of Biomass Feedstock to Produce Ethanol and Feasibility of Ethanol-Gasoline Fuel Blends in Engine

To address the growing gap between energy demand and availability, the need for biofuels has become increasingly urgent. Biofuels offer a renewable energy source while significantly reducing or even eliminating net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Ethanol, commonly produced through biomass fermentation, has emerged as a promising alternative to gasoline due to its advantageous combustion properties, including a high octane rating and inherent oxygen content. Despite its expanding use, a key research gap exists in evaluating the compatibility of internal combustion engines with ethanol or ethanol-gasoline blends, particularly regarding performance and emission outcomes. This study seeks to bridge that gap by examining engine performance and emissions using various ethanol-gasoline blends (E0, E5, E10, E15, and E20), while adhering to circular economy principles by utilizing food waste for bioethanol production. The research questions center on how these different ethanol blends impact engine power, thermal efficiency, and emissions. The goal is to identify the optimal ethanol blend that enhances engine performance while reducing harmful emissions. The results demonstrate that adding ethanol improves combustion efficiency, leading to increased brake power and brake thermal efficiency. Peak performance was recorded with a 15% ethanol blend (E15), after which a decline was observed. Additionally, a notable decrease in carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions occurred with higher ethanol concentrations, attributed to more complete combustion. This research offers novel insights by providing a detailed performance and emission analysis of ethanol-gasoline blends, contributing to the development of more environmentally sustainable fuel options.