U.S. patent application number 14/314645 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-16 for mesitylene as an octane enhancer for automotive gasoline, additive for jet fuel, and method of enhancing motor fuel octane and lowering jet fuel carbon emissions.
The applicant listed for this patent is Swift Fuels, LLC. Invention is credited to Donald L. Bower, Philip J. Catania, Edward Johnson, Kenneth Kasper, John J. Rusek, Jonathon D. Ziulkowski.
Application Number | 20140305032 14/314645 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43759302 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140305032 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bower; Donald L. ; et
al. |
October 16, 2014 |
MESITYLENE AS AN OCTANE ENHANCER FOR AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE, ADDITIVE
FOR JET FUEL, AND METHOD OF ENHANCING MOTOR FUEL OCTANE AND
LOWERING JET FUEL CARBON EMISSIONS
Abstract
A motor fuel providing higher gas mileage comprising gasoline
produced from petroleum and from about 1 to 30 wt % of mesitylene.
This fuel can advantageously contain conventional additives used in
gasoline. The use of mesitylene in gasoline blend yields a fuel
blend with a higher research octane number and motor octane number.
In addition, an improved jet fuel is provided, having from 1-10 wt
% biomass-derived mesitylene added thereto, having improved carbon
emission characteristics while maintaining required specifications.
Further, an improved bio-fuel is provided, which may function as a
replacement for conventional Jet A/JP-8 fuel and has lowered carbon
emission specifications, the bio-fuel comprised of 75-90 wt %
synthetic parafinnic kerosene (SPK) and 10-25 wt % mesitylene.
Inventors: |
Bower; Donald L.; (West
Lafayette, IN) ; Catania; Philip J.; (West Lafayette,
IN) ; Johnson; Edward; (West Lafayette, IN) ;
Kasper; Kenneth; (West Lafayette, IN) ; Rusek; John
J.; (West Lafayette, IN) ; Ziulkowski; Jonathon
D.; (West Lafayette, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Swift Fuels, LLC |
West Lafayette |
IN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
43759302 |
Appl. No.: |
14/314645 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12885693 |
Sep 20, 2010 |
|
|
|
14314645 |
|
|
|
|
61243699 |
Sep 18, 2009 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
44/447 ;
585/14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C10G 2300/301 20130101;
Y02P 30/20 20151101; C10L 2200/0423 20130101; C10L 1/231 20130101;
Y02T 50/678 20130101; C10L 1/1881 20130101; C10L 2230/22 20130101;
Y02E 50/10 20130101; C10L 1/026 20130101; Y02E 50/13 20130101; C10L
2200/0469 20130101; C10G 2300/305 20130101; C10L 10/10 20130101;
C10L 1/04 20130101; C10L 1/06 20130101; C10L 1/1608 20130101; C10L
2200/024 20130101; C10L 2270/023 20130101; C10L 1/10 20130101; C10L
1/1258 20130101; C10L 1/14 20130101; C10L 2200/043 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
44/447 ;
585/14 |
International
Class: |
C10L 1/16 20060101
C10L001/16; C10L 1/04 20060101 C10L001/04 |
Claims
1. A motor fuel comprising: gasoline and between 15 and 30 wt %
mesitylene.
2. The motor fuel of claim 1 and which further meets the
requirements of ASTM D4814.
3. The motor fuel of claim 1 and which is free of lead.
4. The motor fuel of claim 1 wherein the gasoline comprises one or
more additives selected from the group consisting of combustion
catalysts, burn rate modifiers, stabilizers, demulsifiers,
dispersants, corrosion inhibitors, catalysts, detergents, ethers,
antioxidants, anti-knock agents, lead scavengers, fuel dyes, and
mixtures thereof.
5. The motor fuel of claim 1 consisting essentially of gasoline and
mesitylene.
6. The motor fuel of claim 5 and which further meets the
requirements of ASTM D4814.
7. The motor fuel of claim 1 consisting of gasoline and
mesitylene.
