JP2010280773A - Additive for fuel and method for producing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid waste of fuel, to enhance fuel consumption efficiency and output, and to suppress discharge of harmful substances by performing complete combustion of fuel in combustion chambers of an engine, a boiler and the like. <P>SOLUTION: A lipophilic inclusion compound formed by taking-in a guest compound made of a noble metal ion having catalysis in a host compound made of a hydrocarbon polymer is added to the fuel as an additive for fuel. The additive is produced by dissolving an ionically bonded compound of the noble metal ion having catalysis in an alcohol, adding and dissolving the hydrocarbon polymer to be the host compound into the resultant alcohol solution and including the noble metal ion as the guest compound by a prescribed means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an additive used for fuels such as various engines and boilers for various applications, and a method for producing the same.

  Recently, global warming countermeasures have been recommended as one of the improvements in the global environment. For example, for engines and boilers installed in automobiles, various improvements such as improvement of fuel consumption and carbon monoxide gas, nitrogen dioxide gas, etc. Emission regulations are in place.

  At present, an attempt is being made to develop an engine or boiler that can improve fuel efficiency and clean exhaust gas by completely burning the fuel in the combustion chamber of the engine or boiler. There are also many manufacturers who advertise and sell that they have the above effects.

  However, at present, there is no engine or boiler that completely burns fuel as in theory. Therefore, an exhaust catalyst device or the like is used in an exhaust system such as an exhaust pipe in order to clean incomplete combustion components in the exhaust gas. However, even though the exhaust catalyst is useful for purifying exhaust gas, it has no effect on improving fuel consumption. In addition, on the contrary, the output of the engine and the boiler is reduced due to the exhaust resistance of the exhaust catalyst. Further, since the exhaust catalyst is subject to surface contamination due to tar and the like, in the engine, in order to recover from the contamination due to the catalyst poison, the engine is idly rotated to burn the catalyst to a high temperature to maintain the exhaust catalyst. Therefore, the fuel is completely wasted during this period.

  In view of this, various fuel additives have been developed that are added to the fuel to exert an effect of improving fuel consumption and purifying exhaust gas. As an example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-209765 discloses a fuel additive composed of toluene, methanol, isopropyl alcohol and isopropyl ether.

  The additive is intended to increase combustion efficiency to prevent incomplete combustion, increase engine power and improve fuel efficiency, and reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide in exhaust gas. The additive of the present invention comprises toluene and methanol as main components (the former 56%, the latter 32%), and isopropyl alcohol (6%) and isopropyl ether (6%) blended therein. According to this additive, it has the effect | action for the above-mentioned objective. However, as described above, the additive of the present invention is a petroleum-based or alcohol-based component, so that a sufficient effect for the purpose cannot be obtained.

  As another invention, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-9984 discloses a fuel additive using a metal catalyst. The additive of the present invention is obtained by ionizing an alkali metal into zeolite and binding with an isopropyl alcohol molecule, and has an effect of improving combustion efficiency and suppressing generation of harmful gas by a catalytic action by the metal ion.

  However, since the metal ion to be used is an alkali metal which is a base metal, it is easily ionized, but the oxidation catalyst function is not sufficient.

JP-A-11-209765 JP 2004-99849 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an additive for fuel that can improve fuel efficiency and output and further suppress emission of harmful gas by completely burning fuel in a combustion chamber such as an engine or a boiler. is there.

  As a result of various studies, the present inventor has changed the way of thinking and arrived at the idea of utilizing the effect of the exhaust catalyst in the combustion chamber. Therefore, as a result of repeated experiments, the precious metal was ionized and dissolved in the fuel, and by using this fuel, the fuel was completely burned in the engine room, fuel efficiency and output were improved, and the exhaust gas It was found that can be cleaned.

