JP2021526562A - High power fuel composition with fuel economy effect - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is selected from 35% to 75% by weight cyclopentane, 10% to 25% by weight of one or more aromatic hydrocarbons, and 55% by weight or less of 2-methylbutane and trimethylpentane 1 It relates to a fuel composition containing a seed or a plurality of branched alkanes and having a cyclopentane content of 2 or more weight ratios to an aromatic hydrocarbon content. The present invention also provides such compositions for supplying to a spark ignition engine, in particular to increase engine power and / or reduce engine fuel consumption and / or increase octane number (RON). Also related to the use of. [Selection diagram] None

Description

The present invention relates to fuel compositions for vehicles, including spark ignition engines (also known as gasoline engines), which have increased performance levels in terms of both engine power and energy savings.

The present invention further relates to the use of such compositions in increasing power and / or reducing fuel consumption in spark ignition engines.

Gasoline-type fuels that can be used in spark ignition engines, especially automobile engines, must have a sufficiently high octane number to avoid the knocking phenomenon.

By a method known in itself, the octane number is a measure of the resistance of fuel used in spark ignition engines to self-ignition.

Gasoline fuels marketed in Europe, which typically comply with standard EN 228, have a motor octane number (MON) greater than 85 and a research octane number (RON) of at least 95. These fuels are suitable for most automobile engines.

Modern spark ignition engines tend to operate at increasingly higher volumetric compression ratios, i.e., higher compression ratios applied to the fuel / air mixture before ignition in the engine to increase its efficiency.

However, increasing the volume compression ratio in the engine increases the risk of knocking-type abnormal combustion caused by local self-ignition of the air / fuel mixture upstream in front of the flame. This phenomenon produces characteristic noise that can cause engine damage.

For very high power engines, such as engines for car racing vehicles, large volume compression ratios are especially pursued.

Therefore, it is imperative that this type of engine be used with fuels that have high premature ignition and knock resistance and have the highest possible research octane number (RON). Insufficient octane number for the volume compression ratio applied to the engine can lead to self-ignition or knocking of the fuel, which can significantly reduce the performance level of the engine and cause considerable damage.

Also, in all vehicles, especially those for general public use, fuel compositions with so-called "fuel economy" characteristics (also called "FE"), ie engines, _{to achieve energy savings and reduce CO 2 emissions.} Fuels that can reduce fuel consumption are increasingly being pursued. However, this reduction in fuel consumption must not sacrifice engine power, which must be conserved or further increased.

Therefore, whether aimed at racing or other applications, especially household applications, there is a need to develop new fuel compositions intended to supply spark ignition engines that meet the requirements of modern vehicles.

Thus, there is a need for fuels for spark-ignited internal combustion engines that maximize the engine output of automobiles, especially car racing vehicles, that have high octane numbers, more specifically high RONs, and operate at high volume compression ratios.

Therefore, one object of the present invention is, but is not limited to, enhancing the performance level of gasoline fuel compositions, especially fuel compositions intended for car racing vehicles. The purpose is to increase the output of the spark ignition engine during combustion of the gasoline fuel composition in the engine, whether naturally aspirated or turbocharged.

There is also a need for "fuel economy" fuels that reduce their fuel consumption without reducing engine output.

As is well known in the prior art, an additive that improves the octane number (ie, an octane number improver) is usually added to the fuel composition. In particular, organometallic compounds containing iron, lead or manganese are well-known octane number improvers.

Tetraethyl lead (TEL) is thus widely used as a very effective octane number improver. However, in most parts of the world, TEL and other organometallic compounds can now be toxic, cause engine damage and are harmful to the environment, so in very small amounts, if any. Can only be used as fuel.

Non-metal-based octane number improvers include oxygen compounds (eg ethers and alcohols) and aromatic amines. However, these additives also have various drawbacks. For example, one of the aromatic amines, N-methylaniline (NMA), has a relatively high treatment rate (1.5 to the weight of the base fuel) to obtain a significant effect on the octane number of the fuel. Must be used with 2% by weight additive). NMA can also be toxic. Oxygen-containing additives reduce the energy density of fuels and need to be added at high treatment rates when used with NMA, potentially causing problems with fuel storage, fuel lines, seals and compatibility with other engine components. Can occur.

