CA2647538A1

CA2647538A1 - Fuel additives

Info

Publication number: CA2647538A1
Application number: CA002647538A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Manuel Cevallos; Robert Cinq-Mars
Original assignee: Petrocrystal, Llc; Manuel Cevallos; Robert Cinq-Mars
Current assignee: PETROCRYSTAL LLC
Priority date: 2006-03-28
Filing date: 2007-03-28
Publication date: 2007-10-04
Also published as: WO2007112456A2; BRPI0709261A2; MX2008012585A; EP2029703A2; WO2007112456A3; EA200870381A1

Abstract

This invention relates to novel compositions for use in fuels, gasoline, diesel, coal, ethanol fuels, and biodiesel, and processes for making the same.

Description

TITLE:
Fuel Additives PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of the earlier filing date of U.S.
60/867577 filed 26 Nov. 2006, U.S. 60/820736 filed 28 Jul 2006, U.S. 60/802780 filed 24 May 2006, and U.S. 60/786403 filed 28 Mar. 2006.

BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention [001] This invention relates to novel compositions for use in fuels, gasoline, diesel, coal, and biodiesel, and processes for making the same.

Description of the Prior Art [002] Increasing fuel efficiency and reducing pollution are activities which have moved over the last decades from being optional luxuries to non-negotiable requirements critical to economic and environmental security. Much work has been done in the field of fuel technology to improve fuel efficiency and to reduce pollution.
However, inefficiency and pollution from the combustion of diesel fuels, coal, gasoline, ethanol, and even natural gas remain significant problems.

[003] As the demand for global fuel supplies increases with the rapid economic growth of major, newly industrialized countries, petroleum supply has been squeezed resulting in higher fuel prices. This has lead to additional research into alternative fuels as a way of increasing this supply and to reduce pollutants, including coal gasification, coal to diesel conversion, biodiesel, and mixed fuels as examples. One simple and immediate solution is to make better use of the supplies we already have.

SUMMARY

[004] In light of the foregoing, an object of this invention is to provide an improved fuel additive for use with gasoline, diesel fuels, biodiesel, natural gas, coal fuels, and biomass fuels that provides at least one of the following benefits: an increase in power;

an increase in combustion efficiency; an increase in fuel mileage; a smoother running engine; reduced fouling of the fuel system; cleaning the fuel system, including injectors;
and diminishing "diesel rap" in diesel engines.

[005] Another object of this invention is to improve home heating systems that use oil by providing at least one of the following benefits: better fuel atomization;
hotter flame temperatures; more complete combustion; and less soot generation.

[006] Yet another object of this invention is to improve coal-fired systems by providing at least one of the following benefits: better fuel atomization for coal-oil slurries; hotter flame temperatures; more complete combustion; and less soot generation.

[007] In preferred embodiments, the inventive subject matter comprises a fuel additive concentrate comprising: an alkali metal nitrate; and a organic solvent.

[008] The fuel additive concentrate above, wherein the alkali nitrate and organic solvent create a about 5% to about 10% solution.

[009] The fuel additive concentrate above, wherein the alkali nitrate is lithium nitrate.

[0010] A fuel additive, comprising: the concentrate above in a ratio of 1 part concentrate to about 10 to about 11 parts organic solvent.

[0011] The fuel additive above, wherein the organic solvent is selected from isopropanol, methanol, ethanol, gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, C1-C12 hydrocarbons, C1-C6 alcohols, and combinations thereof.

[0012] The fuel additive above, wherein the organic solvent is ethanol or isopropanol.

[0013] A process of treating fuel, comprising: adding the fuel additive above to fuel in a ratio selected from about 1 unit to a range of about 3000 to about 20,000 units.

[0014] A fuel composition which comprises gasoline and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.

[0015] A fuel composition which comprises diesel fuel and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.

[0016] A fuel composition which comprises biodiesel and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.

[0017] A fuel composition comprising coal and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.

[0018] A fuel composition comprising jet fuel and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.

[0019] A fuel composition comprising fuel oil and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.

[0020] A fuel composition comprising a gasoline-ethanol mixture and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.

