Energy-ecological efficiency of dual-fuel series plug-in hybrid electric vehicle considering WTW emissions

This paper discussed the possibility of replacing the internal combustion engine of the series plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powered by gasoline A and Brazilian gasoline in single-fuel mode by one fuelled with 50% bioethanol and 50% biogas in dual-fuel mode. The simulation of the combustion of the fuels selected, such as bioethanol, biogas and gasoline A, was carried out through GASEQ software to calculate the energy-ecological efficiency of the single-fuel and dual-fuel modes. The well-to-pump (WTP) emissions of the bioethanol and biogas production from sugarcane were evaluated through GREET software. The tank-to-wheel (TTW) emissions were determined to each series PHEV operating modes. Thus, the well-to-wheel (WTW) emissions were calculated through the sum of the WTP, TTW and electricity mix emissions. According to the results, the energy-ecological efficiency for the dual-fuel mode was 10.7% and 24.1% higher than that found for the single-fuel mode powered by gasoline and Brazilian gasoline, respectively. The analysis showed that the losses during the biogas production aggravate linearly the WTP emissions, and consequently, the WTW emissions of the series PHEV. Besides that, the dual-fuel mode presented 15.5% and 12.8 less TTW emissions than the single-fuel mode powered by gasoline A and Brazilian gasoline, respectively. Compared to the emission standards, the dual-fuel mode presented TTW emissions 30.5% higher than the European Union emission standard by 2021. Although the dual-fuel mode does not meet any of the emission standards, this engine mode can be an alternative to at least reduce the tailpipe emissions.