  However, noble metal ions are immediately separated and precipitated in the fuel, and thus the above-mentioned effect cannot be maintained. In order to solve the above problem, it is necessary to stably dissolve the noble metal ions in the fuel. As this technical means, a method in which a fine particle colloid of noble metal ions is prepared and dissolved together with a dispersant, a stabilizer and the like can be considered. However, this method has drawbacks such as making the fuel viscous, lowering the vaporization efficiency, and making it difficult to produce a fuel mixed gas.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, the present inventor has found that it is possible to stably dissolve and disperse in the fuel by including noble metal ions by hydrocarbon polymers as a result of repeated research and experiments, The present invention has been completed.

  That is, the fuel additive of the present invention comprises a lipophilic inclusion compound formed by incorporating a guest compound comprising a noble metal ion having a catalytic action into a host compound comprising a hydrocarbon polymer. .

  The fuel additive of the present invention is used by being added to fuel. The fuel additive of the present invention is not particularly limited in the type and material of the fuel, and can be widely applied to fuels used in various engines and boilers for various applications. As an example, liquid fuel (petroleum fuel) such as gasoline, light oil, heavy oil, kerosene, or liquid fuel such as bioethanol can be given. However, the fuel is not limited to the fuel exemplified above.

  According to the present invention, a noble metal that has been conventionally used as a catalyst and has a catalytic action is ionized, and the noble metal ion is dissolved in a fuel in a stable state as a lipophilic inclusion compound (clathrate compound). The engine and boiler are used to cause the catalytic effect in the combustion chamber to be fully burned by efficiently performing an oxidizing action and the like. Noble metal ions exert a large oxidation catalytic action. Evaporation efficiency by fuel viscosity (particularly in the case of engines, etc.) when precious metal ions that cause oxidation in the engine room and combustion chamber are dissolved as fine particle colloids together with dispersants and stabilizers. The production of fuel gas mixture due to the decrease in

  In the present invention, at least one of a stabilizing solvent or a stabilizing chelating agent can be added to the lipophilic inclusion compound. When this configuration is adopted, the inclusion state can be further stabilized.

  Furthermore, in the method for producing the additive of the present invention, a noble metal ion-binding compound having a catalytic action is dissolved in alcohol, and a hydrocarbon polymer serving as a host compound is added to the alcohol solution to add the noble metal ion. Is included as a guest compound by a predetermined means.

  According to the present invention, the oxidation combustion efficiency is improved by adding to the fuel and efficiently promoting oxidation during combustion in the combustion chamber. In the combustion system, the boiler output is improved, the operating fuel consumption is improved, and the exhaust gas is cleaned. Can be realized. In the power system, it is possible to simultaneously improve engine output, improve fuel efficiency, and clean exhaust gas. Boiler-type power generation that integrates both improves power generation efficiency, cleans exhaust gas, and improves equipment life. Can be extended.

  In addition, the fuel additive of the present invention not only can disperse and dissolve precious metal ions that exhibit an oxidation catalytic action in a stable state in the fuel, but is also economically superior because only a small amount of the additive is required. ing.

  Furthermore, since the exhaust gas is cleaned in the combustion chamber, there is no need to attach an oxidation catalyst device (exhaust catalyst device) made of platinum or the like to the conventional exhaust system. In addition, even when an oxidation catalyst device is attached, it is sufficient to have a low capacity, and in this respect also, it is possible to improve economy and output.

  The metal ion blended in the fuel additive of the present invention is a noble metal ion that has been used as an oxidation catalyst and has a low ionization tendency and is easily reduced, and has high catalytic activity. Specifically, for example, gold (Au), silver (Ag), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), iridium (Ir), rhodium (Rh), cobalt (Co), indium (In), thallium (Tl) Or noble metal ions such as alloys thereof. However, it is not limited to the above.