[0021] A method for improving the operation of a gasoline-powered, artificial ignition, internal combustion engine, comprising providing to said engine a fuel composition comprising gasoline and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.

[0022] A method for improving the operation of a diesel-powered combustion engine, comprising providing to said engine a fuel composition comprising diesel or biodiesel fuel and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.

[0023] A method for improving the operation of a coal-powered boiler or power plant, comprising providing to said engine a fuel composition comprising coal and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.

[0024] A method for improving the operation of a jet engine, comprising providing to said engine a fuel composition comprising jet fuel and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.

[0025] A method for improving the operation of a boiler, comprising providing to said boiler a fuel composition comprising fuel oil and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Definitions [0026] The fuels which are contemplated for use in the fuel compositions of the present inventive subject matter are normally liquid hydrocarbon fuels in the gasoline boiling range, including hydrocarbon base fuels. The term "petroleum distillate fuel" also is used to describe the fuels which can be utilized in the fuel compositions of the present inventive subject matter and which have the above characteristic boiling points.
The term, however, is not intended to be restricted to straight-run distillate fractions.
The distillate fuel can be straight-run distillate fuel, catalytically or thermally cracked (including hydro cracked) distillate fuel, or a mixture of straight-run distillate fuel, naphthas and the like with cracked distillate stocks. Also, the base fuels used in the formation of the fuel compositions of the present inventive subject matter can be treated in accordance with well-known commercial methods, such as acid or caustic treatment, hydrogenation, solvent refining, clay treatment, etc.

[0027] Gasolines are supplied in a number of different grades depending on the type of service for which they are intended. The gasolines utilized in the present inventive subject matter include those designed as motor and aviation gasolines. Motor gasolines include those defined by ASTM specification D-439-73 and are composed of a mixture of various types of hydrocarbons including aromatics, olefins, paraffins, isoparaffins, napthenes and occasionally diolefins. Motor gasolines normally have a boiling range within the limits of about 70° F. to 450° F. while aviation gasolines have narrower boiling ranges, usually within the limits of about 100° F. to 330°
F.

[0028] The inventive subject matter also contemplates the use of diesel fuels.
Diesel fuel, as defined by the American Society of Testing and Management (ASTM) Standard Specification for Fuel Oils (designation D 396-86) or any of grade numbers 1-D, 2-D or 4-D, as specified in ASTM D 975. More generally, diesel fuel can be a fuel oil No. 2 or No. 4 petroleum distillates as well as alternative diesel fuels containing emulsified water or alcohols such as ethanol or methanol, very low sulfur fuels (less than 0.05% sulfur), diesel fuel blends with bioderived components (animal and vegetable fats and oils, fractions and derivatives), and the like, as long as they exhibit volatility and cetane number characteristics effective for the purpose. Diesel fuels will typically have a 90%
distillation point within the range of 300 degree to 390 degree C. and a viscosity of from 1 to 25 centistokes at 40° C.

[0029] Biodiesel includes fuels made from vegetable oils, including those modified to be microemulsion diesel fuels by addition of low carbon chain alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, or butanol, as well as alkali soaps (stearates, oleates, etc.).

[0030] This inventive subject matter also contemplates the use of the fuel compositions in ethanol with gasoline, fuel alcohol, natural gas, coal, and biomass.

[0031] The present inventive subject matter concerns lithium salts, esters, and so forth prepared with solvents to form fuel combustion and efficiency improvers.
For calculation purposes, lithium has a molar mass of 6.941 g/mol.

[0032] Preferred salts of the present inventive subject matter comprise nitrates.
Nitrates are well known in the field of explosives and are known oxidizers.
Powdered lithium nitrate anhydrous is reported to be an oxidizing agent and flame colorant used in the manufacture of fireworks and flares.

[0033] The alkali metal nitrate salts herein can be expressed in terms of molar ratios.
For example, lithium has an atomic mass of 6.939 g/mol. Nitrate, comprising X-N03, comprises one nitrogen and three oxygen atoms. Nitrogen has an atomic mass of 14.0067 g/mol, oxygen has an atomic mass of 15.994 g/mol, or one mole of NO3 weighs 62.0049 grams. Thus, one mole of LiNO3 has a calculated weight of about 68.9439 grams.

