Application of Upgraded Drop-In Fuel Obtained from Biomass Pyrolysis in a Spark Ignition Engine

Abstract

This paper reports the performance of a spark ignition engine using gasoline blended with an upgraded bio-oil rich in aromatics and ethanol. This upgraded bio-oil was obtained using a two-step catalytic process. The first step comprised an in-situ catalytic pyrolysis process with CaO in order to obtain a more stable deoxygenated organic fraction, while the second consisted of a catalytic cracking of the vapours released using ZSM-5 zeolites to obtain an aromatics-rich fraction. To facilitate the mixture between bio-oil and gasoline, ethanol was added. The behaviour of a stationary spark ignition engine G12TFH (9600 W) was described in terms of fuel consumption and electrical efficiency. In addition, gaseous emissions and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations were determined. Trial tests suggested that it is possible to work with a blend of gasoline, ethanol and bio-oil (90/8/2 vol%, herein named G90E8B2) showing similar fuel consumption than pure gasoline (G100) at the same load. Moreover, combustion could be considered more efficient when small quantities of ethanol and organic bio-oil are simultaneously added. A reduction, not only in the PAH concentrations but also in the carcinogenic equivalent concentrations, was also obtained, decreasing the environmental impact of the exhaust gases. Thus, results show that it is technically feasible to use low blends of aroma-rich bio-oil, ethanol and gasoline in conventional spark ignition engines.

Catalytic Pyrolysis of Lignocellulosic Biomass: The Influence of the Catalyst Regeneration Sequence on the Composition of Upgraded Pyrolysis Oils over a H-ZSM-5/Al-MCM-41 Catalyst Mixture

“…Combined with its low melting point and low solubility in water, furans could function as drop-in gasoline blend stocks . The presence of alcohol, especially ethanol, in bio-oil has the advantage of improving the viscosity and combustion conditions that seem to be favored because of the higher octane number and higher flame speed compared to gasoline Figure illustrates favorable compound yields measured from the NC experiment and all reaction cycles using GC-MS.…”

“…72 The presence of alcohol, especially ethanol, in bio-oil has the advantage of improving the viscosity and combustion conditions that seem to be favored because of the higher octane number and higher flame speed compared to gasoline. 73 Figure 4 illustrates favorable compound yields measured from the NC experiment and all reaction cycles using GC-MS. The Supporting Information, Table S5, presents the detailed individual compounds contained in the bio-oil.…”

Community Awareness During the Pandemic of Covid-19: Plastic Waste as an Alternative Energy

“…The methodology used in this community service is campaigning awareness on the issue of plastic waste (Figure 2) as another source of alternative energy (Ancira-Moreno, M; Smith, N; Lamadrid-Figueroa, 2002;Veses et al, 2020). Purposefully designed to explain the step by step process of an effort to deliver effective dissemination of information that can be easily comprehended by the audience representing the local community in Kebun Jeruk area, in the western part of Jakarta…”

Review on Biomass Pyrolysis with a Focus on Bio-Oil Upgrading Techniques

“…% of moisture content). For bio-oil upgradation, majorly conducted via hydro-upgrading (hydrotreatment followed by hydrocracking), the source of hydrogen plays a pivotal role in contributing to detrimental environmental impacts [136][137][138][139][140][141][142]. Usually, either natural gas or aqueous bio-oil fraction is used to produce hydrogen, and utilizing an aqueous fraction of bio-oil for steam reforming to produce hydrogen could reduce environmental impacts, but at the cost of decrement in the upgraded bio-oil yield [138].…”