U.S. patent application number 10/709861 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-08 for motor fuel additive composition.
This patent application is currently assigned to POLAR MOLECULAR CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Chapelet, Gilbert, Nelson, A. Richard, Nelson, Mark L., Nelson, Otis L. JR., Prakash, Chandra.
Application Number | 20050268531 10/709861 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35446126 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050268531 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nelson, Otis L. JR. ; et
al. |
December 8, 2005 |
MOTOR FUEL ADDITIVE COMPOSITION
Abstract
Disclosed is an alcohol containing motor fuel additive
composition which synergistically interacts with the alcohol
additive to reduce fuel intake system deposit formation and/or
combustion chamber deposit formation, thereby reducing engine ORI
and maintaining desired engine performance.
Inventors: |
Nelson, Otis L. JR.;
(Denver, CO) ; Nelson, Mark L.; (Denver, CO)
; Nelson, A. Richard; (Williamsburg, MI) ;
Prakash, Chandra; (Richmond Hills, CA) ; Chapelet,
Gilbert; (Lyon, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Bruce E. Harang
PO BOX 872735
VANCOUVER
WA
98687-2735
US
|
Assignee: |
POLAR MOLECULAR CORPORATION
4600 S. Ulster Street Suite 940
Denver
CO
|
Family ID: |
35446126 |
Appl. No.: |
10/709861 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
44/309 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C10L 1/14 20130101; C10L
1/221 20130101; C10L 1/1985 20130101; C10L 1/1852 20130101; C10L
1/2383 20130101; C10L 10/04 20130101; C10L 1/198 20130101; C10L
1/18 20130101; C10L 1/1824 20130101; C10L 1/2387 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
044/309 |
International
Class: |
C10L 001/18 |
Claims
1. An ethanol containing motor fuel additive composition which
reduces and modifies combustion chamber deposit formation for the
purpose of reducing engine octane requirement increase and allows
the use of lower levels of ethanol while retaining engine
performance comprising a mixture of: (a) a fuel conditioner
component comprising: (i) from about 2 to about 50 weight percent,
based upon the total weight of the fuel conditioner component, of a
polar oxygenated hydrocarbon having an average molecular weight in
the range of about 200 to about 500, an acid number in the range of
about 25 to about 175, and a saponification number in the range of
about 30 to about 250, and (ii) from about 2 to about 50 weight
percent, based upon the total of the fuel conditioner component, of
an oxygenated compatibilizing agent preferably having a solubility
parameter in the range of about 7.0 to about 14.0 and moderate to
strong hydrogen capacity; and (b) ethanol.
2. The ethanol containing motor fuel additive composition according
to claim 1, allowing the ethanol to be reduced to less than 10
volume percent while maintaining desired engine performance.
3. The ethanol containing motor fuel additive composition according
to claim 1, wherein said additive composition is added to the base
fuel in an amount of from about 100 ppm to about 1000 ppm.
4. The ethanol containing motor fuel additive composition according
to claim 1, wherein said additive composition is added to the base
fuel containing a detergent in an amount of from about 100 ppm to
about 500 ppm.
5. The ethanol containing motor fuel additive composition according
to claim 1, wherein said additive composition is added to the base
fuel simultaneously with any other additives.
6. The ethanol containing motor fuel additive composition according
to claim 1, wherein said additive composition is added to the base
fuel after any other additives has been added.
