Technical analysis of blending fusel to reduce carbon emission and pollution emission of diesel engine

Replacing fossil energy with renewable resources is an important means of reducing carbon emissions. As a by-product of fermentation to produce ethanol, fusel oil is a renewable organic liquid with a wide range of sources. It has high environmental benefits when used as a partial substitute for diesel. The characteristics of fusel alcohols were studied by analyzing the water-holding capacity of the main components in the fusel alcohols mixed with diesel. Three kinds of fuels (20% fusel with 0% water content, 20% fusel with 6% water content, and pure diesel) were selected for their combustion and emission characteristics in a diesel engine. The results demonstrate that the absorption of moisture from the air has no visible effect on the stability of the fuel, and the fuel continues to remain single phase. Adding 20% fusel oil with 6% water content will increase brake thermal efficiency by about 0.7%. The soot emission can be reduced by up to 47.5%, and the NOx emitted by the water-containing fuel can be reduced by about 6.4%. In all, incorporating fusel oil into diesel at a ratio of 20% will not adversely affect the fuel, and it can be directly used in existing diesel engines. [Display omitted] •Fusel oil with water as alcohol by-products can be used directly as diesel fuel.•The composition of fusel oil affects its water stability, and amyl alcohol is dominant.•Adding 20% fusel oil with water will increase break thermal efficiency by about 0.7%•Adding 20% fusel oil, the decrease of soot emission can reach 38.5% as BMEP is 0.5 MPa.•Adding 20% fusel oil, the cost of fuel is reduced by ∼15% at the same driving distance.