Research

SFA International Technical Article Library

New Technical Articles Hyperlinked Below

This is a partial repository of technical papers and related articles written by SFA professionals, principals, friends and associates of SFA. This library also contains guest articles submitted or contributed by fellow scientists and engineers or experts in the field of fuel additives and combustion improvers for combustion turbines, Diesel fuel, and boiler and process heater fuel applications.

Petroleum Fuel Treatment Articles

“The Role of Fuel Borne Metallic Catalysts in the Reduction of Thermal and Prompt NOₓ in Exhausts of Natural Gas Fuel Engines“,W. R. May and J. M. Lang.  A presentation of data for NO_x reduction in spark-ignited reciprocating engines operating on natural gas fuel.  A reduction of 75% and higher NO_x was observed at oxygen levels where stable high power operation was not possible.  Use of FuelSpec^®combustion catalyst allowed operation of the engine at full power.  A mechanism for catalyst action based on atomic spectra analysis and the thermodynamics of NO_x formation and equilibrium are presented.

“Nitrogen Oxide Suppression with Combustion Catalysts“ by W. R. May.  New data reveal a significant reduction of NO_x in engine exhausts with use of SFA’s iron – magnesium combustion catalysts.  Reductions are in the 30% to 70% range.  This is a very significant discovery in relation to new regulations on emission of nitrogen oxides worldwide.  More tests are underway and this paper will be updated as those data become available.

“Effects of High Molecular Weight Condensed Molecules on Catalyzed Combustion Reaction Rates.” This article discusses the comparison between combustion of condensed aromatic hydrocarbons in asphaltenes with similar molecules found in coal.

“Hydrocarbon Fuel Combustion: Effects of Sulfur on Reaction Rates“, W. R. May.  Presented to the American Chemical Society, Division of Fuel Chemistry, Philadelphia, PA, Poster Presentation, August 18, 2008.  Oral Presentation, August 21, 2008. This article presents new findings correlating catalyst activity with sulfur levels of fuels.  Sulfur content is an indication of complex molecular structures that are more difficult to react in the combustion process. A mechanism for catalyst function based on free radical formation is presented.

“Properties of Oil-Soluble Magnesium Compounds Used in Gas Turbine Fuel Additives“, W. R. May and R. W. Henk, 1997.

“Particulate Emission Reduction Using (Fuel) Additives”, B. Rising, Library of Westinghouse Power Generation, Technical Paper TP-98010, January 9, 1998

“Catalyst for Improving the Combustion Efficiency of Diesel Fuels”, Walter R. May and Ramu Ramdas, 9th Annual India Oil & Gas Review Symposium, Bombay, India, September 9-10, 2002.

“Catalyst for Improving the Combustion Efficiency of Petroleum Fuels“, W. R. May, 2003 Technical Exchange Meeting, Aramco Engineering Services, Research and Development Center, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, April 28-30, 2003.

“Catalyst for Improving the Combustion Efficiency of Petroleum Fuels in Diesel Engines“, W. R. May and E. A. Hirs, 11th Diesel Engine Emissions Reduction Conference, Chicago, IL, August 21-25, 2005.

Reference Works

“Fuel Contaminants and Treatment in Gas Turbine Fuels”, W. R. May and J. F. Scott, Sawyer’s Turbomachinery Maintenance Handbook, Vol. III, Chapter 7, 1980.

“Operation of Gas Turbines on Contaminated Fuels”, W. R. May, Sawyer’s Gas Turbine Engineering Handbook, Vol. III, Chapter 5, 1985.

All technical information and research reports are copyright of SFA International.
Used with permission.