Сavitation treatment of mixtures of linear alkanes with hydrogen peroxide and auxiliary agents as a method for increasing the octane number of motor fuels
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33216/1998-7927-2025-295-9-100-109Keywords:
cavitation, octane number, hydrogen peroxide, radical chemistry, isomerisation, motor fuelsAbstract
The paper presents the results of a study on the use of cavitation treatment of mixtures of linear alkanes with hydrogen peroxide and alcohol co-agents to increase the octane number of motor fuels. Cavitation, accompanied by the formation and collapse of vapour bubbles in a liquid, creates localised zones with extreme temperatures (10³–10⁵ K) and pressures (up to 100 MPa), in which radical reactions, isomerisation, cracking and the formation of oxygen-containing compounds occur. The introduction of H₂O₂ into the system leads to the formation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH), which are capable of initiating the activation of inert alkanes and promoting their structural transformations. Alcohols, in particular bioethanol and isopropanol, act as both high-octane components and modifiers of radical processes, increasing the selectivity of the formation of desired products. Experimental data show that cavitation treatment with hydrogen peroxide H₂O₂ provides an octane number increase of 1.3–3.5 RON, with isopropanol provides an octane number increase of 0.3–0.9 RON, and with bioethanol — up to 2.6 RON, with optimal alcohol concentrations of 1.0%, 3.5% and 6.5% by volume.
The combination of cavitation with additives reduces alcohol consumption by 14–17% for A-95 and A-98 fuel grades compared to mechanical mixing. The industrial prospects for implementation have been analysed, in particular the advantages of hydrodynamic cavitation in terms of cost and energy efficiency, as well as the existing limitations — the need to optimise process parameters, control the formation of by-products, prevent equipment erosion and refine isomerisation mechanisms. Areas for further research are proposed, including detailed parameter mapping, assessment of long-term fuel stability, and scaling of the process to an industrial level. The results confirm the technical and economic feasibility of the technology as an alternative or supplement to traditional methods of increasing the octane number.
References
1. Buyevich, Y., et al. Current State of Research on the Mechanism of Cavitation Effects in the Treatment of Liquid Petroleum Products—Review and Proposals for Further Research. Fluids 2020. 5(2), 73 https://doi.org/10.3390/fluids5020073.
2. Suslick, K.S., Sonochemistry. Science 1990. 247(4949), 1439–1445. https://doi.org/10.1126/ science.247.4949.1439.
3. Rajoriya, S., et al., Industrial applications of hydrodynamic cavitation: A review. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 2016. 36, 345–365. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.ultsonch.2016.01.005.
4. Shibata, Y., et al. On-Demand Octane Number Enhancement Technology by Aerobic Oxidation. SAE Technical Paper 2016. 2016-01-2167. https://doi.org/10.4271/2016-01-2167.
5. Thanapimmetha, A., et al., Biodiesel production from waste cooking oil using hydrodynamic cavitation: Effects of operating parameters and process intensification. Renewable Energy 2019. 133, 26–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.renene.2018.09.040.
6. Patil, P.N., et al. Intensification of esterification of waste cooking oil using a hydrodynamic cavitation reactor. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 2014. 21(2), 590–595. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2013.07.014.
7. Tselishchev, A. Research of change in fraction composition of vehicle gasoline in the modification of its biodethanol in the cavitation field / Loriya, M., Boychenko, S., Kudryavtsev, S., Laneckij, V. // EUREKA, Physics and Engineering 2020(5), с. 12-20
