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 ( 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