Cold Flow Properties Research Articles

Performance improvement of the benzyl methacrylate-methacrylate copolymers pour point depressant by hybrid with nano-silica for diesel fuels

ABSTRACT In our previous work, the addition of benzyl methacrylate-methacrylate copolymers (MB-R1MC, R1 = C12, C14, C16, C18) could effectively improve the cold flow property of diesel fuel. To further improve the performance, nano-SiO2 was used to hybrid with the MB-R1MC to study, and the effect of nano-SiO2/MB-R1MC on the cold flow properties of diesel fuel were studied. Results show that nano-SiO2/MB-C14MC exhibited better depressive effects in diesel than that of MB-C14MC at the same dosages. The nano-SiO2/MB-C14MC in 1: 6 mass ratios reduced the cold filter plugging point and solid point by 16°C and 32°C at 0.3 wt.%, respectively. Additionally, the action mechanism was explored by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized light microscopy, and rheological analysis.

Vehicle Emissions from a Glycerol-Derived Biofuel under Cold and Warm Conditions

A glycerol-derived biofuel with optimized composition to improve its cold-flow properties was tested in a C class Euro 6b vehicle on a chassis dynamometer following the worldwide harmonized light-d...

Bifunctional Additives To Improve the Cold Flow Properties and Oxidation Stability of Soybean Oil Biodiesel

Biodiesel is a well-established biofuel that contains unsaturated and saturated fatty esters, and their contents influence oxidation stability and solidification properties, respectively. Also, the...

A review on cold flow properties of biodiesel and their improvement

The depletion of petroleum derivatives and expanded contamination caused by the consuming of fossil fuel is a driving component to consider the renewable source. Biodiesel is considered as most promising fuel to use in diesel engines. Biodiesel obtains from animal fats, Straight vegetable oils and waste by transesterification and esterification process. The properties of biodiesel oil meet the requirement of fuels and it can build a huge positive impact on pollution and make the fuel eco-friendly. Biodiesel with its points of interest undergoes a notable downside in the low-temperature properties. Due to inferior low-temperature properties of biodiesel, fuel crystallization and gum formation occur at low-temperature which leads to stopping of channels and tubes. It indicated higher pour point and cloud point, higher nitrogen oxide (NOx) which cuts down engine speed and power, injector coking. The present study review is done on low-temperature properties and Impact of different actions taken to improve these properties.

Diethyl Ether as an Oxygenated Additive for Fossil Diesel/Vegetable Oil Blends: Evaluation of Performance and Emission Quality of Triple Blends on a Diesel Engine

The aim of this work is to analyze the effect of using diethyl ether (DEE) as an oxygenated additive of straight vegetable oils (SVOs) in triple blends with fossil diesel, to be used in current compression ignition (C.I.) engines, in order to implement the current process of replacing fossil fuels with others of a renewable nature. The use of DEE is considered taking into account the favorable properties for blending with SVO and fossil diesel, such as its very low kinematic viscosity, high oxygen content, low autoignition temperature, broad flammability limits (it works as a cold start aid for engines), and very low values of cloud and pour point. Therefore, DEE can be used as a solvent of vegetable oils to reduce the viscosity of the blends and to improve cold flow properties. Besides, DEE is considered renewable, since it can be easily obtained from bioethanol, which is produced from biomass through a dehydration process. The vegetable oils evaluated in the mixtures with DEE were castor oil, which is inedible, and sunflower oil, used as a standard reference for waste cooking oil. In order to meet European petrodiesel standard EN 590, a study of the more relevant rheological properties of biofuels obtained from the DEE/vegetable oil double blends has been performed. The incorporation of fossil diesel to these double blends gives rise to diesel/DEE/vegetable oil triple blends, which exhibited suitable rheological properties to be able to operate in conventional diesel engines. These blends have been tested in a conventional diesel engine, operating as an electricity generator. The efficiency, consumption and smoke emissions in the engine have been measured. The results reveal that a substitution of fossil diesel up to 40% by volume can be achieved, independently of the SVO employed. Moreover, a significant reduction in the emission levels of pollutants and better cold flow properties has been also obtained with all blends tested.

