Correlating Microemulsion Fuel Composition, Structure, and Combustion Properties.

摘要

Microemulsion fuels provide a method for increasing the use of byproduct and biomass materials, including alcohols, in diesel fuels. The ability to replace 50% of diesel fuel with byproduct and biomass-derived materials microemulsion fuels could significantly decrease petroleum consumption. However, it is likely that the low particulate and NO(sub x) emissions characteristic of these fuels will drive the adoption of this technology. This report is concerned with the development of a series of short experiments to determine the fuel composition changes required to support development of microemulsion fuels which have combustion properties acceptable to the public and adequate to support widespread use in current diesel engines. The goal is delineation of microemulsion diesel fuel compositions which have acceptable compression ignition and emissions properties and which permit the replacement of one-third to one-half of current diesel fuel petroleum. A review of the literature on cetane enhancers for conventional and alternative diesel fuels was performed and a small number of enhancers likely to be effective with high-alcohol fuels selected. Based on linear regression analysis of emissions from a passenger diesel engine using alcohol and aqueous microemulsion fuels, correlation between microemulsion solution structure as determined by small-angle neutron scattering and actual NO(sub x) and particulate emissions was determined. The analysis indicates that solution structure and microemulsion composition play major roles in emissions modification. 223 refs., 5 figs., 9 tabs.