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Biobutanol Performance Similar to Unleaded Gasoline, According to New Fuel Testing
DuPont and BP Speak About Biofuels and Biobutanol at Auto Industry Event
DETROIT, April 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- New fuel testing results
shared today by DuPont and BP indicate that biobutanol has proven to
perform similarly to unleaded gasoline on key parameters, based on ongoing
laboratory- based engine testing and limited fleet testing.
At the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) annual conference here, BP
Biofuels program manager Frank Gerry and DuPont Biofuels venture manager
David Anton told automotive industry value chain participants about the
opportunities for biofuels to provide sustainable mobility solutions. They
also addressed the science behind biobutanol, an advanced biofuel being
jointly developed by BP and DuPont.
In 2006, the companies announced their joint strategy to deliver
advanced biofuels that help meet increasing global demand for renewable
transportation fuels, leveraging DuPont's advanced biotechnology
capabilities and BP's fuel marketing and technology expertise. The first
product targeted for introduction will be biobutanol.
"Biobutanol addresses market demand for fuels that can be produced from
domestic renewable resources in high volume and at reasonable cost; fuels
that can be used in existing vehicles and existing infrastructure; fuels
that offer good value to consumers; and fuels that meet the evolving
demands of vehicles," Gerry said.
Gerry spoke about results of tests that confirm biobutanol is a
desirable fuel component. According to Gerry, biobutanol formulations that
meet key characteristics of a "good" fuel include high energy density,
controlled volatility, sufficient octane and low levels of impurities. He
described early phase testing data that indicate that biobutanol fuel
blends at a nominal 10 volume percent level perform very similarly to
unleaded gasoline fuel. Additionally, the energy density of biobutanol is
closer to unleaded gasoline:
Bioethanol = 21.1-21.7 MJ/L (megajoules per liter)
Biobutanol = 26.9-27.0 MJ/L
Gasoline = 32.2-32.9 MJ/L
Fuel testing also has proven that biobutanol does not phase separate in
the presence of water, and has no negative impact on elastomer swelling.
Anton spoke about DuPont's development of the new biobutanol
technology. "Over 100 DuPont scientists and engineers are committed to
making advanced biofuels and new energy-efficient biofuels processes a
reality," he said. "Our researchers are working with BP scientists and are
on track to deliver a higher yielding biobutanol technology." Anton
outlined DuPont's three-pronged biofuels strategy which includes
biobutanol, cellulosic fuels and seed/crop protection solutions.
BP is one of the world's largest energy companies, providing its
customers with fuel for transportation, energy for heat and light, retail
services and petrochemicals products for everyday items. It is the largest
oil and gas producer in the United States and one of the largest refiners.
BP also has a global network of around 25,000 service stations.
DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a science-based products and services company.
Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable
solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people
everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries and regions, DuPont offers
a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including
agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and
transportation.
SOURCE DuPont
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