CA2556650A1

CA2556650A1 - Highly effective fuel additives facilitate a complete fuel combustion suitable for igniting internal combustion engines, diesel engines and jet propulsion engines

Info

Publication number: CA2556650A1
Application number: CA002556650A
Authority: CA
Inventors: David Wai Yin Leung
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-08-16
Filing date: 2006-08-16
Publication date: 2008-02-16
Also published as: HK1091648A2

Abstract

Highly effective fuel additives that can eliminate the formation of deposits in internal combustion engines, particularly, in the fuel injection system and combustion chamber of such engines. The fuel additives comprise essentially of about 10-30 weight %
of D-Limonene, 5-15 weight % of Alkylene Glycol Ether, and 40-80 weight % of 2-Propanone, or 0-10 weight % of Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate.

Addition of 2-Propanone facilitates a complete combustion of the engine fuel, thereby improving fuel power and reduces Carbon Monoxide emission, as well as Nitrogen Oxides emission.

Description

Hiahly Effective Fuel Additives Aimin2 A Complete Fuel Combustion Suitable For Isniting Internal Combustion Eneines, Diesel En2ines And Jet Propulsion Engines Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is related to novel engine fuel additives which are more efficient and environmentally safer than the relatively higher boiling naphtha and/or naphthalene containing engine fuel additive products. The inventive fuel compositions are suitable for igniting internal combustion engines and diesel engines, as well as jet propulsion engines.

2. Description of the Prior Art The performance of an internal combustion engine may be adversely affected by the formation of deposits in or around the fuel injection system and combustion chamber.
Even when present in minor amounts, these deposits, resulted from incomplete combustion, can cause a noticeable reduction in the performance of the engine, an increase in fuel consumption, and the production of exhaust pollutants. It is generally accepted that deposit formation is largely dependent on the fuel composition, and to a lesser extent, on the engine design and on the operating conditions of the engine. In an effort to control deposit formation, considerable efforts have been directed toward developing fuel additives that could facilitate the complete combustion of fuel, thereby reduced the tendency to cause the formation of deposits. In particular, the majority of the I

research has been directed toward developing fuel additives that either prevent or reduce the formation of such deposits.

For example, it has been proposed to employ various alkyl ethers, as fuel additive, for the purpose of dissolving deposits generated by gasoline fuels. Such attempts are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2089580, 2104021, 2221839, 2563101, 2786745, 2930681, 3032971, 3103101, 3270497, and 5425790 as representative. As described in those patents, it is frequently the practice to employ such ethers either alone or in combination with alcohol to provide improved performance characteristics in a variety of liquid hydrocarbon fuels.

U.S. Pat. No. 5912189 discloses compositions that are useful as fuel additives for reducing intake valve deposits. Such compositions comprise the reaction product of: (a) a cyclic compound containing at least one nitrogen and at least one carbonyl group; (b) an aldehyde or ketone; and (c) an etheramine.

U.S. Pat. No. 5873917 discloses compositions that are useful in reducing intake valve deposits. Such compositions contain: (a) a polyether alcohol; (b) a hydrocarbonphenol; and (c) optionally, a nitrogen-containing dispersant.

U.S. Pat. No. 5514190 discloses fuel additive compositions for controlling intake valve deposits. These compositions comprise: (a) a gasoline-soluble Mannich reaction product of a high molecular weight alkyl-substituted phenol, an amine, and an aldehyde;
(b) a gasoline-soluble poly(oxyalkylene) carbamate; and (c) a gasoline-soluble poly(oxyalkylene) alcohol, glycol, or polyol, or mono or diether thereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 5697988 discloses a fuel additive composition that reduces engine deposits and controls. octane requirement increases in engines. The fuel additive ~

composition comprises: (a) a Mannich reaction product of a high molecular weight alkyl-substituted phenol, an amine, and an aldehyde; (b) a polyoxyalkylene compound;
and (c) optionally, a poly-.varies.-olefin.