7. A ethanol containing motor fuel additive composition which
reduces and modifies both fuel intake system and combustion chamber
deposit formation for the purpose of reducing engine octane
requirement increase and allows the use of lower levels of alkyl
lead while retaining engine performance comprising a mixture of:
(a) from about 5 to about 50 weight percent, based upon the total
weight of components a and b, of a detergent component selected
from the group consisting of (i) a reaction product of: (A) a
substituted hydrocarbon of the formula R.sub.1--X (I) wherein
R.sub.1 is a hydrocarbyl radical having a molecular weight in the
range of about 150 to about 10,000, and X is selected from the
group consisting of halogens, succinic anhydride and succinic
dibasic acid, and (B) an amino compound of the formula
H--(NH-(A).sub.m).sub.n--Y--R.sub.2 (II) wherein Y is O or
NR.sub.5, R.sub.5 being H or a hydrocarbyl radical having 1-30
carbon atoms; A is a straight chain or branched chain alkylene
radical having 1-30 carbon atoms; A is straight-chain or a
branched-chain alkylene radical having 130 carbon atoms, m has a
value in the range of 1-15; n has a value in the range of 0-6; and
R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of H, a hydrocarbyl
radical having a molecular weight in the range of about 15 to about
10,000, and a homopolymeric or heteropolymeric polyoxyalkylene
radical of the formula R.sub.3-((Q).sub.a(T).sub.b(Z).sub.c).sub.d-
(III) wherein R.sub.3 is H or a hydrocarbyl radical having 1-30
carbon atoms, Q, T, and Z are polyoxyalkylene moieties having 1-6
carbon atoms, a, b and c each have values ranging from 0-30, and d
has a value in the range of 1-50, and (ii) a polybutylamine or
polyisobutylamine of the formula 7where R.sub.11 is a polybutyl or
polyisobutyl radical derived from isobutene and up to 20% by weight
of n-butene and R.sub.12 and R.sub.13 are identical or different
and are each hydrogen, an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon, a
primary or secondary, aromatic or aliphatic aminoalkylene radical
or polyaminoalkylene radical, a polyoxyalkylene radical or a
heteroaryl or heterocyclyl radical, or, together with the nitrogen
atom to which they are bonded, form a ring in which further hetero
atoms may be present; (b) a fuel conditioner component comprising:
(i) from about 2 to about 50 weight percent, based upon the total
weight of components a and b, of a polar oxygenated hydrocarbon
having an average molecular weight in the range of about 200 to
about 500, an acid number in the range of about 25 to about 175,
and a saponification number in the range of about 30 to about 250,
and (ii) from about 2 to about 50 weight percent, based upon the
total weight of components a and b, of an oxygenated
compatibilizing agent preferably having a solubility parameter in
the range of about 7.0 to about 14.0 and moderate to strong
hydrogencapacity; and (c)ethanol.
8. The ethanol containing motor fuel additive composition according
to claim 7, allowing the ethanol to be reduced to less than 10
volume percent while maintaining desired engine performance.
9. The ethanol containing motor fuel additive composition according
to claim 7, wherein said additive composition is added to the base
fuel in an amount of from about 100 ppm to about 1000 ppm.
10. The ethanol containing motor fuel additive composition
according to claim 7, wherein said additive composition is added to
the base fuel containing a detergent in an amount of from about 100
ppm to about 500 ppm.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to an alcohol motor fuel additive
composition for bulk fuel addition. More particularly, this
invention relates to a motor fuel additive composition comprising:
(a) a fuel conditioner component comprising (i) a polar oxygenated
hydrocarbon compound, and (ii) an oxygenated compatibilizing agent;
and (b) an alcohol for use in bulk production of motor fuels
containing alcohol allowing lower levels of alcohol while improving
performance and decreasing ORI.
[0003] Furthermore, this invention relates to a motor fuel additive
composition comprising: (a) a detergent component selected from the
group consisting of (i) a reaction product component which is the
reaction product of a substituted hydrocarbon and an amino
compound, and (ii) a succinic anhydride or succinic dibasic acid
and (iii) a polybutylamine or polyisobutylamine; and (b) a fuel
conditioner component comprising (i) a polar oxygenated hydrocarbon
compound, and (ii) an oxygenated compatibilizing agent; and (c) an
alcohol, for use in bulk production of motor fuels containing
alcohol allowing lower levels of alcohol while improving
performance and decreasing ORI.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In North America ethanol (C2H50H) or ethyl alcohol is
generally produced from agricultural feedstocks such as corn,
wheat, barley, and sugar cane. It can also be produced from
cellulose materials such as wood, wood waste, sawdust and forestry
waste, or it can be derived chemically from ethylene or ethane.
