Turpentine as an Additive for Diesel Engines: Experimental Study on Pollutant Emissions and Engine Performance

The need for reducing fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in internal combustion engines has raised the opportunity use of renewable energy sources. For progressive replacement fuels like diesel, those derived from sustainable management forest resources may be a good option. In Portugal, pine trees (pinus pinaster) are among most widely cultivated tree species. Turpentine can extracted their sap without harming tree. is known to with lower viscosity than regular diesel but comparable caloric value, boiling point ignition characteristics, although it not used as compression fuel. Moreover, recent research highlighted possibility substantially increasing turpentine yield through biotechnology, bringing closer economic viability. present study investigates performance, pollutant 1.6 L four-cylinder direct-injection engine operating several blends commercial obtained trees. aim this was assess whether would possible maintain or even improve GHG (HC, NOx, CO PM) partial incorporation biofuel. up 30% substitution were tested. main novelties work related (i) careful testing still-insufficiently studied that could gain economical attractiveness developments improvement biotechnology (ii) tests conducted under fixed load positions typical road highway conditions. addition biofuel only slightly impacted performance parameters. However, positive effect observed terms torque, an increase 7.9% at low 15T85D mixture 6.8% high being observed. Power registered 9% speed 5% 30T70D when compared reference (commercial fuel). While efficiency improved turpentine, had mixed on polluting such unburned hydrocarbons (HC) smoke (PM) negative nitrogen oxides (NOx). NOx increased by loads 20% loads, mainly indirect so much consequence marginally higher oxygen content relative