Research report published: Compatibility of synthetic fuels

HVO and PtL fuel consist almost exclusively of paraffinic hydrocarbons. They have very good combustion properties and high stability against thermo-oxidative degradation. They are therefore ideal as GHG-reduced blending components or as a replacement for EL heating oil. Their use also has the advantage that the distribution structures and technologies already available in Germany for liquid fuels can be optimally utilized. It is not known what effect a change from aromatic-rich fuel oil to fuels with a low aromatic hydrocarbon content will have on the function of elastomer seals, the stability of tanks and other plastic components in oil heating systems.

The BMWK has funded a research project to create the necessary basic knowledge about the behavior of plastics under such alternating loads. This basic knowledge can help to derive measures that ensure the trouble-free use of paraffinic fuels in oil heating systems. This includes, for example, the adaptation of standards and the issuing of approval conditions for new tanks.

After 2.5 years, the project has been completed and the results are available in DGMK Research Report 838 "Compatibility of synthetic paraffinic liquid fuels with plastics in existing systems for domestic heating". The report is available free of charge from DGMK.

Research Centres

OWI Science for Fuels gGmbH affiliated Institute of the RWTH Aachen
Institute for Plastics Processing in Industry and the Skilled Crafts at RWTH Aachen University

The IGF project (21649 N) of the research association DGMK Deutsche Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft für nachhaltige Energieträger, Mobilität und Kohlenstoffkreisläufe e.V., Große Elbstraße 131, 2227 Hamburg, Germany, was funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection via the AiF. Große Elbstraße 131, 22767 Hamburg, was funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection via the AiF as part of the program for the promotion of joint industrial research (IGF) on the basis of a resolution of the German Bundestag.