Properties of Chemically Stabilized Methanol–HVO Blends

Huaying Wang-Alho (), Katriina Sirviö, Fatimoh Balogun, Jonna Kaivosoja, Carolin Nuortila, Maciej Mikulski and Seppo Niemi
Additional contact information
Huaying Wang-Alho: School of Technology and Innovations, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, 65101 Vaasa, Finland
Katriina Sirviö: School of Technology and Innovations, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, 65101 Vaasa, Finland
Fatimoh Balogun: School of Technology and Innovations, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, 65101 Vaasa, Finland
Jonna Kaivosoja: School of Technology and Innovations, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, 65101 Vaasa, Finland
Carolin Nuortila: School of Technology and Innovations, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, 65101 Vaasa, Finland
Maciej Mikulski: School of Technology and Innovations, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, 65101 Vaasa, Finland
Seppo Niemi: School of Technology and Innovations, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, 65101 Vaasa, Finland

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-13

Abstract: Approximately 25% of global carbon emissions come from food production. Renewable fuels are crucial for curbing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from vehicles, non-road machines, and agricultural machinery. Tractors, key to modern farming, are central to these efforts. As agriculture strives for sustainability, alternative fuels like methanol and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) are arousing interest because they are renewable and offer potential for blending for use in diesel engines. Methanol and HVO have limited solubility in direct mixing, so the addition of a co-solvent is essential. This study addresses the research gap regarding the properties of HVO and methanol blends with co-solvents. It investigated the impact of three co-solvents, 1-dodecanol, 1-octanol, and methyl butyrate, on the miscibility of HVO and methanol. The experimental measurements cross-varied the co-solvent type with different blending ratios (MeOH5 and MeOH10). Investigated parameters include fuel density, kinematic viscosity, distillation properties, and surface tension. The co-solvents enabled the formation of a singular, clear, and homogeneous phase in methanol-HVO blends. The co-solvent 1-dodecanol demonstrated the highest solubilizing capacity for MeOH5 and MeOH10 blends, followed by 1-octanol. Adding co-solvents led to increased fuel density, decreased kinematic viscosity, and small changes in surface tension. These findings contribute to the optimization of methanol–HVO fuel blends for efficient and environmentally friendly use in vehicles, non-road machinery, and agricultural machinery.

Keywords: renewable fuels; methanol; hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO); co-solvents; blending properties (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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