Examination of Dimethyl Ether as an Alternative Utility Fuel
Student: Chris Frye
Sponsor: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Program Manager - Peter J. A. Tijm
Objective: Determine the emissions formed in DME diffusion and premixed flames and compare to propane and n-butane
Approach: Measurements were made of NO and CO emissions from DME, propane and n-butane flames using a water-cooled sampling probe and two burners: an annular co-flow diffusion flame burner and a premixed flame (McKenna style) burner.
Results: Our results indicate that on all bases
considered, DME demonstrated lower CO emission than propane and n-butane over a
broad range of stoichiometries. NO production from DME was generally less than or similar
to propane and n-butane over the same stoichiometric range. DME burns with a
non-luminous flame and the DME flames were typically much more compact.
Publications:
Frye, C. A., A. L. Boehman and P. J. A. Tijm. A Comparison of CO and NO Emissions from Propane, n-Butane, and Dimethyl Ether Premixed Flames. Energy & Fuels, 13, 650-654 (1999).
Effect of Oxygenated Cetane Improver on Diesel Engine Combustion and Emissions
Student: Howard Hess
Sponsor: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Program Manager - Peter J. A. Tijm
Objective: To compare combustion and emissions impacts of incorporating various oxygenates into diesel fuels.
Approach: The primary oxygenated fuel additive of interest in this study is CETANERTM, which is produced by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. from dimethyl ether through an oxidative coupling process. We are considering this additive and other oxygenates in our Yanmar IDI single-cylinder engine and the VW TDI 1.9L turbodiesel. Total particulate, particulate composition, CO, NOx and total hydrocarbon emissions are monitored for a base diesel fuel and for the fuel containing various oxygenate concentrations (typically at or below 4 wt% oxygen).
Results: In the experimental work completed, several oxygenates have been blended with a premium diesel fuel to yield an oxygen content of 4 wt% in the fuel blend. Results have shown that with these blends, particulate emissions can be reduced by as much as 28% when compared to premium diesel fuel. The following are results from the Yanmar TS-180 IDI single-cylinder engine.
| Oxygenate Blended | Structure |
Notation |
Wt% oxygen |
Blend Ratio |
| diethylene glycol methyl ether | CH3OC2H4OC2H4OH |
DGME |
40.0 |
10/90 |
| Triethylene glycol dimethyl ether | CH3O(C2H4O)3CH3 |
Triglyme |
36.0 |
11/89 |
| Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether | CH3O(C2H4O)2CH3 |
Diglyme |
35.8 |
11/89 |
| 1,2-dimethoxyethane | CH3O(C2H4O)1CH3 |
Glyme |
35.6 |
11/89 |
| CETANERTM * | CETANERTM |
36.5 |
11/89 |
|
| 96% 1,2-dimethoxyethane | CH3OCH2CH2OCH3 |
(35.6) |
||
| 4% dimethoxymethane | CH3OCH2OCH3 |
(59.3) |
||
| Methyl Soyate | Mixed esters |
Me Soyate |
11.0 |
35/65 |
*Simplified mixture chosen to represent a potential CETANERTM formulation.
Table 1. Oxygenate blends selected for evaluation.
