Improved Oxidative Stability of Biodiesel Fuels: Antioxidant Research and Development

Principal Investigators

Dr. Steven O. Salley
Wayne State University

Co-Investigators

Dr. K.Y. Simon Ng
Wayne State University

Project Dates:

11/22/2006 to 08/31/2010

Project year: Year 4

MIOH-UTC Project Identifier: AF 4; Projects1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

Focus Area:

Research: Alternative Fuels

Abstract:

Biodiesel is a domestic, renewable fuel that is gaining wide acceptance, especially in Europe. When blended with conventional petroleum diesel, biodiesel reduces hydrocarbon, particulate and carbon monoxide emissions, while having minimal to no effect on NOx. It also improves lubricity, lowers sulfur, and has a high cetane number. The promise of biodiesel is tremendous, but some significant obstacles remain to its complete acceptance by diesel engine manufacturers, most significantly with respect to oxidative stability. This proposed project will investigate the factors associated with biodiesel oxidative stability, including natural and synthetic antioxidants, storage and processing conditions. Results of this project will provide much needed guidelines to industry with regards to storage conditions and antioxidant additive levels. Additionally, biodiesel production changes will be recommended which will optimize the preservation of natural antioxidant levels in the fuel. Finally, factors required for the development of a user-level sensor for biodiesel oxidative stability will be quantified.

Reports, Presentations, Papers

AF4-proj3_Poster_International_Bio-Diesel_Congress_2009.pdf

News coverage

The AF-4 Alternative Fuels project was covered in the Detroit News article, "Peat grows as new fuel source," Dec. 26, 2006. You may view the article at detnews.com or as a PDF file.