Graphene Additives for Performance Enhancement of a Small-Scale 1100 W Generator Using Pertamax Fuel and Lubricant
Abstract
Graphene has emerged as a promising additive for both fuels and lubricants due to its potential to enhance combustion processes and minimize energy losses in engine systems. This research investigates the effect of graphene on the operational efficiency of a 1100 W generator powered by Pertamax fuel and standard lubricants. Prior to testing, the combustion chamber underwent thorough cleaning to ensure consistent results. The experimental procedure comprised four distinct stages: (1) utilization of pure Pertamax, (2) Pertamax blended with graphene prior to cleaning, (3) incorporation of graphene into the lubricant following chamber cleaning, and (4) application of pure Pertamax after cleaning. Each condition was evaluated under a constant load of 820 W, with assessments covering fuel consumption and runtime until depletion. The results demonstrate that the direct addition of graphene to the fuel yielded negligible improvements. In contrast, the inclusion of graphene in the lubricant after combustion chamber cleaning significantly reduced fuel consumption by up to 6.64% relative to the baseline. These findings indicate that graphene is more effective as a lubricant additive than as a fuel additive for small-scale generators. Overall, combining combustion chamber cleaning with the use of graphene-enhanced lubricants offers an accessible and effective approach to improving generator efficiency, presenting noteworthy economic and environmental benefits.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.20961/esta.v4i2.109669
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