Biobased Diesel Fuel Analysis and Formulation and Testing of Surrogate Fuel Mixtures

• Published in: Industrial & engineering chemistry research 2018-01, Vol.57 (2), p.600-610
• Main Authors: Luning Prak, Dianne J, Ye, Sonya, McLaughlin, Margaret, Trulove, Paul C, Cowart, Jim S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0888-5885; 1520-5045
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.7b04419

The properties and chemical components of a bioderived alternative diesel fuel were used to formulate hydrocarbon mixtures for use as fuel surrogates. This alternative diesel fuel was found to contain mostly alkylcyclohexanes, linear alkanes, and alkylbenzenes, with small amounts of other compounds as determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Surrogate mixtures were prepared containing n-hexadecane, n-hexylbenzene, and n-butylcyclohexane, and their derived cetane number (DCN), density, viscosity, speed of sound, surface tension, and flashpoint were measured to help formulate mixture compositions whose properties most closely matched those of the fuel. Engine tests of three 3-component surrogate mixtures using a Waukesha diesel Cooperative Fuels Research engine showed that the combustion behaviors (burn duration, ignition delay, thermal efficiency, and maximum rate of heat release) of the three surrogates were similar to those of the base bioderived fuel. Successful surrogates were designed using chemical composition, DCN, density, and speed of sound.