Future combustion engine power plant - WP4 fuel flexibility: Periodic report of 1st year

The objective of FCEP WP4 is to increase fuel flexibility of different engine concepts. This work is divided in different tasks. Participants in WP4 are VTT, Wärtsilä, Gasum, Agco Sisu Power and University of Vaasa. Workshop on fuel flexibility will explore how different fuels could contribute in the future challenges of climate change, energy security and emission control. Workshop is scheduled to be held in 2011. The study "LNG in shipping" on alternative LNG refuelling harbour logistics contained a comprehensive general description and analysis of LNG logistics and bunkering for marine applications in the Finnish market. A risk inventory workshop (HAZID-workshop) was organised in Espoo on 15.12.2010. Literature study on biofuel detoriation dealt with auto-oxidation and biodegradation of plant oils and biodiesel esters. Measurements on the stabilization showed that the source materials dictate the effectiveness of certain antioxidants. In some cases, esterification changed the effectiveness of an antioxidant. For "Biogas upgrading technologies", a preliminary planning of a real biogas production and upgrading case in southern Finland was conducted. This provided information for the comparison of the different commercial upgrading technologies. An engine simulation model for the high-speed diesel engine was built up and calibrated using the GT-Power engine simulation module. The direct injection diesel Wiebe model was used for model calibration. Work continues with the Di Jet model. A model based on an energy balance of the jet was developed for jet penetration models. For Liquid Bio Fuels, washing methods and mechanical manipulation tests were developed. At cold conditions, fuels studied showed good performance in a containerized 9L20 Power plant. With the medium-speed engine, Animal Fat and Shale Oil were tested with engine in standard configuration. Hexane and glycerine were tested with GD injection system modified for handling of liquid fuels (LFO pilot fuel). After many configurations, other results than efficiency and HC emissions with hexane were comparable to reference case. Pilot injection was not needed with glycerine. Glycerine resulted in high PM emission, which consisted mainly of other material than soot. Alternative fuels for engines: "First generation biodiesel" FAME is problematic in many aspects. Regional quality variations are demanding for engine manufacturers. FAME contains phosphorus, which is harmful for catalyst, and may cause problems with DPF. "Second generation biodiesel" includes e.g. Neste Oil's NExBTL. Field test with NExBTL is included in another national project. Within FCEP, there is no reason to organize field test or long-term test with FAME or NExBTL, but the progress in this area is followed. A six cylinder test engine is under conversion for dual-fuel ethanol-diesel operation at Aalto University. The modifications to the engine took place in 2010, and test runs will start in 2011.