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Physical properties of oleochemical carbonates
Author(s) -
Kenar James A.,
Knothe Gerhard,
Dunn Robert O.,
Ryan Thomas W.,
Matheaus Andrew
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of the american oil chemists' society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.512
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1558-9331
pISSN - 0003-021X
DOI - 10.1007/s11746-005-5173-5
Subject(s) - lubricity , alkyl , cetane number , carbonate , moiety , chemistry , organic chemistry , materials science , viscosity , diesel fuel , chemical engineering , biodiesel , composite material , engineering , catalysis
Carbonates are a class of compounds that have recently found increasing interest in commercial applications owing to their physical properties and relatively straightforward synthesis. In this work, physical and fuel properties of five straight‐chain C 17–39 and three branched C 17–33 oleochemical carbonates were investigated. These properties included cetane number (CN), low‐temperature properties, (kinematic) viscosity, lubricity, and surface tension. The carbonates studied had CN ranging from 47 to 107 depending on carbon chain length and branching. For the same number of carbons, the CN of carbonates were lower than those of FA alkyl esters owing to interruption of the CH 2 chain by the carbonate moiety. Kinematic viscosities at 40°C ranged from 4.9 to 22.6 mm 2 /s whereas m.p. ranged from +3 to below −50°C depending on the carbonate structure. High‐frequency reciprocating rig testing showed the neat carbonates to have acceptable lubricity that improved as chain length increased. Finally, the carbonate's ability to influence cold‐flow properties in biodiesel (methyl soyate) and lubricity in low‐lubricity ultra‐low sulfur diesel were examined. The carbonates studied did not significantly affect cold flow or lubricity properties at concentrations up to 10,000 ppm (1 wt%). The properties of the carbonates resemble those of fatty alkyl esters with similar trends resulting from compound structure.