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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #79019
Title: PRECOMBUSTION OF FATTY ACIDS AND ESTERS WHEN USED AS ALTERNATIVE DIESEL FUELS

Author
item Knothe, Gerhard
item BAGBY, MARVIN - RETIRED, USDA/ARS
item RYAN, THOMAS - SWRI, SAN ANTONIO, TX

Submitted to: Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/14/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Upon injection into the combustion chamber of a diesel engine, every fuel experiences a delay time until ignition begins. During this time, the fuel passes through a temperature and pressure gradient. These precombustion conditions cause chemical reactions to occur before ignition begins. The materials formed during this precombustion phase therefore influence the further course of the ignition event. Several years ago, we reported on the precombustion products of various triglycerides. With the emphasis on alkyl esters as biodiesel fuel ever-increasing, we now studied the precombustion of stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids and their methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl esters. Numerous different classes of compounds were identified, including saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, aldehydes and others. Variations in the component patterns of the precombustion products were detected, depending on the starting material.