Alternative fuels properties at high pressure conditions

Background of thesis project
Alternative fuels will play an important role for the future internal combustion engines. Greenhouse gases must be reduced. There are several alternative fuels that will reduce, or even eliminate, the fossil green house gases in the exhaust emissions to be used in the future. ​
Closest in time to use are Biodiesel fuels as FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Esters) and HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil). Using these fuels in modern diesel engines unexpected performance is achieved. We believe the deviations from expected performance are linked to changes in fuel characteristics at elevated pressures not following traditional fossil diesel fuel. Changes in fuel characteristics as viscosity and density are available for conventional fossil diesel fuel. However, this information does not appear to be available for high FAME fuels and HVO. ​



Description of thesis work
The task is to investigate how fuel properties such as viscosity and density are affected at elevated pressures and temperatures that are typical for the high-pressure fuel injection system of a modern direct injection diesel engine. ​​
The outcome of the measurements shall be compared to corresponding measurements performed on conventional fossil diesel fuel available on the market.​
The work shall as well include a theoretical part which explains the mechanism for the changes in properties of the fuel and explain why, if this is the case, some fuels properties are more affected by elevated pressures and temperatures than others.​​
Necessary test equipment is assumed to be found at the university.​​
Fuel properties up to 2000 bars pressure are expected to be investigated.​
Thesis Level: Master

Language: English


Starting date: Jan 2023


Number of students: 1 or 2


Tutor
Mats Petersson, mats.petersson@volvo.com


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