[0006] Ethanol can be used directly as an alternate transportation
fuel or as an Octane enhancing component in gasoline.
Ethanol/Gasoline blends up to a maximum of 10 percent by volume
ethanol in gasoline, also known as "Gasohol" or "E10" (10 denoting
10% ethanol and 90% gasoline), have been marketed in the United
States for the last two decades. Gasohol is used in existing
gasoline vehicles without making any changes to the engine or other
vehicle components, and without violating manufacturer's
warranties.
[0007] When ethanol is added to gasoline, it modifies the fuel
properties and affects the exhaust and evaporative emissions from
the vehicles. Some of the property changes also affect the vehicle
performance. The important property changes include increase in
vapor pressure and octane number of the blend compared to base
gasoline, enleanment of the air fuel ratio, and dilution effect on
the gasoline. On the volumetric basis ethanol contains only about
65% energy compared to gasoline which results in lowering the fuel
economy by approximately 2 to 3 percent.
[0008] Blending ethanol to gasoline increases the octane value,
(R+M)/2 by 2 to 3 numbers depending upon the amount of ethanol used
and composition of base gasoline. Although ethanol is less volatile
than gasoline, when mixed with gasoline it depicts higher vapor
pressure than the base gasoline, contributing to an increase in
evaporative hydrocarbon emissions. In some engines, the increased
volatility can cause vapor lock problems during hot weather
conditions. Ethanol offers an alternative to MTBE as a higher
octane, oxygenated blending component in gasoline. Finally, ethanol
derived from biomass is a renewable fuel and offers overall
reductions in greenhouse gas emissions based on the rational that
carbon dioxide produced from the combustion of fuel is recycled for
growing the biomass.
[0009] The ethanol/gasoline blend has a higher vapor pressure than
plain gasoline. In a typical blend of 10 volume percent ethanol,
the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) is about 1 psi higher. This can
result in a number of vapor related problems, which are accentuated
in hot weather and at higher altitudes. These problems include
vapor lock and fuel pump cavitation, both of which result in engine
stalling and difficulty in re-starting the engine until the fuel
system cools down.
[0010] Vehicles using ethanol/gasoline blends also experience
reduced fuel economy. Typically, a 10% blend of ethanol will result
in a 2 to 3 percent decrease in gas mileage.
[0011] With the gradual phase out of MTBE in the United States
ethanol is becoming the oxygenate of choice for blending in
gasoline.
[0012] In view of the foregoing, it would clearly be advantageous
to employ an additive in ethanol containing motor fuel compositions
which reduces deposits in engine fuel intake systems and also
avoids the formation of deposits in engine combustion chambers,
thereby reducing or at least modifying the composition of deposits
which tend to cause engine ORI.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0013] An ethanol containing motor fuel additive composition which
reduces and modifies combustion chamber deposit formation for the
purpose of reducing engine octane requirement increase and allows
the use of lower levels of ethanol while retaining engine
performance comprising a mixture of: (a) a fuel conditioner
component comprising: (i) from about 2 to about 50 weight percent,
based upon the total weight of the fuel conditioner component, of a
polar oxygenated hydrocarbon having an average molecular weight in
the range of about 200 to about 500, an acid number in the range of
about 25 to about 175, and a saponification number in the range of
about 30 to about 250, and (ii) from about 2 to about 50 weight
percent, based upon the total weight of the fuel conditioner
component, of an oxygenated compatibilizing agent preferably having
a solubility parameter in the range of about 7.0 to about 14.0 and
moderate to strong hydrogen .alpha.-pacity; and (b) ethanol.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is directed to an
