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Use of biofuels

IFP Energies nouvelles, a pioneer in the field of biofuels, is developing new processes that will make colza, wheat, and farm and forest residues the petroleum of tomorrow. IFPEN has in particular imposed itself as a major player in studies of the optimal conditions of use of biofuels in engines. This work is being done in collaboration with government authorities, the oil and automobile industries, equipment suppliers, and representatives of all of the various relevant agricultural sectors.

IFP Energies nouvelles is a leader in production processes for:

biodiesel,
ethanol from wood or straw,
synthetic biodiesel.

Solutions for our customers

IFPEN makes its knowledge and know-how in field of biofuels available to its customers.

Flexible Fuel Vehicle on chassis dynamometer

Incorporation of ethanol

Our teams are investigating the impact of incorporating ethanol in gasolines (up to 5 to 10%) on the emissions of Euro III and Euro IV vehicles, in the exhaust and by evaporation.

This work is being done in partnership with the ADEME (Agence de l'Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l'Énergie), Unigrain, and PSA Peugeot Citroën.

Assessment of the ethanol approach

IFPEN can carry out assessments of the ethanol approach (emissions, fuel consumption, CO2, compatibility) on flexible or dedicated vehicles. These assessments concern cases where ethanol is used:

in mixtures (up to 5 or 10%),
as a pure product (from 85 to 100%).

Engine compatibility

IFP Energies nouvelles is examining the compatibility:

of Euro IV type bus engines with diesel fuels containing 5, 10, and 30% vegetable oil methyl esters (VOME). This work is done in partnership with Total, Irisbus, Renault Trucks, and Sofiproteol,
of modern car and truck diesel engines with ethyl esters of colza.

Material Compatibility

Characterization of plastic and composite materials and their behavior, particularly with a view to developing components (pipes, fuel tanks, seals) adapted to thes new fuels.

Example of IFPEN joint work in this field: the Carboperl system developed in partnership with max perlès

The CARBOPERL system, which was developed to protect the interior of steel or concrete tanks or pipes in contact with motor fuels and bio-fuels, i.e. (bio)-gasoline and (bio)-diesel, was the subject of further joint work with IFPEN with a view to validating this system for current and future aviation fuels: jet fuel and bio-jet fuel.

IFPEN performed all the tests on the coating and the stored fuels. The study demonstrated that Carboperl resin is fully compatible with the coatings of structures for the storage or transport of both current and future fuels.

Max Perlès presentation (video - 4min) - in French

Prestandardization of VOEE and VOME

IFPEN's teams are doing work that will allow the prestandardization:

of VOEE,
of B10 mixtures containing up to 10% VOME in gas oil.

Raw vegetable oils

IFPEN is evaluating the impact of using raw vegetable oils in engines. This work is being done jointly with the ADEME and Sofiprotéol.

Industrial consortiums

IFPEN's consortiums are open to all partners interested in biofuels: auto makers, equipment suppliers, oil companies, and refineries. These international partnerships help ensure that IFPEN's research programs develop biofuel formulations suitable for current and future engines.

In April 2007, IFPEN launched a consortium baptized E4D (Ethanol For Diesel). Its purpose is to study the feasibility and the potential of using ethanol for the formulation of diesel fuels. For the period 2007-2009 the consortium is made up of industrial players from various countries (O2Diesel, Petrobras, Renault, Total and Volvo Powertrain). Additional partners may join at any time.

>> Further information:

E4D - Ethanol for diesel - IFP Energies nouvelles International Consortium Study (2007-2009) (

PDF - 75 Ko

)