Motor Fuels Research Articles

Conversion of CO2 into Synthetic Motor Fuels

The process of CO2 conversion into synthetic hydrocarbons including the stages of synthesis gas production on the catalyst NIAP 06-06 and hydrocarbon synthesis by the Fischer-Tropsch method on a bifunctional zeolite-containing catalyst has been investigated. Experimental studies of the process of catalytic conversion of CO2 into synthesis gas were carried out in order to obtain gas with the ratio of H2/CO close to the required ratio for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The possibility of obtaining gasoline and diesel fractions of hydrocarbons with a high content of isomeric structures that increase the performance characteristics of motor fuels has been shown. The yield of hydrocarbons C5+ with 1 m3 of initial CO2 and H2 at the synthesis temperature of 220 °C is found to be 44.5 g.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of solketal from glycerol and acetone in the presence of SAPO-34 and SAPO-5

Solketal is one of the most promising additives improving the properties of motor fuels. Investigations related to process intensification of synthesis of solketal from glycerol and acetone is gaining importance. The present work illustrates the use of the microwave mode for intensification of this process in the presence of silicoaluminophosphates (SAPO) as catalysts. The main focus of the study was placed on tuning the textural, acidic, and catalytic properties of SAPO-34 and SAPO-5 via variation of the synthesis parameters, such as the nature of Al and Si sources and the structure-directing agent. The catalytic properties of SAPO materials were investigated in the synthesis of solketal from glycerol and acetone under microwave assistance at the acetone/glycerol molar ratio of 2.4 in a methanol solution (glycerol/methanol: 1 g/1 mL) and 56 °C. It was demonstrated that the selectivity towards solketal was 91.1–98.6 % in the presence of the studied materials. The activities of mesoporous SAPO-34 and SAPO-5 prepared in the presence of triethylamine were higher as compared with microporous SAPO-34 prepared in the presence of tetraethylammonium hydroxide due to the high mesoporosity and a larger content of acid sites. The 90.4 % conversion of glycerol and 98.6 % selectivity towards solketal were observed in the presence of mesoporous 7.6%SAPO-34 for 90 min. The advantage of using microwave technology is shown. The solketal yield in the reaction under microwave irradiation was 3 times higher than that in the process performed under thermal heating conditions.

On the non-linearity of rheological film condensation

Condensation of non-Newtonian fluids is a less explored research field but has tremendous potential in the industry. We propose a mathematical theory to model the behaviour of non-Newtonian film condensation on vertical surfaces. The simple theory can contribute to understanding the operation of many engineering appliances using motor oils, polymeric liquids, and fuels. The well-known power-law model approximates the viscosity of condensate. We vary the power-law index (n) within 0.8≤n≤1.2 to encompass the behaviour of shear-thinning, Newtonian and shear-thickening films, while the flow consistency index (μ0) remains constant throughout the study. Since the film flow is gravity-driven, stream-wise advection is expected to dominate over cross-stream advection. We, however, establish the subtle role of cross-stream advection within the thin condensate film. We have identified a thinner film, a lower condensate drainage rate and a greater average heat transfer coefficient (hm) as an influence of the cross-stream advection. An exclusion of cross-stream advection transforms temperature distribution across the film from non-linear to linear. The linear temperature distribution is unrealistic for Ja≥0.5. We illustrate approximately 5% error incurred for neglecting cross-stream advection in estimating hm at Ja=0.81 and n=0.8. The error increases with a further decrease in n values or an increase in the Ja. The exclusion of cross-stream advection affects the film-thickness and average heat transfer disproportionately in shear-thinning and shear-thickening regimes. Finally, we propose mathematical expressions to estimate heat transfer coefficient and Nusselt number, which would be helpful for field engineers.