ethanol containing motor fuel additive composition that reduces and
modifies both fuel intake system and combustion chamber deposit
formation for the purpose of reducing engine octane requirement
increase and allows the use of lower levels of ethanol while
retaining engine performance comprising a mixture of: (a) from
about 5 to about 50 weight percent, based upon the total weight of
components a and b, of a detergent component selected from the
group consisting of (i) a reaction product of: (A) a substituted
hydrocarbon of the formula
R.sub.1--X (I)
[0015] wherein R.sub.1 is a hydrocarbyl radical having a molecular
weight in the range of about 150 to about 10,000, and X is selected
from the group consisting of halogens, succinic anhydride and
succinic dibasic acid, and (B) an amino compound of the formula
H--(NH-(A).sub.m).sub.n--Y--R.sub.2 (II)
[0016] wherein Y is O or NR.sub.5, R.sub.5 being H or a hydrocarbyl
radical having 1-30 carbon atoms; A is a straight chain or branched
chain alkylene radical having 1-30 carbon atoms; m has a value in
the range of 1-15; n has a value in the range of 0-6; and R.sub.2
is selected from the group consisting of H, a hydrocarbyl radical
having a molecular weight in the range of about 15 to about 10,000,
and a homopolymeric or heteropolymeric polyoxyalkylene radical of
the formula
R.sub.3-((Q).sub.a(T).sub.b(Z).sub.c).sub.d- (III)
[0017] wherein R.sub.3 is H or a hydrocarbyl radical having 1-30
carbon atoms, Q, T, and Z are polyoxyalkylene moieties having 1-6
carbon atoms, a, b and c each have values ranging from 0-30, and d
has a value in the range of 1-50, and (ii) a polybutylamine or
polyisobutylamine of the formula 1
[0018] where R.sub.11 is a polybutyl or polyisobutyl radical
derived from isobutene and up to 20% by weight of n-butene and
R.sub.12 and R.sub.13 are identical or different and are each
hydrogen, an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon, a primary or
secondary, aromatic or aliphatic aminoalkylene radical or
polyaminoalkylene radical, a polyoxyalkylene radical or a
heteroaryl or heterocyclyl radical, or, together with the nitrogen
atom to which they are bonded, form a ring in which further hetero
atoms may be present; and (b) a fuel conditioner component
comprising: (i) from about 2 to about 50 weight percent, based upon
the total weight of components a and b, of a polar oxygenated
hydrocarbon having an average molecular weight in the range of
about 200 to about 500, an acid number in the range of about 25 to
about 175, and a saponification number in the range of about 30 to
about 250, and (ii) from about 2 to about 50 weight percent, based
upon the total weight of components a and b, of an oxygenated
compatibilizing agent preferably having a solubility parameter in
the range of about 7.0 to about 14.0 and moderate to strong
hydrogen capacity; and (c) ethanol.
[0019] The fuel conditioner component may additionally comprise a
hydrophilic separant such as a glycol monoether. The additive
composition may additionally comprise a carrier oil or
fluidizer.
[0020] This invention is also directed to an ethanol containing
motor fuel containing the present invention which may be added with
the ethanol and any other additives or added after the addition of
the ethanol and any other additives.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] This invention is in one aspect directed to an ethanol
containing motor fuel additive comprising: (a) a detergent
component which is selected from the group consisting of (i) the
reaction product of a substituted hydrocarbon and an amino
compound, (ii) a polybutylamine or polyisobutylamine; (b) a fuel
conditioner component comprising a polar oxygenated hydrocarbon
compound and an oxygenated compatibilizing agent; and (c)
ethanol.
[0022] Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an
ethanol containing motor fuel additive comprising (a) a fuel
conditioner component comprising a polar oxygenated hydrocarbon
compound and an oxygenated compatibilizing agent; and (b)
ethanol.
