Improvement of low-temperature characteristics of biodiesel by additivation

Ivan Tasic,Aleksandra Aleksic,Natasa Djurisic-Mladenovic,Radoslav Micic,Ferenc Martinovic,Milan Tomic

doi:10.2298/hemind190117009t

Ivan Tasic, Aleksandra Aleksic + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.2298/hemind190117009t

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Abstract

In manipulation and utilization of biodiesel and its mixtures, especially in the winter period, one of the most serious problems is relatively poor low-temperature flow properties. Classic methods of transesterification solve this problem, so biodiesel quality can be improved only by additives (cold flow improvers). This research examines the effect of commercial additives on the improvement of low-temperature characteristics of biodiesel. Namely, cold filter plugging point (CFPP), pour point (PP) and cloud point (CP) were tested in accordance with EN 116 and ISO 3015 standards. The influence of additives on different types of biodiesel, its different age and influence on the mixture of 5 % biodiesel and fossil diesel were examined. A better effect of additivation to "fresh" biodiesel (made using rapeseed oil), compared to "aged" biodiesel was noted. Improvement of additivation was achieved by mixing additives with an organic solvent (toluene). It was demonstrated that different types of additives are suitable for different types of biodiesel as well as mixtures of biodiesel and fossil diesel. Additives in which solvent is compatible with the type of biodiesel were found to exhibit better performance.

Highlights

Energy and environmental problems in the use of fossil fuels have prompted research related to alternative fuels that could replace crude derivatives
In the first series ("aged" biodiesel, with palm oil) the effect on cold filter plugging point (CFPP) and pour point (PP) for all additives was small while the improvement in the cloud point (CP) did not show any regularity
Since the CP measures the temperature at which crystals of wax appear, the observed lack of additive effect is expected

Summary

Introduction

Energy and environmental problems in the use of fossil fuels have prompted research related to alternative fuels that could replace crude derivatives. A lot of research has been carried out on development of biodiesel technologies and improvement of its technical characteristics, in order to obtain a suitable and economically profitable fuel that can replace diesel oil derived from crude oil [5,6,7,8]. Despite all good characteristics of this renewable resource, some significant weaknesses limit its use as a substitute for fuel of fossil origin. Two groups of different problems arise because of inadequate low temperature properties: handling problems and operability problems. Operability signifies the use of biodiesel-diesel mixtures as a fuel and problems that may arise during the use in the fuel system or in other equipment of a vehicle

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