GB2352246A

GB2352246A - An emulsifier composition for a water in fuel emulsion

Info

Publication number: GB2352246A
Application number: GB9916754A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pauline Abu-Jawdeh
Original assignee: ABU JAWDEH PAULINE
Current assignee: ABU JAWDEH PAULINE
Priority date: 1999-07-17
Filing date: 1999-07-17
Publication date: 2001-01-24
Also published as: GB9916754D0

Abstract

There is provided an emulsifier composition for preparing a water-in-fuel emulsion, wherein the average droplet size of the water phase of the water-in-fuel emulsion is no greater than 0.1žm, said composition comprising an alcohol ethoxylate, amine ethoxylate, ethylene glycol, butoxy ethanol, sorbitan ester, polyisobutyl-succinimide, derivative or mixtures thereof.

Description

2352246 A Composition The present invention relates to a composition. In a

particular, the present invention relates to a composition a water-in-fuel emulsion, wherein the average droplet size of the 5 water phase is no greater than 0. 1 pm.

Fuel is defined as a hydrocarbon feedstock for powering an engine or other such mach.inery. This invention uses all fuel types i.e. diesel, kerosene, petrol (leaded or unleaded) and mixtures thereof The use of fuel emulsions has been undertaken previously by many applicants. However, the emulsions formed are of a large water droplet size giving a milky appearance. These emulsions require a number of secondary additives such as corrosion inhibitors and bactericides to overcome addition of the water phase. These emulsions due to their large water droplet size also exhibit insta6ility that leads to fuel / water separation. Naturally, this is unwelcome as it may lead to problems with not only machine failure but also problems with loss of production in say a diesel-powered generator.

The present invention describes a composition that allows that formation of translucent microemulsions having a water droplet size of less than 0. 1 Vm and preferably less than 0. 0 1 gm. This small droplet size not only gives an appearance with is more aesthetically pleasing to the user but offers several major advantages over the present systems. The translucency imparted due to the small droplet size negates the need for both corrosion inhibitors and bactericides. An improvement in the lubricity of the emulsions is also gained probably due to the surfactants, which help to stabilise the emulsion. These systems are also thermodynamically stable by nature and will therefore not have the inherent instability of typical systems.

The advantages seen in these systems will not deter from the advantages of using water- in-fuel emulsions i.e. cleaner emissions, reduced particulate matter and improved combustion rates (leading to better fuel consumption).

2 Aspects of the present invention are defined in the appended claims.

The present invention provides new water-in-fuel emulsions and compositions for preparing the same. The droplets of the water phase of the emulsion have an average 5 droplet size of no greater than 0. 1 pm. These emulsions are clear translucent emulsions. Thus in a- further aspect the present invention provides a composition for preparing a waterin-fuel emulsion, wherein the emulsion is a clear translucent emulsion, Any reference in the present specification to "a water-in-fuel emulsion, wherein the average droplet size of the water phase of the water-in-fuel emulsion is no greater than 0. 1 Prn", is analogous to the term "a water-in-fuel emulsion wherein the emulsion is a clear translucent emulsion".

The present emulsions have high stability, improved lubricity and improved combustion properties without the problems of corrosion or bacterial growth.

An important area of use for the new emulsions is in the heavy duty diesel engine market, particularly trucks, buses and other heavy duty transport vehicles, although the present invention is not limited to this application area.

In one aspect the present invention provides a composition for preparing an emulsion combining the cooling properties of the added water with the lubricity of the fuel continuous phase in such a manner that a stable clear translucent fluid is obtained. Whilst giving these benefits the emulsions of this invention exhibit none of the disadvantages associated with conventional fluids i.e, bacterial growth, corrosion, reduced stability etc.

The present invention provides a composition for preparing a stable emulsion. The emulsion is of a continuous fuel phase in which water droplets, having an average droplet size of no greater than < 0. 1 tm are dispersed. The resultant clear translucent emulsion is thermodynamically stable and offers both high lubricity and improved combustion properties.

The present invention provides a sufficiently high water content fluid that, due to the extremely small droplet size, cannot support microbial grow-th.

Other than in the operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients used herein are to be understood as modified in all 5 instances by the term "about".

The emulsion of the present invention may be prepared from fuels that are standard grades available at any service station, Preferably, the fuel is selected from diesel, kerosene, petrol (leaded or unleaded) and mixtures thereof The mixture ratios of the fuel and water phases of the present emulsion can be varied depending on the application of the emulsion. Generally speaking, the fuel comprises at least about 80 % by weight, based on the total of the fluid phases, fuel and water. Generally speaking, the fuel phase comprises no greater than about 90 % by weight or about 95 % by weight. (Each percentage by weight is based on the total of the fluid phases fuel and water).

