Vegetable Oil as Fuel in Agriculture

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October 17, 2017

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(OWI (Google Translation)) Retrofitting of tractors for multi-fuel use — In agriculture, widening the use of vegetable oil as fuel in tractors could contribute to greater sustainability and climate protection within the framework of a resource-conserving bioeconomy. However, the compatibility of fuel-carrying components with vegetable oil fuel must be tested in order to ensure the operational safety and life of tractors and other agricultural machinery. In order to make use of vegetable oil from rape as part of a multi-fuel deployment strategy, a research project now examines in particular the interactions between fuels and diesel injectors.

Particularly on modern injectors with high injection pressures and small gaps, internal and external deposits can form due to the use of biofuels, which in certain circumstances can lead to functional disturbances and downtimes of agricultural machines. Critical operating points (driving cycles) are to be specifically identified for both types of deposits, which can lead to increased formation of deposits. Part of the fuels to be investigated will in particular also be mixtures between vegetable oil and conventional diesel fuels, as also occur in real operation with different refueling. In addition, the behavior of different injectors used in agricultural machines is also investigated.

On the basis of the results of the investigations, additive-assisted “keepclean” strategies are to be developed in order to avoid the formation of deposits. On the other hand, an in-demand injector regeneration during operation is to be developed when deposits occur. To this end, the “clean-up” strategies already identified in predecessor projects with additive support are to be implemented. For the successful use of regeneration, an early indication is to be developed on the basis of characteristic values for the formation of internal and external deposits. Research partners are the OWI Oel-Waerme-Institut, the technology and support center in the Competence Center for Renewable Resources, regineering GmbH, ERC Additiv GmbH and TEC4FUELS GmbH. READ MORE

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