Avaliação de propriedades e emissões atmosféricas de diesel microemulsionado com glicerina

Abstract

Currently petroleum-based fossil fuels are widely used for power generation/work and this has increased emissions of polluting gases into the atmosphere, causing several problems. To reduce SOx emissions to the atmosphere the sulfur concentration in Brazilian mineral diesel is currently limited to 10 ppm and associated with this is the 10% by volume biodiesel mixture. The sulfur reduction treatment process decreases diesel lubricity and can affect engine performance. In another aspect, excess glycerin has become a problem for biodiesel producers because an adequate final destination cannot be given. Therefore, in this work were developed micro-emulsified ULSD mineral based fuel systems with glycerine solution and two 4 and 6 EO ethoxylated nonylphenol surfactants capable of harnessing the energy potential of glycerin, promoting improvement in diesel properties and reducing emissions of pollutants. The thermogravimetric analysis suggested similar profiles for the different formulated fuels, but with elevation of the thermogravimetric parameters, and the decomposition temperatures of the order of 300 ºC. The activation energies presented values of the order of 60 kJ/mol. In the lubricity tests developed in the HFRR (Hight Frequency Reciprocating Rig) results were obtained up to twice the percentage of lubricating film formation, 0.053 reduction in the friction coefficient and 187 µm reduction in the size of the eschar. Specific consumption test results show that increasing the concentration of water and glycerine in the systems increased fuel consumption at a specific load, and a reduction in this behavior for higher loads. As for the emissions analysis in each specific load tested, the behavior of reducing CO, CO2, NOx emissions and the outlet temperature of the gases was observed, being obtained in the best condition a reduction 19%, 5%, 11% and 10.5% respectively.