This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Surface Corrosion in Ethanol Fuel Pumps
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
Catastrophic failures of fuel pumps used to transport ethanol have occurred in various facilities. Failures occurred in as little as 50 hours on pumps with a 2000 hour life expectancy. Post-failure inspection of the pumps showed corrosive pitting of the metal in the areas of sliding contact. Several potential causes, including cavitation, thermal expansion of pump parts, and fuel contaminants such as acetic acid were ruled out. Fuel samples from facilities with high pump failure rates passed all D 4806 specification tests for fuel-grade ethanol, including titratable acid by D 1613. However, pH readings as low as 2.0 indicated potentially corrosive fuels. Controlled tests on pumps and corrosion tests showed that pump failures correlated with fuel pH. Corrosive fuels were found to contain ethyl sulfate, which correlated with fuel pH. It appears that ethyl sulfate originates from sulfur dioxide, which is used as an antioxidant and antiseptic in the production of ethanol.
Recommended Content
Authors
Topic
Citation
Naegeli, D., Lacey, P., Alger, M., and Endicott, D., "Surface Corrosion in Ethanol Fuel Pumps," SAE Technical Paper 971648, 1997, https://doi.org/10.4271/971648.Also In
References
- Walker, M.S. Chance, R.L. “Corrosion of Metals and the Effectiveness of Inhibitors in Ethanol Fuels,” SAE Paper 831828 1983
- Owens, E.C. Marbach, H.W., Jr. Frame, E.A. Ryan, T.W., III “Effects of Alcohol Fuels on Engine Wear,” SAE Paper No. 800857 1980
- Otto, K. Bartosiewicz, L. Carter, R.O., III “Steel Corrosion by Methanol Combustion Products,” Corrosion Science 25 117 1985
- Naegeli, D.W. “Combustion Associated Wear in Alcohol-Fueled Spark Ignition Engines,” SAE Paper No. 891641 1989
- Brinkman, N.D. Halsall, R. Jorgensen, S.W. Kirwan, J.E. “The Development of Improved Fuel Specifications for Methanol (M85) and Ethanol (Ed85),” SAE Paper No. 940764 International Congress & Exposition Detroit, Michigan February 28 March 3 1994
- Mack, E., Jr. Garrett, A.B. Haskins, J.F. Verback, F.H. Textbook of Chemistry 2nd Ginn and Company New York and London 227 1956
- Scully, J.C. The Fundamentals of Corrosion Pergamon Press Oxford, London, New York, Toronto, Paris and Frankfurt 49 1966
- Schilling, A. “Automobile Engine Lubrication,” 2 49 Scientific Publications (G.B.) LTD 1972
- Leboucher, J. 324 1955
- Iofa, Z.A. Besprockurnov, C.G. 2236 1957
- Lacey, P.I. “Evaluation of Oxidative Corrosion in Diesel Fuel Lubricated Contacts,” STLE Tribology Transactions 37 253 260 1994
- Gomes, M.T. Rocha. T.A. Duarte, A.C. Oliveira, J.P. “Determination of Sulfur Dioxide in Wine Using a Quaitz Crystal Microbalance,” Anal. Chem. 68 1561 1564 1996
- Erwin, J. “Organic Acid Inhibitors for SO2 Oxidation,” April 1987
- The Merck Index 11th 493 605 Merck & Company, Inc. Rahway, N.J., U.S.A. 1989
- Suter, C.M. Gerhart, H.L. Organic Synthesis, Collective 2 111 113 1943