Research Updates

Kapila Wadumesthrige

03/04/08

• Engine testing (Kapila, Sidong, Mark and Nick)

– Total run time = 292 hrs– Total testing time ( 30 kW (60% of Full Load, ULSD) = 205 hrs– 35 hrs of testing remaining ( 4 days)– 500 gallon tank empty– Need about 50 gallons of ULSD– Clean fuel tank for S8– Continuous Lube oil analysis– Metal analysis– Fuel Injector system durability testing

• Antioxidants and cetane improvers act against each other

• Cetane improvers in B20 (ULSD) may help oxidize biodiesel and degradation of antioxidants

• Received two cetane improvers– 2-ethyl-hexyl nitrate (EHN)– di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP))

• Stability of antioxidants in the presence of cetane improvers

Effect of Cetane improvers on oxidation stability of Biodiesel

• ICP testing– All metal standards and solvents received– Compressed air line installed (Mark & Danton)– Methods for Biodiesel and Lube oil analysis

AOCS Abstract 1

Properties of Modified Fatty Acid Methyl EstersKapila Wadumesthrige, Mark Winston-Galant, Sidong Zeng, Steven O.

Salley, K. Y. Simon Ng

1. Modification of double bonds Hydrogenation (higher Ox stability, Low flow properties) -HC=CH- -CH2-CH2-

0.4 wt% Ni, 5.0 wt% H2 400 kPa pressure, 160 C temperature

• Hydroxylation

-HC=CH- -CH(OH)-CH(OH)-

Alkaline KMnO4,, 70-90 C

• Epoxidation

-HC=CH- -CH-(O) -CH-