High pressure physicochemical properties of 2-methylfuran and 2,5-dimethylfuran - second generation biofuels

The two compounds of the furan family such as 2-methylfuran (MF) and 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) are studied. These furan heterocycles can be obtained from cellulosic biomass and are indicated as a potential bioethanol or petroleum-based fuels substitute. Optimization of the injection process requires knowledge of densities and compressibilities of fuel as well as effect of temperature and pressure on this properties. For this reason the speeds of sound in MF and DMF were measured at temperatures from 293 K to 318 K and pressures from 0.1 MPa to 101 MPa. The densities were measured for MF and DMF under atmospheric pressure in the temperature range from 273 K to 333 K and 273 K to 363 K, respectively. The isobaric heat capacities were measured at atmospheric pressure for temperatures from 293 K to 323 K. The densities, isobaric heat capacities, isentropic compressibilities, isothermal compressibilities, and isobaric thermal expansions for temperatures from 293.15 K to 318.15 K and for pressures up to 100 MPa were calculated using acoustic method. In this work effect of temperature and pressure on density, isentropic compressibility, and isobaric thermal expansion of MF and DMF have been discussed. This paper also examined density, isentropic compressibility, and isobaric thermal expansion of MF and DMF compared to isooctane, ethanol, ekodiesel ultra, and biodiesel. The results obtained show that differences between densities and isentropic compressibilities of MF and DMF can be compensated by temperature and/or pressure. Comparison of thermophysical properties of MF and DMF with fuels and biofuels shows that MF and DMF can be considered as a fuel additive. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.