Advances in Diesel Fuel Technology

Jim MacNeil

DRDDRD ADDITIVES LLC

Agenda

• Why is diesel fuel interesting?

• What is diesel fuel?

• What are the problems with diesel fuel?

• What is biodiesel?

• New technology

Why is diesel fuel interesting?

• 2006 US diesel fuel consumption was 190 billion liters (50 billion gallons)

• Major consumption in trucking industry

What is diesel fuel?

• Hydrocarbon petroleum fraction

• Main component is cetane (C20H42)

Petroleum refining

Composition

• 40-50% cetane• 20-40% aromatic compounds• Remainder saturated cyclic compounds, shorter

and longer aliphatic species, others• Additives

– Cetane improvers– Detergents– Lubricity additives– Pour point depressants

Sulfur

• In 2006, Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) became mandatory– Sulfur content reduced from 300+ ppm to <15

ppm by 2010• Refiners receive tax credits for early compliance

– Reduces major cause of acid rain– Corresponding reduction in lubricity

What problems are associated with diesel fuel?

• Freezes at low temperatures– Special winter blends available

• Emissions– Nitrogen oxides– Hydrocarbons– Particulates

Combustion

• C20H42 + O2 H2O + CO2

• Fuel + air H2O + CO2 + CO + NOx + particulates + hydrocarbons

• NOx and hydrocarbons cause smog

• Particulates linked to cancer

Smog

Particulates

Biodiesel

• Methyl ester of fatty acids known as B100– Made from natural oils and greases– Renewable resource– Considered a fuel additive– Used as a blend with conventional diesel fuel

• Levels range from 2-20% (B2-B20)

– Reduces particulate emissions– Improves lubricity– Freezes in cold weather– Increases NOx emissions– Lowers output horsepower

Other Additives

• Cetane improver– 2-Ethylhexyl nitrate

• 2-EHN• Improves energy output of fuel

Other Additives

• Detergents– Aromatic compounds and other impurities

cause deposits on internal engine components and fuel injectors

– Deposits reduce air flow, reduce efficiency of air-fuel mixing

– Long-chain hydrocarbons with polar end groups

Other Additives

• Lubricity additives– Lard oils and fatty acids

• Pour point depressants– Complex polymers– Enable use of diesel fuel at low ambient

temperatures– No technology currently available for B100

• B100 biodiesel frozen in storage tanks throughout winter

Combustion

• Fuel + air H2O + CO2 + CO + NOx + particulates + hydrocarbons

• Can combustion process be changed to reduce byproducts?

New Technology

Catalysis

• What can selectively catalyze the reaction of oxygen with fuel?

• Catalyst must not cause additional environmental problems– MMT was a choice for replacement of lead

compounds (TEL) but caused increased manganese levels

• Proprietary new catalyst technology avoids these issues

Effect

• With proprietary catalyst technology:– 3% improvement in fuel economy– 6% reduction in NOx emissions– 12% reduction in particulates

• A 500 unit fleet will contribute 250 TONS less NOx per year and 6000 pounds less particulates

• A single school bus will emit 30 pounds less particulates.

• Compatible with biodiesel blends– Overcomes biodiesel performance limitations

DRDDRD ADDITIVES LLC