E Diesel: A Viable Alternative Fuel

Ethanol is the renewable fuel source of choice for extending the gasoline pool as seen by the government's mandate for its use in blends since January 2003. It is only a logical extension to ascertain if the same benefits can also be applied to diesel fuel. Unlike gasoline and ethanol there are several unique challenges that arise in the case of diesel fuel and ethanol blends: flash point, vapor formation, lubricity, durability, distribution system, cetane quality and the all-important stability. A review of the ethanol diesel blends, their compatibility and homogeneity, using a novel additive system developed by Lubrizol and the studies made on the lubricity of the resulting fuels, cetane quality and emission results in the additised E diesel fuel will be presented.