Investigation of water absorption during the storage and effects of triethylamine (TEA) n-hexanol in reducing phase separation of E5 and E10 biofuels

Abstract

In this study, water absorption of E5 and E10 were investigated under Ho Chi Minh City’s weather conditions. The effects of triethylamine (TEA) and n-hexanol on E5 and E10 phase separation were also reported. Data from this study implied that E5 and E10 biofuels were effectively stable for 90 days under Vietnam standard biofuels storage condition with no phase separation observed. The presence of TEA in these two biofuels showed the reduction of water absorption capacity of E5 and E10 during storage. Specifically, 0,15% (v/v) of TEA in E5 and E10 resulted approximately 50% reduction of water absorption capacity compared to E5 and E10 without TEA additives. Addition of 0,15% (v/v) of TEA and 1,5% (v/v) of n-hexanol in E10 resulted a higher water content of 11% for phase separation to occur, which was relatively higher than the current E10 under the same condition. Data conducted in this study suggested a positive and synergetic effect of TEA and n-hexanol on the stability of E5 and E10 under standard storage condition. This study proposed potential additives that could be used for improving Vietnam's biofuels standard.