Impact of 20% Ethanol-blended Gasoline (E20) on Metals and Non-metals used in Fuel-system Components of Vehicles
##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.main##
Abstract
Ethanol is considered as a potential biofuel for blending with gasoline and, in India, it is planned to increase the ethanol content to 20 percent in gasoline by year 2025 from present allowable limit of maximum 10 percent. It is important to evaluate the impact of E20 fuel on the materials used in fuel-system components. An evaluation of 8 metals, 6 elastomers and 4 plastics used in various fuel-system components was conducted through systematic exercise of laboratory immersion following standard methods like SAE J1747 and SAE J 1748 with all the quality and quality assurance measures. The study was conducted with E20 as test fuel and commercial gasoline (BS IV) as a baseline fuel for comparative assessment. Impact of E20 on metals was evaluated through calculation of corrosion rates in mm/year based on data obtained for change in mass post-immersion in above fuels. Similarly, impact of elastomers and plastics was evaluated through observed changes in properties like mass, volume, tensile strength, elongation, impact strength and hardness.
Impact of E20 on metals tested was found to be insignificant based on the corrosion rates. Polychloroprene, SBR, HNBR and Fluoroelastomer were found to perform similar or better in most of the properties with E20. Impact of E20 on NBR-PVC and Epichlorohydrin was more as compared to commercial gasoline. Similar changes in properties of PA12, PBT and Acetal were observed in both the fuels. Impact of E20 on tensile strength and volume change properties of PA66 was found to be more than commercial gasoline. The vital information generated can be utilised by design engineers for selection, modification of materials for various components of fuel-system of vehicles.
Keywords: E20 fuel, material compatibility, ethanol, biofuels, fuel system, alternate fuels.
##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.details##
References
- ACC. Plastics and Polymer Composites for Automotive Markets Technology Roadmap, American Chemistry Council, 2014.
- Black, F. An overview of the technical implications of methanol and ethanol as highway motor vehicle fuels, SAE 912413,1991.
- Dhaliwal, J. S., et al. Compatibility Studies on Elastomers and Polymers with Ethanol Blended Gasoline,Hindawi Publishing Corporation Journal of Fuels, Volume 2014, 2014.
- DiCicco, D, E20 Durability Study Fuel System Components, CRC AVFL-15 Project Mid-Level Ethanol Blends Research Coordination Group, 2010.
- Gailis, M andPirs V. Assessment of Compatibility of fuel supply system polymeric parts with bioethanol/gasoline blend E85, proceedings of the international scientific conference, Issue 14/2015, 2015.
- Gajendra Babu M K and Subramanian K A. Alternative Transportation FUELS Utilization in combustion engines, CRC Press Taylor and Francis Group, 2013.
- Goldemberg J. Sugarcane Ethanol: Strategies to a Successful Program in Brazil, University of São Paulo, Institute of Eletrotechnics and Energy, Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts, 2013.
- Jones B. et al. The Effects of E20 on Elastomers Used in Automotive Fuel System Components,SAE 2-22-2008, 2008.
- Kameoka, Aet al. Effect of Alcohol Fuels on Fuel-Line Materials of Gasoline Vehicles, Japan Automobile Research Institute, presented at Power train & Fluid Systems Conference and Exhibition San Antonio, Texas USA,SAE 2005-01-3708, 2005.
- MPCA. E20: The Feasibility of 20 Percent Ethanol Blends by Volume as a Motor Fuel:Executive Summary by Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 2015.
- Nihalani,I, et al. Compatibility of Elastomeric Materials with Gasohol. SAE 2004-28-0062, 2004.
- Owen, K, and Coley, T. Automotive fuels handbook. United States: N. p., 1990.
- Peason, RJ and Turner, JWG.Using alternative and renewable liquid fuels to improve the environmental performance of internal combustion engines: key challenges and blending technologies, University of Bath, UK, Woodhead Publishing Series in Energy: Number 57 Alternative Fuels and advanced vehicle technologies for improved environmental performance towards zero carbon transportation, 2014.
- RamadhasA S. Alternative fuels for Transportation, CRC Press Taylor and Francis Group, 2010.
- SAE International. Alternate Fuels Committee of the Engine Manufacturers Association, “A Technical Assessment of Alcohol Fuels”, SAE 820261, 1982.
- SAE International. Compatibility Assessment of Plastic Infrastructure Materials with Test Fuels Representing E10 and iBu16, SAE 2015-01-0894, 2015.
- Stradling R et al. Assessment of the impact of ethanol content in gasoline on fuel consumption, including a literature review up to 2006, Prepared for the CONCAWE Fuels Quality and Emissions Management Group, 2013.
- SzeteiováK. Automotive materials plastics in automotive markets today - Institute of Production Technologies, Machine Technologies and Materials, Faculty of Material Science and Technology in Trnava, Slovak University of Technology Bratislava, 2010.
- Thomas E W. Fluoroelastomer Compatibility with Bioalcohol Fuels, DuPont Performance Elastomers L.L.C.,SAE International, SAE 2009-01-0994, 2009.
- ThummadetsakT. E10, E20, E30; Effects on Tailpipe Emissions, Vehicle Performance and Hot Weather Drivability, PTT Research & Technology Institute, 6’th Asian Petroleum Technology Symposium, 2008.
- Wagner, TO etal. Practicality of alcohols as motor fuels, SAE 790429, 1979.