Interaction of paraffinic fuels with mineral oil residues in the tank

The GHG reduction targets, which were tightened in 2021, pose a challenge for the space heating market. Since oil-fired heating systems cannot always be replaced by other technologies, sector coupling using GHG-reduced fuels such as paraffins is necessary. When refueling with paraffins, they mix with residual amounts of mineral oil-based and biogenic fuels in the tank. The interactions between these fuels and the resulting malfunctions in oil-fired heating systems have not been sufficiently studied. The research objective of this project is to investigate these interactions, identify fuel blends that do not cause problems, and determine any additives that may be needed to ensure the safe introduction of paraffin-based fuels.

Mixtures of fresh paraffins and residual quantities are produced. In order to investigate not only their behavior in the freshly mixed state but also the interactions that occur during storage, they are aged using established methods (long-term storage) and newly developed methods (thermoreactor). The fuels are examined using chemical-physical bulk analysis, detailed analysis, and application-oriented testing. The intended results include the identification of aging products as well as other aging reactions and products in the mixtures, the determination of how the mixtures interact with common heating oil burner components, and the startup behavior and emissions in oil-fired boilers. Based on these findings, measures will be developed to ensure the safe market introduction of paraffinic fuels.



This pre-competitive project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy with IGF funds.

The project has been completed. The DGMK research report is available.