For example, US Pat. No. 4,81246 describes an unleaded gasoline fuel composition for car racing engines containing at least four components selected from butane, isopentane, toluene, MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether) and alkylate. ing.

International Patent Application Publication No. 2010/014501 is at least 45 vol. % Branched paraffin, at most 34 vol. % One or more mono- and di-alkylated benzenes, 5-6 vol. To enhance linear paraffin (described as C3 to C5) having at least one of 3 to 5 carbon atoms, and at least 93 AKI (anti-knock index), ie (RON + MON) / 2. Described is a lead-free gasoline fuel composition containing one or more alkanols (denoted as C2 to C4) having a sufficient amount of 2 to 4 carbon atoms. These compositions are said to have high torque output and maximum output.

Thus, a fuel composition having good inherent properties, that is, a fuel composition that does not require the addition of an octane number improver as described above, has been pursued.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0259619 states that 1-60% by weight of at least one alicyclic alkane, 60% by weight or less of at least one linear or branched alkane, and 50% by weight or less of aromatics. Described are fuel compositions containing compounds that have a high octane number and are specifically intended for aircraft engines.

US Pat. No. 4,401,983 is also essentially intended for aircraft, containing a large proportion of trimethylpentane fractions with boiling points in the range 105-115 ° C. and a small proportion of aromatic hydrocarbon fractions. High octane fuels are listed.

International Patent Application Publication No. 00/47697 provides a fuel composition that allows the engine to operate at lean burn limits, resulting in fuel savings and emission reductions while meeting standard fuel standards, especially with respect to octane number. It is described. These compositions contain a particular compound selected from among oxygenated compounds of formula R1-O-R2, olefins, cycloalkanes or aromatic compounds.

U.S. Pat. No. 4812146 International Patent Application Publication No. 2010/014501 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0259619 U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,983 International Patent Application Publication No. 00/47697

As a result of continuing its research in the development of high-performance fuel formulations, Applicants have found a composition that meets the above objectives and has properties superior to those of prior art compositions.

Therefore, the present invention
35% to 75% by weight cyclopentane,
Amount of cyclopentane comprising 10% to 25% by weight of one or more aromatic hydrocarbons and 55% by weight or less of one or more branched alkanes selected from 2-methylbutane and trimethylpentane. With respect to a fuel composition having a weight ratio of 2 or more to the amount of aromatic hydrocarbons.

These compositions are intended to be supplied to a spark ignition engine (or gasoline engine).

The fuel composition according to the invention has a particularly high research octane number (RON).

In applications where fuel flow is limited, especially for racing vehicles (eg Formula 1), the compositions according to the invention can be used to achieve higher engine power levels at a constant fuel flow.

In particular, when three types of compounds (cyclopentane, aromatic hydrocarbons and branched alkanes) are incorporated into the compositions of the invention in the specific proportions specified above, synergistic performance levels with respect to RON and engine power. Was found to be obtained.

The fuel composition according to the invention also has an excellent true calorific value (NCV). By a method known per se, the NCV of a gasoline composition can be measured according to the method described in Standard ASTM D 240 or can be calculated from the chromatographic fingerprint of the composition.

The above characteristics are pursued especially for use in racing vehicles.

The compositions according to the invention can also reduce the fuel consumption of the engine and thus have considerable advantages in use outside of racing vehicles, such as in so-called general public applications. Again, the compositions according to the invention provide synergistic results with respect to reducing engine fuel consumption. Thus, the compositions according to the invention have excellent fuel economy properties and also reduce _{CO 2 emissions as compared to traditional gasoline compositions.}

The present invention further relates to the use of the compositions according to the invention to feed a spark ignition engine.

