Investigation and Production of Bioethanol/Gas Oil Emulsions

Abstract

Directive 2003/30/EC contains the recommendation of the European Union regarding the increase of the use of bio-derived fuels. According to the directive fuels have to contain 5.75% bio-derived component – regarding the total energy content – by 2010. Nowadays in the European Union as renewable blending component biodiesel is applied in the highest amount, however further increase of its quantity is inhibited by many reasons. One possible solution for the increase of renewable gas oil blending components is the application of bioethanol/gas oil emulsions; however their spread is inhibited by their stability, analytical and performance properties. In this paper the effect of temperature and the presence of biodiesel on the stability of bioethanol/gas oil blends were investigated. Besides, analytical and performance properties of these emulsions were compared to the regulations of the diesel fuel standard (MSZ EN 590:2004) and to that of the applied base gas oil. It was found, that decrease of temperature worsened the stability of these emulsions in a great manner. Decrease of viscosity and lubricity caused by bioethanol were compensated until 6 v/v% bioethanol content by blending 5 v/v% biodiesel into the base gas oil. It was established that the decrease of cetane number caused by the bleding of bioethanol can be partially compensated by the application of high cetane number biodiesel. In conclusion, by the application of 5 v/v% biodiesel – produced by the transesterification of expediently improved sunflower oil having high cetane number – bioethanol/gas oil/biodiesel emulsion with 6 v/v% bioethanol content could be produced, that was stable at low temperature, had adequate lubricity and cetane number.