Dimethyl Carbonate as a Promising Oxygenated Fuel for Combustion: A Review

Abstract

Energy shortage and environmental problems are two dominant subjects. Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is one of the oxygenated fuels with increasing interest as the alternative to diesel fuel or additive for conventional hydrocarbon fuels. In the last decade, comprehensive studies on DMC have been carried out in terms of synthesis, use, and oxidation and combustion mechanism. DMC synthesis from greenhouse gas such as carbon dioxide can achieve the carbon circulation between air and fuel. Ethylene carbonate route is one of the most promising ways to utilize carbon dioxide and synthesize DMC in terms of particle efficiency, energy consumption per one unit of product, and net carbon dioxide emission. In addition, the results show that pure DMC in compression ignition (CI) engines or DMC addition in diesel/gasoline could decrease emissions significantly. Moreover, DMC pyrolysis form carbon dioxide before carbon monoxide which is different from other oxygenated fuels. However, DMC can produce formaldehyde during oxidation process in high concentration, which is harmful to the environment and human health as well. The present DMC kinetic model needs to update the major reactions constant through recognizing the initial decomposition routes and low-temperature oxidation. In addition, further studies on the DMC/hydrocarbon fuels mixtures for the interaction chemistry are needed.

A Comparative Analysis of Emissions from a Compression–Ignition Engine Powered by Diesel, Rapeseed Biodiesel, and Biodiesel from Chlorella protothecoides Biomass Cultured under Different Conditions

“…The smoke opacity of exhaust gases develops during the combustion of a rich blend at a high temperature and pressure [71]. Differences in its concentrations depend on fuel type and engine load [72], as confirmed by multiple experiments, including the present study. Regardless of study stage, an increase in smoke opacity was linearly correlated with an increasing engine load (Figure 7b).…”

Laminar flame speed and shock-tube multi-species laser absorption measurements of Dimethyl Carbonate oxidation and pyrolysis near 1 atm

“…Dimethyl Carbonate (CH3OCOOCH3, DMC) is a promising biodiesel which can be directly synthesized from CO2 and methanol [1]. When used as an additive, results show a reduction in soot emissions without penalty on the engine's thermal efficiency or NOx emissions [2,3]. DMC is also a major component of Li-ion battery (LiB) electrolytes (a flammable mixture of linear and cyclic carbonates [4]), allowing Lithium salt ions to flow between the cathode and the anode.…”

Article review: Comparison of octane booster additive for gasoline

“…Additionally, the effects of Dimethyl Carbonate (DMC) as an additive to diesel/gasoline fuels are similar to those of pure DMC to a degree. However, NOx emissions are a topic of contention [24].…”