  In the present invention, as the noble metal ions, compounds composed of oxides of the respective metals or alloys, ion binding compounds such as hydroxides, chlorides, nitrates, and the like can be used. In particular, platinum-based materials are very preferable because they have a large catalytic effect. However, since they are expensive, for example, silver-based materials can be used effectively from the economical viewpoint. Specifically, for example, silver thiocyanide (AgNCS), silver cyanide (AgCN), silver chloride (AgC1), silver chloride ammonia complex ([Ag (NH3) 2] C1), silver sulfide (Ag2S), thiosulfuric acid Silver ([Ag (S2O3) 2] 3), silver nitrate (AgNO3), silver nitrite (AgNO2), silver citrate (3-carboxy-3-hydroxy-1,5-pentanedioic acid) (AgC6H7O7), cisplatin (Pt (NH3) 2Cl2]; cisplatin / [Pt (NH3) 4], carboplatin, nadaplatin, gold thiomalic acid, platinum thiomalic acid, etc. The above is given as an example, and other than the above Of course, it can be used, but it does not pollute the metal parts in the fuel tank, engine, etc. Preferably selected not to fouling compounds.

  Next, in the present invention, the compound containing the noble metal ion is dissolved in alcohol, and the noble metal ion dissolved using the alcohol solution is included in the hydrocarbon polymer. The alcohol used in this case is not particularly limited as long as it can be dissolved uniformly without precipitating all the components. Specifically, for example, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, and isobutanol, glycols such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, glycerin, and the like can be used. It is preferable to use a small amount of lower alcohol.

  Further, according to the present invention, a hydrocarbon polymer serving as a host compound is dissolved in an alcohol solution in which the noble metal ion compound is dissolved, and the noble metal ion in the noble metal ion compound is included as a guest compound by a predetermined means. It has become. As the hydrocarbon polymer serving as the host compound, for example, a substance capable of forming a conventionally known lipophilic inclusion compound such as crown ether, thiacrown ether, cryptand, phthalocyanine complex, porphine, and the like can be used. In addition, when the energy of inclusion is required, it heats suitably, paying attention to aeration.

  In addition, in the present invention, a stable inclusion compound can be produced by using a solvent or a chelating agent as a stabilizer during inclusion. Examples of the stabilizing solvent include phosphoric acid tributyl ester (TBP), trioctyl phosphine oxide (TOPO), quaternary ammonium salt, dithizone (diphenylthiocarbazone), oxine (8-hydroxyquinoline), acetylacetone, dimethylglycol. Oxime, benzoylacetone, thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA), etc. are used. However, the above is given as an example and is not limited to the above. In addition, it is preferable to select a compound that does not corrode the synthetic resin packing or the liquid feeding tube and does not pollute the exhaust gas.

Examples of the stabilizing chelating agent include complexan (aminopolycarboxylic acid), edetic acids (EDT propion, EDT benzoic acid, EDT alkyl phosphoric acid, EDT alkyl sulfonic acid, etc.), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), cyclohexa Diamine, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), glycol ether diamine, triethylenetetremine hexaacetic acid (TTHA), sodium metaphosphate, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), tetraazacyclododecanetetraacetic acid (DOTA), tetraazacyclododecane hydroxypropyl Triacetic acid, tetraazacyclododecanedihydroxypropyl diacetic acid and the like can be used. However, it is not limited to the above. It is preferable to select a compound that does not pollute metal parts such as a fuel tank and an engine and does not pollute exhaust gas.
In addition, although the said stabilization solvent and stabilization chelating agent are for forming the stable inclusion state, these are used as needed and do not need to be used.

  Furthermore, the present invention can increase the amount by diluting with alcohols, and can improve the dispersibility when added to fuel. The alcohol used at this time is not particularly limited. For example, it is possible to ensure economic efficiency by using a lower price alcohol than other lower alcohols such as isopropyl alcohol and isobutyl alcohol. However, the above is given as an example, and it is a matter of course that any alcohol other than those exemplified above can be used. In addition, the dilution rate which dilutes with the said alcohol can be determined appropriately.

