The formulation of a base fuel for gasoline-type bioblendstocks

Abstract

An increasing proportion of biofuels and/or bioblendstocks incorporation in commercial fuels could represent a transition towards the decarbonization of the transportation sector through the proposed electrification strategy. Any biofuel or bioblendstock cannot satisfy all ASTM required specifications. To meet the whole set of specifications, several components (blendstocks) are mixed together. In the case of bioblendstocks, a base fuel composed of oil-derived refinery blendstocks is required (e.g., naphthas from the distillation, fluidized catalytic cracking, isomerization, alkylation, reforming units, etc.). Previous results indicated an interplay among the properties of the bioblendstock and those of the base fuel that need to be consider for formulating such base fuel. Furthermore, the composition of the base fuel could be adjusted to maximize the value-added to bio-refiners, refiners, and blenders. This work confirms the validity of the hypothesized composition of the base fuel, by blending in prenol as an example of bioblendstock and measuring octane, volatility properties, sulfur content, oxidation stability and existing gums. Prenol represents bioblendstocks characterized by low volatility, and a boosting effect on research octane number (RON) and on octane sensitivity (OS). The evaluated properties met measured ASTM D4814 specifications, with the exception of oxidation stability, which could be easily met by using one of the typical correcting additives. The advantages of using a base fuel composition and formulation adapted and adjusted to make the best of a given bioblendstock are discussed.