Abstract

Ethanol is an attractive oxygenate not only for gasolines but also for diesel fuels. The paper presents the results of the study of stability of blends fossil diesel oil-ethanol, at the temperature of -10°C. Low-temperature phase stability was significantly influenced by the presence of water in the blend. The stability of blend was increased by the addition of FAME. The ternary mixture fossil diesel oil – FAME – ethanol was stable at -10°C, if the ratio FAME: ethanol (0.70% w/w of water) was higher than 2. Selected ternary blends with the content of bio-components 7 and 10% v/v were used in performance and emission tests with two types of testing engines. The presence of oxygenates had no negative influence on performance parameters of the engines and they positively influenced the emissions, especially opacity. Except of the flash point, the fuel parameters of blended fuels were not impaired and excellent lubricity was achieved.

Key words: Ethanol – diesel oil blends, diesel oil – FAME – ethanol blends, oxygenates, performance and emission tests, opacity