A Study on the Utilization of Essential Oils as Gasoline Additive

¹ Department of Agroindustrial Engineering, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
² Surfactant and Bioenergy Research Center, Research and Community Empowerment Agency of IPB University, Jl. Pajajaran No. 1, Bogor 16129, Indonesia
³ National Research and Innovation Agency, KST B.J Habibie Building 230, Serpong, South Tangerang-Banten, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

One of the efforts to mitigate the negative impact of motor vehicles is to improve gasoline cleanliness through the addition of fuel additives. Essential oils and their derivatives have potential as additives to enhance fuel quality, as indicated by increased engine performance of efficiency, reduced fuel consumption, and lower emissions. This study evaluates the effectiveness of essential oil-based additives in improving gasoline cleanliness, combustion stability, emissions, and engine performance. The additives used in this research are a mixture of clove terpene and turpentine, added to gasoline at concentrations of 0.1% and 1% (%v/v). The results showed a reduction in water content by 19.98% - 27.5%, increased density by 0.3% - 0.78%, decreased particulate content by 41%, 40%, and 20%, RON value of 92, and sulfur content of 100 ppm. Essential oil additives reduce HC emissions at high engine speeds, decrease specific fuel consumption by 5.2%, and enhance combustion within the engine. However, they are not effective in reducing CO and CO2 emissions, nor do they significantly impact engine power output.