Mode 1 |
Mode 2 |
Mode 3 |
Mode 4 |
|
Speed (RPM) |
2200 |
2002 |
1760 |
1386 |
% Rated Speed |
100 |
91 |
80 |
63 |
Power (hp) |
12.26 |
8.77 |
5.32 |
2.03 |
% Rated Power |
81.7 |
58.5 |
35.5 |
13.5 |
Weighting Factor |
0.2 |
0.5 |
0.15 |
0.15 |
Table 2. Engine test matrix (11,12)
| Oxygenate Blend Tested | Saybolt Viscosity (SUS), 100ºF |
Gravity (° API) |
Cloud Point (ºF) |
Flash Point (ºF) |
Heat of Combustion (BTU/lb) |
| ASTM Specification | 32.6-40.1 |
Min 30 |
Max 0 |
Min 125 |
------- |
| Premium Diesel Fuel | 34.8 |
45 |
<0 |
160 |
19,707 |
| DGME | 35.7 |
41 |
<0 |
157 |
19,118 |
| Triglyme | 32.3 |
44 |
<0 |
173 |
18,909 |
| Diglyme | 34.0 |
51 |
<0 |
147 |
18,856 |
| Glyme | 32.0 |
48 |
<0 |
<67 |
18, 613 |
| CETANERTM | 34.3 |
45 |
<0 |
<67 |
18,867 |
| Methyl Soyate | 41.4 |
43 |
8 |
180 |
18,793 |
Table 3. Results from Testing of Several Fuel Properties.
% wt Oxygen In Blend |
BS PM, g/kWhr |
% Reduction from Baseline (*) |
|
| Baseline BP Premium Diesel Fuel | ----- |
0.673 |
----- |
| DGME | 4.12 |
0.625 |
7.2 ± 16.4% |
| Triglyme | 3.96 |
0.573 |
14.9 ± 10.5% |
| Diglyme | 3.94 |
0.484 |
28.1 ± 13.6% |
| Glyme | 3.97 |
0.481 |
28.5 ± 14.1% |
| CETANERÔ | 4.00 |
0.491 |
27.0 ± 11.6% |
| Methyl Soyate | 3.88 |
0.508 |
24.5 ± 16.2% |
* Error range based upon 95% Confidence Interval.
Table 4. Total Brake-Specific Particulate Emissions, g/kWhr.
Related Publications:
Hess, H. S., M. A. Roan, S. Bhalla, S. Butnark, V. Zarnescu, A. L. Boehman (2), P.J.A. Tijm, F. J. Waller. Reduction of Particulate Emissions from a Single-Cylinder IDI Engine with Oxygenated Diesel Fuels. Accepted for inclusion in a book based on the Symposium on the Chemistry of Diesel Fuel, held at the 1998 ACS National Meeting, Boston, August 1998.
Litzinger, T., M. Stoner, H. Hess and A. Boehman. Effects of Oxygenated Blending Compounds on Emissions from a Turbo-charged Direct Injection Diesel Engine. International Journal of Engine Research, 1, 57-70 (2000).
Hess, H.S., E. M., J. Szybist, A.L. Boehman, P.J.A. Tijm and F.J. Waller. The Use of CETANERTM for the Reduction of Particulate Matter Emissions in a Turbocharged Direct Injection Medium-Duty Diesel Engine. Society of Automotive Engineers Technical Paper No. 2000-01-2886 (2000).
Development of a Dimethyl Ether (DME)-Fueled Shuttle Bus Demonstration Project
Students: Shirish Bhide, Elana Chapman, Jennifer (Stefanik) Eirich
Faculty/Supervisors: Prof. Joseph
Perez, Department of Chemical Engineering
David Klinikowski, Pennsylvania Transportation Institute
Dr. James Hansel, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Prof. André Boehman, Director of the Combustion Laboratory
Sponsors: Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection, Program Manager - Susan Summers
Federal Energy Technology Center, US
Department of Energy, Program Manager - John Winslow
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Program Manager - Edward Heydorn
Navistar International, Technical Consultants - X. Gui and Pranab Das
Champion Motor Coach, Technical Consultant - Gerald Buck
Objective: To determine a methodology for operating a production turbodiesel engine on dimethyl ether and demonstrate the performance, emissions and durability of the conversion approach in a Faculty/Staff shuttle bus on the University Park campus of the Pennsylvania State University.
