Topic Editors

College of Automotive Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
School of Vehicle and Energy, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China

Combustion and Application of Carbon Neutral Fuel in Internal Combustion Engine

Abstract submission deadline
28 December 2026
Manuscript submission deadline
28 February 2027
Viewed by
1807

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

With increasing global attention being paid to climate change, the development of carbon-neutral fuels represents an important means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon-neutral fuel refers to fuels that have no impact on the climate, as they produce the same levels of carbon recovery and greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon-neutral fuels can be used in the transportation and energy sectors to replace traditional fossil fuels. In the former, carbon-neutral fuels can be used for the power systems of vehicles, such as private cars, trucks, and airplanes; in the latter, they can be used for power generation. Therefore, promoting the application of carbon-neutral fuels in internal combustion engines is of great significance, and governments, enterprises, and scholars around the world are actively researching and promoting this topic in an effort to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable development.

This Topic aims to showcase and disseminate the latest developments in technology related to the application of carbon-neutral fuels in internal combustion engines.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • All aspects of carbon-neutral fuel internal combustion engines, such as hydrogen in internal combustion engines, ammonia in internal combustion engines, alcohol in internal combustion engines, dimethyl ether in internal combustion engines, natural gas in internal combustion engines, etc.;
  • Structural design of carbon-neutral fuel for internal combustion engines;
  • Combustion technology for carbon-neutral fuel in internal combustion engines;
  • Combustion mechanisms;
  • Model establishment;
  • Numerical simulation research;
  • Emission control and purification;
  • Engine control.

Dr. Zezhou Guo
Dr. Cheng Shi
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • ammonia
  • hydrogen
  • alcohol fuel
  • e-fuel
  • combustion
  • emissions
  • numerical simulation
  • engine design
  • engine control

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Energies
energies
3.9 8.3 2008 16.7 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Fire
fire
3.2 5.1 2018 20.3 Days CHF 2400 Submit
Fuels
fuels
4.0 5.1 2020 22.1 Days CHF 1200 Submit
Processes
processes
3.4 5.7 2013 14.7 Days CHF 2400 Submit
Sustainability
sustainability
4.1 8.9 2009 16.9 Days CHF 2400 Submit

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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19 pages, 9952 KB  
Article
Effects of Methane Addition on Combustion Flow Field and Combustion Characteristics of Ethanol
by Hong-Tao Tang, Zi-Hao Zhang, Zhe Yang, Fa-Rui Zhao and Yu-Liang Liu
Fuels 2026, 7(3), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels7030052 - 6 Aug 2026
Viewed by 100
Abstract
This study employs numerical simulations to systematically investigate the combustion characteristics of methane/ethanol blended fuel–air mixtures under non-premixed turbulent conditions. The effects of the methane blending ratio on the flow-field structure, flame morphology, NO emissions, and combustion efficiency are analyzed. The results show [...] Read more.
This study employs numerical simulations to systematically investigate the combustion characteristics of methane/ethanol blended fuel–air mixtures under non-premixed turbulent conditions. The effects of the methane blending ratio on the flow-field structure, flame morphology, NO emissions, and combustion efficiency are analyzed. The results show that, with increasing methane blending ratio, the recirculation mechanism gradually shifts from near-field local entrainment to far-field transport, accompanied by a reduction in local shear intensity. Methane addition enhances flame intensity, accelerates combustion, shortens flame length, mitigates heat transfer limitations, and reduces combustion delay. At the initial 10% and the final 20% of the methane blending range, the combustion process exhibits pronounced instability. Methane addition significantly suppresses NO formation, with temperature being the dominant controlling factor, while fuel composition also plays an important role. The overall combustion efficiency is improved. However, a slight decrease is observed at low blending ratios (0–0.1), and the enhancement becomes marginal when the methane blending ratio exceeds 0.6. Full article
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22 pages, 7790 KB  
Article
Effect of Isopropanol–Butanol–Ethanol (IBE) Direct Injection Strategy on Combustion and Emission Characteristics of a Gasoline Port Injection SI Dual-Fuel Engine
by Huili Dou, Yongjia Wang, Qingwei Cao, Zezhou Guo, Guiling Liu and Zhengquan Xue
Energies 2026, 19(9), 2081; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19092081 - 25 Apr 2026
Viewed by 656
Abstract
Under the dual-carbon goals, adopting renewable alternative fuels in transportation is crucial. Alcohol-based fuels, produced via biomass fermentation or green electricity-powered CO2 hydrogenation, offer benefits like renewability, engine compatibility, and long driving range. Bio-butanol, with an energy density close to gasoline, can [...] Read more.
Under the dual-carbon goals, adopting renewable alternative fuels in transportation is crucial. Alcohol-based fuels, produced via biomass fermentation or green electricity-powered CO2 hydrogenation, offer benefits like renewability, engine compatibility, and long driving range. Bio-butanol, with an energy density close to gasoline, can power SI engines directly, but its high production costs due to low fermentation efficiency limit its viability. In contrast, IBE (a butanol fermentation intermediate) avoids costly separation steps, making it more competitive than pure butanol. Existing research on IBE in spark ignition engines mainly focuses on fixed-ratio IBE-gasoline blends, restricting real-time fuel adjustment. Building on prior findings that IBE outperforms ABE and butanol, this study examines the combustion and emission characteristics of a gasoline port injection + IBE direct injection engine under varying direct injection timings, IBE ratios, and excess air ratios. Research indicates that early direct injection timings with pure IBE provide optimal performance at stoichiometric conditions. As the excess air ratio rises, an 80% IBE direct injection ratio becomes more advantageous. IBE shows great promise as an alternative fuel, enhancing combustion performance and reducing gaseous and particulate emissions. Full article
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