Abstract
The removal of water content present in fuels such as biodiesel and diesel is quite important to adequate the fuel to standards for commercialization and to avoid corrosion of storage tanks and injection equipment in diesel engines. In this study, hydrophilic hydrogels were employed to remove the water content in biodiesel and diesel fuel samples. The results showed that the hydrogels were capable of decreasing the free water content and also the soluble water content present in the samples. The highest decrease of total water content in samples of biodiesel was 53.3% wt and for diesel samples the reduction of water content was 32.0%, starting with samples that had 2160 ppm and 240 ppm of water, respectively. The highest decrease of total water content (free and soluble water) for diesel samples was 80.4% wt, from a diesel sample initially containing 348 ppm of total water content.
Highlights
Fuels can incorporate water during the production process, transportation and storage (He et al, 2007; Shah et al, 2010)
The hygroscopic nature of biodiesel can lead to an increase of soluble water content during production and storage (Fregolente et al, 2010; Oliveira et al, 2008)
To evaluate the humidity absorption from the atmosphere, biodiesel and diesel samples were maintained in desiccators at constant relative humidities (RH) of 35, 66, 79 and 87%, at 20 oC
Summary
Fuels can incorporate water during the production process, transportation and storage (He et al, 2007; Shah et al, 2010). Water in fuels has always been a problem, promoting severe damage on fuel-injection equipment and/or contributing to corrosion in storage tanks. The water content in fuels can be classified as free water and soluble water. Water solubility depends on the temperature and on the composition of the fuel. The hygroscopic nature of biodiesel can lead to an increase of soluble water content during production and storage (Fregolente et al, 2010; Oliveira et al, 2008). Water is used to remove catalyst, soap and traces of glycerol. The remaining water content must be removed through an evaporator or a vacuum drier
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