Authors: FARAGUNA FABIO, ROKO BLAZIC, MIA GOTOVUSA, IVAN PUCKO
Company/Institution: Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology
Country: Croatia
e-mail: ffaragun@fkit.unizg.hr; rblazic@fkit.hr; mgotovusa@fkit.hr; ipucko@fkit.hr
web: https://www.fkit.unizg.hr/
The cold-flow properties of diesel fuel, specifically its pour point and filterability, restricts its use during colder seasons and in regions with cooler climates. To mitigate this issue, polymer additives are commonly used to reduce the temperature at which diesel fuel remains functional. Typically, synthetic polymers are employed for this purpose. This study explores the replacement of synthetic polymers with environmentally friendly alternatives by first synthesizing allyl esters of fatty acids derived from bio-based sources like vegetable oils. These allyl esters were then polymerized to synthesise a bioadditive. The effect of this bioadditive on the cold-flow properties of diesel fuel was evaluated using the ASTM D5950. The introduction of the bioadditive to the diesel fuel successfully reduced its pour point by 27 °C. Additionally, the bioadditive did not adversely affect other crucial properties such as density and viscosity.