Hydrophilic Diesel Fuels - Ignition Delay Times of Several Different Blends

Alternative fuels based on biomass have typically been specified in ways which substantially limit allowable compositions. These specifications are unlike those for petroleum based fuels which include mixtures comprised of hundreds of different compounds. Such narrow biofuel specifications are clearly disadvantageous by restricting any flexibility of using different biofuels to minimize costs and offset price fluctuations. This paper focuses on critical performance criteria for diesel fuels and provides experimental data on several, non-conventional biofuels. Experimental data includes the physical properties and ignition delay times of new, lower cost sugar formulations.

The objective of this work is to develop specifications on volumetric heating value, viscosity, and ignition properties as well as other properties for compression ignition biofuels. Proposed fuel specifications would not include compositions, thereby allowing a variety of feedstocks to be used. Potential feedstocks include pyrolysis oils, methanol, ethanol, and sugars.