Description
Bioethanol as a renewable fuel has the potential to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and conventional (regulated and unregulated) pollutants. Unfortunately, ethanol-gasoline blends can present a multitude of technical challenges to engine operation including creation of very adverse deposits. The project seeks to develop innovative technologies for improving the performance characteristics of high ethanol-gasoline blends as an engine fuels. The Oil and Gas Institute (INiG) is the lead coordinator of project research and development work and will provide bioethanols from the Polish market. INiG is one of the leading organizations in this domain in Eastern Europe, with a set of test beds (some of them of own design), which can provide very good results in this area. The project will devise innovative multifunctional additive packages for treatment of ethanol blend fuels up to E85, allowing for a reduction of the negative impact of engines emissions on the natural environment. The multifunctional additive packages for treatment of high level ethanol-gasoline blends includes first and second generation bioethanol. The prioritized project research topic is industrial and commercial exploitation devised in the project fuel additive packages. In addition to the additive packages, the project will produce a number of plans, measurements, tracking processes, and status reports (e.g. on the reliability of flex fuel vehicle systems on the market). Collaboration with our Norwegian Partner enables a mutual interchange of ”know-how” and jointly exploit project results.
Summary of project results
As a renewable product, ethanol fuels emits less pollutants than gasoline and thus reduces the environmental impacts compared to conventional fuels. At the same time, ethanol fuels has the potential to increase both economic and energy independence for a given country. Unfortunately, ethanol-gasoline blends often present several technical challenges to engine operation including creation of very adverse deposits. The main objective of the project was devising and subsequently developing and optimizing highly effective multifunctional detergent-dispersant additives packages, fitted and compatible with high ethanol-gasoline fuel blends as well as with engine lubricating oil. Use of the additives packages containing detergents at the correct treatment level can by-pass the technical challenges involved with ethanol-gasoline blends and counteract adverse deposits which threatens engine operation. Results from the environmental impact assessments of the additives packages has confirmed that they do not affect the egulated and unregulated gaseous emission components. The ain achievement of the donor partnership is a comprehensive analysis and assessment of potential environmental impacts of the production (well-to-tank) of certain multifunctional additives packages combined with different ethanol-gasoline blends. The main result from the Life Cycle Assessment is that the developed multifunctional additives packages contribute very little, only between 0.07-1.17% of total ethanol production (well-to-tank) impacts. In summary, industrial and commercial exploitation of the devised additive packages should lead to reduction of the negative impact of engines air pollution emissions and greenhouse gases and also aerosols emissions on the natural environment what is the main benefit reached in the project.
Summary of bilateral results
In a project of such interdisciplinary character it was very beneficial for the project partners to rely on each otter's competencies. The partners organized a regular progress meeting (every six months) to discuss current project results, achieved milestones, completed deliverables as well as project problems and plans. The main achievements on a bilateral level, generated by inclusion of professional staff in international cooperation, is improved knowledge and a mutual understanding between partners, shared results, international publications, the organization of workshops, seminars and a conference. Equally important was exploiting research results and acquiring technological know-how in collaboration. Transferred as well as exchange of good practices and their implementation at national or local level will be significant in further cooperation. Wider effects of cooperation as a result of the project are new common project ideas and close contact between partners using network LinkedIn and Research Gate. Summing up, the following has to be re-emphasized: the partnership has improved the bilateral relations through strengthening innovation potentials and research collaboration between Polish and Norwegian research institutions and research conducted by industry. An example is the established contact between the Norwegian bioethanol producer Borregaard and the Polish Instytut Nafty i Gazu.