Compatibility Assessment of Fuel System Elastomers with Bio-oil and Diesel Fuel

Michael D. Kass, Christopher J. Janke, Raynella M. Connatser, Samuel A. Lewis, James R. Keiser, Katherine Gaston

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Bio-oil derived via fast pyrolysis is being developed as a renewable fuel option for petroleum distillates. The compatibility of neat bio-oil with six elastomer types was evaluated against the elastomer performance in neat diesel fuel, which served as the baseline. The elastomers included two fluorocarbons, six acrylonitrile butadiene rubbers (NBRs), and one type each of fluorosilicone, silicone, styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), polyurethane, and neoprene. Specimens of each material were exposed to the liquid and gaseous phases of the test fuels for 4 weeks at 60 °C, and properties in the wetted and dried states were measured. Exposure to bio-oil produced significant volume expansion in the fluorocarbons, NBRs, and fluorosilicone; however, excessive swelling (over 80%) was only observed for the two fluorocarbons and two NBR grades. The polyurethane specimens were completely degraded by the bio-oil. In contrast, both silicone and SBR exhibited lower swelling levels in bio-oil compared to neat diesel fuel. The implication is that, while polyurethane and fluorocarbon may not be acceptable seal materials for bio-oils, silicone may offer a lower cost alternative.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6486-6494
Number of pages9
JournalEnergy and Fuels
Volume30
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 18 2016

Funding

This work was supported by the United States DOEs Bioenergy Technology Office. The authors gratefully acknowledge the support and guidance from Jonathan Male and Alicia Lindauer, DOE, and Tim Theiss, ORNL. The authors are also rateful to Esther Wilcox and Katelin Wheeler, NREL, for their help in providing bio-oil and facilitating shipment to ORNL for this study

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