In remote regions, diesel generators are a primary energy source but are major contributors to pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions, raising environmental and public health concerns. Producer gas (syngas), a renewable and cleaner alternative fuel, offers a promising solution to reduce diesel dependency and emissions, particularly in rural and off-grid areas. In this study, a downdraft gasifier was developed to evaluate the performance and emission characteristics of a producer gas–diesel dual-fuel engine operating at a reduced compression ratio. Experiments were conducted on a modified double-cylinder diesel engine to analyze brake thermal efficiency, specific fuel consumption, and combustion behavior under varying load conditions. Emission measurements focused on carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter. Results indicated a substantial reduction in diesel consumption when operating in dual-fuel mode using wood chips as feedstock, along with significantly lower NOx emissions compared to conventional diesel operation. Although a slight drop in brake thermal efficiency was observed, the environmental benefits and fuel savings highlight the potential of producer gas in dual-fuel applications. This study provides valuable insights into optimizing internal combustion engines for cleaner, more sustainable energy production through compression ratio adjustment and renewable fuel integration.
MonteiroERamosARouboaA. Fundamental designs of gasification plants for combined heat and power. Renew Sustain Energy Rev2024; 196: 114305.
2.
YaliwalVSBanapurmathNRGireeshNM, et al.Effect of nozzle and combustion chamber geometry on the performance of a diesel engine operated on dual fuel mode using renewable fuels. Renew Energy2016; 93: 483–501.
3.
SridharGPaulPJMukundaHS. Biomass derived producer gas as a reciprocating engine fuel—an experimental analysis. Biomass Bioenergy2001; 21: 61–72.
4.
FerreiraSBPilidisP. Comparison of externally fired and internal combustion gas turbines using biomass fuel. J Energy Resour Technol2001; 123: 291–296.
5.
ErdemirDDincerIPatelD. Experimental study on effect of use of oxyhydrogen blends with traditional fuels in spark engines for better performance. Process Saf Environ Prot2024; 191: 2701–2711.
6.
BaeCKimJ. Alternative fuels for internal combustion engines. Proc Combust Inst2017; 36: 3389–3413.
7.
AltunŞAdinMŞIlcinK. Monohydric aliphatic alcohols as liquid fuels for using in internal combustion engines: a review.Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part E: Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering2024; 238: 1941–1975.
8.
Adin MŞ, Altun Ş, and Adin MŞ. Effect of using bioethanol as fuel on start-up and warm-up exhaust emissions from a diesel power generator. Int J Ambient Energy2022; 43: 5711–5717.
9.
BanapurmathNRYaliwalVSHosmathRS, et al.Dual fuel engines fueled with three gaseous and biodiesel fuel combinations. Biofuels2018; 9: 75–87.
10.
ChenQWangCShaoK, et al.Analyzing the combustion and emissions of a DI diesel engine powered by primary alcohol (methanol, ethanol, n-butanol)/diesel blend with aluminum nano-additives. Fuel2022; 328: 125222.
11.
SoudagarMEMNik-GhazaliNNKalamMA, et al.An investigation on the influence of aluminium oxide nano-additive and honge oil methyl ester on engine performance, combustion and emission characteristics. Renewable Energy2020; 146: 2291–2307.
12.
SateeshKAYaliwalVSMurugandeBK, et al.Effect of nano-particles on the combustion and emission characteristics of a dual fuel engine operated on biodiesel-producer gas combination. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering2024; 64: 105560.
13.
AravindSBarikDPullaguraG, et al.Exposure the role of hydrogen with algae spirogyra biodiesel and fuel-borne additive on a diesel engine: an experimental assessment on dual fuel combustion mode. Case Studies in Therm Eng2025; 65: 105566.
14.
VenuHSoudagarMEMKiongTS, et al.Performance and emission prediction using ANN (artificial neural network) on H2-assisted Garcinia gummi-gutta biofuel doped with nano additives. Sci Rep2025; 15: 5911.
15.
SoudagarMEMMohanavelVSharmaA, et al.Recover waste greywater to algae biomass for catalytic conversion of higher hydrogen production via supercritical water gasification reaction. Biomass Bioenergy2025; 194: 107642.
16.
FaisalSAbbasAEladebA, et al.Innovative modification process of a natural gas power plant using self-sufficient waste heat recovery and flue gas utilization for a CCHP-methanol generation application: a comprehensive multi-variable feasibility study. Process Saf Environ Prot2024; 183: 801–820.
17.
AbbasAAshrafMChuYM, et al.Computational study of the coupled mechanism of thermophoretic transportation and mixed convection flow around the surface of a sphere. Molecules2020; 25: 2694.
18.
JeelaniMBAbbasA. Thermal efficiency of spherical nanoparticles Al2O3-Cu dispersion in ethylene glycol via the MHD non-Newtonian Maxwell fluid model past the stretching inclined sheet with suction effects in a porous space. Processes2023; 11: 2842.
19.
GaoKChenGYanB, et al.Modeling of biomass thermal decomposition/gasification in a downdraft gasifier under low pressure by Aspen plus. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress2025; 59: 103229.
20.
