Temperature Dependence of Density and Viscosity of Biobutanol-Gasoline Blends

Daniel Trost,Artur Wolak,Vojtěch Kumbár,Dorin Boldor,Divine Bup Nde,Adam Polcar

doi:10.3390/app11073172

Abstract

Butanol seems to be an eligible fuel for compensating for the increasing fuel consumption. Biobutanol could be produced from local sources in the place of use. Its properties show similar results to gasoline, so biobutanol could be added as a biocomponent into fuels. Important properties, in the case of blending biobutanol into gasoline, are its fluid properties and their dependence on the temperature. Therefore, in this paper, the volumetric mass density and viscosity of the selected ratios between biobutanol and gasoline (0, 5, 10, 85, 100 vol.%) were tested over the temperature range from −10 °C up to 40 °C. Gasolines with a 95 Research Octane Number (RON 95) and with a 98 Research Octane Number (RON 98) were used. It was observed that as the temperature increased, the viscosity and volumetric mass density of the samples decreased nonlinearly. Four mathematical models were used for modelling the viscosity. The accuracy of models was evaluated and compared according to the coefficient of determination R2 and sum of squared estimate of errors (SSE). The results show that blends with 5 vol.% and 10 vol.% of biobutanol promise very similar fluid properties to pure gasoline. In contrast, a blend with 85 vol.% of biobutanol shows different fluid properties from gasoline, especially in negative temperatures, a lot. For practical applications, mathematical polynomial multivariate models were created. Using these models, three-dimensional graphs were constructed.

Highlights

In the current consumer society, characterised by an increase in the population, a corresponding increase in the consumption of resources, especially fuels, are required.Unless significant changes are made in the energy sector, fuel needs could increase up to48% from 2012 to 2040 [1]
The objective of this work is to survey the fluid behaviour of biobutanolgasoline blends through the whole year’s temperature range that normally occur for most European countries
The sample identification is according to the volume ratio of the biobutanol in the whole blend (e.g., B10 contains 10 vol.% of biobutanol and 90 vol.% of gasoline)

Summary

Introduction

In the current consumer society, characterised by an increase in the population, a corresponding increase in the consumption of resources, especially fuels, are required.Unless significant changes are made in the energy sector, fuel needs could increase up to48% from 2012 to 2040 [1]. It is assumed that by 2030 fossil fuels will become the most expensive energy source. With consideration to the depleting oil resources, market volatility, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and required mitigation strategies, and the environmentally unfriendly character of processing crude oils, it would be appropriate to develop other ecological and sustainable sources [2]. Another successful approach is the in situ gasoline upgrade into strong anti-knocking alcohol mixtures [3]. Many studies have been concentrated on this topic nowadays in order to find suitable renewable sources that can replace or supplement fossil fuels, e.g., [4,5,6]

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion