American scientists from Baylor University in Texas have developed a method to burn biofuel from methanol and glycerol with almost zero emissions. New technology enables ultra-clean burning of viscous fuel. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Fuel.
Conventional injectors have difficulty burning glycerin, a common by-product of biodiesel production, due to its high viscosity despite having adequate energy density.
The team used a new injector design called Swirl Burst (SB). It significantly reduces emissions of pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by converting glycerin into a fine spray.
The research team tested three different fuel mixtures: 50/50, 60/40 and 70/30 glycerol/methanol ratios.
All mixtures achieved over 90% combustion efficiency, including complete combustion using a 50/50 mixture with almost zero CO and Nox emissions.
According to experts, SB injectors can reduce the environmental impact of the biodiesel industry and increase the economic efficiency of the industry.
Previous scientists offered Planes are fueled with recycled waste from breweries and dairies.