Homogenizing Effect of Ethers Added to Immiscible Methanol/Oil Binary Mixtures

Abstract

Immiscible binary liquid mixtures consisting of methanol and diesel fuel, soybean oil, or rapeseed oil were homogenized by addition of methyl t-butyl ether, ethyl t-butyl ether, t-amyl methyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran, or 1, 4-dioxane. Liquid-liquid solubility curves for the ternary systems of ether, methanol, and oil were obtained at 298.15K. The ignition behaviors were further observed for ether/alcohol/diesel fuel mixtures. Tetrahydrofuran mixtures had the best characteristics for use as alternative fuels in diesel engines.