The emulsifying agent components may be chosen from a wide range of emulsifying agents known in the art to be useful in the formation of emulsion lubricant compositions. Examples of such emulsifying agents include alcohols, alcohol ethoxylates, phenol alkoxylates, poly(oxyalkyiene) glycols, poly(oxyalk-ylene) fatty acid esters, amine alkoxylates, poly(alkyl) succinimides, poly(alkenyl) succinimides, fatty acid esters of sorbitol and glycerol, fatty acid salts, sorbitan esters, poly(oxyalkylene) sorbitan esters fatty an-iine alkoxylates, poly(oxyalkylene) glycol esters, fatty acid an-tides, fatty acid arnide alkoxylates, fatty amines, quaternary amines, alkyloxazolines, alkenyloxazolines, imidazolines, alkyl-sulphonates, alkylarylsulphonates, alkylsulfosuccinates, alkylphosphates, alkenylphosphates, phosphate esters, derivatives and mixtures thereof The emulsifier composition is chosen to minimise the amount of emulsifier to form a microemulsion for a given fluid. Typically, the composition comprises between 5 and 30 4 % by weight of emulsifier. Preferably, between 5 and 20 % and more preferably between 5 and 10 %.

Among the preferred emulsifying agents are the alcohol ethoxylates, fatty acid amines, 5 fatty acid a-mides, ethoxylated fatty acid amines, sorbitan esters, ethoxylated fatty acid an-des and fatty acid esters.

In a further preferred aspect the present invention may provide a composition which comprises the following: (i) 240 partsC6 - C15 alcohol ethoxylate; (ii) 20 parts sorbitan ester, and (iii) I part polyisobutylsuccinimide.

In a further preferred aspect the present invention may provide a composition which comprises the following: (i) 200 partsC6 - C15 alcohol ethoxylate, (ii) 50 parts ethylene glycol, and (iii) I part polyisobutylsuccinin-iide.

In a further preferred aspect the present invention may provide a composition which comprises the following.- (i) 2 partsC6 - C15 alcohol ethoxylate, (ii) I part butoxyethanol, and (iii) I part sorbitan ester.

In a further preferred aspect the present invention may provide an emulsion comprising (i) 10 parts water; (il) 90 parts diesel fuel; and (iii) a composition as defined herein, in amount of 14 parts by volume relative to the total fuel and water.

In a further preferred aspect the present invention may provide an emulsion comprising (i) 10 parts water, (ii) 90 parts unleaded petrol, and (iii) a composition as defined herein, in amount of 10 parts by volume relative to the total fuel and water.

In a further preferred aspect the present invention may provide an emulsion comprising (i) 10 parts water; (ii) 90 parts diesel fuel; and (iii) a composition as defined herein, in amount of 12 parts by volume relative to the total fuel and water.

The water phase used can be taken directly from the local water supply.

The present invention may be utilised in, among others, the haulage and public transport industries and is suited to all uses within that application area.

The composition may comprise additional components. These additional components may be incorporated to improve anti-wear or extreme pressure properties. The requirement to add additional components may be dictated by the application area in which the invention is used. Suitable additional components, and the requirement therefor depending on application area, will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The present invention will now be described only by way of example.

EXANPLES As described above, reference to "i water-in-fuel emulsion wherein the emulsion is a clear translucent emulsion" is analogous to the term "a water-in-fuel emulsion, wherein the average droplet size of the water phase of the water-in-fuel emulsion is no eater than 0. 1 im". In the present examples emulsions were visually inspected. Those, which were clear and translucent, were considered to have an average droplet size of the water 20 phase of the water-in-fuel emulsion of no greater than 0. 1 pm.

Example I

A composition suitable for combining fuel with water was prepared by adding the 25 following components in the quantities stated:

240 partsC6 - C15 alcohol ethoxylate 10 parts sorbitan ester I part polyisobutylsuccinimide 30 The components were gently mixed to form a homogenous solution.

I., 6 Example 2

A composition suitable for combining fuel with water was prepared by adding the following components in the quantities stated 5 200 partsC6 C15 alcohol ethoxylate 50 parts ethylene glycol I part polyisobutylsuccinimide The components were gently mixed to form a homogenous solution.

Example 3

A composition suitable for combining fuel with water was prepared by adding the 15 following components in the quantiti6s stated:

2 partsC6 - C15 alcohol ethoxylate I part butoxyethanol I part sorbitan ester 20 The components were gently mixed to form a homogenous solution.

Example 4

The composition from Example I was used to combine 90 parts of a diesel fuel with 10 parts water. The composition was introduced to the fuel and water from a burette. The resulting fluid was gently mixed until a clear translucent fluid was observed. The resulting fluid remains stable after more than one year.

Example 5

The composition from Example 2 was used to combine 90 parts of unleaded petrol with 7 parts water. The composition was introduced to the fuel and water from a burette. The resulting fluid was gently mixed until a clear translucent fluid was observed. The resulting fluid remains stable after more than one year.

Example 6

The composition from Example ") was used to combine 90 parts of diesel fuel with 10 parts water. The composition was introduced to the fuel and water from a burette, The resulting fluid was gently mixed until a clear translucent fluid was observed. The resulting fluid remains stable after more than one year.

Example 7

The fluids from examples 4,5 and 6 have all been subjected to industry standard tests for anti-wear properties, microbial growih, corrosion and anti-foaming properties. All of the fluids demonstrated comparable anti-wear properties to the base fluid from which they were prepared. No microbial growth, corrosion or excessive foaming was observed in any of the fluids.