[0034] One feature is the selection of the salt. The following table shows that although lithium chloride is soluble in organic solvents, it provides for a worse function value of lubricity compared to lithium nitrate.
Salt Selection - LUBRICITY (HFRR) nitrate chloride Lithium 0.513 0.576 Control - commercial low sulfur fuel "as is" , no additive 0.520 [0035] In preferred embodiments, the inventive subject matter includes fuel additive super concentrate (SC), a fuel additive (FA), and treated fuel. Importantly, we have found that an unusual feature is the dissolution of an inorganic salt into an organic solvent. The terms super concentrate and concentrate are used interchangeably.
These compositions are made using a quantitative range of LiNO3 amounts.
Preferred ranges of LiNO3 comprise 0.5 mol - 2.5 mol, more preferably 0.8 mol - 2.0 mol, more preferably 0.9 mol - 1.5 mol, and more preferably 0.9 mol - 1.2 mol. Preferred ranges also comprise 1.0 mol - 1.16 mol, 1.12 mol - 1.16 mol, and 1.12 mol - 1.18 mol, as contemplated within the subject matter of the inventive subject matter. More specifically, per liter of solvent, concentrate may be made by adding the alkali metal salt, e.g. LiNO3, in the molar amounts listed herein, e.g. 2.5, 2.0, 1.5, 1.2, 1.18, 1.16, 1.12, 1.0, 0.9, 0.8, 0.6, 0.58, 0.56, and 0.5 mol.

[0036] It is contemplated to be included within the present inventive subject matter that one or more of the lithium salts may be combined in varying percentages.

[0037] Solvents are used to create the super concentrate (SC) as well as being used as a diluent for the fuel additive (FA). The solvent and diluent may be the same or different between the SC and the FA and a single solvent/diluent or a combinations of solvents/diluents are used in both the SC and the FA. The terms solvent and diluent refer to the step of the process in which they are being used, e.g. making the concentrate or making the additive, but the term solvent may also refer to the liquid portion of the solution being prepared. Solvents which may be used in the present inventive subject matter include isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol), ethanol, C1-C10 alkyl alcohols, gasoline, diesel fuel, biodiesel fuel, and solvent forms of primary, secondary, and mixed C1-C12 hydrocarbons. Isopropanol, methanol, ethanol, C1-C4 alkyl alcohols and mixtures thereof are preferred.

[0038] Specific solvent and diluent combinations contemplated for creating the concentrate, include 50-50 IPA/Ethanol, IPA 0-100% plus Ethanol 100-0%, IPA in concentrate with alcohol diluent, IPA for concentrate with gasohol 85 as diluent, and alcohol for concentrate with IPA as diluent.

[0039] Although fully within the skill of a chemist in this field, molar masses are provided below to aid in the calculation of molar solutions.

Solvent Saecific Gravity Molar Mass (g/moll K .m Isopropanol 785.4 60.09676 Ethanol 785.06 46.06962 Methanol 791.30 32.3294 Isobutanol 801.6 74.1239 Vehicle gasoline 737.22 70-168 (119 average) (CnHn , CnHzn , CnH2n+2 , n = 5-12) Diesel 820-950 -170 (C12H26 average) Fuel Oil 890.13 N196-280 (CnH2n+2, n = 14-20) Soy Bean Oil methyl ester 930 -310 Rapeseed Oil methyl ester 880 -308 LPG 500 44.1 E85 Gas 780-800 85% EtOH (70-168), 15% Gas (46.1) Gasohol 780-800 90% Gas (70-168), 10% EtOH (46.1) [0040] Although preferred solvents are specifically recited herein, it is also within the knowledge of any ordinary chemist and intended to be included herein that other solvents or mixtures of solvents, besides those listed above, may be used with the metal nitrate salts herein to prepare the SC, the FA, and the fuel to be treated. The solvents are used herein to make the concentrate as well as a diluent to convert the concentrate to the fuel additive product. However, it is included herein that the solvent for the concentrate may be the same or different from the diluent.

