Shirley C. Agrupis | Nathaniel Ericson R. Mateo | James Paul T. Madigal | Marilou P. Lucas
Discipline: chemical, process and energy engineering
Preliminary studies on the utility of 95% Azeotrope Ethanol (MMSU 95 hBE) as oxygenate and gasohol fuel in mobile and stationary engines paved the way for the Department of Energy (DOE)-funded project, Village Scale Production of MMSU Hydrous Ethanol as Feedstock for R&D in Biofuel Trials and Anhydrous Ethanol Production. Two components of the project are reported here: (1) the scaled-up production and optimization trials of MMSU 95 hBE and (2) the performance evaluation of hydrous bioethanol as oxygenate and gasohol blend in spark ignition engines. The first component focused on the bulk production of hydrous ethanol, including experimental trials to improve the fermentation and distillation efficiencies under scaled-up conditions. Integrated studies of the first component included: 1) yeast activation period; 2) sugar concentration; and 3) energy and water-cost efficient reflux distillation system. Previous lab scale fermentation experiments used 4-6hr aerobic activation periods before yeasts were pitched into anaerobic fermentation vessels. Under ambient conditions, the set-up gave 72-76% ethanol conversion efficiency in as short as 18-24 hrs. Succeeding experiments lowered the activation period to 1hr, which improved fermentation efficiency to 85.9%. Optimum conversion efficiency for maximum ethanol yield was observed at 30% sugar concentration. Fuel wood input during distillation was reduced by half when an insulator was used to cover the distiller. Ethanol recovery by the reflux distillation system was 95-100%. Further, we were able to reduce the water consumption by 95% using a recycling system to condense the distillate. The second component of this project focused on the performance evaluation of MMSU hydrous bioethanol both as alternative oxygenate to anhydrous ethanol and as a significant component of gasohol blends. Comparison data were obtained to highlight properties of the blends as well as document performance in spark ignition engines of cars, motorcycles and water pumps. Results of these studies demonstrate the feasibility of using hydrous ethanol instead of anhydrous both as oxygenate and as significant component of gasohol blends up to a concentration of 30% hydrous ethanol. Our studies confirmed that hydrous ethanol can be effectively splash-blended with gasoline without phase separation or other problems. The studies were able to demonstrate the benefits of oxygenation and comparable engine performance, capitalizing on the change in chemical and physical properties which occur as a result of combining water, ethanol, and gasoline to optimize the efficiency at which internal combustion engines operate. While there is a slight reduction in fuel economy due to the lower energy content of hydrous ethanol, it is counteracted by increasing engine performance due to higher octane and higher heat of vaporization of ethanol and water in comparison with gasoline and anhydrous blends.
ISSN 2012 0060 (Print)
Philippine E-Journals