U.S. Pat. No. 4818250 further discloses other alternatives to conventional fuels, including U.S. Pat. No. 4131434 to Gonzalez, which is directed to a fuel additive for oil, diesel oil, and gasoline to improve fuel efficiency and reduce resulting air pollutants.
Exemplary Gonzalez additives are aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents with and without oxygenated functional groups, terpenes, and aromatic nitrogen containing compounds.

U.S. Pat. No. No. 2402863 to Zuidema et al., which is also discussed in the Whitworth patent, is directed to blended gasoline of improved stability and, more particularly, leaded gasoline containing up to about 10% alicyclic olefins which preferably contain a cyclohexane ring. Cyclic olefin is defined as an alicyclic hydrocarbon containing an olefin double bond in the ring (preferably no more than one).
The alicyclic olefins are suggested to be available from terpenes or from synthesis such as partial dehydrogenation of naphthenes. A number of individual cyclic olefins are stated as being suitable, including, for example, terpenes such a di-limonene (citene) and D-limonene (dipentene).

ln an article, "Acetone in Fuels", published by SmartGas (July 29 2006), Louis LaPointe stated the presence of acetone in the fuel could cause the fuel to burn better.
Acetone survives the heat of combustion for a very long time although it vaporizes readily. While it burns slowly, its fierce vibrations break apart the massive fuel fragments that surround it. So, acetone encourages greater vaporization, thus leads to a much better mileage. LaPointe further concluded that acetone and ortho-xylene not only improve mileage, but also cut pollution dramatically and give longer life to engines.
Despite such efforts, further improvements in the art are needed.
Specifically, what are needed are fuel additives that function as fuel surface tension softener that lubricates the parts, as well as prevents or reduces deposit formation in the port fuel injected internal combustion engines. Fuel compositions containing such fuel additives also facilitate a full combustion within the combustion cycle, therefore reduces toxic emissions, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides.

Summary of the Invention The concepts of the present invention reside in a novel fuel additives which are not only simple and inexpensive to manufacture, but also have the capability of enhancing the performance characteristics of both gasoline and diesel fuels, such that the treated gasoline/diesel fuels, when consumed in an internal combustion engine, burn far more efficiently with substantially less emissions. It has been found that the treated fuel according to the present invention provides not only greater fuel mileage but also provides increase horsepower realization. In accordance with the concepts of the invention, the fuel additives are formulated with a novel combination of components, which function together to significantly reduce hydrocarbon emissions in the burning of gasoline/diesel fuel to which the additive has been combined in internal combustion engines.

Accordingly, the present invention includes novel fuel additives that control the formation of deposits in engines. The fuel additives are particularly suited for controlling the formation of deposits in fuel injection systems, and are thought to reduce deposit formation in combustion chambers. The fuel additives of the present invention comprise nonionic surfactant, such as: nonyl phenol ethoxylate, with one or more oxygen containing alkyl oxides. The fuel additives of the present invention function as fuel surface tension reducing agent to reduce the surface tension of the fuel. The fuel additives of the present invention comprise D-limonene, 2-propanone, alkylene glycol ether (Propylene Glycol Tertiary Butyl Ether), nonyl phenol ethoxylate and /
or benzyl alcohol. The presence of 2-propanone appears to improve oxidation efficiency of the fuel with which the additive is combined and the glycol ether in combination with the surfactant appears to disperse water contained within the fuel system containing the additive so as not to interfere with the complete combustion of the treated fuel.

Such fuel additive compositions are particularly suited for controlling fuel injection system deposits in engines, and are expected to reduce combustion chamber deposits in such engines. The present invention additionally provides for a method for controlling the formation of toxic incomplete gas emissions, such as: carbon monoxide and / or nitrogen oxides, and particularly, in the fuel injection system and combustion chamber of such engines. The method involves fueling and operating such engines with this fuel additive invention comprising D-limonene, 2-popanone, propylene glycol ter-butyl ether, nonyl phenol ethoxylate as the main ingredients.

Description of the preferred Embodiment The present invention is directed to fuel additives for igniting engines, including internal combustion engines and diesel engines as well as jet propulsion engines. The characteristics of the inventive fuel additive include greater efficiency in terms of gallons per hour (GPH), improved safety due to a lower vapor pressure, cleaner burning resulting in fewer emissions and particulates being released into the atmosphere, and cooler burning engines.