Example 8

The fluids from examples 4,5 and 6 were subjected to evaluation of their heat capacity in relation to the base fuel from which they were prepared. In all cases the heat capacity was significantly higher in the microemulsions than the straight fuel.

Example 9

The fluids from examples 4,5 and 6 were subjected to carbon residue tests as outlined in BS EN590. All were within the specifications laid out in the standard document.

8 Example 10

The fluids from examples 4,5 and 6 were subjected to lubricity evaluation using both the Mgh Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HTRR) AND TUE Ball on Cylinder Test (BOCLE), The fluids all demonstrated better lubricity using the BOCLE test than diesel alone whilst giving wear values < 400 gm for the HFRR test (these latter values being well Within specification).

Example I I 10 The diesel-water emulsion of example was used to run a diesel engine in a simple test drive. No adverse changes were noted in the performance of the vehicle All publications mentioned in the above specification are herein incorporated by 15 reference. Various modifications and variations of the described methods and system of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in chemistry or related fields are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

9 Claims

I. A composition for preparing a water-in-fuel emulsion, wherein the average droplet size of the water phase of the water-in-fel emulsion is no greater than 0. 1 gm.

2. A composition according to claim I compfising an emulsifier component selected from alcohols, alcohol ethoxylates, phenol alkoxylates, poly(oxyalk-ylene) glycols, poly(ox-yalk-yiene) fatty acid esters, amine alkoxylates, poly(alk-yl) succinimides, poly(alkenyl) succinimides, fatty acid esters of sorbitol and glycerol, fatty acid salts, sorbitan esters, poly(ox-yalk-ylene) sorbitan esters, fatty amine alkoxylates, poly(oxyalk-ylene) glycol esters, fatty acid amides, fatty acid amide alkoxylates, fatty amines, quaternary amines, alk-yloxazolines, alkenyloxazolines, imidazolines, alk-yisulphonates, alkylarylsulphonates, alk-yisulfosuccinates, alkylphosphates, alkenylphosphates, phosphate esters, derivative and mixtures thereof 3. A composition according to claim I or 2 which comprises the following: (1) 240 partsC6 - C15 alcohol ethoxylate; (ii) 20 parts sorbitan ester (iii) I part polyisobutylsuccinimide. 20 4. A composition according to claim I or 2 which comprises the following(i) 200 parts aniine ethoxylate (Ii) 50 parts ethylene glycol, and (iii) I part polyisobutylsuccinimide. 25 5. A composition according to claim I or 2 which comprises the following: (i) 2 partsC6 -Cjs alcohol ethoxylate; (Ii) I part butoxyethanol, and (Iii) I part sorbitan ester. 30 6. A water-in-fuel emulsion, wherein the average droplet size of the water phase of the water-in-fuel emulsion is no greater than 0. 1 im.

7. An emulsion according to claim 6 comprising (i) water, (11) a fiiel, and (ii) a composition as defined in any one of claims I to 5.

8. An emulsion according to claim 7 wherein the fuel is selected from diesel, unleaded petrol, leaded petrol, kerosene and mixtures thereof 9. An emulsion according to claim 7 comprising (i) 10 parts water-, (ii) 90 parts diesel fuel; and (iii) a composition as defined in ny one of claims I to 5, in amount of 14 parts by volume relative to the total fuel and water.

10. An emulsion according to claim 7 comprising W 10 parts water; (ii) 90 parts petrol (unleaded); and (iii) a composition as defined in any one of claims I to 5, in amount of 10 parts by volume relative to the total fuel and water.

11. An emulsion according to claim 7 comprising (i) 10 parts water; (ii) 90 parts diesel fuel-, and (iii) a composition as defined in any one of claims I to 5, in amount of 12 parts by volume relative to the total fuel and water.

12. A process for the preparation of a water-in-fuel emulsion, wherein the average droplet size of the water phase, of the water-in-fuel emulsion, is no greater than 0. 14m. The process comprising the step of contacting a n-uxture of fuel and water with a composition as defined in any of claims I to 5, such that the water-in- fuel emulsion is formed and such that the average droplet size of the water phase of the water-in-fuel emulsion is no greater than 0. 1 Lm.

13. A water-in-fuel emulsion obtainable by or obtained by a process as defined in claim 12, wherein the average droplet size of the water phase of the water-in-fuel emulsion is no greater than 0. 1 im.

14. A water-in-fuel emulsion according to any one of claims 6 to I I or B for use as 10 a hydrocarbon feedstock for machinery or engines.

15. Use of a composition as defined in any one of claims I to 5 to form a water-infuel emulsion, wherein the average droplet size of the water phase of the water-in-fuel emulsion is no greater than 0. 1 [Lm.

16. Use of a composition as defined in any one of claims I to 5 to prevent growth of rrucro-organisms in an fuel and fuel mixture.

17. A composition as substantially herein before described with reference to the 20 Examples.

18. An emulsion as substantially herein before described with reference to the Examples.

19. A process as substantially herein before described with reference to the Examples.

20. A use as substantially herein before described with reference to the Examples.