8. The motor fuel of claim 7 and which further meets the
requirements of ASTM D4814.
9. A jet fuel comprising: 75 to 84 wt % jet fuel and 16 to 25 wt %
mesitylene.
10. The jet fuel of claim 9 consisting essentially of jet fuel and
mesitylene.
11. The jet fuel of claim 9, comprising: 80 to 84 wt % jet fuel and
16 to 20 wt % mesitylene.
12. The jet fuel of claim 11 consisting essentially of jet fuel and
mesitylene.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a Continuation of and claims
priority to pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/885,693, filed
Sep. 20, 2010, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/243,699, filed Sep. 18, 2009, the contents
of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates in general to fuels and fuel
additives and, more particularly, to automotive gasoline and jet
fuel, and additives for enhancing the octane number of automotive
gasoline and lowering carbon emissions of jet fuel. In one aspect,
the present invention is concerned with a fuel additive for
automotive fuel for enhancing the research octane number, and in
another aspect to a fuel additive for enhancing the motor octane
number. Another aspect of the present invention is concerned with
providing a replacement additive for alcohol in motor fuels. In
addition, an improved jet fuel is provided, having biomass-based
and/or petroleum-based mesitylene therein, which acts to lower
carbon emissions. Further, a method is provided for enhancing the
octane of motor fuels by adding such mesitylene to petroleum-based
gasoline, as well as additional fuel additives.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,398,921 discloses using a fuel additive of
ethanol in automotive gasoline to boost the octane number. Ethanol
was also thought to stretch the remaining worldwide supply of crude
oil. There are at least two major problems with using ethanol as a
fuel additive. The first problem is that ethanol-infused automotive
gasoline results in much reduced mileage per gallon when compared
with 100% pure gasoline. A second problem is that ethanol, at least
domestically, is produced almost entirely from corn which
negatively impacts on our food supply.
[0006] A careful analysis of most petroleum distillates used in the
production of gasoline reveals that many trace hydrocarbons can be
found. Included in those trace hydrocarbons is occasionally
mesitylene, but only in very minor trace amounts of less than 0.1
wt %.
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a fuel additive which will boost the octane rating of
automotive grade gasoline.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a fuel
additive which can be combined with gasoline to boost the octane
number and improve the mileage values for modem automobiles.
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
fuel additive which can replace ethanol currently used in gasoline,
and which will provide a fuel blend with improved mileage which
will not negatively impact on our food supplies.
[0010] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a fuel additive which can be used to replace ethanol in gasoline,
and which will provide a greater mileage range than alcohol
containing gasoline.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present inventors have conducted research in earnest to
find a fuel additive which will provide all of the benefits of
ethanol without being derived from foodstuffs such as corn. The
present inventors unexpectedly discovered that a fuel additive
comprising mesitylene (1,3,5-trimethylbenzene) can be employed in
automotive gasoline in an amount of from about 1 to 30 wt % to
boost both the research octane number and the motor octane number
of these fuels. It was also unexpectedly discovered that
mesitylene, both bio-derived and petroleum-derived, could be used
as a satisfactory replacement for ethanol in gasoline, and that the
resultant gasoline/mesitylene blend would satisfy the quality fuel
standard of ASTM D4814.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, mesitylene fuel additive in an
amount of about 5 to 15 wt % can be used in automotive grade
gasolines (fuels) as a replacement for ethanol. These resulting
blends of gasoline have surprisingly been found to produce higher
research octane numbers and motor octane numbers than pure gasoline
obtained from petroleum.
[0013] In another preferred embodiment, mesitylene is blended with
automotive grade gasoline that does not contain ethanol. It was
found that mesitylene has a higher motor octane number than ethanol
and a higher energy density. This translates directly into
increased mileage over ethanol-gasoline blends. This added energy
of mesitylene also eliminates the need for using corn, and other
foodstuffs such as sugar cane, in producing high-energy fuels.
