2004, Ottawa, Canada August 1 - 4, 2004 · 2004 · 15 citations · 0 references
EngineeringChemical EngineeringCombustionHeat TransferHeatingCombustion FundamentalsCombustion ProcessesFuel CharacteristicsFuel ChemistryCarbon Cycle ResponsesFuel Heating ValueFurnace DesignNitric OxideNitric Oxide FormationOil Combustion Sulfur OxidesViscosity
Soybean heating oil (SHO) has great potential to become a renewable component inresidential heating applications. Research at Purdue University has demonstrated SHO20, 20%degummed soybean oil and 80% petroleum fuel, to be comparable to #2 petroleum fuel oil. Thekinematic viscosity of SHO20, 3.46 cSt at 100F (37.8C), was within the ASTM requirement forpetroleum fuel oil. The net heating value of SHO20 was only 1-3% lower than pure petroleum fuel oilon a volume basis. Laboratory combustion tests showed all blends tested produced less then 15ppm SO2. Nitric oxide emissions at optimal furnace settings were similar for fuel oil and SHO20 withvalues between 68 ppm and 130 ppm.<br><br>Benefits of SHO include reduced dependence on foreign oil and a new market for the soybeanprocessing industry. Replacing just one quarter of the northeastern United States residential fuel oilconsumption with a 20% soybean heating oil blend would utilize nearly 5.7 million acres of soybeans.This mixture also reduces the amount of carbon introduced into the carbon cycle.