Research Octane Numbers of Primary and Mixed Alcohols from Biomass-Based Syngas

Abstract

Primary alcohols (ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, and 1-pentanol) derived from biomass offer a sustainable fuel source that can improve efficiency while reducing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions. However, the performance of these primary alcohols in spark-ignited engines is relatively unknown. In this paper, the performance of primary alcohols was experimentally determined using the Research Octane Number (RON) and the Blending Research Octane Number (BRON). The primary alcohol mixture, or "AlcoMix," consists of 75% ethanol, 11% 1propanol, 8% 1-butanol, and 6% 1-pentanol, and was approved by the U.S. EPA for use with blending in gasoline. This mixture is the probable outcome of thermochemical conversion of biomass using Fischer-Tropsch chemistry with synthesis gas. The purpose of this research is to determine if AlcoMix is a suitable replacement for Ethanol in fuel blending as an anti-knock blending component for spark-ignited engines. As an indicative measure for knock resistance, the RON of AlcoMix and ethanol were estimated using a modified, validated method in a CFR engine. The anti-knock properties of the AlcoMix as a blending component in gasoline were determined by estimating the BRON. The results show that the measured RON values of the individual primary alcohols closely match published values. Additionally, the RON and BRON of the primary alcohol mixture nearly match those of ethanol. These results indicate that the primary alcohol mixture produced by thermochemical processes could be used as a substitute for ethanol as a primary fuel or as an anti-knock blending component. INTRODUCTION

Single-step catalytic conversion of furfural to 2-pentanol over bimetallic Co–Cu catalysts

“…In particular, 2-pentanol (2-POL) has been highlighted as a useful organic solvent, a feedstock for P-series fuels, and diesel range alkanes. [20][21][22] There are reports of biomassderived C4 and C5 alcohol production using aminoacids via biosynthetic pathways. 21,23 However, we are not aware of previous reports for selective one-pot chemical catalytic conversions of FF to 2-POL, likely due to the difficulty of obtaining high selectivity in the required sequential bond activation steps.…”

Octane Modeling of Isobutanol Blending into Gasoline

“…In this approach, the true component ON can be substituted with a "blending" value such that the final blend ON matches the experimentally observed value. 11,[15][16][17]20,21 For these studies, completed using several refinery gasoline blendstocks on a volumetric basis, the derived isobutanol bON values were not consistent. This is because BOB composition and characteristics play a significant role in determining the final ON and hence the bON, and this factor is ignored in the bON approach.…”

“…Lighter alcohols generally cause a boost in octane depending on the base gasoline ON and composition. − Nonlinear interaction between oxygenates and BOB may produce higher RON than predicted by linear models. − The use of “blending” octane number (bON) is frequently discussed in the literature as an approach to capture nonlinear blending in a simple model. In this approach, the true component ON can be substituted with a “blending” value such that the final blend ON matches the experimentally observed value. ,− ,, For these studies, completed using several refinery gasoline blendstocks on a volumetric basis, the derived isobutanol bON values were not consistent. This is because BOB composition and characteristics play a significant role in determining the final ON and hence the bON, and this factor is ignored in the bON approach.…”