Effect of Pd particle size on activity and cis-trans selectivity in partial hydrogenation of soybean oil-derived FAMEs over Pd/SiO2 catalysts

Partial hydrogenation of soybean oil-derived fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) was performed to improve oxidative stability of biodiesel. The reaction was tested in a semi-batch reactor at 100 °C, 0.4 MPa. The effect of Pd particle size on activity and cis-trans selectivity was investigated over SiO2- and MCM-41-supported Pd catalysts, with different Pd loadings (0.5 and 1 wt.%). For Pd/SiO2 catalysts with relatively large Pd particle sizes (6.1–7.8 nm), the adsorption of polyunsaturated C18:2 and C18:3 FAMEs was promoted on the flat metal surface, providing 2- to 3-fold higher turnover frequency (TOF) compared with Pd/MCM-41 catalysts. In contrast, the Pd/MCM-41 catalysts with relatively small Pd particle sizes (2.7–4.0 nm), showed higher selectivity towards the desired monounsaturated C18:1 FAMEs due to lower affinity of isolated double bond (presented in C18:1) on the Pd surface. In addition, selectivity towards the desired cis-C18:1 FAMEs was found to be highly sensitive to Pd particle size. The 0.5Pd/MCM-41 catalyst with small Pd particle size (2.7 nm), provided high cis-C18:1 selectivity, resulting in a biodiesel with better cold flow property compared with the trans-isomers. With partial hydrogenation over the prepared Pd catalysts, biodiesel with significantly improved oxidative stability (>10 h) could be obtained.

Cottonseed Trimethylolpropane TMP Ester as Lubricant and Performance Characteristics for Diesel Engine

Many researchers have been working on bio-based lubricant which is complete or partial replacement for mineralbased lubricant. Mineral-based lubricant is highly pollutant and possesses environmental threat as it is not biodegradable, in the initial days of the industrial revolution bio-based lubricants were widely used, later it was replaced by more sustainable and easily available but environmental polluting mineral oils, currently due to environmental concerns and scarcity of mineral oils, bio-based lubricant has gained importance. Bio-based lubricants are now a day’s used for various applications such as transformer oil and processes where there is complete loss of lubricants. They possess very good properties in such applications, whereas bio-based lubricants are also used internal combustion engines, pure biobased lubricant may not be suitable for long-duration, but genetically and chemically modified bio-based lubricants will be suitable for IC engine. Though bio-based lubricant possesses many good properties as a lubricant for IC engine and various other application, it is still at large to become commercial, more study is required for checking performance of such pure and modified bio-based lubricants oils, in this paper such study of cotton seed Trimethylolpropane (TMP) ester oil and its effects on performance of brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), brake thermal efficiency (BTh) and emission of gases like hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2 ) nitrogen oxides (NOx ) are studied, bio-based have poor cold flow properties and oxidation stability to improve these additives are added. The experimental study shows that Cottonseed Trimethylolpropane Ester (CSTE) displays similar characteristics of thermal efficiency, brake specific fuel consumption and emission of gases as compared to mineralbased lubricating oil hence can be used in the IC engine instead of mineral-based lubricants.

Superior performance biodiesel from biomass-derived fusel alcohols and low grade oils: Fatty acid fusel esters (FAFE)

We demonstrated production of a superior performance biodiesel referred to here as fatty acid fusel alcohol esters (FAFE) – by reacting fusel alcohols (isobutanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and (S)-(-)-2-methyl-1-butanol) with oil (glyceryl trioleate) using lipase from Aspergillus oryzae. Reaction conditions corresponding to a molar ratio of 5:1 (fusel alcohols to oil), enzyme loading of 2% w/w, reaction temperature of 35 °C, shaking speed of 250 rpm, and reaction time of 24 h achieved >97% conversion to FAFE. Further, FAFE obtained from reacting a fusel alcohol mixture with corn oil were evaluated for use as a fuel for diesel engines. FAFE mixtures showed superior combustion and cold-flow properties, with the derived cetane numbers up to 4.8 points higher, cloud points up to −6 °C lower, and the heat of combustion up to 2.1% higher than the corresponding FAME samples, depending on the fusel mixture used. This represents a significant improvement for all three metrics, which are typically anti-correlated. FAFE provides a new opportunity for expanded usage of biodiesel by addressing feedstock limitations, fuel performance, and low temperature tolerance.

