An innovative biofuel approach : 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF)

Dimethylfuran (DMF) has physical properties very close to gasoline, but it has a very high octane number and relatively low volatility. Compared to ethanol, it has an energy density higher by 50 per cent in volume and by 40 per cent in mass. DMF is stable in storage and not soluble in water and therefore it cannot become contaminated by absorbing water from the atmosphere. DMF is also an ideal candidate for a new generation of sustainable biofuel. This presentation discussed the use of DMF as an innovative biofuel approach and illustrated results for ignition delay; heat release rate; volumetric efficiency; engine efficiency; carbon emissions; hydrocarbon emissions; nitrogen oxide emissions; maximum combustion pressure; particulate matter emissions; and particulate mass and numbers. The ignition delay of DMF was shown to be shorter than that of gasoline. When it was compared with ethanol, the difference varied with load so that it was longer at the low load but shorter at higher load conditions. The emissions of carbon, hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide using DMF were all similar to those with gasoline. Overall, the experiments confirmed that due to the physiochemical properties of DMF being similar to gasoline, DMF and gasoline exhibited very similar combustion and emissions characteristics. tabs., figs.