[0014] In a first preferred embodiment, there is provided an
improved motor fuel providing higher mileage per gallon (than
conventional or ethanol-containing gasoline) comprising gasoline
produced from petroleum and at least 1 wt % of mesitylene.
[0015] In a second preferred embodiment, there is provided in the
motor fuel of the first preferred embodiment a gasoline which is a
hybrid compound incorporating additives selected from the group
consisting of combustion catalysts, burn rate modifiers,
stabilizers, demulsifiers, dispersants, corrosion inhibitors,
catalysts, detergents, ethers, antioxidants, anti-knock agents,
lead scavengers, fuel dyes, and mixtures thereof.
[0016] In a third preferred embodiment, there is provided in the
motor fuel of the first preferred embodiment a gasoline containing
additives to increase fuel economy selected from the group
consisting of Ferox, Oxyhydrogen, ferrous picrate, and mixtures
thereof.
[0017] In a fourth preferred embodiment, there is provided an
improved motor fuel yielding higher mileage per gallon, said motor
fuel comprising: [0018] (a) gasoline produced from petroleum; and
[0019] (b) from between about 1 to 30 wt % of mesitylene, based on
the total weight of the motor fuel.
[0020] In a fifth preferred embodiment, there is provided in the
motor fuel of the fourth preferred embodiment a gasoline which is a
hybrid compound incorporating additives selected from the group
consisting of combustion catalysts, burn rate modifiers,
stabilizers, demulsifiers, dispersants, corrosion inhibitors,
catalysts, detergents, ethers, antioxidants, anti-knock agents,
lead scavengers, fuel dyes, and mixtures thereof.
[0021] In a sixth preferred embodiment, there is provided in the
motor fuel of the fourth preferred embodiment a gasoline which
contains additives to increase fuel economy selected from the group
consisting of Ferox, Oxyhydrogen, ferrous picrate, and mixtures
thereof.
[0022] In a seventh preferred embodiment, there is provided an
improved motor fuel yielding higher mileage per gallon and
comprising gasoline produced from petroleum and from about 5 to 15
wt % of mesitylene.
[0023] In an eighth preferred embodiment, there is provided in the
motor fuel of the seventh preferred embodiment a gasoline which is
a hybrid compound incorporating additives selected from the group
consisting of combustion catalysts, burn rate modifiers,
stabilizers, demulsifiers, dispersants, corrosion inhibitors,
catalysts, detergents, ethers, antioxidants, antiknock agents, lead
scavengers, fuel dyes, and mixtures thereof.
[0024] In a ninth preferred embodiment, there is provided in the
motor fuel of the seventh preferred embodiment a gasoline, which is
a hybrid compound, incorporating additives to increase fuel economy
selected from the group consisting of Ferox, Oxyhydrogen, ferrous
picrate, and mixtures thereof.
[0025] In a tenth preferred embodiment, there is provided in the
motor fuel of the first preferred embodiment a gasoline component
having a research octane number of at least 91.6 and a motor octane
number of at least 83.4.
[0026] In an eleventh preferred embodiment, there is provided in
the motor fuel of the fourth preferred embodiment a gasoline
component having a research octane number of at least 91.6 and a
motor octane number of at least 83.4.
[0027] In a twelfth preferred embodiment, there is provided in the
motor fuel of the seventh preferred embodiment a gasoline component
having a research octane number of at least 91.6 and a motor octane
number of at least 83.4.
[0028] In a thirteenth preferred embodiment, there is provided in
the motor fuel of the first preferred embodiment a gasoline which
is obtained from petroleum having a research octane number of about
91.6.
[0029] In a fourteenth preferred embodiment, there is provided in
the motor fuel of the seventh preferred embodiment a gasoline
obtained from petroleum which has a research octane number of about
91.6, and in admixture with mesitylene has a research octane number
of at least 94.6.
[0030] In a fifteenth preferred embodiment, there is provided in
the motor fuel of the seventh preferred embodiment a gasoline
obtained from petroleum having a research octane number of about
88.4, and in admixture with mesitylene a research octane number of
at least 90.9.
