Retail diesel emulsion may become common in Italy

Diesel Fuel News, Feb 3, 2003 by Jack Peckham

Some diesel-water emulsions aren't stable enough to allow fleet users to switch regularly between emulsion and non-emulsion fuels.

But others don't have this problem. Example: Italy-based Cam Tecnologie (CamTec) says it doesn't have stability issues with its "Gecam" emulsion - usually a 12-15% water blend for heavy-duty customers. Some of CamTec's diesel tour-bus customers, for example, refuel with conventional diesel when travelling outside of Italy, although they regularly use the emulsion while in Italy.

Taking this concept one step further, CamTec has now signed a deal with Agip (ENI) aiming to commercialize a new emulsion formula through retail stations - for any light-duty diesel vehicle, starting as early as end-2003.

A new fuel-specification norm (CUNA, similar to ASTM) and a specific tax incentive enabling the new retail emulsion fuel are in the works, explains CamTec official Alberto De Amicis.

Current tax incentive for emulsion fuel in Italy is about 25-35% below the standard diesel fuel tax rate, depending upon several factors.

The retail, light-duty emulsion formula will have lower water content (to minimize power loss) and a higher additive rate (further improving stability) than the heavy-duty emulsion. As a result, this light-duty version's primary environmental benefit will be reduced particulate matter (PM) emission.

Both the fuel-spec and tax incentive changes "are expected to be in place by the end of this year so as to start the distribution" of the new retail emulsion fuel, De Amicis told us.

Vehicle endurance tests with the new fuel have started, under the supervision of giant automaker, Fiat.

Meantime, more heavy-duty fleets continue to convert to CamTec's diesel-water emulsion. The city of Rome just decided to begin trials with CamTec's "Gecam" emulsion on some 100 buses and 150 garbage collection vehicles. "Gecam" is already used by more than 8,000 heavy vehicles "mainly in northern Italy," he said.

The company also cites emerging emulsion market developments in China, Czech Republic and France, as well as Italy.