Wednesday, June 20, 2012

A comparison of performance of higher alcohols/diesel fuel blends in a diesel engine

Applied Energy, Volume 95, July 2012, Pages 267–275
Javier Campos-Fernández a, Juan M. Arnal b, Jose Gómez b, M. Pilar Dorado a
a Department of Physical Chemistry and Applied Thermodynamics, University of Cordoba, EPS, Edif. Leonardo da Vinci, Campus de Rabanales, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario, ceiA3, Spain
b Department of Mechanization, IFAPA “Alameda del Obispo”, Junta de Andalucia, Cordoba, Spain
Abstract
Results were compared with those achieved with the use of neat diesel fuel.  They tested 1-butanol/diesel fuel blends  and 1-pentanol/diesel fuel blends. Experimental results showed a slight engine power loss and an increase in brake thermal efficiency when the engine was fueled with higher alcohols blends instead of straight diesel fuel. However, some 1-butanol blends showed a decrease in the brake specific fuel consumption compared to the use of neat diesel fuel. After using 1-butanol blends and 1-pentanol blends, no engine performance problems were visually detected. In addition, statistical analysis showed no significant differences between tests. It can be concluded from this field trial that a diesel engine, without any modifications, can run successfully on a blend up to 30% 1-butanol/70% diesel fuel or 25% 1-pentanol/75% diesel fuel without externally apparent damage to the engine parts.

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