Advanced Process for the Highly Efficient Conversion of FT Synthetic Crude Oil to FT Gasoline and Diesel for Automotive Use

Kenichi Okamoto･Noriaki Ohmori･Hiroshi Kisai･Akio Imai･Kazuyuki Morita･Mitsunori Tabata (Japan Petroleum and Carbon Neutral Fuels Energy Center)･Natsuki Hamada･Kazuhito Sato (Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd.)

The wax fraction of synthetic crude oil obtained using FT catalysts was post-processed, and the energy consumption and octane number of the resulting gasoline were evaluated. Additionally, the quality characteristics of synthetic crude oil produced using a hybrid catalyst, combining FT catalysts with a bifunctional catalyst for wax cracking, were analyzed. The potential for efficiently converting the synthetic crude oil into high-quality automotive gasoline and diesel was also investigated.

Investigation of Engine Combustion Characteristics of Fischer–Tropsch-Derived Gasoline

Kohei Kuzuoka･Mitsuharu Oguma (AIST)･Kenichi Okamoto (Japan Petroleum and Carbon Neutral Fuels Energy Center)

Gasoline engines require fuels with high knock resistance, typically indicated by a high octane number. However, fuels derived from Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis often exhibit low octane numbers, which limits their direct applicability. In this study, the sensitivity of engine performance to changes in octane number was quantified, and the combustion characteristics of an engine fueled with post-processed synthetic fuel were evaluated.

Optimization of Diesel Injection Parameters for the Compatibility of Oxymethylene Dimethyl Ether (OME)

Shusuke Tanaka･Kaito Konno･Jiang Zijian･Hiroya Yamamoto･Masatoshi Tasima (Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University)･Gen Shibata･Hideyuki Ogawa (Hokkaido University)

Oxymethylene dimethyl ether (OME) is effective in reducing smoke and shortening afterburn; however, its low calorific value necessitates optimization of the fuel injection system. In this study, injection parameters—namely injection pressure, nozzle hole diameter, and the number of holes—were varied to evaluate their effects on engine performance using OME blended fuel. Combustion images were also analyzed using a rapid compression and expansion machine to investigate spray and flame development, aiming to identify suitable injection conditions for stable and efficient combustion.

Effect of Distillation Characteristics of Synthetic Liquid Fuels on Diesel Spray Combustion

Hiroya Yamamoto･Masatoshi Tashima･Shusuke Tanaka･Kaito Konno (Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University)･Gen Shibata･Hideyuki Ogawa (Research Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University)

In diesel spray combustion, fuel volatility and ignitability influence both the lift-off length and liquid-phase penetration. In this study, Fischer–Tropsch (FT) diesel was fractionated into four components ranging from light to heavy fractions. Using a Rapid Compression and Expansion Machine (RCEM), spray behavior was visualized and the lift-off length at ignition was measured. The effects of distillation　characteristics on spray formation and combustion were then analyzed to clarify how volatility influences the combustion process of synthetic diesel fuels.