SutheerasakEPirompugdWSanitjaiS. Investigation of supercharging producer gas in dual fuel mode on the performance and emissions of a diesel-engine generator. Int J Mater MechManuf2018; 6: 402–406.
21.
MalikAMohapatraSK. Power generation using cotton stalk-derived producer gas in diesel engines. Energy Sources Part A2016; 38: 2816–2822.
22.
KumararajaL. Refinement of producer gas generated from biomass gasifier. Int J Eng Sci Technol2016; 8: 12.
23.
IshaqMDincerI. A new system using refuse-derived fuel as a feedstock for hydrogen and power co-generation: a techno-environmental assessment. Process Saf Environ Prot2024; 192: 528–542.
24.
LeTTSharmaPBoraBJ, et al.Co-gasification of waste biomass-low grade coal mix using downdraft gasifier coupled with dual-fuel engine system: multi-objective optimization with hybrid approach using RSM and grey wolf optimizer. Process Saf Environ Prot2024; 191: 234–248.
25.
NásnerAMLLoraEESPalacioJCE, et al.Refuse derived fuel (RDF) production and gasification in a pilot plant integrated with an Otto cycle ICE through Aspen plus™ modelling: thermodynamic and economic viability. Waste Manage2017; 69: 187–201.
26.
ZhangSKroySGangulyR, et al.Compact wet cyclone air sampler with enhanced Collection efficiency. Process Saf Environ Prot2025; 195: 106822. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2025.106822.
27.
SoudagarMEMMarghadeDShelareS, et al.Metal-organic framework nanocomposites: engineering and morphological advances for photocatalytic CO2 conversion into fuel. Appl Energy2025; 379: 124977.
28.
SherFSmječaninNHrnjićH, et al.Emerging technologies for biogas production: a critical review on recent progress, challenges and perspectives. Process Saf Environ Prot2024; 188: 834–859. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2024.05.138.
29.
YangKSYoshidaH. Effect of mist injection position on particle separation performance of cyclone scrubber. Sep Purif Technol2004; 37: 221–230.
30.
GanesanSVedagiriP. Scraps to wealth: investigation on the production of pellet from agro-industrial waste. Process Saf Environ Prot2024; 188: 677–686.
31.
SherFHameedSOmerbegovićNS, et al.Cutting-edge biomass gasification technologies for renewable energy generation and achieving net zero emissions. Energy Convers Manage2025; 323: 119213.
32.
PengDXiangXDengZ, et al.Study on emission factor and reduction potential of organic solid waste gasification process. Case Studies Therm Eng2024; 53: 103978.
33.
RebrykAKozyatnykINjengaM. Emission of volatile organic compounds during open fire cooking with wood biomass: traditional three-stone open fire vs. Gasifier cooking stove in rural Kenya. Sci Total Environ2024; 934: 173183.
34.
Valencia-LópezAMRomero-MencoFBustamanteF, et al.Assessment of reductions in CO, PAHs and PM emissions in a forced-draft biomass gasification cookstove. Renew Energy2025; 245: 122815.
35.
ChenYShenGSuS, et al.Efficiencies and pollutant emissions from forced-draft biomass-pellet semi-gasifier stoves: comparison of international and Chinese water boiling test protocols. Energy Sustain Dev2016; 32: 22–30.
36.
MaXNutakkiTUKGoyalV, et al.Biomass gasification technology for a distinct renewable electricity/heat production scheme; developed regression models based on machine learning algorithms for power/hot water/efficiency/emission data analysis. Process Saf Environ Prot2024; 182: 71–85.
37.
LiJLiFLiuW, et al.Influence of pressure on fluidized bed gasifier: specific coal throughput and particle behavior. Fuel2018; 220: 80–88.
38.
ArslanADevSStevensonD, et al.Diesel direct injection and EGR optimization for a syngas-diesel dual-fuel generator operating at constant load. Int J Hydrog Energy2024; 77: 84–100.
39.
HalbaAAroraPSarojRK, et al.Transforming paper dust into electricity and biochar via gasification: experimental, emission, and economic insights. Energy Convers Manage2025; 326: 119503.
40.
LiuMWangPZengJ, et al.Utilization of distiller's grains for energy conservation and emissions reduction: a comprehensive investigation on pyrolysis kinetics and air-steam gasification performances. Case Studies Therm Eng2025; 66: 105747.
41.
Valencia-LópezAMRomero-MencoFBustamanteF, et al.Assessment of reductions in CO, PAHs and PM emissions in a forced-draft biomass gasification cookstove. Renew Energy2025; 122815.
42.
RebrykAKozyatnykINjengaM. Emission of volatile organic compounds during open fire cooking with wood biomass: traditional three-stone open fire vs. gasifier cooking stove in rural Kenya. Sci Total Environ2024; 934: 173183.
Supplementary Material
Please find the following supplemental material available below.
For Open Access articles published under a Creative Commons License, all supplemental material carries the same license as the article it is associated with.
For non-Open Access articles published, all supplemental material carries a non-exclusive license, and permission requests for re-use of supplemental material or any part of supplemental material shall be sent directly to the copyright owner as specified in the copyright notice associated with the article.