[0023] If the reaction product detergent component is employed, the
substituted hydrocarbon reactant used to prepare the reaction
product is of the formula
R.sub.1--X (I)
[0024] wherein R.sub.1 is a hydrocarbyl radical having a molecular
weight in the range of about 150 to about 10,000, preferably a
polyalkylene radical having a molecular weight in the range of
about 400 to about 5000, most preferably a polyalkylene radical
having a molecular weight in the range of about 600 to about 1500,
and X is selected from the group consisting of halogens, preferably
chlorine, succinic anhydride and succinic dibasic acid in one
preferred embodiment, R.sub.1--X is a polyisobutenyl succinic
anhydride. In another preferred embodiment, R.sub.1--X is a
chloropolyisobutylene, The amino compound reactant used to prepare
the reaction product is of the formula
H--(NH-(A).sub.m).sub.n--Y--R.sub.2 (II)
[0025] wherein Y is O or NR.sub.5, R.sub.5 being H or a hydrocarbyl
radical having 1-30 carbon atoms, preferably 1-22 carbon atoms; A
is a straight chain or branched chain alkylene radical having 1-30,
preferably 1-15 carbon atoms; m has a value in the range of 1-15,
preferably 1-12; n has a value in the range of 0-6, preferably 0-5;
and R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of H, a
hydrocarbyl radical having a molecular weight in the range of about
15 to about 10,000, preferably 15 to about 2000, and a
homopolymeric or heteropolymeric polyoxyalkylene radical of the
formula
R.sub.3-((Q).sub.a)(T).sub.b(Z).sub.c).sub.d- (III)
[0026] wherein R.sub.3 is H or a hydrocarbyl radical having 1-30,
preferably 1-22 carbon atoms, Q, T, and Z are polyoxyalkylene
moieties having 1-6 carbon atoms, a, b, and c each have values
ranging from 0-30, and d has a value in the range of 1-50,
preferably 1-25.
[0027] Various preferred embodiments of the amino compound reactant
of formula (II) are given in Table 1 below:
[0028] Table 1
[0029] 1. A=CH.sub.2, m=2, n=3, Y=NR.sub.5, R=H, R.sub.2=H, yields
an amino compound reactant of the formula:
NH.sub.2--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--NH-
.sub.2
[0030] 2. A=CH.sub.2, m=3, n=1, Y=NR.sub.5, R.sub.5=H,
R.sub.2=oleyl radical, yields an amino compound reactant of the
formula:
NH.sub.2--(CH.sub.2).sub.3--NH-oleyl
[0031] 3. A=CH.sub.2, m=6, n=1, Y=NR.sub.5, R.sub.5=H, R.sub.2=H,
yields an amino compound reactant of the formula:
NH.sub.2--(CH.sub.2).sub.6--NH.sub.2
[0032] 4. A=CH.sub.2, m=12, n=1, Y=NR.sub.5, R.sub.5=H, R.sub.2=H,
yields an amino compound reactant of the formula:
NH.sub.2--(CH.sub.2).sub.12--NH.sub.2
[0033] 5. 2
[0034] yields an amino compound reactant of the formula: 3
[0035] 6. 4
[0036] yields an amino compound reactant of the formula: 5
[0037] In another preferred embodiment, R.sub.2 is the
above-described homopolymeric or heteropolymeric polyoxyalkylene
radical of formula (III). As used in this description and in the
appended claims, the terms homopolymeric and heteropolymeric refer
to polyoxyalkylene compounds, which in the case of homopolymeric
compounds contain one recurring polyoxyalkylene moiety, and in the
case of heteropolymeric compounds contain more than one recurring
polyoxyalkylene moiety, typically having 1-6 carbon atoms, such as
ethylene oxide (EO), propylene oxide (PO) or butylene oxide (BO).
Thus, for example, in one embodiment R.sub.2 may be a homopolymeric
polyoxyalkylene radical of the formula
R.sub.3--((EO)).sub.d--
[0038] wherein in formula (III), a=I, b=0, c=0, Q=ethylene oxide,
and R.sub.3 and d are as previously defined. In another embodiment,
R.sub.2 may be a heteropolymeric polyoxyalkylene radical of the
formula
R.sub.3--((EO).sub.a(PO).sub.b(BO).sub.c).sub.d--
[0039] wherein, in formula III, Q=ethylene oxide, T=propylene
oxide, Z=butylene oxide, and a, b, c, d and R.sub.3 are as
previously described.
