Advances in Diesel Fuel Technology

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Advances in Diesel Fuel Technology

• Jim MacNeil

DRD DRD ADDITIVES LLC
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Agenda

• Why is diesel fuel interesting?
• What is diesel fuel?
• What are the problems with diesel fuel?
• What is biodiesel?
• New technology

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Why is diesel fuel interesting?

• 2006 US diesel fuel consumption was 190 billion
  liters (50 billion gallons)
• Major consumption in trucking industry

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What is diesel fuel?

• Hydrocarbon petroleum fraction
• Main component is cetane (C20H42)

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Petroleum refining
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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

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Sulfur

• In 2006, Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) became
  mandatory
• Sulfur content reduced from 300 ppm to lt15 ppm
  by 2010
• Refiners receive tax credits for early compliance
• Reduces major cause of acid rain
• Corresponding reduction in lubricity

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What problems are associated with diesel fuel?

• Freezes at low temperatures
• Special winter blends available
• Emissions
• Nitrogen oxides
• Hydrocarbons
• Particulates

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Combustion

• C20H42 O2 H2O CO2
• Fuel air H2O CO2 CO NOx
  particulates hydrocarbons
• NOx and hydrocarbons cause smog
• Particulates linked to cancer

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Smog
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Particulates
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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

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Other Additives

• Cetane improver
• 2-Ethylhexyl nitrate
• 2-EHN
• Improves energy output of fuel

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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

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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

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Combustion

• Fuel air H2O CO2 CO NOx
  particulates hydrocarbons
• Can combustion process be changed to reduce
  byproducts?

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New Technology
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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

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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

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DRD DRD ADDITIVES LLC