Due to the shortage of petroleum reserves and the consequences of the usage of fossil fuels, subsitutes to conventional fuels are being developed worldwide. Alternative fuels such as biodiesel and synthetic products have the potential to significantly reduce the GHG emissions of technical processes. There is a large number of production processes for alternative fuels and hence an equally large variance of those. If the potential of alternative raw materials is to be fully exploited, the properties and interactions of the fuels in potentially emerging multi-component blends must be investigated.
In the project, standardized fuel testing methods were modified for the investigation of new fuels. Furthermore, the long-term storage behaviour of multi-component fuels has been monitored. Thus, it was possible to characterize the influences of individual fuels on the property changes of the complex fuel matrix during storage and fuel ageing. Additionally, a long-term storage stability model of complex fuels with high paraffin content was developed. A detailed analytical method was developed for the molecular identification of aging processes and products. In particular, the ageing products of FAME formed under oxygenation could be comprehensively determined. Contrary to previous findings in other research projects, the incorporation mechanism does not only occur at the (bis-)allylic position, but also in the head part of the esters, which is between the ester group and the incorporated double bonds.
Although the sample matrix considered in the project was very extensive, the results could not be statistically validated. Also, the structural elucidation of the fuels and aging products is still in its initial stages. An examination of the influence of additives has so far only taken place in rudimentary form. The solution of these problems requires further research.