Exploring the synergistic mechanisms of alcohol-based biofuel blends for a greener future: a comparative study of propanol, ethanol, and butanol blends in reducing emissions and enhancing engine performance for sustainable transportation fuels

Abstract

Alcohol-based biofuels, including butanol and ethanol, have garnered heightened attention due to an impending global demand for sustainable transportation fuels. Nevertheless, the potential of propanol, an additional alcohol-based fuel, has not been completely evaluated, particularly in comparison to its counterparts. In this investigation, the environmental and performance characteristics of propanol, ethanol, and butanol are compared when blended with gasohol. This study conducts a comprehensive comparison of the environmental and performance characteristics of propanol, ethanol, and butanol blends when combined with gasohol. Key areas of focus include engine performance, fuel stability, and emissions profiles (CO, NOx, HC, and CO₂). Experimental analyses, encompassing varying blend ratios (BR), engine speeds, and compression ratios, reveal that optimized propanol-gasohol blends significantly reduce greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions while enhancing engine efficiency compared to ethanol and butanol blends. Optimized blend ratios exhibit the potential to reduce emissions while additionally enhancing engine efficiency, thereby facilitating the development of further sustainable and environmentally friendly fuel alternatives. These findings reveal potential biofuel strategies for the transportation sector that are designed to mitigate its environmental implications. The optimized propanol-gasohol blends achieved a 15 % reduction in CO₂ emissions, 10 % reduction in NOx emissions, and 12 % reduction in HC emissions, while improving engine performance metrics such as combustion efficiency. This study’s originality lies in its comprehensive evaluation of propanol as a fuel additive, addressing gaps in the literature related to its emissions, engine performance, and optimization. Unlike ethanol and butanol, propanol’s unique properties, including improved emission reductions and compatibility, were systematically investigated under varied operating conditions. These findings provide new perspectives on sustainable fuel development.