[0040] In yet another preferred embodiment, the above-described
amino compound reactant is selected from the group consisting of
polyethylene polyamines, polypropylene polyamines and mixtures
thereof. In yet another preferred embodiment, such polyamines are
monoalkylated.
[0041] The reaction product component is preferably prepared by
reacting the substituted hydrocarbon R.sub.1--X to the amino
compound in a mole ratio in the range of 0.2:1-20:1, more
preferably in the range of 0.5:1-10:1. The reaction product
component may be prepared under reaction conditions (including e.g.
reaction times, temperatures, and reagent proportions) as are well
known by those skilled in the art for preparing such amino
compound-substituted hydrocarbon reaction products. The method for
preparing such reaction products is described, for example, in U.S.
Pat. No. 3,172,892 (LeSeur et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 3,438,757 (Honnen
et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 3,443,918 (Kautsky et al.), all of which
are incorporated herein by reference.
[0042] The detergent compound may also be a polybutylamine or
polyisobutylamine of the formula (IV) 6
[0043] where R.sub.11 is a polybutyl- or polyisobutyl radical
derived from isobutene and up to 20% by weight of n-butene, and
R.sub.12 and R.sub.13 are identical or different and are each
hydrogen, an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon, a primary or
secondary, aromatic or aliphatic aminoalkylene radical or
polyaminoalkylene radical, a polyoxyalkylene radical or a
heteroaryl or heterocyclyl radical, or, together with the nitrogen
atom to which they are bonded, form a ring in which further hetero
atoms may be present.
[0044] Compounds of the general formula (IV) and the method of
preparation thereof are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.
4,832,702 (Kummer et al.), incorporated herein by reference.
Compounds of the general formula (IV) are preferably prepared in
accordance with the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,702,
wherein an appropriate polybutene or polyisobutene is
hydroformylated with a rhodium or cobalt catalyst in the presence
of CO and H2 at from about 80-200.degree. C. and CO/H2 pressures of
up to 600 bar, and the oxo product thereby formed is then subjected
to a Mannich reaction or amination under hydrogenating conditions,
wherein the amination reaction is advantageously carried out at
80-200.degree. C. and under pressures up to 600 bar, preferably
80-300 bar.
[0045] The fuel conditioner component employed in admixture with
the detergent component to produce the additive of this invention
may preferably be the fuel conditioner previously disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,753,661 (Nelson et al.), incorporated herein by
reference. This fuel conditioner comprises a polar oxygenated
hydrocarbon compound and an oxygenated compatibilizing agent.
[0046] The polar oxygenated hydrocarbon portion of the fuel
conditioner signifies various organic mixtures arising from the
controlled oxidation of petroleum liquids with air. Often these air
oxidations of liquid distillates are carried out at a temperature
of from about 100.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. with an
organo-metallic catalyst, such as esters of manganese, copper,
iron, cobalt, nickel or tin, or organic catalysts, such as tertiary
butyl peroxide. The result is a melange of polar oxygenated
compounds which may be divided into at least three categories:
volatile, saponifiable and nonsaponifiable.
[0047] The polar oxygenated compounds preferable for use in the
present invention may be characterized in a least three ways, by
molecular weight, acid number, and saponification number. It is to
be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the terms
"molecular weight" and "average molecular weight" are synonymous
and are herein used interchangeably. It is to be further
appreciated that there are several methods of determining the
average molecular weight of an organic material and that different
methods will produce different results for the same material.
Chemically these oxidation products are mixtures of acids, hydroxy
acids, lactones, eaters, ketones, alcohols, anhydrides, and other
oxygenated organic compounds. Those suitable for the present
invention are compounds and mixtures with an average molecular
weight between about 200 and about 500, with an acid number between
about 25 and about 175 (ASTM-D-974), and a saponification number
from about 30 to about 250 (ASTM-D-974-52). Preferably the polar
oxygenated compounds of the present invention have an acid number
from about 50 to about 100 and a saponification number from about
75 to about 200.