Influence of maleic anhydride-co-methyl benzyl acrylate copolymers modified with long-chain fatty amine and long-chain fatty alcohol on the cold flow properties of diesel fuel

Precipitation of n-alkanes at low temperatures is the main factor that affects the cold flow properties of diesel fuel. In order to improve the clod flow properties of diesel fuel, maleic anhydride-methyl benzyl acrylate copolymer (MA-MB) were synthesized and modified with long-chain fatty amine and long-chain fatty alcohol (RNH2 and ROH, R = C14, C16, C18) to obtain a series of aminated copolymers R1MA-MB (R1 = N14, N16, N18) and esterified copolymers R2MA-MB (R2 = C14, C16, C18). These copolymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), and the oil affinity and oil solubility were studied by the static contact angle. The influences of them used as pour point depressants (PPDs) on the cold flow properties of diesel fuel were investigated. Results indicate that the esterified copolymers exhibit a better depression effect in depressing the solid point (SP) and cold filter plugging point (CFPP) than that of aminated copolymers. Among that, C14MA-MB exhibited the most considerable reduction on the SP and CFPP by 24 and 8 °C at 500 ppm addition, respectively. In addition, the depression mechanism was explored by differential scanning calorimetry, rheological analysis and polarizing optical microscopy. The analysis shows that C14MA-MB changed the crystal behaviors by modifying the crystal growth direction, restraining the crystal accumulation, and retarding the formation of large crystals, thus enhancing the cold flow properties of diesel fuel. Therefore, the synthesized copolymers are the highly effective PPDs of diesel fuels.

Improving the cold flow properties of marine diesel fuel using centrifugation

The possibility of improving the low-temperature properties of marine diesel fuel of the Antipinsky Refinery by dewaxing was studied. Paraffin was isolated from the fuel in a centrifuge in the presence of a depressant additive. The depressant additive is selected from a series of synthesized additives for depressant effectiveness. The influence of the centrifuge rotor speed, the additive content and the initial cooling temperature of the sample on the dewaxing parameters of the fuel was studied. The possibility of isolating the additive from the obtained paraffin concentrates is shown. The dewaxing products obtained under optimal conditions were studied. A paraffin concentrate product containing 40.03% solid paraffins was isolated from fuel. Paraffin was isolated from paraffin concentrate by dewaxing with a selective solvent. The cloud point and freezing point of paraffin were 30 and 29 ° C, respectively. When converted to the original fuel, the amount of released paraffins was 7.3% of the 21% by weight contained in the original fuel. The fuel obtained at optimal parameters for low temperature properties corresponds to grade D of diesel fuel according to EN 590: 2009.

Synthesis of ethyl furfuryl ether (potential biofuel) by etherification of furfuryl alcohol with ethanol over heterogenized reusable H1Cs2PW12O40 catalyst

Ethyl furfuryl ether (EFE) considered as potential biofuel can replace petroleum diesel up to 100%. EFE also has efficient blending properties with biodiesel to improve its cold flow properties. Herein we demonstrate efficient synthesis of EFE by etherification of renewable furfuryl alcohol (FAlc) with ethanol over heterogenized heteropoly acids. Cs-exchanged heterogenized heteropoly acid (H3−xCsxPW12O40, x = 0.5, 1, 2, 2.5) was prepared using ion exchange method. The H3−xCsxPW12O40 catalysts were well characterized by the XRD, BET, XPS, NH3-TPAD and pyridine IR. The etherification of renewable FAlc with ethanol over H3−xCsxPW12O40; H1Cs2PW12O40 catalyst having moderate acidity of 786 µmol/g; and B/L of 3.6 have shown 65% EFE yield and low humin formation with after 98% FAlc conversion and catalyst was observed to be reusable for four cycles (fresh + 3 recycles).

