Screening of Potential Biomass-Derived Streams as Fuel Blendstocks for Mixing Controlled Compression Ignition Combustion

Journal Article · Tue Apr 02 00:00:00 EDT 2019 · SAE International Journal of Advances and Current Practices in Mobility

DOI:https://doi.org/10.4271/2019-01-0570· OSTI ID:1605705

Fioroni, Gina M  ^[1]; Fouts, Lisa A  ^[1]; Luecke, Jon H  ^[1]; Vardon, Derek R  ^[1]; Huq, Nabila A  ^[1]; Christensen, Earl D  ^[1]; Huo, Xiangchen ^[1]; Alleman, Teresa  ^[1]; McCormick, Robert L  ^[1]; Kass, Michael ^[2]; Polikarpov, Evgueni ^[3]; Kukkadapu, Goutham ^[4]; Whitesides, Russell A. ^[4]

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1. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
2. Oak Ridge National Laboratory
3. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
4. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Mixing controlled compression ignition, i.e., diesel engines are efficient and are likely to continue to be the primary means for movement of goods for many years. Low-net-carbon biofuels have the potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of diesel combustion and could have advantageous properties for combustion, such as high cetane number and reduced engine-out particle and NOx emissions. We developed a list of over 400 potential biomass-derived diesel blendstocks and populated a database with the properties and characteristics of these materials. Fuel properties were determined by measurement, model prediction, or literature review. Screening criteria were developed to determine if a blendstock met the basic requirements for handling in the diesel distribution system and use as a blend with conventional diesel. Criteria included cetane number =40, flashpoint =52 degrees C, and boiling point or T90 =338 degrees C. Blendstocks needed to be soluble in diesel fuel, have a toxicity no worse than conventional diesel, not be corrosive, and be compatible with fuel system elastomers. Additionally, cloud point or freezing point below 0 degrees C was required. Screening based on blendstock properties produced a list of 12 that were available as fuels or reagent chemicals or could be synthesized by biofuels production researchers. This group included alkanes, alcohols, esters, and ethers. These candidates were further examined for their impact fuel properties upon blending with a conventional diesel fuel. Blend properties included cetane number, lubricity, conductivity, oxidation stability, and viscosity. Results indicate that all 12 candidates can meet the basic requirements for diesel fuel blending, although in some cases would require additive treatment to meet requirements for lubricity, conductivity, and oxidation stability.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Transportation Office. Bioenergy Technologies Office; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Vehicle Technologies Office (EE-3V)
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 1605705
• Report Number(s): NREL/JA-5400-76371
• Journal Information: SAE International Journal of Advances and Current Practices in Mobility, Vol. 1, Issue 3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
cetane
diesel fuels
diesel/compression ignition engines
fuel systems
combustion and combustion processes
corrosion
biofuels
chemicals
conductivity