What
is E Diesel?
E
Diesel, formerly oxydiesel, is a biofuel composed of of 88.7%
Diesel, 10% Ethanol, and 1.3% additive.
The
Making of E Diesel
Ethanol
and diesel do not blend easily.
The presence of water, or extreme cold temperatures, causes the
mixture to separate.
Recent advances have produced a “splash-blendable” agent that
enhances the mixing of diesel fuel with ethanol and includes both a
lubricity enhancer and an ignition improver, resulting in a fuel called
E Diesel.
A
note on Ethanol
Ethanol
is a renewable fuel, produced from biomass such as corn.
More recently its benefits in lowering emissions, particularly
carbon monoxide, have been under focus.
Carbon dioxide from the combustion of ethanol does not build up
in the atmosphere because it is used to grow more plants, which produce
more fuel.
Why
produce alternative fuels?
Emissions
regulations for diesel-powered vehicles have steadily tightened since
1994. Off-road
vehicles fitted with diesel engines received the attention of the EPA
and a set of regulations are structured as a 3-tiered progression to low
emission standards that will ultimately match the standards set for
on-road vehicles by the year 2008.
Projects
The
University projects have included testing the performance on stationary
engines, tractors, and combine harvesters running under various
conditions.
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