Approach: To protect the fuel pump and injectors from excessive wear, due to the lack of lubricity for DME, diesel and DME will be blended at levels that will provide sufficient lubricity to protect the fuel injection system. An external pressurized fuel delivery system will maintain 90-150 psi in the fuel lines to keep DME in the liquid phase and in solution with the diesel fuel. After the laboratory engine conversion, we will examine a range of DME/diesel blend ratios and will seek to operate the engine on as high a DME concentration as is possible, while still protecting the engine from excessive wear. Then, this conversion approach was implemented on a Champion Motor Coach "Defender" model shuttle bus, equipped with the Navistar T444E.
Results: The Navistar T444E turbodiesel engine has been successfully operated on blends of dimethyl ether and diesel fuel. Examination of the viscosity and miscibility of DME-diesel blends was also completed. The conversion strategy used in the laboratory was applied to the campus shuttle bus starting in Fall 2001 and resulting in a successful demonstration of the DME Fueled Shuttle Bus in April 2002. The bus was deployed on the Faculty/Staff Shuttle Bus loop on June 5, 2002. However, reliable operation of the bus was not achieved until July 2002, due to hardware difficulties. The Pennsylvania Transportation Institute assisted with performance and emissions tests on the shuttle bus prior to and after its conversion and operation on DME-diesel fuel blends on the University Park campus. The DME Shuttle Bus operated from early June, 2002 until September 30, 2002 with the converted fueling system. It ran on blends of DME in diesel fuel ranging from 5 wt.% up to 25 wt.%. Optimal performance was observed at around 10-12 wt.%, when considering driveability, smoothness of operation and other factors. After September 30, 2002, the shuttle bus was converted back to operation on its original fueling system and the bus continues to operate on the Campus loop.
Publications:
Chapman, E.M., A.L. Boehman, P.J.A. Tijm and F.J. Waller. Emission Characteristics of a Navistar 7.3L Turbodiesel Fueled with Blends of Dimethyl Ether and Diesel Fuel. Society of Automotive Engineers Technical Paper No. 2001-01-3683.
Bhide, S., E. Chapman, J. Stefanik, H. Glunt, L.I. Boehman, A.L. Boehman, F.J. Waller, “Development of a Dimethyl Ether-Fueled Shuttle Bus,” in ACS Fuel Chemistry Division Preprints, 47(2), 562-563 (2002).
Chapman, E. M., S.V. Bhide, A.L. Boehman, P.J.A. Tijm and F.J. Waller. Emission Characteristics of a Navistar 7.3L Turbodiesel Fueled with Blends of Oxygenates and Diesel. Society of Automotive Engineers Technical Paper No. 2000-01-2887 (2000).
Photograph of the Navistar T444E V-8 turbodiesel engine converted to
operation on DME-diesel blends
(for more information on engine specifications see http://www.navistar.com/engine/engine.html)
Photograph of the DME Fueled Shuttle Bus on the Faculty/Staff Shuttle Loop at the University Park Campus, August 2002
Refinery Integration of By-Products from Coal-Derived Jet Fuels
Students: Yi Yang, Yu Zhang
Faculty/Supervisors: Dr.
Steve Kirby, The Energy Institute, Penn State
Prof. André Boehman, Department of Energy & Geo-Environmental Engineering
Sponsors: US Department of Energy, Program Manager - Shelby Rogers
Objective: To determine through laboratory testing how the incorporation of by-products from the production of coal-derived jet fuels in refinery streams will influence the quality and performance of gasoline and diesel fuel products.
Approach: Laboratory tests of coal-derived fuel properties, ignition characteristics, combustion and emissions, neat and in blends. Both SI and CI engine testing will be performed, including in-cylinder visualization in a Navistar International 7.3L V-8 Turbodiesel engine.
Results: Work is in progress.
