Gasoline compression ignition (GCI) is one of Saudi Aramco flagship program. It utilizes gasoline-like fuels in low temperature compression ignition (CI) engines. As a result, thermal efficiency is increased comparing to conventional spark ignition (SI) engine, while NOx and soot tailpipe emissions are reduced comparing to diesel engine. However, this combustion strategy requires gasoline fuel with moderate ignition delay for cold start and high load demand conditions. This work proposes an approach to control the ignition characteristics of gasoline to widen GCI engine operation conditions. Selective aerobic oxidation of gasoline using N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) catalyst has been suggested as an effective method to produce high cetane components like hydroperoxide.<br/>NHPI catalyzed oxidation reactions of toluene and gasoline were studied at different reaction conditions using autoclave batch reactor. The produced hydroperoxide concentration was quantified by titration using triphenylphosphine (Ph3P) followed by Gas Chromatography (GC) analysis. In addition, ignition quality tester (IQT) was used to estimate the derived cetane number (DCN) of the oxygenated product fuel. Gasoline cetane number was enhanced by 9 digit at 110 <sup>o</sup>C, 10 bar of air, and 3 hours. Selective aerobic oxidation of gasoline using NHPI catalyst is found to be a promising technology to control the ignition characteristics of fuel and hence enables GCI engine concept.

Selective aerobic oxidation of hydrocarbon using NHPI catalyst for cetane number enhancement

ACS Fall 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.