Effects of Gasoline and LPG on the Performance and Emissions of a Turbocharged Direct-Injection Vehicle: A Response Surface Methodology Approach
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15282/ijame.22.4.2025.3.0980Keywords:
Direct injection, Exhaust emission, Liquid LPG, Response surface methodology, Vehicle performanceAbstract
This study aims to investigate the performance and emission characteristics of advanced liquid-phase Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) injection systems retrofitted to gasoline engines. In experiments, a four-stroke, four-cylinder, direct-injection system turbocharged gasoline vehicle was driven on a dynamometer, and wheel power values were measured at different gear intervals and speeds. Additionally, Carbon monoxide (CO), Carbon dioxide (CO2), Hydrocarbons (HC), Oxygen (O2), and lambda values were measured using an exhaust emission device. In this study, the results obtained from vehicle tests using LPG and gasoline fuels were investigated by response surface methodology. The input factors for the Response Surface Methodology were determined to be speed and gear spacing, and the response values were determined to be wheel power, CO, CO2, HC, O2, and lambda values. As a result, when examining the power values, it is observed that during operation in LPG mode, the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th gears exhibit increases of approximately 2.94%, 2.38%, 1.85%, and 13%, respectively, compared to operation in gasoline mode. Conversely, during operation in gasoline mode, the 6th and 7th gears show increases of approximately 1.03% and 1.07%, respectively, compared to operation on LPG. When the exhaust emission values are examined, it is determined that the vehicle emits more ideal emissions when operating in LPG mode compared to gasoline mode and meets the standards. Future work should investigate the thermodynamic and combustion characteristics of liquid LPG under varying engine loads and ambient conditions. Advanced modeling techniques, such as machine learning-assisted optimization and real-time control algorithms, could enhance fuel efficiency and emission control. Additionally, system integration studies and component-level durability analyses will be essential for commercialization.
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