[0048] Suitable compatibilizing agents for use in the fuel
conditioner component of the instant invention are organic
compounds of moderate solubility parameter and moderate to strong
hydrogen-bonding capacity. Solubility parameters, .delta., based on
cohesive energy density are a fundamental descriptor of an organic
solvent giving a measure of its polarity. Simple aliphatic
molecules of low polarity have a low .delta. of about 7.3; highly
polar water has a high .delta. of 23.4. Solubility parameters,
however, are just a first approximation to the polarity of an
organic solvent. Also important to generalized polarity, and hence
solvent power, are dipole moment and hydrogen-bonding capacity.
Symmetrical carbon tetrachloride and some aromatics with low gross
dipole moment and poor hydrogen-bonding capacity have a solubility
parameter of about 8.5. In contrast, methyl propyl ketone has
almost the same solubility parameter, 8.7, but quite strong
hydrogen-bonding capacity and a definite dipole moment. Thus, no
one figure of merit alone describes the "polarity" of an organic
solvent.
[0049] For the practice of the present invention a compatibilizing
agent preferably having a solubility parameter from about 7.0 to
about 14.0 and moderate to strong hydrogen-bonding capacity.
Suitable classes of organic solvents are alcohols, ketones, esters,
and ethers.
[0050] The fuel conditioner component of this invention may
additionally include a hydrophilic separant which decreases the
amount of water in the hydrocarbon fuel, thus improving combustion.
Suitable separants for practicing the current invention are ethers
of glycols or polyglycols, especially monoethers. Monoethers are
preferred over diethers in the practice of the present
invention.
[0051] Examples of such compounds which may be used are the
monoethers of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, trimethylene
glycol, alphabutylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, beta-butylene glycol,
isobutylene glycol, tetramethylene glycol, hexylene glycol,
diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol,
triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,5-pentanediol,
2-methyl-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol. Some
monoethers include ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, ethylene
glycol monomethylether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene
glycol mono(n-butyl) ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether,
diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol mono(n-butyl)
ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol
monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monocyclohexylether, ethylene
glycol monobenzyl ether, triethylene glycol monophenethyl ether,
butylene glycol mono-(p-(n-butoxy) phenyl) ether, trimethylene
glycol mono(alkylphenyl) ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl
ether, ethylene glycol mono-isopropyl ether, ethylene glycol
monoisobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monohexyl ether, triethylene
glycol monobutyl ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether,
triethylene glycol monoethyl ether, 1-butoxyethoxy-2-propanol,
monophenyl ether of polypropylene glycol having an average
molecular weight of about 975 to 1075, and monophenyl ether of
polypropylene glycol wherein the polyglycol has a average molecular
weight of about 400 to 450, monophenyl ether of polypropylene
glycol wherein the polypropylene glycol has an average molecular
weight of about 975 to 1075. Such compounds are sold commercially
under trade names such as Butyl CELLOSOLVE, Ethyl CELLOSOLVE, Hexyl
CELLOSOLVE, Methyl CARBITOL, Butyl CARBITOL, DOWANOL Glycol ethers,
and the like.
[0052] The composition of this invention may additionally comprise
a suitable amount of a carrier oil or fluidizer selected from the
group consisting of petroleum-based oils, mineral oils,
polypropylene compounds having a molecular weight in the range of
about 500 to about 3000, polyisobutylene compounds having a
molecular weight in the range of about 500 to about 3000,
polyoxyalkylene compounds having a molecular weight in the range of
about 500 to about 3000, and polybutyl and polyisobutyl alcohols
containing polybutyl or polyisobutyl radicals derived from
polyisobutene and up to 20% by weight of n-butene, corresponding
carboxylates of the polybutyl or polyisobutyl alcohol, and mixtures
thereof. Petroleum based oils which may be employed include top
cylinder oils as well as both natural and synthetic naphthenic and
paraffinic base stock oils of relatively high viscosity, including
so-called Solvent Neutral Oils (SNO) such as SNO-500 and SNO-600.
