Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-12T21:27:51.514Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

15 - Fuel Composition Influences on Reciprocating Engine Performance

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 2022

By
Jim Szybist ,
Scott Sluder ,
John Farrell  and
Robert Wagner
Edited by
Jacqueline O'Connor ,
Bobby Noble  and
Tim Lieuwen
Jacqueline O'Connor
Affiliation:
Pennsylvania State University
Bobby Noble
Affiliation:
Electric Power Research Institute
Tim Lieuwen
Affiliation:
Georgia Institute of Technology
Get access

Summary

The introduction of new fuels into the market is a unique opportunity to take advantage of new fuel compositions to improve the efficiency and emissions of internal combustion reciprocating engines and alternative fuel feedstocks. However, there are numerous challenges that introductions of new fuels face before they can become first legal, then ubiquitous. This chapter reviews four different case studies related to changing fuel composition. In some circumstances, the fuel formulation was changed in seemingly minor ways, and resulted in the unanticipated consequences. In other cases, a fuel change was desired, but an unexpected barrier slowed the introduction of the fuel change. These case studies should be viewed as opportunities to understand the interdependencies that exist and factors that need to be considered when trying to change the fuel in the marketplace.

Keywords

tetraethyl lead removalvalve seat recessionmethyltertiary butyletherethanol blendinggasolineignitionknockultra-low sulfur diesel
Type
Chapter
Information
Renewable Fuels
Sources, Conversion, and Utilization
 , pp. 501 - 514
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ahmed, F. E. (2001). Toxicology and human health effects following exposure to oxygenated or reformulated gasoline. Toxicology Letters, 123(2–3), 89–113.Google Scholar
Boyce, K., & Chapin, J. T. (2010). Dispensing Equipment Testing with Mid-level Ethanol/Gasoline Test Fluid: Summary Report. National Renewable Energy Lab, Golden, CO (United States).Google Scholar
Clark, W., Sverdrup, G. M., Goguen, S. J., Keller, G., McKinnon, D., Quinn, M. J. & Graves, R.L. (2000). Overview of diesel emission control: sulfur effects program. SAE Transactions, 1290–1297.Google Scholar
Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance (2012). Corrosion in Systems Storing and Dispensing Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), Hypotheses Investigation, https://clean-diesel.org/pdf/ULSDStoringSystemCorrosion.pdf.Google Scholar
Coordinating Research Council. (2013). Durability of Fuel Pumps and Fuel Level Sends in Neat and Aggressive E15. Coordinating Research Council, Inc.Google Scholar
Davis, S., & Boundy, R. G. (2021). Transportation Energy Data Book: Edition 39. Oak Ridge National Lab.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Domonoske, C. (2021, August 30). The World Has Finally Stopped Using Leaded Gasoline. Algeria Used The Last Stockpile. NPR All Things Considered.Google Scholar
Eweis, J. B., Chang, D. P. Y., Schroeder, E. D., Scow, K. M., Morton, R. L., & Caballero, R. C. (1997). Meeting the Challenge of MTBE Biodegradation. Air and Waste Management Association.Google Scholar
Hilbert, D. (2011). High Ethanol Fuel Endurance: A Study of the Effects of Running Gasoline with 15% Ethanol Concentration in Current Production Outboard Four-Stroke Engines and Conventional Two-Stroke Outboard Marine Engines. National Renewable Energy Lab.Google Scholar
Hutcheson, R. C. (2000). Valve Seat Recession-An Independent Review of Existing Data. SAE Technical PApers, 2000-01-2015.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Independent Statistics & Analysis, U.S. Weekly Petroleum Product Supplied. (December 15, 2021). U.S. Energy Information Administrations.Google Scholar
Kass, M. D., Theiss, T. J., Janke, C. J., Pawel, S. J., & Lewis, S. A. (2011). Intermediate ethanol blends infrastructure materials compatibility study: Elastomers, metals, and sealants. ORNL/TM-2010/326, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.Google Scholar
Kass, M. D., Theiss, T. J., Janke, C. J., & Pawel, S. J. (2012a). Analysis of underground storage tank system materials to increased leak potential associated with E15 fuel. ORNL/TM-2012/182, July.Google Scholar
Kass, M. D., Theiss, T., Janke, C., & Pawel, S. (2012b). Compatibility study for plastic, elastomeric, and metallic fueling infrastructure materials exposed to aggressive formulations of ethanol-blended gasoline. ORNL/TM-2012/88.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Knoll, K., West, B., Clark, W., Graves, R., Orban, J., Przesmitzki, S., & Theiss, T. (2009). Effects of Intermediate Ethanol Blends on Legacy Vehicles and Small non-road Engines, Report 1-Updated. National Renewable Energy Lab, Golden.Google Scholar
Knoll, K., West, B., Huff, S., Thomas, J., Orban, J., & Cooper, C. (2010). Effects of Mid-level Ethanol Blends on Conventional Vehicle Emissions. National Renewable Energy Lab.Google Scholar