Molar Solution - Concentrate (mol alkali metal salt) % molar solution = -------------------------- (x 100) (mol alkali metal salt) + (mol/L solvent) Alkali salt Salt (mol) Solvent Solvent mol/1L % molar solution LiNO3 1.16 iPrOH 13.07 8.15 EtOH 17.04 6.38 MeOH 24.48 4.53 iBuOH 10.81 9.69 Gasoline 6.20 15-16 Diesel 5.24 18 Fuel Oil 3.7 24 Rapeseed methyl ester 2.86 29 *note: mol/L calculated as specific gravity/atomic mass [0041] Solubility of lithium nitrate for various solvents is provided below.
Lithium solubility Methanol < N30 Ethanol < N25 EtOH/IPA (50/50) < N20 Isopropanol < N15 n-Butanol < N13 2-Ethylhexanol < N2 n-Decanol < N1 Acetone < -8 [0042] In a preferred embodiment, specific proportions of fuel additive in fuel will provide specific yields in terms of fuel efficiency. Parts per million can be calculated according to the following formula.

Parts per million - Treated Fuel 1 ppm = weight of a chemical added to a volume of solvent to give 1 ppm = 1 p mol alkali metal nitrate / mol solvent = .001 g alkali metal nitrate / Liter solvent = 0.0038 g / U.S. gallon [0043] In a preferred embodiment, the present inventive subject matter provides about 0.1 ppm Li in fuel. In a preferred embodiment, the ppm of Li in fuel ranges from about 0.025 to about 1.0, and from about 0.05 to about 0.5, and from about 0.075 to about 0.25, and from about 0.09 to about 0.15, and any numerical ranges therebetween.

[0044] In other preferred embodiments, the amount of Li in fuel provides a range of combustion yield increases, including from about 5%-30% increase in yield, about 10%-25% increase in yield, about 18%-22% increase in yield, and about 10%-15%
increase in yield, with yield ranges including the numerical values therebetween as well.
Typical yield increases are about 4-10% depending on the quality of the fuel.
Yield is measured by vehicle fuel economy, by increase in Btu's produced, and by other similar known methods.

[0045] The following examples are not meant to be limiting and where, for example, ratios of about 1 liter to about 4000 liters, are stated, it can also be reasonably interpreted as an of about 1 unit to about 4000 units.

EXAMPLES

[0046] EXAMPLE 1 - LiNO3 super concentrate - isopropanol A process of preparing a lithium nitrate super concentrate comprises mixing into solution 1.69 moles of lithium nitrate in 15.23 moles isopropanol. This provides a LiNO3 super concentrate.

[0047] EXAMPLE 2-LiN03 super concentrate - ethanol A process of preparing a lithium nitrate concentrate comprises mixing into solution 1.69 moles of lithium nitrate in 19.54 moles ethanol. This provides a LiNO3 super concentrate.

[0048] EXAMPLE 3-LiN03 super concentrate - methanol A process of preparing a lithium nitrate concentrate comprises mixing into solution 1.69 moles of lithium nitrate in 32.33 moles methanol. This provides a LiNO3 super concentrate.

[0049] EXAMPLE 4 - LiNO3 super concentrate - isopropanol A process of preparing a lithium nitrate super concentrate comprises mixing into solution 0.85 moles of lithium nitrate in 15.23 moles isopropanol. This provides a LiNO3 super concentrate.

[0050] EXAMPLE 5-LiN03 super concentrate - ethanol A process of preparing a lithium nitrate concentrate comprises mixing into solution 0.85 moles of lithium nitrate in 19.54 moles ethanol. This provides a LiNO3 super concentrate.

[0051] EXAMPLE 6-LiN03 super concentrate - methanol [0052] A process of preparing a lithium nitrate concentrate comprises mixing into solution 0.85 moles of lithium nitrate in 32.33 moles methanol. This provides a LiNO3 super concentrate.

[0053] EXAMPLE 7 - Fuel Additive (FA) A process of preparing a fuel additive comprises diluting a super concentrate as described herein in a ratio of about 1 part to about 11 parts solvent/diluent.

[0054] EXAMPLE 8 - Fuel Additive (FA) A process of preparing a fuel additive comprises diluting a super concentrate as described herein in a ratio of about 1 part to about 10 parts solvent/diluent.

