Stabilization performance of methanol-diesel emulsified fuel prepared using an impinging stream-rotating packed bed

Abstract

A new continuous process for preparing methanol–diesel oil emulsified fuel is proposed using an impinging stream–rotating packed bed. The combustion of methanol–diesel oil emulsified fuel is significantly affected by its stability. Thus, the stabilization of the methanol–diesel oil emulsified fuel was investigated by varying numerous factors, including high-gravity factor, impinging distance, hydrophilic-lipophilic balance value, liquid flow rate, co-surfactants, content of methanol and emulsifier, and so on. The stabilized time and size of dispersed phase of methanol-diesel oil emulsified fuel were 762 h and 12 μm separately at the operating conditions of liquid flow rate of 70 L/h, an impinging distance of 30 mm, a hydrophilic–lipophilic balance value of 5.4, a high gravity factor of 208.1, a methanol volume content of 15%, co-surfactants of 1-butanol, an emulsifier amount of 3%, and consecutive recycle time of 3. The proposed technology can be applied in industries because of the use of relatively less emulsifier as well as its continuity, processing efficiency, and ease of application in large-scale production.