Evaluation on biodiesel cold flow properties, oxidative stability and enhancement strategies: A review

Abstract Poor cold flow properties of biodiesel especially those that are composed mainly of saturated fatty acids is one of the major drawbacks faced by most biodiesel manufacturers. During winter or cold weather, the biodiesel tend to solidify which clogs fuel lines, filters and injectors that lead to engine operability problems. As it limits biodiesel marketability, it is desirable to improve these properties. Literatures have shown that there are numerous ways that can be used. However, lack of review papers in this area especially on the fundamentals aspects of biodiesel properties makes it difficult to choose the best and suitable improvement method that is compatible with the biodiesel type itself. This paper therefore aims to provide a comprehensive review on this area which covers relevant topics such as (a) biodiesel compositions, (b) cold flow properties (e.g. pour point, cloud point, cold filter plugging point), (c) mechanisms, factors affecting and impact of the cold flow properties, (d) oxidative stability, (e) methods to improve the cold flow properties, (f) methods to improve biodiesel oxidative stability and et cetera. This information is hoped to give deeper understanding on the fundamentals and new perspectives towards the production line to produce desirable quality of biodiesel that is marketable around the globe.

Influence of Methacrylate-benzyl Methacrylate-N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone as Pour Point Depression on Cold Flow Properties of Diesel Fuel

The addition of benzyl methacrylate–methacrylate copolymers to diesel significantly improves its cold flow properties, but it is always limited by a large dosage. To improve the depressing efficien...

Fatty Acid Estolides: A Review

AbstractEstolides are bio‐based oils synthesized from fatty acids or from the reaction of fatty acids with vegetable oils. Estolides have many advantages as lubricant base oils, including excellent biodegradability and cold flow properties. Promising applications for estolides include bio‐lubricant base oils and in cosmetics. In this review, the synthesis of estolides from fatty acids using four different types of catalysts, namely, mineral acids, solid acids, lipases, and ionic liquids, is summarized. The summary includes the yield of estolide obtained from varying synthetic conditions (time, temperature, catalyst). Also reviewed are studies comparing the physical properties of estolides synthesized from refined fatty acids against those synthesized from fatty acid mixtures obtained from vegetable oils such as coconut, castor, Physaria, etc. By varying the structure of the fatty acids, estolides with a wide range of pour point, cloud point, and viscosity are synthesized to meet a wide range of application requirements. Currently, estolide products are being commercialized for personal care and lubricant base oils for automotive, industrial, and marine applications. The application areas and the demand for estolides is expected to grow as the drive for switching from petroleum to bio‐based products keeps growing.

Combustion characteristics and flame stability of linear esters of palmitic acid based on OH-PLIF technology

Experimental study on combustion characteristics and method for evaluating flame stability was carried out. Methyl palmitate, ethyl palmitate, propyl palmitate, butyl palmitate, and amyl palmitate were prepared using pyridine n-butyl bisulfate ionic liquid as catalyst in a self-designed reactor to catalyze esterification reaction of palmitic acid with methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, and pentanol, respectively. Combustion characteristics including the flame height, flame front area, and flame speed were analyzed; and OH-PLIF time-average total signal strength by the OH-PLIF technique and cold flow properties of linear-chain alkyl esters of palmitic acid were also studied. Image diagnosis was applied to the study of flame stability, and an image segmentation method using three color feature matrices of flame corresponding to the red, green, and blue components was proposed. A color was selected as the evaluation color and the iterative method was used to obtain the optimal threshold for the area where the flame was located. Each pixel in the matrix was compared with an optimal threshold, and the flame stability was evaluated by calculating the ratio variance under continuous conditions. The method is simple in operation, accurate in repeatability, less interfered, and provides some guidance for analysis and optimization of biodiesel combustion process.

Investigation of cottonseed oil biodiesel with ethanol as an additive on fuel properties, engine performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a diesel engine