[0055] EXAMPLE 9 - Li with isopropanol diluent A process of preparing a lithium nitrate fuel additive (FA) which comprises diluting a lithium nitrate superconcentrate in a ratio of about 1 part concentrate to about 10 to 11 parts isopropanol (total of 11 or 12 parts, respectively).
[0056] EXAMPLE 10 - Li with EtOH diluent A process of preparing a lithium nitrate fuel additive (FA) which comprises diluting a lithium nitrate super concentrate in a ratio of about 1 part concentrate to about 10 to 11 parts ethanol (total of 11 to 12).

[0057] EXAMPLE 11 - combination of salts A process of preparing a super concentrate fuel additive which comprises combining one or more nitrate salts of an alkali metal and mixing into a chemically reasonable solvent, creating a 3%-20% concentrate solution.

[0058] EXAMPLE 12 A process of preparing a fuel additive which comprises diluting a 3%-20% super concentrate solution in a ratio of about 1 part concentrate to about 5 to about 20 parts solvent.

[0059] EXAMPLE 13 - Treatment A process of treating fuel or enhancing combustion of a fuel source which comprises mixing about 1 liter of fuel additive (FA) to about 3000 to 4000 liters of fuel.

[0060] EXAMPLE 14 A process of treating fuel or enhancing combustion of a fuel source which comprises mixing about 1 liter of fuel additive to a range of about 2000 liters to about 15,000 liters of fuel.

[0061] EXAMPLE 15 A process of treating fuel or enhancing combustion of a fuel source which comprises mixing about 1 liter of fuel additive to a range of about 6000 liters to about 15,000 liters of fuel.

[0062] EXAMPLE 16 A process of treating fuel or enhancing combustion of a fuel source which comprises mixing about 1 liter of fuel additive to a range of about 10,000 liters to about 20,000 liters of fuel.

[0063] EXAMPLE 17 - biodiesel plus diesel as diluent A process of preparing a fuel additive which comprises diluting a 3%-20%
concentrate solution in a ratio of 1 part concentrate to from about 5 to about 20 parts biodiesel fuel plus diesel fuel combination.

[0064] EXAMPLE 18 - Biodiesel diluent A process of preparing a fuel additive which comprises diluting a 3%-20%
concentrate solution in a ratio of 1 part concentrate to from about 5 to about 20 parts biodiesel fuel.

[0065] EXAMPLE 19 - Diesel diluent A process of preparing a fuel additive which comprises diluting a 3%-20%
concentrate solution in a ratio of 1 part concentrate to from about 5 to about 20 parts diesel fuel.

[0066] EXAMPLE 20 - EtOH with gasoline A process of preparing a fuel additive which comprises diluting a 3%-20%
concentrate solution in a ratio of 1 part concentrate to from about 5 to about 20 parts ethanol with gasoline fuel.

[0067] EXAMPLE 21 A process of treating fuel or enhancing combustion of a fuel source which comprises mixing about 1 liter of fuel additive to a range of about 4000 to about 10,000, or about 6000 to about 20,000, or about 10,000 liters to about 20,000 liters, of ethanol with gasoline.

[0068] EXAMPLE 22 - fuel alcohol A process of preparing a fuel additive which comprises diluting a 3%-20%
concentrate solution in a ratio of 1 part concentrate to 1 part fuel alcohol.

[0069] EXAMPLE 23 A process of treating boiler fuel, e.g. DIESEL 2, DIESEL 6 OR BUNKER OIL, which comprises mixing about 1 unit fuel additive to about 4,000 units of fuel.

[0070] EXAMPLE 24 A process of treating natural gas where the fuel additive is atomized according to the equivalent CNG volume.

[0071] EXAMPLE 25 A process of treat coal or biomass fuel for combustion where the fuel additive is added directly into the burner at equivalent volumes.

[0072] EXAMPLE 26 A treated fuel wherein concentrate is added in a ratio selected from the group consisting of 1:3000, 1:4000, 1:1000, 1:3000, and 1:6000 of final mix examples.

[0073] EXAMPLE 27 - Superconcentrate with IPA/Ethanol as diluent A process of preparing a fuel additive which comprises diluting a superconcentrate as described herein with a diluent of IPA mixed with Ethanol in a 50/50 ratio.