 Navistar T444E being configured for optical access |
 Ricardo Hydra for coal-derived gasoline studies |
In-Cylinder Imaging of the Combustion of Alternative IC Engine Fuels in Production Engines
Students: Jennifer Stefanik, Elana Chapman, Juhun Song, James Szybist
Faculty/Supervisors: Prof. Tom
Litzinger, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Penn State University
Prof. Dan Haworth, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Penn State University
Prof. André Boehman, Deparment of Energy & Geo-Environmental Engineering, Penn State
University
Sponsor: National Science Foundation,
Combustion and Thermal Plasmas Program, Program Manager - Farley Fisher
NSF Research Equipment Grant program, CTS#0079073, for purchase of an AVL 513D Engine
Videoscope
Objective: To improve the understanding of how alternative, reformulated and oxygenated fuels affect diesel combustion and emissions.
Observations: Several uses of the AVL Videoscope system have been accomplished so far. Shown here are some imaging studies of fuel sprays.
Cummins 24-Valve 5.9L "ISB" Turbodiesel Engine Installed in a
250 Hp Test Cell
and Installation of AVL Engine Videoscope Probes
Visualization of Spray Flame in the Cummins ISB Engine
The videoscope is being used to compare the spray and combustion processes for various alternative fuels. Below are images showing a comparison of an ultra low sulfur fuel and neat biodiesel (B100).
Figure 1. Spray flame image of ultra low sulfur
diesel fuel in the Cummins ISB,
at 3 deg BTDC, 10% load and 1800 rpm
Figure 2. Spray flame image of neat biodiesel fuel
in the Cummins ISB,
at 3 deg BTDC, 10% load and 1800 rpm
Click Here to Play a Videoscope Movie of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel in the Cummins ISB
Click Here to Play a Videoscope Movie of B100 in the Cummins ISB
Evaluation of Ultra Clean Fuels from Natural Gas
Students: Juhun Song, Ragini Acharya, James Szybist
Research Staff: Dr. Mahabubul Alam, Vince Zello
Faculty/Supervisors: Prof. Chao-Yang
Wang, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Penn State University
Prof. Chunshan Song, Deparment of Energy & Geo-Environmental Engineering, Penn State
University
Prof. André Boehman, Deparment of Energy & Geo-Environmental Engineering, Penn State
University
Sponsor: National Energy Technology Laboratory, US Department of Energy (Dan Cicero, Project Manager)
Team Members: ConocoPhillips, Inc. (Douglas
Smith, Project Manager)
Nexant
Cummins Engine Company
Objective: To develop gas to liquids technologies to convert
stranded natural gas reserves into high quality, environmentally friendly fuels that can
be produced and transported to fuel markets in the United States and around the world at a
cost that is competitive with conventional fuels.
To learn more about the Ultra Clean Fuels Initiative, visit the National Energy Technology Laboratory website, http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/press/2000/tl_ultraclean_selection1.html
Hydrogen-Assisted IC Engine Combustion as a Route to Hydrogen Implementation
Students: Elana Chapman, Melanie (Rudnik) Fox, Nicole Reed, James Szybist
Research Staff: Vince Zello
Faculty/Supervisors: Prof.
Dan Haworth, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Penn State University
Prof. André Boehman, Deparment of Energy & Geo-Environmental Engineering
Sponsor: National Energy Technology Laboratory, US Department of Energy
Team Members: Collier Technologies
(Key Contact: Dr. Kirk Collier)
Delphi Automotive (Key Contact: M. James Grieve)
Dr. Mike McMillian, National Energy Technology Laboratory
Objective: To develop a practical means of implementing hydrogen in the transportation sector, blending hydrogen with natural gas or using on-board hydrogen to assist combustion of conventional fuels are investigated.
Approach: A Ricardo Hydra single-cylinder research engine is being used for the SI engine studies and an engine to be determined will be used for the CI engine studies. Both will include the use of hydrogen or hydrogen enriched natural gas (HCNG) produced at the Penn State Hydrogen Fueling Station (for more information see http://www.engr.psu.edu/h2e/Pub/Kulakowski_etal_1.htm).
Ricardo Hydra Single Cylinder Engine on
motoring and absorbing dynamometer