Engine fuel characterisation based on excitation-emission spectra

Considering that correctly functioning of diesel ship engine depends on the composition of applied fuel, it is necessary to easy characterise fuels in terms of quality. Therefore taking into account above mentioned, appropriate analyses have been undertaken and the intention of this article is to inform that characterisation of fuel used in marine transport can be described by the specific parameter based on fluorescence excitation-emission spectroscopy. Therefore, for this study fuel typically used in ship engine – Diesel fuel – is considered. For analysis, Diesel fuel dissolved in n-hexane was used and several oil samples for various oil concentration were prepared. Spectrofluorometer Aqualog Horiba was used to record the excitation-emission spectra (EEMs). EEM spectra determined for each of oil concentration were described by two specific peaks for this kind of oil. Based on registered EEMs, the specific indicator - the wavelength-independent fluorescence maximum – coded in two specific wavelengths – excitation and emission, respectively, described as Exmax/Emmax was determined for considered oil concentration. Obtained results indicate the independence from oil concentration only for one detected peak described by Exmax/Emmax = 240/332. Taking into account obtained results, we can conclude that the wavelength-independent fluorescence maximum detected for excitation wavelength at 240 nm corresponds to the emission wavelength at 332 nm due to the independence from the oil concentration, could be a good indicator to characterise this kind of oil – Diesel fuel. We can conclude that the changes in the composition of fuel could be detected in EEM spectra by the change of detected peaks position.