Mehlman, M. A. (2002). Carcinogenicity of methyl‐tertiary butyl ether in gasoline. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 982(1), 149–159.Google Scholar
Miers, S. A., & Blough, J. R. (2013). Evaluating the Impact of E15 on Snowmobile Engine Durability and Vehicle Driveability: September 22, 2010–August 15, 2013. National Renewable Energy Lab.Google Scholar
Shoffner, B. A., Johnson, R. D., Heimrich, M. J., & Lochte, M. D. (2010). Powertrain component inspection from mid-level blends vehicle aging study. ORNL/TM-2011/65, Prepared by Southwest Research Institute for Oak Ridge National Laboratory.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sluder, C. S., & West, B. H. (2000). Catalyzed diesel particulate filter performance in a light-duty vehicle. SAE Transactions, 2528–2538.Google Scholar
Sluder, C. S., & West, B. H. (2012). NMOG emissions characterizations and estimation for vehicles using ethanol-blended fuels. SAE International Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, 5(2), 721–32.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sluder, C. S., West, B. H., Butler, A. D., Mitcham, A. L., & Ruona, W. J. (2014). Determination of the R factor for fuel economy calculations using ethanol-blended fuels over two test cycles. SAE International Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, 7(2), 551–562.Google Scholar
Sluder, C. S., West, B. H., & Knoll, K. E. (2012). Investigating malfunction indicator light illumination due to increased oxygenate use in gasoline. SAE International Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, 5(3), 1360–1371.Google Scholar
Sowards, J. W., & Mansfield, E. (2014). Corrosion of copper and steel alloys in a simulated underground storage-tank sump environment containing acid-producing bacteria. Corrosion Science, 87, 460–471.Google Scholar
Splitter, D., Pawlowski, A., & Wagner, R. (2016). A historical analysis of the co-evolution of gasoline octane number and spark-ignition engines. Frontiers in Mechanical Engineering, 1, 16.Google Scholar
Tawabini, B. S. (2015). Removal of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from contaminated water using UV-assisted nano composite materials. Desalination and Water Treatment, 55(2), 549–554.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
The Associated Press. (1999, March 26). National News Briefs; California Governor Bans Use of Gasoline Additive. The New York Times.Google Scholar
Thomas, V. M. (1995). The elimination of lead in gasoline. Annual Review of Energy and the Environment, 20(1), 301–324.Google Scholar
U.S. Department of Justice. (2005). Oil Companies Pay EPA To Settle Santa Monica MTBE Cleanup Costs.Google Scholar
U.S. Department of Transportation. (2021). Annual Report Mileage for Hazardous Liquid or Carbon Dioxide Systems. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.Google Scholar
U.S. EIA. (2000). MTBE, Oxygenates, and Motor Gasoline.Google Scholar
U.S. EIA. (2018). The United States continues to export MTBE, mainly to Mexico, Chile, and Venezuela.Google Scholar
U.S. EIA. (2021). Independent Statistics & Analysis, Frequently Asked Questions.Google Scholar
U.S. EPA. (1978). Gasohol Waiver Application.Google Scholar
U.S. EPA. (1979). Fuels and fuel additives: Gasohol; marketability. Federal Register 44(68).Google Scholar
U.S. EPA. (1995). Health and Environmental Research Online (HERO), https://hero.epa.gov/.Google Scholar
U.S. EPA. (1997). Drinking Water Advisory: Consumer Acceptability Advice and Health Effects Analysis on Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MtBE).Google Scholar
U.S. EPA. (1999). Phase II Reformulated Gasoline: The Next Step Toward Cleaner Air.Google Scholar
U.S. EPA. (2005). Final rulemaking changes to motor vehicle diesel fuel credits. Federal Register 70(135).Google Scholar
U.S. EPA. (2007). State Actions Banning MTBE (Statewide).Google Scholar
U.S. EPA. (2011). Partial grant of clean air act waiver application submitted by growth energy to increase the allowable ethanol content of gasoline to 15 percent; decision of the administrator. Federal Register 76(17).Google Scholar
U.S. EPA. (2016). Investigation of Corrosion-Influencing Factors in Underground Storage Tanks with Diesel Service.Google Scholar
Weaver, C. S. (1986). The Effects of Low-Load and Unleaded Fuels Gasoline Engines, www.osti.gov/biblio/5635342.Google Scholar
West, B. H., & Sluder, C. S. (2000). NOx Adsorber Performance in a Light-Duty Diesel Vehicle. SAE Technical Paper, 2000-01-2912.Google Scholar
West, B. H., Sluder, S., Knoll, K., Orban, J., & Feng, J. (2012). Intermediate Ethanol Blends Catalyst Durability Program. Oak Ridge National Lab.Google Scholar
Wintringham, J. S., Felt, A. E., Brown, W. J., & Adams, W. E. (1972). Car Maintenance Expense in Owner Service with Leaded and Nonleaded Gasolines. SAE Technical Paper, 720499.Google Scholar

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×