The preferred terpene is limonene which is a naturally occurring chemical found in high concentrations in citrus fruits and spices. [For ease of explanation, the present inventive fuel compositions (and fuel additive formulations) will be discussed herein with reference to limonene as the terpene fuel component. However, it is recognized that other suitable terpenes may be used, as well] While D-limonene is the more preferred isomer, 1-limonene may also be used in the present invention (1-limonene is also found in naturally occurring substances such as pine-needle oil, oil of fir, spearmint, and peppermint, for example). In addition to uses as flavor additives and perfume materials, limonene has been used in household and industrial cleaning products. Limonene is commercially available from Florida Chemical Company, Inc., for example, in three different grades, namely untreated/technical grade, food grade, and lemon-lime grade.
The food grade comprises about 97% D-limonene, the untreated/technical grade about 95% D-limonene, and the lemon-lime grade about 70% D-limonene, the balance in all being other terpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds. The technical and food grades of limonene are the most preferred for use in this invention and require no additional purification to remove impurities or water. Depending upon the particular components present and the type of engine for which it is formulated, the inventive fuels preferably comprise from about 10 wt % to about 50 wt % limonene, more preferably from about 15 wt % to about 30 wt %, at least 10 w/w% should be present if the fuel ~

contains no lubricating oil. However, if the fuel comprises lower concentrations of limonene of less than about 10 wt %, the fuel should further comprise a sufficient amount of at least one lubricating oil, as discussed further below.

Limonene has a flash point ranging from about 45 C to about 51 C, depending on the purity of the material. Due to its high flash point, limonene alone will not easily ignite an engine unless subjected to a very high temperature spark resulting from high voltage ignitions which are commonly present in large 4-cycle. The inventive fuels, however, should preferably have flash points ranging from about 7 C to about 24 C, in order to ignite the engine.

A preferred flash-point lowering compound is an organic solvent, more preferably a relatively low boiling point, around 50-60 C, short-chain carbonyl compound.
The most preferred short-chain carbonyl compound is 2-propanone, which could emit relatively few volatile organic compounds (VOC) when burned, blends well with limonene and the other components of the fuel, and is inexpensive. Other hydrocarbon solvent may also be used, preferably benzyl alcohol, having flash point of 100 C with lubricating function, in order to lubricate the engine.

Certain embodiments of the inventive fuel additive compositions also contain at least one surfactant. A sufficient amount of at least one surfactant is often required when more than 10 wt % of limonene is present in the fuel additive composition.
However, even if the fuel contains less than 15 wt % limonene (or contains water or methanol), a surfactant is still often desirable since it allows the fuel components to blend better and stay blended, thereby increasing the shelf life of the final fuel product.

The types of surfactants that can be used in the present invention are commonly known to those of ordinary skill in the art who first have the benefit of this invention's teachings and suggestions. Exemplary of suitable surfactants include, but are not limited to, polyethoxyethanol non-ionic surfactants, such as Triton X-100 and Triton X-(octylphenoxy polyethoxy-ethanol), and Triton X-110, and the glycol ethers.
The most preferred surfactants in particular for the Hobby engines, 2-cycle and 4-cycle motorcycle engines, and similar engines used to power vehicles, are the glycol ethers due to their higher BTU's. The most preferred glycol ether is propylene glycol tertiary butyl ether (also known as glycol ether PTB) because it has a unique property of locking up to 18%
by its weight of water molecule. Exemplary of suitable glycol ethers include, but are not limited to, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (i.e. glycol ether DB), ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (i.e. glycol ether EM), ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (i.e.
glycol ether EE), 2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethanol (i.e. glycol ether DM), and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (i.e. glycol ether DE).

The concentration of the nonyl phenol ethoxylate, preferably range from about wt % to about 20 wt %, more preferably from about 8 wt % to about 15 wt %. The preferred concentration range for glycol ether is from about 3 wt % to about 15 wt %.

