Abstract
Butanol, popularly known as butyl alcohol, has been recently recognized by researchers from around the world as a promising component for use in blends with gasoline, because of its very similar physical-chemical properties. In this study, butan-1-ol ( n -butanol) and 2-methylpropan-1-ol (isobutanol) were blended with pure gasoline in proportions of up to 30% mass. The blends density, volatility and anti-knock rating were experimentally determined and compared with Brazilian commercial gasoline specifications. The results showed that the blends properties kept a strong dependency on the linear or branched butanol molecular structure and with the interaction effects of its hydroxyl groups. In the blends, a polynomial increase in density was observed, with a consequent volatility reduction, affecting the vapor pressure and distillation curve, especially for specified 50 and 90% evaporated temperatures (T50 and T90). Minor effects were observed at the T10 and FBP curve extremes. Octane rating and anti-knock index gains were observed, with noted increase of MON for 2-methylpropan-1-ol based blends. At the tested butanol content range, blends characteristics presented satisfactory compatibility with Brazilian gasoline specifications.
Highlights
The use of oxygenated compounds as fuels has been investigated for more than a century (Kumar, Cho, Park, & Moon, 2013) and some countries like Brazil and United States of America currently use ethanol as liquid fuel in large scale
Pre-calculated masses of the butanol standards and respective fuel were individually weighted and, after that, mixed in 500 mL amber glass flasks positioned on an electronic Bel semi-analytical balance, which resulted in butanol contents from 2.5 to 30.0% mass
Better butanol/gasoline blend characteristics were achieved by using 2-methylpropan-1-ol isomer, which had softer impacts over the gasolines original density and volatility, besides providing higher octane gains compared to the butan-1-ol blends
Summary
The use of oxygenated compounds as fuels has been investigated for more than a century (Kumar, Cho, Park, & Moon, 2013) and some countries like Brazil and United States of America currently use ethanol as liquid fuel in large scale. In Brazil, anhydrous ethanol is blended with gasoline (from 18 to 27% vol according to the ethanol availability) and hydrated ethanol (94.5% vol) is used directly in modified flex/fueled vehicles. Butanol (C4H10O, 74.1216 g mol-1) is an alcohol with four carbons and with one functional hydroxyl group (OH) in its structure, existing as four isomers: butan-1-ol (n-butanol), butan-2-ol (secbutanol), 2-methylpropan-1-ol (iso-butanol) and 2methylpropan-2-ol (tert-butanol). 40, e39571, 2018 related similar energy content, these isomers have different physical-chemical properties due to their structural differences (Jin, Yao, Liu, Lee, & Ji, 2011) Technology, v. 40, e39571, 2018 related similar energy content, these isomers have different physical-chemical properties due to their structural differences (Jin, Yao, Liu, Lee, & Ji, 2011)
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