[0074] EXAMPLE 28 - Superconcentrate with IPA/Ethanol as diluent A process of preparing a fuel additive which comprises diluting a superconcentrate as described herein with a diluent of IPA 0%-100% mixed with Ethanol 100%-0%.

[0075] EXAMPLE 29 - Superconcentrate IPA with ethanol as diluent A process of preparing a fuel additive which comprises diluting a superconcentrate made with IPA as described herein with a diluent of ethanol.

[0076] EXAMPLE 30 - Superconcentrate IPA with gasohol as diluent A process of preparing a fuel additive which comprises diluting a superconcentrate made with IPA as described herein with a diluent of gasohol.

[0077] EXAMPLE 31 - Superconcentrate Ethanol with IPA as diluent A process of preparing a fuel additive which comprises diluting a superconcentrate made with ethanol as described herein with a diluent of IPA.

[0078] EXAMPLE 32 - Boat Testing Fuel additive was added to diesel fuel used in a boat engine. It was observed that fuel consumption decreased 13.5% and power increased 12.5% according to the On-Board Engine Computer.

[0079] EXAMPLE 33 The Mechanical Engineering Department of a Major University was asked to conduct tests using semi-trailer trucks (lorries). Test results indicated an 8% milage increase on a large fully loaded 18-wheeler truck. Further, a 10% efficiency gain was observed during testing on a diesel powered generator set. Anecdotally, the driver stated that he was able to climb a steep grade using a higher gear ratio (3 gears higher) indicating an increase in horsepower production.

[0080] EXAMPLE 34 Six (6) vehicles from the Santiago, Chile Bus Fleet were tested for reduction of diesel smoke. Data was collected concerning the opacity reduction of the diesel smoke.
Results are below.

Diesel Smoke Reduction - Santiago Bus Fleet Vehicles Vehicle Identifier Year Manufactured Opacity Reduction TJ-9265 2000 45%
UJ-7537 2001 32%
UU-9571 2001 33%
UK-7780 2001 36%
UF-8932 2001 36%
KK-6364 (truck) 2001 36%

[0081] EXAMPLE 35 Four (4) vehicle types belonging to various institutions of The Dominican Republic were tested for efficiency increases in their Km per Gal. The data is provided below along with the percentage increase before and after using the fuel additive. Fuel was dispensed from a single supply source.

Vehicles Km/Gal w/o Additive Km/Gal with Additive % Increase DR1 30.17 35.11 16.37 DR2 26.98 29.34 13.15 DR3 (420 buses) 6.85 average 8.59 average 19.90 DR4 (52 buses) 12.4 average 17.63 average 29.69 [0082] EXAMPLE 36 - BTU Increase Sample Value (Btu/Ib) % Increase Diesel 2 18345 +- 5%
Diesel 2 with Fuel Additive 20177 +- 5% +10%
Gasoline 84 19353 +- 5%
Gasoline 84 with Fuel Additive 20715 +- 5% +7%
Kerosene 17802 +- 5%
Kerosene with Fuel Additive 19496 +- 5% +9.5%
Ethanol 17039 +- 5%
Ethanol with Fuel Additive 18787 +- 5% +10.3%
Gasoline 97 octane 22273 +- 5%
Gasoline 97 octane with Fuel Additive 24154 +- 5% +8.4%

[0083] EXAMPLE 37 - BTU Increase Sample Value (Btu/Ib) % Increase Gasoline Reg. 18104 Gasoline Reg. with Fuel Additive 19639 8.4 Gasoline Premium 18199 Gasoline Prem. with Fuel Additive 19049 4.7 Fuel Oil 17865 Fuel Oil with Fuel Additive 18449 3.3 Diesel #2 18352 Diesel #2 with Fuel Additive 19639 7.0 [0084] EXAMPLE 38 - LUBRICITY
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as of the early 1990s estimated that the average sulfur content of on-highway diesel fuel is approximately 0.25% by weight and had required this level be reduced to no more than 0.05% by weight by Oct.
1, 1993. The EPA also required that this diesel fuel have a minimum cetane index specification of 40 (or meet a maximum aromatics level of 35%). The objective of this rule was to reduce sulfate particulate and carbonaceous and organic particulate emissions. See, Federal Register, Vol. 55, No. 162, Aug. 21, 1990, pp. 34120-34151.
Low-sulfur diesel fuels and technology for meeting these emission requirements are commercially interesting. One approach to meeting these requirements was to provide a low-sulfur diesel fuel additive that could be effectively used in a low-sulfur diesel fuel environment to reduce the ignition temperatures of soot that is collected in the particulate traps of diesel engines. However, reducing sulfur in diesel also reduces the ability of the fuel to lubricate engine parts, e.g. high pressure pump and injectors are fuel lubricated. Accordingly, reducing sulfur increases engine wear.