All of the above inventive fuel additives are suitable for conventional petroleum-based engine fuels, preferably gasoline having an octane number of at least 87, and diesel fuels engines. A preferred fuel additive formulation comprises from about 10 to about 30 wt % D-limonene, more preferably about 10 to 25 wt %. The preferred fuel additive invention comprises from about 3 to 15 wt % glycol ether. The preferred fuel additive F

invention also comprises from about 40 to 80 wt % of 2-propanone. The preferred fuel additive invention further comprises about 8 to 15 wt % of nonyl phenol ethoxylate.

The following formulations are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but are intended to illustrate the various aspects of the invention.

Formulation 1:

1. 2-Propanone 100 Wt %
Formulation 2:

1. D-Limonene 22 Wt %
2. 2-Propanone 68 Wt %
3. Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate 10 Wt %
Formulation 3:

1. D-Limonene 12 Wt %
2. Glycol Ether 10 Wt %
3. 2-Propanone 68 Wt %

4. Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate 10 Wt %
Formulation 4:

1. D-Limonene 12 Wt %
2. Glycol Ether 10 Wt %
3. 2-Propanone 68 Wt %

4. Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate 5 Wt %

5. Benzyl Alcohol 5 Wt %
Formulation 5:

1. D-Limonene 12 Wt %
2. Glycol Ether 10 Wt %
3. 2-Propanone 68 Wt %
4. Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate 5 Wt %
5. Naphtha 5 Wt %
Formulation 6:

1. D-Limonene 12 Wt %
2. Glycol Ether 10 Wt %
3. 2-Propanone 68 Wt %
4. Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate 5 Wt %
5. Naphthalene 5 Wt %
Preparation of Formula 1:

Absolute 100% pure 2-Propanone was considered as Fuel Additive Formulation 1.
Preparation of Formula 2:

To 10 Wt % of Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate, 22 Wt % D-Limonene and 68 Wt % 2-Propanone were respectively added to form the homogeneous Formulation 2.

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Preparation of Formula 3:

To 10 Wt % of Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate, 12 Wt % D-Limonene, 68 Wt % 2-Propanone and 10 Wt % of Propylene Glycol ter-Butyl Ether were respectively added to form the homogeneous Formulation 3.

Preparation of Formula 4:

To 5 Wt % of Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate, 12 Wt % D-Limonene, 68 Wt % 2-Propanone, Wt % of Propylene Glycol ter-Butyl Ether and 5 Wt % Benzyl Alcohol were respectively added to form the homogeneous Formulation 4.

Preparation of Formula 5:

To 5 Wt % of Naphtha, 12 Wt % D-Limonene, 68 Wt % 2-Propanone, 10 Wt % of Propylene Glycol ter-Butyl Ether and 5 Wt % of Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate were respectively added to form the homogeneous Formulation 5.

Preparation of Formula 6:

To 5 Wt % of Naphthalene, 12 Wt % D-Limonene, 68 Wt % 2-Propanone, 10 Wt % of Propylene Glycol ter-Butyl Ether and 5 Wt % Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate were respectively added to form the homogeneous Formulation 6.

Studies were conducted on the Mercury Villager 1995 engine. A ratio of 1/1280, fuel additive / gasoline, was employed to be tested at the mentioned gasoline engine, which proportion was considered to be the most effective dose.

!1 The vehicle's engine was allowed to run using each of the fuel additives (Formulations 1-6) mixed respectively with gasoline (octane number = 97) in a ratio of 1 part of fuel additive to 1280 parts of gasoline. Data, as Fuel Economy (Litre/100Km), were recorded when the vehicle was running consistently at exactly 50Km/hour, see below:

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) Fuel with Octane No. = 97 Fuel 5 6 6 6 6 6 9 Economy, Litre/ 100Km Formulation (1) gave the most performable mileage result 5 Litre/lOOKm, while Formulations (2) to (6) performed equally well at 6 Litre/100Km. The tests were compared with the gasoline (Octane Number = 97) as the Control Sample, which gave 9 Litre/100Km. It was also noted that during ignition the vehicle started with shorter delay time and the engine became quieter and less vibration observed.

