Modeling Production of SAF from Corn Ethanol and CO2

William Northrop

This expanded uses project builds on previous research to convert diesel engines to operate cleanly and efficiently on ethanol. The effort will demonstrate an entirely new approach that overcomes the disadvantages of currently available systems. The University of Minnesota (UMN) TE Murphy Engine Research Laboratory (MERL) will develop a novel engine technology concept that has promise to increase efficiency and improve reliability compared to spark ignited engines, additive systems, and the high temperature concept developed by ClearFlame. The use of renewable fuels like ethanol, methanol and anhydrous ammonia in diesel engines is becoming increasingly vital to meet federal and international greenhouse gas (GHG) standards. Diesel engines are used in all sectors of the
transportation system and industrial sector for power generation. Using ethanol and renewable fuels like anhydrous ammonia in diesel equipment greatly expands the need for agricultural products.

In this research project, the UMN team will perform bench experiments and single cylinder engine experiments on a novel compounding compression prechamber (CCPC) engine technology. Prechamber engines use a small volume chamber located adjacent to the main combustion chamber where ignition is initiated, usually by a spark plug or by the main compression in the cylinder. The CCPC concept is entirely unique because it uses a small auxiliary cylinder to compress the gas mixture in the pre-chamber, creating an autoignition event. It does not contain a spark or heating systems to enable high octane fuels to burn in a compression ignition engine. The project will prove the hypothesis that the technology works on both ethanol and anhydrous ammonia. If proven, the CCPC technology will enable the greater use of renewable fuels in engines broadly.