Ethanol Diesel Fuel with Dialkyl Ethers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ethanol-based fuels are not suitable for diesel engines due to high ignition delay and low combustion speed, leading to efficiency losses and undesirable particle emissions when used with conventional ignition accelerators.
Innovation Solution
A diesel fuel blend comprising 60-90% ethanol, 0-20% linear dialkyl ethers, and 0-30% combustion accelerators, which reduces ignition delay, increases combustion speed, and minimizes particle emissions by using dialkyl ethers that combust cleanly, allowing for use in conventional diesel engines without denaturing agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polyethylene glycol derivatives are added as ignition accelerators to ethanol-based fuel, then auto ignition is improved, but particle emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes polyethylene glycol derivatives from the fuel composition entirely and replaces them with alternative ignition accelerators based on amine compounds and peroxides that do not produce harmful particle emissions, while still achieving the required auto ignition performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses small molecular weight amine compounds and peroxides as temporary ignition accelerators that decompose completely during combustion, leaving no persistent harmful residues, unlike polyethylene glycol derivatives which leave particulate emissions
2Reliability
If compression ratio is increased from 17-18 to 28 to improve auto ignition, then ignition is enhanced, but mechanical strain on engine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the fuel by adding specific ignition accelerators (amine compounds and peroxides), which modify the ignition characteristics to achieve reliable auto ignition at lower compression ratios, thereby reducing mechanical strain on the engine
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces amine compounds and peroxides as intermediary substances that facilitate the ignition process by lowering the activation energy required for auto ignition, allowing the engine to operate at reduced compression ratios while maintaining reliable ignition
3Adaptability or versatility
If ethanol is used as diesel fuel, then biogenic basis is achieved, but ignition delay increases and combustion speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite fuel system by combining ethanol with specific proportions of ignition accelerators (amine compounds and peroxides) and other additives, achieving both biogenic basis and improved combustion performance through synergistic interactions between components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates ignition accelerators that prepare the fuel mixture in advance by forming reactive intermediates during storage and injection, enabling faster and more complete combustion when the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The diesel fuel achieves low ignition delay, high combustion speed, and reduced particle emissions, enabling efficient operation in conventional diesel engines with improved heating value and reduced mechanical strain, while eliminating undesirable particle emissions.
Implementation Method 1
one or more linear dialkyl ethers, which combust/combusts substantially without particle emissions
Implementation Method 2
The diesel fuel according to the invention automatically ignites even at compression ratios of below 21
Data Source
AI summary
A diesel fuel based on ethanol is described, which comprises about 60 to about 90% (v/v) ethanol, up to about 20% (v/v) of a linear dialkyl ether with a chain length of about 10 to about 40 as well as mixtures thereof, and 0 to about 30% (v/v) combustion accelerator.