Impact of Anhydrous Alcohol as a Complementary Fuel on Gasoline Engine Performance and Efficiency
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/saludcyt20252298Keywords:
Engine performance, Pollutant gas concentrations, Pollutant emission factors, Anhydrous alcohol, Alternative fuelsAbstract
Introduction: The growing interest in preserving the environment has driven the search for cleaner energy sources, including biofuels such as anhydrous alcohol, which can reduce the environmental impact of fossil fuel use without affecting engine performance. This project aimed to analyze the behavior of a gasoline engine when using anhydrous alcohol as a fuel additive.
Objective: This study evaluates the effects of anhydrous alcohol–gasoline blends (E5, E10, E15, and E20) on the mechanical performance and pollutant emissions of a Chevrolet Aveo 1.6 L spark-ignition engine under different test conditions.
Methods: The study was conducted on a Chevrolet Aveo vehicle equipped with an electronic injection system and a 1600 cc engine, evaluating its mechanical performance and emissions. Static tests, dynamic road tests, and laboratory analyses were carried out using conventional gasoline and blends containing 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% anhydrous alcohol. Parameters such as power, torque, and emission levels were measured following the INEN 2204:2002 and 2203:99 standards.
Results: The results showed that the incorporation of anhydrous alcohol did not produce significant variations in power or torque but did reduce CO, HC, and CO₂ emissions, although with a slight increase in NOx, remaining within the established limits.
Conclusions: Anhydrous alcohol–gasoline blends up to 20% (v/v) can be used in conventional engines without performance penalties, while contributing to reductions in CO, HC, and CO₂ emissions. The trade-off is a moderate increase in NOx, which must be considered in emission control strategies. These findings support the potential of alcohol as a transitional fuel in urban transport under Latin American regulatory frameworks.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Diego Rafael Freire Romero , Segundo Manuel Espín Lagos , Jorge Patricio Guamanquispe Toasa, Edison Saul Mena Campaña , Valeria Isabel Espín López (Author)
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