[0031] In a sixteenth preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a method of increasing the research octane numbers and
motor octane numbers of pure gasoline obtained from petroleum
comprising mixing with said gasoline mesitylene in an amount
sufficient to create a blended motor fuel comprising from about 1
to about 30 wt % of mesitylene.
[0032] In a seventeenth preferred embodiment, the method of the
sixteenth preferred embodiment above is provided, further
comprising adding one or more additives selected from the group
consisting of combustion catalysts, burn rate modifiers,
stabilizers, demulsifiers, dispersants, corrosion inhibitors,
catalysts, detergents, ethers, antioxidants, anti-knock agents,
lead scavengers, fuel dyes, and mixtures thereof to the blended
motor fuel.
[0033] In an eighteenth preferred embodiment, the method of the
sixteenth preferred embodiment above is provided, further
comprising adding one or more additives to increase fuel economy
selected from the group consisting of ferrocene compounds and
derivatives thereof (such as Ferox.RTM.), oxyhydrogen, ferrous
picrate, and mixtures thereof.
[0034] In a nineteenth preferred embodiment, an improved jet fuel
(turbine fuel) having lowered carbon emission specifications is
provided, comprising 90-99 wt % petroleum-derived jet fuel, and
1-10 wt % of biomass-derived or petroleum-derived mesitylene. In a
most preferred embodiment, the improved jet fuel is comprised of 97
wt % jet fuel and 3 wt % mesitylene.
[0035] In a twentieth preferred embodiment, an improved an improved
bio-diesel and/or bio-turbine fuel having lowered carbon emission
specifications is provided, comprising 75-90 wt % synthetic
parafinnic kerosene (SPK), and 10-25 wt % of biomass-derived
mesitylene. In a more preferred embodiment, the improved bio-diesel
fuel is comprised of 85 wt % SPK and 15 wt % biomass-derived
mesitylene. In a most preferred embodiment, the improved
bio-turbine fuel is comprised of 80 wt % SPK and 20 wt %
biomass-derived mesitylene.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] In the present invention, mesitylene in an amount of at
least 1 wt % can advantageously be added to any grade of gasoline.
In a preferred embodiment, the mesitylene is added to a commercial
grade of gasoline having a research octane number of at least about
88 and a motor octane number of at least about 81. In a more
preferred embodiment, a high grade gasoline is used having a
research octane number of at least about 91 and a motor octane
number of at least about 83.
[0037] In a further present invention, biomass-derived mesitylene
in an amount of from 10-26 wt % can advantageously be combined with
SPK (synthetic paraffinic kerosene) to provide an improved diesel
or turbine fuel.
[0038] The mesitylene used in the present invention can be obtained
commercially by various known chemical processes, or it can be
obtained by fermentation and further chemical processing of natural
products such as corn, sorghum, sugar cane, sugar beets and even
cellulosic materials such as certain grasses, brush, and wood. It
was unexpectedly found that mesitylene, when blended with
commercial grades of gasoline, meets the major parameters of the
ASTM D4814 specification for automotive gasoline. These tests
demonstrate that the improved motor fuel of the present invention
qualifies for use in automobiles used in the United States.
[0039] According to the present invention, the gasoline component
can be a hybrid compound blending in combustion catalysts such as
organo-metallic compounds, burn rate modifiers to increase the fuel
time burned, stabilizers/demulsifiers/dispersants to prolong the
life of the fuel and prevent contamination, corrosion inhibitors,
catalyst additives to prolong engine life and increase fuel
economy, and detergents to clean the engines.
[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the fuel of the present invention
can contain oxygenates including alcohols and ethers. In addition,
the improved fuel of the present invention can include
antioxidants, stabilisers, and antiknock agents, lead scavengers
for leaded gasoline as well as the common fuel dyes. Other fuel
additives which can be used include ferrocene compounds and
derivatives thereof (such as Ferox.RTM.), catalyst additives that
increase fuel economy, oxyhydrogen used to inject hydrogen and
oxygen into the engine, and ferrous picrate to improve combustion
and increase fuel economy.
