Preface

Chapter 9 **Environmental Aspects in the Life Cycle of Liquid Biofuels with**

**VI** Contents

**Biocomponents, Taking into Account the Storage Process 241** Izabela Samson-Bręk, Barbara Smerkowska and Aleksandra Filip

> The manufacturing of liquid engine fuels based on petroleum processing comprises a number of well-known and widely used processes of technology. Their various modifications are mainly based on addition of deep processing of heavy ends and residues to obtain a larger share of light ends for use as components of fuels, mainly diesel oils and gasoline. Criteria for evaluation of the quality of hydrocarbon fuels, although applicable primarily to manufacturing, may be quite use‐ ful in evaluating the applicability of fuels in operating conditions in modern internal-combustion fuels. Conditions of long-term storage of hydrocarbon fuels and the frequency and scope of con‐ trol quality checks were established after conducting experiments for many years in the field.

> As the demand on liquid energy carriers has increased, fuel blend compositions are now enriched with hydrocarbon fractions that originate from synthesis processes and gasification of coal and other raw materials, including biomass and waste organic matter. Engine fuels are blended with hydrocarbon derivatives, such as esters and alcohols having entirely different courses of oxida‐ tion processes (ageing). In this overall context, the existing criteria enabling long-term storage of engine fuels do not correspond to the actual pattern of oxidation (ageing) of blended petroleum fractions comprising an amount of biofuels, that takes place in storage tanks.

> Therefore, a research team at the Automotive Industry Institute in Warsaw, undertook a project, titled: **"A system for the continuous control of the degree and rate of the ageing process for liquid fuels during storage"** . The project was co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund as part of the "Innovative Economy" Operational Program. Its execution is expected to lead to the implementation of an on-line system, enabling the continuous assessment of applicability in operating conditions of gasoline and diesel oils, including those with a content of ethanol or FAME, respectively. Earlier research works have led to the development of a rough version of the system and its prototype which, during the 21st International Petrol Station 2014 Fair in Warsaw (Poland), won the main prize for its innovative character, and the title "Product of the Year 2014".

> This monograph comprises test results and their analysis, which have resulted from the project execution. Its publishing has also been funded by the EU as part of the "Innovative Economy" Operational Program.

> Chapter 1 describes processes for the manufacturing of fuel components, including their impact on the performance and storage of fuels blends, obtained from such components.

> Chapter 2 is a discussion of the essential operating requirements for gasoline, diesel oils and heat‐ ing oils, including an analysis of changes taking place in the qualitative parameters of such fuels during storage, and the effect of such changes on the performance properties of fuels in operating conditions.

> Chapter 3 evaluates criteria for the qualitative assessment of biofuels, taking into consideration the impact of changes in such criteria on the performance properties of engine fuels having a con‐ tent of suitable 1st generation biofuels.

Chapter 4 describes selected criteria for the assessment of the process of oxidation (ageing) of liq‐ uid fuels during long-term storage. The authors attempted to develop a single-parameter method for the assessment of the level of oxidation of suitable fuel blends.

The storage of fuels is a process during which the construction materials of storage tanks are ex‐ posed to the corrosive impact of fuel components. On the other hand, metals have a potential influence on the course of ageing of such fuel components. The problems involved in the phe‐ nomenon, specifically, corrosion taking place due to fuels, are described in Chapter 5.

Contemporary engine fuels are blends of various chemicals substances or compounds, including oxygen derivatives. Regardless of the fact, the surface of fuels during storage may be exposed to atmospheric oxygen. Therefore, Chapter 6 is dedicated to an analysis of autoxidation processes taking place in fuels during storage, supported with the findings of relevant tests.

Development of measurement techniques related to the assessment of the quality of engine fuels has created devices and techniques for what is called "rapid analysis" (or "field analysis") of the quality of such fuels. Chapter 7 of this monograph describes the essential analytical methods that are applicable to the fast qualitative analysis of fuels, and evaluates such methods on the basis of relevant research.

Chapter 8 evaluates a comprehensive research material which was collected during the project execution and which deals with the assessment of changes taking place in oxidation processes of selected model chemicals and fuel components in various temperature conditions. Based on the findings discussed in that chapter, the authors selected precursors of the oxidation process, or ageing.

Chapter 9 closes the monograph. It deals with research on environmental aspects resulting from the Life-Cycle Assessment of liquid fuels, including those with a content of biofuels.

The material contained in this monograph has been translated into English by Ms Kornelia Zwiór-Hołenko.. The authors are thankful for her proof-reading of the source text and its fast translation into English. The editing and organization work on the monograph was provided by Ms Dorota Wardzińska.

Moreover, the authors wish to thank Ms Danijela Durič, "InteTech" publishing house, for her un‐ derstanding and patience, and for her efficient completion of the publishing process.

The material contained in this monograph has been translated into English by Ms Kornelia Zwiór-Hołenko.

> **Krzysztof Biernat** Automotive Industry Institute Institute for Ecology and Bioethics of CSWU