  The fuel additive of the present invention is used after being added to the fuel at an appropriate blending ratio. The blending ratio (addition concentration) of the additive to the fuel is not particularly limited. Examples of the addition concentration of the metal ion to the fuel include a range of about 0.0001 ppm to about 100 ppm. The added concentration may be 100 ppm or more, but the main reason for setting the upper limit to about 100 ppm is to consider the economical aspect. The reason why the lower limit of the additive concentration is set to about 0.0001 ppm is that the expected effect cannot be sufficiently exhibited below this level.

  Next, examples of the present invention will be described. The following embodiment is disclosed as an example, and the present invention is of course not limited thereto.

  1000 mg of silver nitrate is added to 2 mL of ethylene glycol and completely dissolved in a heated state at 40 to 50 ° C. (completely dissolves in about 55 to about 65 minutes). The solution is diluted with 50 mL of ethyl alcohol to adjust the viscosity.

  Next, 2600 mg of 18-crown-6 ether and 1 mL of glycerin are added to the diluted and adjusted viscosity and heated with stirring (about 78 ° C. or lower) to effect inclusion (processing time of about 10). ˜about 15 minutes), a product (fuel additive) was obtained. In use, the product (fuel additive) produced by the above method was diluted with the above-mentioned isopropyl alcohol or other alcohols.

  Next, test examples performed on the fuel additive of Example 1 are shown below. In the following test examples, an isopropyl alcohol diluted solution (hereinafter referred to as “diluted solution of Example 1”) obtained by diluting the product 200 times with isopropyl alcohol was used.

(Test Example 1)
A fuel consumption measurement test was carried out using a vehicle using the fuel to which the diluted solution of Example 1 was added and a vehicle using the fuel to which the diluted solution was not added. The measurement results are shown in Table 1 below.
<Use vehicle>
Honda Stream (Gasoline engine, displacement 2000cc, fuel tank capacity: 60L)
<Test road>
Between Urawa IC and Sano Fujioka on the Tohoku Expressway.
<Test implementation method>
The vehicle was filled with gasoline-only fuel, and traveled between Urawa IC and Sano Fujioka on the Tohoku Expressway at a constant speed of 100 km / h, and the fuel consumption was measured to measure the fuel consumption. The measured value is shown in the column of the reference vehicle A in the item of the test vehicle in Table 1 below.
Next, using the same vehicle as the vehicle, 200 mL of isopropyl alcohol was injected into the fuel tank, and then the fuel (gasoline) was filled up to a full tank. The fuel consumption was measured by going back and forth 3 times and measuring the fuel consumption. The measured numerical values are shown in the column of the control vehicle B in the item of the test vehicle in Table 1 below.
Next, using the same vehicle as the vehicle, after injecting 200 mL of the diluted solution of Example 1 in a state where the fuel tank is nearly empty, the gasoline is refilled to the full tank, and the same path as described above is the same with this fuel. The vehicle traveled at a constant speed and reciprocated three times, and the fuel consumption was measured to measure the fuel consumption. The measured numerical values are shown in the column of the example vehicle in the item of the test vehicle in Table 1 below.
In Table 1 below, the values of the second decimal place of each item of fuel consumption, fuel efficiency, and fuel efficiency improvement rate are rounded off. In Table 1 below, the traveling distance and the fuel consumption amount are the total values of three round trips. Furthermore, the mileage is omitted from the first decimal place.

  As is apparent from Table 1 above, the fuel efficiency of the control vehicle B is improved by about 1.28% compared to the control vehicle A. On the other hand, the fuel consumption of the example vehicle improved by about 13.11% compared to the control vehicle A. In addition, compared with the control vehicles A and B, the example vehicle was able to realize smooth startability, acceleration, climbing performance improvement, and quietness at high rotation.