[0041] The improved fuel of the present invention is not harmful to
the environment and does not release any harmful gas and
particulate matter emissions from a motor vehicle and its
engines.
EXAMPLE 1
[0042] A number of gasoline/mesitylene blends were prepared and
tested as described hereinafter. The results of these tests are
shown in Table 1, which describes tests of four fuels, and the
research octane number (RON) and motor octane number (MON) for each
fuel.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Wt % of N-87 (87 octane) gasoline 100 95 90
85 Wt % of mesitylene 0 5 10 15 Research octane number 91.6 93.3
94.6 96.1 (BRE/30.2 in/129 F.) Motor octane number 8 84.3 84.5 84.8
(BRE/30.2 in/300 F.)
EXAMPLE 2
[0043] A number of gasoline/mesitylene blends were prepared and
tested as described hereinafter. The results of these tests are
shown in Table 2 which describes tests of four fuels, and the
research octane number (RON) and motor octane number (MON) for each
fuel.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Wt % of regular gasoline (ethanol free) 100
95 90 85 Wt % of mesitylene 0 5 10 15 Research octane number (RON)
88.4 89.5 90.9 93.2 (BRE/30.2 in/129 F.) Motor octane number (MON)
81.4 81.6 82.2 83.1 (BRE/30.2 in/300 F.)
[0044] It can be seen from the test results shown in Tables 1 and 2
above that the addition of various components of mesitylene to
several grades of gasoline produced markedly improved research and
motor octane numbers (RON and MON). Unlike general aviation, RON is
just as important as MON in automotive fuel. Importantly, it has
been found that the average of the MON and RON, listed at the pump
as (R+M)/2, increased to 87+, which is equivalent to regular
unleaded gasoline. This is significant because it is the overall
same increase achieved using ethanol without the significant
mileage deduction. Stated another way, the biomass-derived
mesitylene-containing gasoline of the present invention is a
substitute for ethanol-containing conventional gasoline, in that
petroleum content of the fuel is decreased as required by law in
many U.S. states, which provides increased mileage in comparison to
the ethanol-containing conventional gasolines now sold.
[0045] As discussed above, in addition to motor fuel, the present
inventors have found that an improved jet fuel, having lowered
carbon emission specifications while maintaining other important
characteristics within required specifications, can be obtained by
adding thereto biomass-derived mesitylene in a certain weight
range. In particular, such an improved jet fuel is comprised of
90-99 wt % petroleum-derived jet fuel, and 1-10 wt % of
mesitylene.
[0046] In a most preferred embodiment, the improved jet fuel is
comprised of 97 wt % jet fuel and 3 wt % mesitylene. This
particular improved jet fuel composition was experimentally
verified by testing performed by an independent testing laboratory.
In particular, a jet fuel composition comprised of 97 wt %
conventional jet fuel, and 3 wt % mesitylene was prepared, and the
characteristics thereof determined to be as shown in Table 3
below:
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 ASTM Method Parameter Value D 3242 Acid
number 0.002 mg KOH/g D 1319 Aromatics 16.3 volume % D 3227
Mercaptan sulfur 0.0005 mass % D 5453 Sulfur 556 mg/kg D 56 Flash
point 57.degree. C. D 4052 Density 15.degree. C. 817.9 kg/m3 D 2386
Freezing point -46.5.degree. C. D 445 Viscosity, -20.degree. C.