The fuel additives of the present invention can be blended with either gasoline or diesel fuel as needed for different types of engines. The said inventive fuel additives can also be mixed with gasoline or diesel fuel, in the respective ratios from 1:1280 to 1:640.

In this respect, before explaining the preferred examples of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the fuel additive. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood, that the phraseology and (2-terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclose is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other chemical compositions, formulae and fuels for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. And the abstract of the present invention is just an abstract, not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Claims

1. A fuel additive composition for use in internal combustion engines comprising:
(a) about 10 to 50 Wt % of D-limonene (b) about 3 to 15 Wt % of glycol ether (c) about 40 to 80 Wt % of 2-propanone (d) about 5 to 20 Wt % of nonyl phenol ethoxylate (e) about 0 to 10 Wt % of benzyl alcohol (f) about 0 to 10 Wt % of naphtha (g) about 0 to 10 Wt % of naphthalene

2. The composition according to claim 1 in which said fuel additive can be used in both gasoline and diesel fuel engines.

3. The composition according to claim 1 in which said fuel additive is added in an amount sufficient to produce a fuel additive : gasoline fuel volume ratio of greater than about 1:1280.

4. The composition according to claim 1 in which said fuel additive is added in an amount sufficient to produce a fuel additive : gasoline fuel volume ratio of between about 1:1280 and 1:640.

5. The composition according to claim 1 in which said fuel additive is added in an amount sufficient to produce a fuel additive : diesel fuel volume ratio of between about 1:1280 and 1:640.

6. The environmental friendly fuel additive of claim 1 comprising essentially D-limonene, 2-propanone, and nonyl phenol ethoxylate, and/or (glycol ether, benzyl alcohol, naphtha, naphthalene).

7. The environmental friendly fuel additive of claim 1 may also comprise of benzyl alcohol, naphtha, and / or naphthalene.

8. The fuel additive of claim 1 wherein said glycol ether includes propylene glycol ter-butyl ether.

9. The fuel additive of claim 1 wherein said nonyl phenol ethoxylate is sold with a commercial name, as: Igepal CO630.

10. The composition according to claim 1 in which said fuel additive composition has about to 30 Wt% of D-limonene.

11. The composition according to claim 5 in which said fuel additive composition comprising to 25 Wt% D-limonene, 60 to 70 Wt% 2-propanone, and 8 to 15 Wt% nonyl phenol ethoxylate.

12. The composition according to claim 5 in which said fuel additive composition comprising 10 to 15 Wt% D-limonene, 60 to 70 Wt% 2-propanone, 8 to 15 Wt% nonyl phenol ethoxylate, and 8 to 15 Wt% propylene glycol ter-butyl ether.

13. The composition according to claim 5 in which said fuel additive composition comprising 10 to 15 Wt% D-limonene, 60 to 70 Wt% 2-propanone, 3 to 8 Wt% nonyl phenol ethoxylate, 8 to 15 Wt% propylene glycol ter-butyl ether, and 3 to 8 Wt%
benzyl alcohol.

14. The composition according to claim 5 in which said fuel additive composition comprising to 15 Wt % D-limonene, 60 to 70 Wt % 2-propanone, 3 to 8 Wt % nonyl phenol ethoxylate, 8 to 15 Wt % propylene glycol ter-butyl ether, and 3 to 8 Wt %
naphtha.

15. The composition according to claim 5 in which said fuel additive composition comprising 10 to 15 Wt % D-limonene, 60 to 70 Wt % 2-propanone, 3 to 8 Wt % nonyl phenol ethoxylate, 8 to 15 Wt % propylene glycol ter-butyl ether, and 3 to 8 Wt %
naphthalene.

16. The composition of claim 1 in which said fuel additive when added into either gasoline or diesel fuel, can entirely combust to form non-toxic emission.

17. The composition of claim 1 in which said fuel additive when added into either gasoline or diesel fuel, can effectively save fuel up to 35% compared with regular gasoline or diesel fuel.