Sustainable Fuel Solutions for Internal Combustion Engines and Energy Efficiency Gains
A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "I2: Energy and Combustion Science".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 October 2026 | Viewed by 257
Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Internal combustion engines, despite the growing pressure of electrification, remain the primary source of propulsion in many key sectors of the economy—from heavy- and light-duty road transport, through locomotives and power generation, to marine vessels and light aircraft. Their versatility and ability to operate over a wide range of power outputs make them indispensable where electrification is not yet technically or economically justified. Improving the energy efficiency of internal combustion engines directly reduces their operating costs and enables more rational use of available fuel resources. Moreover, lower fuel consumption and optimisation of the combustion process reduce the negative environmental impact of engines.
In recent years, particular attention has been paid to the use of so-called zero‑emission fuels, such as hydrogen and ammonia, which in the long term can significantly reduce CO2 emissions from the combustion process. Unconventional fuels, such as e‑fuels, gaseous biofuels and alcohols, are also playing an increasingly important role. The growing interest in this group of fuels stems not only from climate concerns but also from the limited resources of fossil fuels and emerging fuel crises triggered, among other factors, by armed conflicts. This situation adds an additional, strategic rationale to the search for alternatives—locally available, including renewable, and independent of geopolitically unstable supply chains.
This Special Issue aims to present and disseminate the latest advances leading to increased energy efficiency and reduced emissions from reciprocating internal combustion engines—both traction and stationary—powered by zero‑emission and unconventional fuels.
Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to:
- Experimental studies of spark-ignition and compression-ignition engines;
- Thermodynamic analyses;
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling;
- Combustion process modelling;
- Fuel injection modelling;
- Application of novel thermodynamic cycles;
- Emission characterisation and aftertreatment systems;
- Alternative fuel supply systems (including gaseous and liquid fuels);
- Engine control strategies for improved thermal efficiency.
Dr. Grzegorz Przybyła
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- internal combustion engine
- energy efficiency
- exhaust emissions
- zero-emission fuels (hydrogen, ammonia)
- e-fuels
- alternative fuels (biofuels, alcohols)
- computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
- fuel injection
- thermodynamic cycles
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