Alternative Production of Hydrocarbons from Natural Gas (Methane) via Synthesis Gas and Methanol

Abstract As a result of research, it has been found that DME from natural gas (methane), oil production and oil refinery wastes and low molecular weight olefins based on it are studied. Therefore, methanol and DME, along with synthesis gas, are relevant for the improvement of the production technology of environmentally friendly motor fuels. The most active and selective catalysts for the dehydration of methanol in DME have a texture that allows the resulting DME to desorb from the surface without steric hindrance. Such “open surface” catalysts of acidic nature include mesoporous γ - Al2O3 and large-pore zeolite HU, whose promotion with H3PO4 achieves 100 % selectivity for DME formation at 88-90 % conversion of methanol. Experiments were performed by varying the amount of methanol in the CH3OH : (CO + H2) reaction mixture from 25 to 100 % by volume. In the main experiments with CO : H2 = 1:1 ratio, the linear speed of the reaction gas flow was kept constant at 3.8 ÷ 0.2 cm3 min−1, that is, the contact time was kept constant for 15.5-16 s. The reaction products were analyzed by gas chromatography.

LONG-TERM ENERGY DEMAND THROUGH BOTTOM-UP ANALYSIS AND PROJECTION FOR KUWAIT

In this study, an energy demand projection and analysis were conducted for the State of Kuwait, which has an oil-based economy. A bottom-up approach was used to conduct energy demand projection and analysis by utilizing the Model for Energy Demand Analysis (MAED), which is a software package developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The energy demand projection was conducted until 2050, with 2019 as the base year. The total demand is expected to grow from 210.9 TWh in 2019 to 373.07 TWh in 2050. The industrial sector dominates final energy demand, with a percentage of 45.1% in 2019 and is expected to reach 55.8% by 2050. Reliance on fossil fuels for energy demand will persist with an annual growth rate of 4% throughout the projection period. The electricity demand in the household and service sectors has the highest share of space cooling during the long summer months. Policy implications in response to energy demand consumption patterns are discussed to achieve national sustainable economic growth and environmental requirements. The implementation of rules and regulations to deploy and use equipment and machinery with high energy efficiency ratings will assist in energy savings in the industrial sector. Providing incentives to use building materials with high insulation can significantly reduce the energy demand for space cooling. Setting high-efficiency rating standards for engine specifications for vehicles imported to Kuwait will help reduce the consumption of motor fuels in the transportation sector.

Production of Motor Fuel Components by Processing Vegetable Oils Using a CoMo/Al2O3 Hydrotreating Catalyst and a ZSM-5 Zeolite Catalyst

Production of Motor Fuel Components by Processing Vegetable Oils Using a CoMo/Al2O3 Hydrotreating Catalyst and a ZSM-5 Zeolite Catalyst

Research of the process of producing motor fuels by an alternative method using vegetable oils

Research of the process of producing motor fuels by an alternative method using vegetable oils

SEM/EDX and FTIR/ATR Behavior of Ammonium Perchlorate Under Accelerated Aging in a New Solid Rocket Motor Fuel Composition with Superior Explosive and Mechanical Performance

Abstract The oxidation potential of perchlorates is high, which makes this material suitable for fuels with high specific impulse. Perchlorates are characterized by a ClO4- moiety/anion in their molecular structure and are crystalline materials used in the formation of solid fuels. Ammonium perchlorate (AP) particle size and shape influence the manufacturing process of fuels and their burning rate. The physical and chemical processes that can occur in the natural degradation process of composite fuels are related to molecular reactions and diffusion phenomena governed by kinetic processes and can be accelerated by increasing the temperature. The paper presents studies carried out by scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectrometry on the behavior of ammonium perchlorate in the new composite material of solid rocket motor fuel under the effect of high temperature, in the range of 65-85οC, at regular time intervals. The self-initiation temperature was also determined, with a temperature rise rate controlled at 5ºC/minute. It is very likely that these accelerated aging studies will show the changes that occur in the stability, sensitivity, mechanical and functional properties of fuels during their lifetime.

The criteria for qualifying fuels as a replacement fuels for internal combustion engines

The article presents the classification of motor fuels into conventional and unconventional. The concept of replacement fuels is formalized as fuels that can replace conventional petroleum fuels for spark ignition and self-ignition engines without any structural or regulatory changes. The criteria for qualification unconventional fuels as replacement fuels are presented. This article also introduces the results of empirical research conducted on a single-cylinder research engine powered by diesel fuel and rapeseed methyl esters (RME) in summer version and winter version. The engine was tested and the combustion phenomenon in the cylinder was analyzed. Very similar engine properties were observed for diesel fuel and rapeseed methyl esters (RME) in the summer version, while greater differences were found for rapeseed methyl esters (RME) with winter additives. In light of the empirical research and the physicochemical properties of the fuels, it is concluded that RME warrants consideration as replacement fuel for engines with self-ignition, especially in the case of biofuel in the summer version.

