Engine Test

Avantium is developing a next generation biofuel, focusing on furanics. In order to determine the application of Avantium furanics as a biofuel, we have established certain relevant fuel properties of our furanics.
Analytical tests have demonstrated that the Cetane number - a measure of the ignition quality of a diesel fuel - increased when conventional diesel was blended with our furanics, and that our furanics did not decrease the oxidation stability of diesel, which means our furanics do not increase the ageing effect of diesel. These tests were carried out by Intertek in France.

We successfully conducted an engine test that demonstrated the viability of our furanics biofuel in a diesel engine. The test was conducted at an independent test center of Intertek in Geleen, the Netherlands. Using a Citroën Berlingo with a regular diesel engine, Avantium tested a wide range of blends of Furanics with regular diesel. The test yielded positive results for all blends tested. The engine ran smoothly for several hours. Exhaust analysis uncovered a significant reduction of soot (fine particulates). On top of this, furanics do not contain any sulphur, a significant environmental benefit compared to oil-based fuels, nor do they clog in the fuel tank under cold weather conditions which conventional biodiesel does.

In 2009, we plan to carry out several engine tests. These test, in collaboration with a truck manufacturer, will have a longer duration and will consume more fuel to study engine performance and long term effects.