Production of New Surfactant-free Microemulsion Biofuels: Phase Behavior and Nanostructure Identification

Abstract

New surfactant-free microemulsion biofuels are synthesized and characterized in this work. Moringa and safflower plants have been used for providing the required oils because of their excellent resistance in dry and harsh environmental conditions. Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), 1-heptanol, 1-octanol, oleic acid, 1,4-dioxane, and dibutyl ether have been used as biofuel additives. The obtained phase behavior results show that the microemulsion region of ternary phase diagrams in these systems decreases as follows: oleic acid > 1-octanol > 1-heptanol > MTBE > dibutyl ether >1,4-dioxane. The nanostructures formed in these types of ternary mixtures are investigated by conductivity, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) techniques. Three different micro regions, including ethanol in oil (E/O), bicontinuous (B.C.), and oil in ethanol (O/E), have been recognized using electrical conductivity experiments along ethanol dilution lines. According to the presented results, the E/O region regarding the studied microemulsions is wider than the B.C. and O/E regions. Thus, the proposed formulation according to the reverse micelle microemulsion formation can be considered as a useful approach for biofuel production. It is also shown that the kinematic viscosities and densities of the formulated biofuels in this article satisfy the approved biofuel standards.

Production of 4-Ethylphenol from Lignin Depolymerization in a Novel Surfactant-Free Microemulsion Reactor

“…With the further increase in W OA (more than 31.4 wt %), the water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsion is formed with n -octane as the continuous phase. In this stage, the κ value only relies on the movability of water droplets, but the reduced proportion of water droplets in the system with the increasing W OA results in a linear decrease in the κ value. , Therefore, the O/W, B.C, and W/O microregions in the single-phase region are distinguished (Figure ) through the measurements of the changing κ values with different R P/W and W OA values.…”

Nanotechnology as a vital science in accelerating biofuel production, a boon or bane

“…The surfactant systems form micelles, which form aggregates and extract the inhibitory compounds when the temperature is above the surfactant's cloud point. It was also observed that micro micelles or reverse micelles enhance the enzymatic hydrolysis at the interface or core of micelles, by stimulating the in vivo environment of microbes which is favourable for the activity of the enzymes 66,283 …”

“…It was also observed that micro micelles or reverse micelles enhance the enzymatic hydrolysis at the interface or core of micelles, by stimulating the in vivo environment of microbes which is favourable for the activity of the enzymes. 66,283…”

Experimental Investigation on Emissions Characteristics from Urban Bus Fueled with Diesel, Biodiesel and an Oxygenated Additive from Residual Glycerin from Biodiesel Production

“…In order to blend the oxygenated additive with diesel, it was necessary to form a microemulsion using a co-surfactant [17][18][19][20]. In this sense, microemulsions with heptanol are those that present characteristics closer to diesel [21], so it was selected as a co-surfactant.…”

“…They were three-phase mixtures. The continuous phase was biodiesel/diesel, the dispersed phase was the oxygenated additive and heptanol acted as co-surfactant [21][22][23].…”