A global database for energy consumer price indices

This article presents a global database of energy consumer price indices for 100 countries and two currency unions. The database covers a wide range of advanced and developing economies and is based on available information from national sources. The data extend coverage from existing international databases and provide a more detail breakdown of subcomponents, such as electricity and motor fuels, than is elsewhere available. The data are available at https://github.com/MilesIParker/EnergyCPI.

STUDY OF THE ROLE OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS IN THE ENERGY BALANCE OF UKRAINE AND THE COUNTRIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION DURING ARMED AGGRESSION AND IN THE POST-WAR RECONSTRUCTION OF THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMY AND INFRASTRUCTURE

In the article, which shows the results of the authors' own research, the purpose of which was to identify the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the role of alternative fuels in the energy balance of Ukraine and the countries of the European Union during the times of armed aggression and in the post-war reconstruction of the country's economy and infrastructure, the following tasks were consistently solved: analysis of the consumption of energy resources in the world and in Ukraine and the use of alternative types of fuel in transport; analysis of the nomenclature and properties of fuels of non-petroleum origin. The object of the study is the role of alternative fuels in the energy balance of Ukraine and the countries of the European Union. The subject of the study is quantitative and qualitative aspects of the object of the study at the time of armed aggression and in the post-war reconstruction of the country's economy and infrastructure. The scientific novelty of the research results is that the notion of the applicability of various types of alternative motor fuels for powering the power plants with reciprocating internal combustion engines, in particular the FERV units of the units of the SES of Ukraine, has gained further development, in terms of their solving problems both during the times of armed aggression and during the period of post-war reconstruction of the country's economy and infrastructure. The practical significance of the research results is that the results of a comparative analysis of the nomenclature, properties and prospects for the use of various types of alternative motor fuels for powering power plants with reciprocating internal combustion engines are suitable for use in the developing of strategic foundations for the functioning of the fire and emergency-rescue vehicles units of departments of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine during armed aggression and during the period of post-war reconstruction of the country's economy and infrastructure.

ОЦЕНКА ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ ЭСКАЛАЦИИ ПОЖАРА ПРИ ХРАНЕНИИ МОТОРНЫХ ТОПЛИВ В ПОЛИМЕРНЫХ ЭЛАСТИЧНЫХ РЕЗЕРВУАРАХ

Due to the increase in oil production and production of petroleum products, as well as their transportation and storage, the range and sizes of reservoirs are increasing. For this purpose, polymer tanks are widely used at Russian enterprises of the fuel and energy complex, including mobile tank farmsand oil depots for the operational storage of oil and petroleum products. However, the polymer materials from which the tanks are made are flammable, which increases their fire hazard level. An assessment of the possibility of fire escalation has been carried out using the example of an oil depot model for storing motor fuels in polymer elastic tanks. The results 
 of calculating the dangerous factors of a spill fire during depressurization of polymer elastic tanks with gasoline and diesel fuel, as well as a graph of the dependence of the intensity of thermal radiation during the ignition of these tanks, are presented in tabular form, and an event tree is constructed. The parameters characterizing the possible escalation of a fire at a motor fuel storage site under quasi-stationary conditions have been determined.
 A methodology is proposed that allows assessing the possibility of realizing the escalating nature of a fire at facilities for storing and handling motor fuels in polymer elastic tanks, and recommendations are also given to prevent the progressive nature of the development of negative events and reduce damage in case of fire.

Properties of substitute motor fuels produced from ethanol in biorefineries

The article presents the definition of bioindustry, in particular biorefinery. The technology for obtaining synthetic fuel EtG (Ethanol to Gasoline) in a plant using bioethanol from food waste was presented. The physicochemical properties of EtG fuel were presented. EtG fuel stands out due to its limited content of benzene and sulfur and a low content of mechanical impurities and heavy metals. EtG fuel can be considered a replacement fuel for motor gasoline. The results of exhaust emissions tests from vehicles with spark-ignition engines in the WLTC test on a hot and cold engine were presented. It was found that EtG fuel is characterized by lower specific distance emissions of CO, NOx and CH4 and slightly higher specific distance emissions of NMHC when starting a cold engine compared to gasoline, while the specific distance emission of CO2 for both fuels were very similar.

