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Technical Paper

Experimental Study of the Influence of Ethanol Concentration and Temperature on Gum Formation during Prolonged Storage of Brazilian Gasoline-Ethanol Blends

2015-09-22
2015-36-0169
Gasoline is a volatile, inflammable mixture composed of olefinic, paraffinic, naphthenic and aromatic C4-12 hydrocarbons. Gasoline presents low contents of oxygenates and traces of sulfur, nitrogen and metals which introduce instability. In several countries, like Brazil, ethanol is used as an alternative fuel and as an octane improver. Nevertheless, hydrocarbons present in the fuel slowly react at room temperatures with atmospheric oxygen and with each other. This promotes changes in their physical-chemical characteristics. The process is observed throughout all the fuel production and use chain, increasing fuel density. These resinous, polymeric, insoluble and nonvolatile materials that are formed with high molar mass, commonly called gums, form deposits along the vehicle fuel system. Their accumulation can cause engine wear and have adverse effects on engine efficiency, performance and durability.
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