In last few years in automobile sector there is a emerging need of an alternative fuel because of depletion of the stock of fossil fuels in all over the world. Bio-diesel in this regard contested a strong alternative to the conventional fuels. Bio-diesel contains 9-10% higher oxygen and higher cetane number which allows its good combustion in the combustion chambers of the engine. But poor hot flow and cold flow properties of biodiesel restricts their applications in the field of automotives. So the blends of biodiesel in percentage with diesel and ethanol as an properties enhancer additives are used in the biodiesel/diesel blend. Reduced viscosity, higher calorific value, improved flash and fire point and enhanced cold flow properties of the blends with ethanol as an additive, enhanced the combustion and reduced harmful emissions from the engine. Experimental work presented in this paper is by considering cottonseed biodiesel as raw feedstock blended with diesel and 5% ethanol. Properties were investigated experimentally as per IS 1448 standards. Trials were conducted on the single cylinder diesel. Results show that there are significant improvements in the properties of the blend, performance, combustion and reduced harmful emission from the engine. Experimental investigation reported that ethanol as an additives in the blends of cotton-seed biodiesel with diesel reduces kinematic viscosity by 7%, cold flow properties by 9% to 10% . But on the other hand but density of the blend is increased by 3% and higher heating value is decreased by 9%.

A Study on Enhancement of the Oxidation Stability and Wear Behavior of Edible & Non-Edible Oil Methyl Esters using Partial Hydrogenation Method

Biodiesel has picked up a lot of consideration as it is a capable sustainable alternate fuel to customary diesel later on. Despite the fact that fatty acid methyl esters of edible & non-edible oils have various favorable characteristics, for example, lower toxicity, higher flash point and its biodegradability over ordinary diesel. The major hurdles, which bounded its applications, are its deprived cold flow properties and oxidation stability. The reason behind this challenge is elevated level of polyunsaturated methyl esters, Oxidation stability is governed by the unsaturated fatty acid methyl ester & antioxidants. Partial hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty methyl esters, the so-called H-FAME, especially for application in hot atmospheres, to enhance the oxidation strength of biodiesel. For the duration of the H-FAME measure, polyunsaturated ester atoms, which are an essential driver of biodiesel incited oxidation, can be decreased. The assessment work looks to sum up the impact of partial hydrogenation on lubrication properties and oxidation soundness. The lubrication properties have been contemplated when excellent biodiesel was moved up to H-FAME utilizing a high- frequency-reciprocating rig (HFRR). It was observed that the partial hydrogenation updating measure decreased polyunsaturated atoms and furthermore changed cis-atoms (C18:1 cis) into trans-atoms (C18:1 trans), by this change the thickness of the lubricating film will enhance.

Effects of Fatty Acids Composition on Fuel Properties of Jatropha Curcas Biodiesel

In the efforts to reduce effects of climate change, biodiesel fuels from plant oils such as Jatropha curcas have been proposed as alternative fuels which can be used in the transportation sector in diesel engines. The current study investigates the effects of fatty acids composition on fuel properties of biodiesel derived from Jatropha curcas seeds obtained from selected regions of Botswana. The physicochemical fuel properties investigated include kinematic viscosity, flash point, energy content, density, pour point and cloud point from derived Jatropha curcas biodiesel. Results of the study showed that Jatropha curcas biodiesel samples for all regions under review are dominated by unsaturated fatty acids which are desirable for cold flow properties and kinematic viscosity of the biodiesel fuel. The major fatty acids in Jatropha curcas biodiesel fuels from all the regions range from 69.00% to 77.81% of unsaturated fatty acids. The overall results conclude that fatty acids composition has influence on the fuel properties of the biodiesel under investigated.

A review of physicochemical and improvement of cold-flow properties of biodiesel

A review of physicochemical and improvement of cold-flow properties of biodiesel

CNSL as Alternate Fuel with Different Additives for CI Engines

The depletion of fossil fuel and the environmental deterioration are the 2 main problems which is faced by the world in recent days. Only limited amount of stocks can provide the fossil fuel based fuels. The various derivatives of the vegetable oils have been identified as the straight vegetative oils which are used in diesel engines. These have the characteristics of high viscosity, lesser volatility level and very low cold flow properties. The CNSL oil was chosen and mixed with several additives and the quality and emission characteristics were described and charted in this paper. Based on the experimental work done the results were compared. The experiments show that the lower blends can be used directly in the engine by which the overall consumption of diesel is reduced. Amongst all the different blends used such as B20,B15 and B10 the blend B20 was preferred showing improved performance in the engine compared to the different blends available. The experiment was done with the different additives such as DiEthylEther (DEE), Ethanol (EA), and Iso Butane(ISO)