Qualitative assessment of regular and premium gasoline available in Bangladesh markets

Assessing the quality of fuel is essential to comprehend its impact on the environment and human health. In this study, the evaluation of fuel quality standards at the consumer level was conducted by analyzing the motor fuels in Khulna, Bangladesh. A total of 32 samples of petrol (regular gasoline), and octane (premium gasoline) were collected from the fuel stations in the Khulna City Corporation area and analyzed with an FTIR-Fuel Analyzer. Fuel properties, such as research octane number (RON), motor octane number (MON), ethanol content, olefins content, and oxygen content were analyzed. For petrol, the average RON, MON, olefins, and oxygen content were 95.34, 85.70, 8.23 %v/v, and 0.78 %m/m, respectively, and for octane, they were 96.96, 85.39, 1.25 %v/v, and 0.09 %m/m, respectively. Almost all of these parameters complied with both Bangladesh standard and Euro 5 fuel specifications, and those that did not comply were very close to their standard values. However, benzene concentration, which was not specified in Bangladesh Standard, was the most alarming metric for octane since none of the samples matched the Euro 5 fuel specifications of the maximum concentration of 1 %v/v benzene; on average it was 3.70 %v/v. Although petrol benzene content (average 1.50 %v/v) was not as bad as it was for octane, it was still nowhere near good enough, with only 25% of the samples within the recommended level among the studied sample. This information holds significance in establishing the fuel profile and facilitating the identification of distinct samples linked to adulteration. Therefore, the analysis of motor fuel qualities is essential for maintaining the environment, human health, and the economy of a country.

Prediction of sulfur compounds and total sulfur contents in catalytic cracking products of hydrotreated and non-hydrotreated feeds

Relevance. The lack of a reliable mathematical model suitable for predicting the yield and quality of products in catalytic cracking units, with an assessment of the environmental indicators of fuel fractions when changing the hydrocarbon composition and distribution of sulfur compounds in the process feedstock, as well as the possibility of involving highly sulfur-containing oil streams in processing on existing catalytic cracking units. Aim. To develop and apply a mathematical model of the catalytic cracking to predict the content of sulfur compounds and total sulfur in the products during the processing of hydrotreated and non-hydrotreated petroleum feedstocks. Methods. A complex of experimental methods, including liquid and gas chromatography to determine the composition of the feedstock and the distribution of sulfur compounds in the feedstock and catalytic cracking products, methods of quantum chemical modeling of reactions involving sulfur compounds, as well as numerical methods for processing and solving systems of differential equations. Quantum chemical modeling methods were used to study the thermodynamic parameters of catalytic cracking reactions involving sulfur-containing compounds. Results. The authors have developed and implemented in software a mathematical model of catalytic cracking involving hydrocarbons C1–C40+ and sulfur compounds (thiophenes C0–C4, alkylbenzothiophenes C0–C6, C0–C3 dibenzothiophenes, and C4–dibenzothiophene-benzonaphthothiophenes). The model aims to predict the yield and composition of process products, as well as the environmental indicators of motor fuels. Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of catalytic cracking reactions were determined using quantum chemical modeling methods and solving the inverse kinetic problem.

Express analyzers of motor fuels: the problems of metrological support

Express analyzers of motor fuels: the problems of metrological support

Use of Microalgae Biomass to Synthesize Marketable Products: 3. Production of Motor Fuels from Microalgae Biomass Using Catalytic Approaches

Use of Microalgae Biomass to Synthesize Marketable Products: 3. Production of Motor Fuels from Microalgae Biomass Using Catalytic Approaches