[0085] One of the tests for lubricity is the HFRR test (High Frequency Reciprocating Rig) method. According to government standards, the maximum allowable lubricity value (HFRR) is as follows:

Europe, India, Australia 460 um (ISO 12156-1) USA 520 um (ASTM D 6079) For example, lubricity measured at 690 um shows increased wear at the rotor pin groove, and the washer disc housing.

[0086] Samples of diesel fuel were tested for lubricity. In all cases, lubricity was improved due to the addition of fuel additive (FA).

Diesel Fuel Country Sulfur Lubricity "as is" Lubricity with Source Fuel Additive BP USA 8 0.539 0.465 Texaco USA 3 0.456 0.434 Citgo USA 56 0.555 0.495 Shell USA 9 0.406 0.373 Exxon USA 9 0.520 0.513 Petrobras BR 487 0.292 0.250 Ipiranga BR 566 0.374 0.340 Texaco BR 549 0.410 0.371 Petrobras BR 181 0.266 0.208 (biodiesel) [0087] It will be clear to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the above embodiments may be altered or that insubstantial changes may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the scope of the inventive subject matter is determined by the scope of the following claims and their equitable Equivalents.

Claims

[Claim 1] A fuel additive concentrate comprising: an alkali metal nitrate; and a organic solvent.
[Claim 2] The fuel additive concentrate of claim 1, wherein the alkali nitrate and organic solvent create a about 5% to about 10% solution.
[Claim 3] The fuel additive concentrate of claim 1, wherein the alkali nitrate is lithium nitrate.
[Claim 4] A fuel additive, comprising: the concentrate of any of claims 2 in a ratio of 1 part concentrate to about 10 to about 11 parts organic solvent.
[Claim 5] The fuel additive of claim 4, wherein the organic solvent is selected from isopropanol, methanol, ethanol, gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, C1-C12 hydrocarbons, C1-C6 alcohols, and combinations thereof.
[Claim 6] The fuel additive of claim 4, wherein the organic solvent is ethanol or isopropanol.
[Claim 7] A process of treating fuel, comprising: adding the fuel additive of claim 4 to fuel in a ratio selected from about 1 unit to a range of about 3000 to about 20,000 units.
[Claim 8] A fuel composition which comprises gasoline and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.
[Claim 9] A fuel composition which comprises diesel fuel and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.
[Claim 10] A fuel composition which comprises biodiesel and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.
[Claim 11] A fuel composition comprising coal and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.
[Claim 12] A fuel composition comprising jet fuel and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.
[Claim 13] A fuel composition comprising fuel oil and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.
[Claim 14] A fuel composition comprising a gasoline-ethanol mixture and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.
[Claim 15] A method for improving the operation of a gasoline-powered, artificial ignition, internal combustion engine, comprising providing to said engine a fuel composition comprising gasoline and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.
[Claim 16] A method for improving the operation of a diesel-powered combustion engine, comprising providing to said engine a fuel composition comprising diesel or biodiesel fuel and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.
[Claim 17] A method for improving the operation of a coal-powered boiler or power plant, comprising providing to said engine a fuel composition comprising coal and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.
[Claim 18] A method for improving the operation of a jet engine, comprising providing to said engine a fuel composition comprising jet fuel and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.
[Claim 19] A method for improving the operation of a boiler, comprising providing to said boiler a fuel composition comprising fuel oil and a fuel additive comprising an alkali metal nitrate in a organic solvent.