(Test Example 2)
Test Example 2 traveled using three diesel engine vehicles and conducted a fuel consumption measurement test. The measurement results are shown in Table 2 below.
<Use vehicle>
Toyota Dyna (2-ton truck with a flat body, diesel engine, engine model: BDG-XZU508, displacement of 4000 cc, fuel tank capacity: 80 L), and a water tank (with an internal capacity of 1 m2) is fixed on the loading platform.
<Driving road>
The difference in elevation between the Misato Nishi IC on the Tokyo outer ring road and the Yabuki IC on the Tohoku Expressway on the Tohoku Expressway Kawaguchi to the Yabuki IC on the Aomori Line.
<Test implementation method>
The test was performed using three of the vehicles. Water was poured into the water tank of each vehicle in a full tank and sealed (total vehicle weight of about 3450 kg). Each vehicle was filled with light oil only to full tank, traveled back and forth in the above traveling section at a constant speed of 100 km / h, and fuel consumption was measured to actually measure fuel consumption. The measured values are shown in the columns of the reference vehicles A, B, and C in the test vehicle item of Table 2 below.
Next, using one vehicle (control vehicle A in Table 2 below), 250 mL of isopropyl alcohol was injected into the fuel tank, and then fuel (light oil) was charged to a full tank. And traveled back and forth at the same speed at the same speed, and measured fuel consumption to measure fuel consumption. The measured values are shown in the column of the reference vehicle D in the test vehicle item in Table 1 below.
Next, 250 ml each of the diluted solution of Example 1 was injected into the fuel tank of each vehicle in a state where the fuel tank was nearly empty using each of the three vehicles, and then light oil was supplied to a full tank. The fuel consumption was measured by measuring the fuel consumption by traveling at the same speed at the same speed and traveling back and forth. The measured numerical values are shown in each column of the example vehicles E, F, and G of the test vehicle item in Table 2 below. The example vehicle E used the same vehicle as the reference vehicle A, the example vehicle F used the control vehicle B, and the example vehicle G used the same vehicle as the reference vehicle C.
In Table 2 below, the values of the second decimal place of each item of fuel consumption, fuel consumption, and fuel consumption improvement rate are rounded off. The travel distance indicates a numerical value up to the first digit after the decimal point.

As is clear from Table 2 above, the fuel efficiency of the control vehicle D improved by about 1.230% compared to the control vehicle A. On the other hand, the vehicle examples EG of the present invention were confirmed to improve fuel consumption by about 11% on average compared to the control vehicles A to C.
In addition, compared with the control vehicles A to D, the present invention (Example vehicles E to G) was able to realize smooth startability, acceleration performance, climbing performance improvement performance, and quietness at high rotation.

Further, by adding the diluted solution of Example 1 to gasoline and light oil, compared with gasoline and light oil without the diluted solution, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ), and It was confirmed that nitrogen oxides (NO _x ) such as nitrogen dioxide (NO ₂ ) decreased.

  1000 mg of silver nitrate is added to 2 mL of ethylene glycol and completely dissolved in a heated state of 40-50 ° C. The solution is diluted by adding 50 mL of methyl alcohol to adjust the viscosity.

  Next, 2600 mg of 18-crown-6 ether and 5 mL of purified castor oil are added to the diluted and adjusted viscosity, and heated with stirring (about 78 ° C. or lower) for inclusion (processing time: about 10 to 15 minutes), a product (fuel additive) was obtained. In use, the product (fuel additive) produced by the above method was diluted with an arbitrary alcohol (methyl alcohol in the following test example) as described above.

  Next, test examples performed on the fuel additive of Example 2 are shown below. In the following test examples, a methyl alcohol diluted solution (hereinafter referred to as “diluted solution of Example 2”) obtained by diluting the product 200 times with methyl alcohol was used.