Превращение комбинированного сырья на цеолитсодержащих катализаторах

The article discusses the ways of rational use of hydrocarbon raw materials in order to obtain isoparaffin and aromatic hydrocarbons. The possibilities of joint processing of the 75-100°C fraction have been studied from gas condensate and propane-butane fraction (PBF) in an anhydrous environment and in the presence of a modified zeolite-containing catalyst. The regularities of the yield of aromatic and isoparaffinic hydrocarbons of the anhydrous process of catalytic conversion of combined hydrocarbon raw materials on a zeolite-containing Pt/Beta catalyst modified by 0.5% wt have been established platinum. So, when converting a fraction of 75-100°C. With a temperature range of 300-350°C, the content of isoparaffins in liquid products increases by more than 20% by weight. A further increase in temperature is accompanied to a greater extent by the formation of aromatic hydrocarbons. The total content of benzene, toluene, xylenes is about 20% by weight. Similar trends are observed when testing the propane-butane fraction. The greatest increase in isoparaffin hydrocarbons is also observed at a temperature of 300°C. Their content in liquid and gaseous products increases by an average of 10%. The main share in this process is accounted for by iso-butane. Accordingly, an increase in the reaction temperature by 100°C increases the formation of benzene and toluene by 11% by weight. More significant results were obtained during the joint transformation of the 75-100°C fraction and the propane-butane fraction. At a reaction temperature of 300°C, a high content of iso-butane is observed in gaseous products, which allows them to be involved in petrochemical processes. The content of isoparaffins in liquid products increases by 50% by weight, which makes them valuable as a high-octane component of motor fuels. Favorable temperatures for the production of aromatic hydrocarbons are 400°C and above.

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ КАВИТАЦИОННОГО ПРОЦЕССА В УЛЬТРАЗВУКОВОМ СМЕСИТЕЛЕ

An innovative way to solve pressing problems of energy saving and reducing environmental pollution during the operation of automotive equipment can be the use of a specially designed ultrasonic motor fuel mixer. The creation of cavitation areas in an ultrasonic mixer promotes the fragmentation of long hydrocarbon chains and thereby improves the quality of fuel (diesel and mixed diesel fuel), reduces fuel consumption, and prolongs the operation of the diesel engine fuel system. Possible modes of ultrasonic treatment were investigated in order to create an optimal cavitation region in the mixer. The establishment of treatment modes was carried out by changing the pressure-flow relationship in a laboratory installation, and the determination of cavitation areas based on the technique of numerical modeling of fuel flows in the structure under study. Numerical modeling made it possible to establish cavitation regions with different acoustic powers. The experimental studies of the hydrodynamic parameters of a real mixer indicate the adequacy of the developed model. 8 modes of ultrasonic exposure are defined depending on the pressure drop; they, in turn, are divided into pre-cavitation and cavitation. The operating pressure range was from 0 to 4 atm with a difference of 0.5 atm for each mode. The maximum reduction in kinematic viscosity (on average 23%) for all types of fuel is observed when the pressure drop reaches 2.5 atm. A further change in the cavitation regime towards an increase in the pressure drop does not lead to a significant change in the kinematic viscosity of motor fuels (about 2%).

Express analyzers of motor fuels: the problems of metrological support

The problems of identifying counterfeit motor fuels in real conditions are highlighted. It is noted that the use of express analyzers of motor fuels does not provide the necessary level of control over the accuracy and reliability of measurement results of the parameters of the fuel under study. The problems of metrological support of express analyzers of motor fuels based on near-infrared spectroscopy are considered. The method is based on the rejection of classical spectroscopic approaches in favor of complex multidimensional mathematical models, and the result of the analysis is a forecast; the usual metrological approaches do not work here, since quantitative analysis is replaced by some kind of qualitative analysis. The category of uncertainty is replaced by the category of reliability, which is much less developed. In this situation the usual accuracy control procedures are insufficient. For express analyzers based on the principles of dielmetry and near-infrared spectroscopy, the identification of counterfeit fuel turned out to be approximately the same: the addition of 8–10 % vol. of the counterfeit component practically does not change the measurement results. When the operations with a mathematical model is not allowed (it is the intellectual property of developers) some simple approaches to the assessment of metrological characteristics is proposed. This approach allows the metrologist or the user to verify the relevance of the program model for specific grades of motor fuel. A study of domestic express analyzers based on the principles of measuring the dielectric permittivity of fuels has been carried out. The ability of express analyzers of both types to identify counterfeit fuel is evaluated.