Mineral oils which may be employed include so-called "light"
mineral oils, i.e. those petroleum, aliphatic or alicyclic
fractions having a viscosity less than about 10,000 SUS at
250.degree. C. A mixture of hydrocarbon fractions may also be
employed in place of a base stock. The above-described polybutyl
and polyisobutyl alcohols include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,859,210 (Franz et al.), incorporated herein by reference. As used
in this description and in the appended claims, the terms "carrier
oil" and "fluidizer" are interchangeable, as will be readily
understood by those skilled in the art.
[0053] Given the presence of the many constituents described above,
a wide variety of proportions are suitable for the additive
composition of this invention. Below a "Useful Range" and a
"Preferred Range" are given in weight percent, based upon the total
weight of the additive composition:
1TABLE 2 Component Useful Range Preferred Range Detergent Component
5-50 10-40 Polar Oxygenated Compound 2-50 10-40 Compatibilizing
Agent 2-50 5-25 Hydrophilic Separant 0-40 0-30 Carrier Oil 0-40
0-30 Ethanol balance of the additive package is ethanol
[0054] The additive composition of this invention may be employed
in a wide variety of hydrocarbon or modified hydrocarbon (e.g.
alcohol-containing) fuels for a variety of engines. Preferred motor
fuel compositions for use with the additive composition of this
invention are those intended for use in spark ignition internal
combustion engines. Such motor fuel compositions, comprise a fuel
component generally referred to as gasoline base stocks, preferably
comprise a mixture of hydrocarbons boiling in the gasoline boiling
range, preferably form about 90-450.degree. F. This base fuel may
consist of straight chains, branch chains, paraffins,
cycloparaffins, olefins, aromatic hydrocarbons, and mixtures
thereof. The base fuel may be derived from, among others, straight
run naphtha, polymer gasoline, natural gasoline, or from
catalytically cracked or thermally cracked hydrocarbons and
catalytically reformed stock. The composition and octane level of
the base fuel are not critical and any conventional leaded motor
base fuel may be employed in the practice of this invention. In
addition, the motor fuel composition may additionally comprise
other additives typically employed in motor fuels, such as
anti-icing additives, upper cylinder lubricating oils, carburetor
detergents, anti-corrosion additives, de-emulsifying agents, odor
suppressors, and the like.
[0055] Throughout the specification, examples and claims the
following definitions are used.
[0056] Combustion Chamber Deposits (CCD) means deposits formed in
the combustion chamber of an engine, due to the deposition of
carbonaceous deposits of unburned fuel components and deposits from
other additives present in the fuel.
[0057] Octane Requirement Increase (ORI) means the increase in
octane requirement that results from the build up of combustion
chamber deposits. ORI begins to build up as soon as a new engine is
started for the first time as CCDs begin to form in the combustion
chamber of the engine. ORI reaches equilibrium between 10,000 to
15,000 miles in the life of a new engine. The octane requirement
increase is typically 58 octane numbers by the time equilibrium is
reached.
[0058] Octane Number Required (ONR) means the octane level required
to provide knock-free operations in a given engine.
[0059] Octane Enhancer means components that are added to gasoline
to increase octane and to reduce engine knock, such as for example,
ethanol.
[0060] The present invention fuel conditioner contains only carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen and has been approved by the United States EPA
as substantially similar to gasoline, thus allowing for bulk
treatment of unleaded gasoline. The present invention, less the
alcohol content, is used in very low treatment rates ranging from
about 100 to 1000 parts per million (ppm). Testing has shown that
the present invention accelerates combustion, releasing the energy
earlier in the combustion process, which results in improved power,
more complete combustion, and cooler exhaust gas temperatures. In
addition the present invention has been shown to reduce ORI and ONR
by from about 50% to about 80% equivalent to about 2 to 5 octane
numbers in gasoline engines. The results are improved vehicle
performance, reduced ONR, improved fuel economy, cleaner combustion
chambers with lower maintenance costs, as well as lower CO and HC
emissions.
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