5.534 mm.sup.2/s D 4809 Net heat of combustion 42.990 MJ/kg D 1018
Hydrogen 13.59 mass % D 1322 Smoke point 20.5 mm D 1840
Naphthalenes 1.56 volume % D 130 Corrosion copper strip (2
h/100.degree. C.) 1a D 3241 Thermal Oxidation Stability (2.5
h/260.degree. C.) Heater tube deposit rating, visual 1 Filter
pressure drop 4.6 mmHg D 381 Existent gum 2 mg/100 mL D 3948 Water
separation, MSEP-A rating 83 D 86 Distillation 10% Recovered
185.5.degree. C. 50% Recovered 216.0.degree. C. 90% Recovered
252.0.degree. C. Final boiling point 274.0.degree. C. Residue 1.0
volume % Loss 0.5 volume % (Barometric pressure, 761.0 mmHg;
Procedure arithmetical
[0047] In a further preferred embodiment, as mentioned above, an
improved bio-fuel, which can function as both bio-diesel and
bio-turbine fuel, has been developed by the present inventors,
which has been found to favorably have lowered carbon emission
specifications. This improved bio-fuel is currently intended for
use in turbine engines, as well as possibly diesel engines, as
ethanol (which is currently contained in most gasoline) is not
allowed in turbine fuel. Such improved bio-turbine/diesel fuel is
comprised of 75-90 wt % synthetic parafinnic kerosene (SPK), and
10-25 wt % of biomass-derived mesitylene. In a more preferred
embodiment, the improved bio-diesel fuel is comprised of 85 wt %
SPK and 15 wt % biomass-derived mesitylene. In a most preferred
embodiment, the improved bio-turbine fuel is comprised of 80 wt %
SPK and 20 wt % biomass-derived mesitylene.
[0048] In order to determine the characteristics of such bio-fuel,
as compared to conventional fuels, four test compositions (fuel
blends) were prepared, as outlined in Table 4 shown below. Of the
four test compositions prepared, test composition #4, having 20 wt
% mesitylene, exhibited characteristics closest to conventional Jet
A/JP-8 fuel. In particular, every tested parameter for test
composition #4 meets the standards for Jet A/JP-8 fuel. By
interpolation, a composition having 84 wt % bio-SPK and as low as
16 wt % MES will meet the specifications for Jet A/JP-8 fuel as
well. In contrast, as illustrated in Table 4 below, test
composition #1, comprised solely of bio-SPK, does not meet the
density specification for Jet A and JP-8, which is 0.775-0.840
kg/L.
[0049] It was unexpectedly discovered that adding mesitylene at 16
wt % or greater insures that important parts of ASTM D 1655 and
MIL-DTL-83133E, which are the specifications for Jet A and JP-8
respectively, are met. Further, such bio-fuel should not contain
greater than 25 wt % mesitylene, as the standards for Jet A and
JP-8 list the maximum aromatic content at 25 wt %. The test
composition containing 20 wt % of mesitylene is most preferred, as
this content of mesitylene eliminates the issues that bio-SPK has
with seals (i.e., seals won't swell to the necessary degree without
some level of aromatics (mesitylene in this case) in the fuel)
while meeting all parameters for Jet A and JP-8. It has been found
that adding mesitylene to the mixture in a 20 wt % content provides
both the necessary seal swelling characteristics, while also being
less damaging on those same seals versus other lighter aromatics
such as toluene and xylene. Accordingly, the inclusion of
mesitylene in the claimed ranges decreases issues with
over-swelling and deterioration of seals in the engine.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Test Composition #: 1 2 3 4 %
Tri-Methylbenzene 0 5 10 20 (Mesitylene): % HRJ Tallow (bio-derived
SPK): 100 95 90 80 ASTM D 4052-09 Density @ 0.758 0.763 0.769 0.779
15.degree. C. (kg/L) ASTM D 445-09 Viscosity @ 5.3 4.6 4.2 3.5
-20.degree. C. (mm.sup.2/s) ASTM D 445-09 Viscosity @ 10.6 9.8 8.9
7.2 -40.degree. C. (mm.sup.2/s) ASTM D 445-09 Viscosity @ 1.4 1.3
1.3 1.1 40.degree. C. (mm.sup.2/s) ASTM D93-09 Flash Point,
.degree. C. 55 52 ASTM D5972-09 Freezing -62 <-77 Point,
.degree. C.
[0050] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been
disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand
that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of
the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific
embodiments. Furthermore, it is intended that the appended claims
cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments
within the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *