Physical-Chemical Properties and Engine Performance of Blends of Biofuels with Gasoline

Abstract

Addition of 10 vol% biomass-based methyl levulinate (ML), ethyl levulinate (EL), butyl levulinate (BL), gamma-valerolactone (GVL), dimethyl carbonate (DimC), and diethyl carbonate (DieC) in gasoline were selected as blended fuels. Physical-chemical properties of six different blends of biofuels and gasoline, including miscibility, octane number, distillation, vapor pressure, unwashed gum content, solvent washed gum content, copper corrosiveness, water content, mechanical admixtures, and lower heating value was evaluated according to the China National Standards. Blended fuels were then evaluated on the performance and emissions of a gasoline test engine without any modification. The results showed that all biomass-based fuels at 10 vol% have good miscibility in gasoline at temperatures of –30 to 30 °C. Experiments were performed at 4500 rpm engine speed at different engine loads (from 10% to 100% in 10% intervals). Results showed slightly lower engine power at different loads with the blended fuels than those from gasoline fuelled engine. However, the brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) with the blended fuels was slightly higher than that from gasoline. Emission of carbon monoxide (CO), total unburned hydrocarbon (THC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) was reduced significantly from the blended fuels compared to gasoline while carbon dioxide (CO2) emission was slightly higher than that from gasoline. The data suggests that 10 vol% addition of biomass-based levulinates and carbonates fuels to gasoline is suitable for use in gasoline engines.