Selected Fuel Properties of Alcohol and Rapeseed Oil Blends

Abstract

The alcohols ethanol and 1-butanol are interesting options as blending components for renewable fuels. We studied whether it is possible to mix these alcohols with a little refined material, rapeseed oil, to obtain stable fuel samples. At room temperature, the stable samples consisted of rapeseed oil blended with butanol at 5 vol-%, 10 vol-%, 20 vol-%, 30 vol-% and one sample of rapeseed oil with 5 vol-% of ethanol. The samples’ fuel properties analysed were kinematic viscosity (at 40 °C), density (at 15 °C) and surface tension. Cold filter plugging point was measured for rapeseed oil with 20 vol-% and 30 vol-% of butanol. Stability of butanol or ethanol and rapeseed oil blends can be achieved at the studied volumes. The density of neat rapeseed oil and all the alcohol–rapeseed oil blends met the requirements set for residual marine fuels. The 30 vol-% butanol–rapeseed oil blend met the requirements for distillate marine oil for density, and almost for kinematic viscosity. The blends appeared most suitable for power plants and marine engines. More detailed analyses of their properties are needed before recommendations for use can be given.

The Effect of RME-1-Butanol Blends on Combustion, Performance and Emission of a Direct Injection Diesel Engine

“…RME biodiesel was used as the basic and reference fuel. RME is a fully renewable product that can be blended with fossil diesel [4,14]. 1-butanol was used as an alternative fuel.…”

“…Among mentioned parameters, viscosity and density values are within the limits (EN590 standard) for fuels suitable for diesel engine. RME or blends of RME and alcohols, can be used for fueling existing diesel engines without chemical conversion [14]. The following nomenclature has been used: B100-RME, BB10-10% of 1-butanol and 90% of RME in energy fraction, successive mixtures, respectively.…”

“…[13]. Nuortila et al [14] investigated properties of 1-butanol blended with rapeseed oil up to 30% v/v. The blends were stable and have been assessed as fuels that meet the requirements for engine fuels.…”