Alcohol fuels combustion

McEnally, C.S. and Pfefferle, L.D., Fuel decomposition and hydrocarbon growth processes for oxygenated hydrocarbons Butyl alcohols, Proc. Combust. Inst., 30, 1363,2005. 

Cylinder and piston ring wear have been observed when using alcohol fuels. Metal loss could be due to wear caused by removal of the lubricating oil film by liquid alcohol during cold starting or by the corrosive action of formic acid or other acids formed during the combustion process. Use of more corrosion- and wear-resistant metal alloys in engine construction have helped resolve this problem. 

Specific codes or regulations for vehicular storage and dispensing systems for alcohol fuels do not exist. Alcohols are flammable liquids which are covered in NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code [5.2], Gasoline is included under NFPA 30 as a Class IA flammable liquid, while diesel fuel is included as a combustible liquid. When alcohols are used as fuel for vehicles, they almost always have some gasoline or high vapor pressure hydrocarbons in them which... 

Nowadays a worldwide focus is on renewable fuels, and ethanol has been considered an interesting option to replace petroleum derivate gasoline. It has been reported that the United States, France, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, China, Russia, India, South Africa, and the European Community are considering gasoline ethanol blends as fuel options. Recently, Brazilian government funds have been awarded to laboratories in universities and research centers in different regions of the country, and a strict control of the physicochemical characteristics of the gasohol blend and hydrated fuel alcohol for combustion machines is necessary to prevent adulteration (1,2). 

The OECD transport sector produced nearly three times as much carbon dioxide in 1990 as it did in 1960 (lEA, 1993). There is a growing concern that these increasing carbon dioxide emissions will create a greenhouse effect on our planet (Boer et al., 1990). One way of reducing the emissions of CO2 would be to introduce renewable fuels, such as alcohol fuels or biogas. Carbon dioxide, which is produced by combustion of biomass-derived fuels, is naturally recycled and consumed in the photosynthesis. This means that there will be no net increase of COj in the atmosphere when using, for example, ethanol produced from biomass. This is valid if biomass-derived fuels or chemicals are used in all parts of the production chain. 

Gasoline, ether and lighter fluid are examples of flammable liquids, while fuel oil and many alcohols are combustible liquids. Metal alkyl solutions are, if of relatively high concentration, pyrophoric liquids. 

Environment. Alcohol fuels and components of FCs are relatively environmentally friendly. On the other hand, batteries and combustion engines have environmental problems. Furthermore, FCs and batteries are quiet devices whereas combustion... 

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