(Test Example 3)
Test Example 3 traveled using two Deedel engine vehicles and conducted a fuel consumption measurement test. The measurement results are shown in Table 3 below.
<Use vehicle>
Nissan Atlas (engine model: KR-AKR81EA) and Mazda Titan (engine model: PB-LKR81A), both of which are flat body 2-ton trucks, diesel engines, displacement 4770cc, fuel tank capacity: 75L, A water tank (with an internal capacity of 1 m2) was fixed and loaded on the carrier.
<Driving road>
The difference in elevation between the Misato Nishi IC on the Tokyo outer ring road and the Yabuki IC on the Tohoku Expressway on the Tohoku Expressway Kawaguchi to the Yabuki IC on the Aomori Line.
<Test implementation method>
The test was performed using two of the vehicles. Water was poured into the water tank of each vehicle in a full tank and sealed (total vehicle weight of about 3450 kg). Each vehicle was filled with light oil only to full tank, traveled back and forth in the traveling section at a constant speed of 100 km / h, and the fuel consumption was measured to measure the fuel consumption. The measured numerical values are shown in the respective columns of the control vehicles A and B in the item of the test vehicle in Table 3 below.
Next, after injecting 250 mL of methyl alcohol into the fuel tanks of the two vehicles, the fuel (light oil) is filled to the full tank, and the fuel travels back and forth on the same path at the same speed as above to travel back and forth. To measure the fuel consumption. The measured numerical value was described in each column of the control vehicles C and D in the item of the test vehicle in Table 3 below.
Next, 250 ml each of the diluted solution of Example 2 was injected into the fuel tank of each vehicle in a state where the fuel tank was nearly empty using each of the two vehicles, and then light oil was supplied to a full tank. The vehicle traveled at a constant speed at the same speed and reciprocated, and the fuel consumption was measured to actually measure the fuel consumption. The measured numerical values are shown in each column of the example vehicles E and F of the test vehicle item in Table 3 below. The example vehicle E was the same vehicle as the control vehicles A and C, and the example vehicle F was the same vehicle as the control vehicles B and D.
In Table 3 below, the numerical values of the second decimal place of each item of fuel consumption, fuel efficiency, and fuel efficiency improvement rate are rounded off. The travel distance indicates a numerical value up to the first digit after the decimal point.

As is clear from Table 3 above, the fuel consumption of the control cars C and D improved by about 0.62% and about 0.87% compared to the control cars A and B, respectively. On the other hand, the vehicle examples E and F of the present invention were confirmed to have an improvement in fuel consumption of about 7.50% and 7.36%, respectively, as compared to the control vehicles A and B.
In the present invention (Example cars E to F), smooth startability, acceleration, climbing performance improvement, and quietness at high rotation speeds were realized.

Further, it was confirmed that by adding the diluted solution of Example 2 to the light oil, CO, CO ₂ , NO _{X and the} like in the exhaust gas are reduced as compared with the light oil without the diluted solution added.

In the above-described embodiment, the fuel additive of the present invention was added to the fuel of a gasoline engine vehicle and a diesel engine vehicle, and a test example was disclosed. However, the fuel additive of the present invention is a heavy oil or other liquid fuel. It has been proved that the same result as described above can be obtained even when it is added to and mixed. The same applies to the reduction of CO, CO ₂ , NO _{X and the} like in the exhaust gas.

In the above-described embodiment, a test example carried out by adding to a fuel for a power system engine was disclosed. However, the fuel additive of the present invention is a heavy oil used for a boiler of a combustion system, kerosene or other thermal power. It can be used by adding to the fuel for use. Even in this case, the combustion efficiency is greatly improved, and complete combustion is performed to increase the thermal power. As a result, fuel consumption can be reduced. In addition, pollutant gases such as CO, CO ₂ and NO _X in the exhaust gas during combustion can be reduced.

  In addition, although the example which used silver nitrate as a noble metal ion was disclosed in the said Example, of course, noble metal ions other than the above can be used.

Claims (3)

  A fuel additive comprising a lipophilic inclusion compound formed by incorporating a guest compound comprising a noble metal ion having a catalytic action into a host compound comprising a hydrocarbon polymer.   The fuel additive according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a stabilizing solvent or a stabilizing chelating agent is added to the lipophilic inclusion compound.   A noble metal ion-binding compound having a catalytic action is dissolved in an alcohol, and a hydrocarbon polymer as a host compound is added to the alcohol solution and dissolved, and the noble metal ion is included as a guest compound by a predetermined means. A method for producing an additive for fuel characterized by the above.