According to one specific embodiment, the compositions according to the invention are used as fuel to feed a high power, high efficiency spark ignition engine, preferably the engine of a car racing vehicle.

Other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after reading the following description and examples.

In the following description, unless otherwise noted, the limits of the range of values are within that range, especially in the expressions "contained between", "in the range of", and "in the range of". Included.

In addition, the expressions "at least one" and "at least" used in the following description are equivalent to the expressions "one or more" and "or more", respectively.

Finally, in a manner known per se, the term _CN compound means a compound containing N carbon atoms in its chemical structure.

Fuel Compositions As mentioned above, the compositions according to the invention contain cyclopentane in an amount in the range of 35% to 75% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

Preferably, the amount of cyclopentane is in the range of 36-62% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

The compositions according to the invention further contain one or more aromatic hydrocarbons in an amount in the range of 10-25% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

Preferably, the amount of aromatic hydrocarbons is in the range of 13-24% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

It is advantageous that the aromatic hydrocarbon is monocyclic, and is preferably selected from _{C 7 to} C _{10 hydrocarbons containing a benzene ring.}

According to one preferred embodiment, one or more aromatic hydrocarbons have a single substituent, or two substituents at the meta or para position, or three substituents at the meta position on the benzene ring. It is selected from those included in.

The one or more aromatic hydrocarbons are more preferably toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (particularly 1,2-dimethylbenzene or ortho-xylene, 1,3-dimethylbenzene or meta-xylene and 1,4-dimethylbenzene). Alternatively, para-xylene, preferably meta-xylene and para-xylene), 1-ethyl-3-methylbenzene, mecitylene (1,3,5-trimethylbenzene), 1-ethyl-3,5-dimethylbenzene, and these. Is selected from a mixture of the compounds of.

Mixtures of toluene, xylene and compounds thereof are particularly preferred.

In addition, the composition according to the present invention has a weight ratio of the amount of cyclopentane to the amount of aromatic hydrocarbons, which is 2 or more. Preferably, the weight ratio is in the range of 2-7, more preferably in the range of 2 to 6.5, even more preferably in the range of 2.5-4.

According to one particularly preferred embodiment, this weight ratio is in the range of 2.8 to 3.2, more preferably in the range of 3 to 3.2.

Finally, the composition according to the invention contains one or more branched alkanes selected from 2-methylbutane and trimethylpentane, the amount of which is preferably 55% by weight or less based on the total weight of the composition. Can reach 50% by weight or less. Preferably, this amount is in the range of 15-50% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

Preferably, one or more branched alkanes are among trimethylpentanes, more preferably 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (or isooctane), 2,3,3-trimethylpentane, 2,3,4-trimethyl. It is selected from pentane and mixtures thereof.

2,2,4-trimethylpentane (isooctane) is particularly preferable.

The composition has a research octane number (RON number) of 95 or higher, preferably 100 or higher, more preferably 101 or higher, and RON is measured according to standard ASTM D 2699-86.

The above values relate to the composition's unique, especially octane number without the addition of octane numbering additives, eg, additional compounds such as those described above.

In addition to the base compounds described above, the fuel composition according to the invention can further include one or more additives selected from those customarily used for gasoline fuels.

In particular, the compositions according to the invention can include at least one detergency additive that ensures the cleanliness of the inhalation circuit. Such additives can be selected from the group consisting of, for example, succinimide, polyetheramines and quaternary ammonium salts, such as those described in Japanese Patent Document No. 4171959 and WO 2006135881.

The composition is also at least one selected from within the group consisting in particular (but not limited to) fatty acids and their ester or amide derivatives, in particular glycerol monooleates, and derivatives of mono and polycyclic carboxylic acids. Lubricating additives or anti-wear agents can also be included. Examples of such additives are given in Patent Documents EP680506, EP860494, WO 98/04656, EP915944, FR2772783 and FR2772784.

Other additives, such as additives that protect against valve seat recession and antioxidant additives, can also be incorporated into the fuel composition according to the invention.

For use in racing vehicles, it is even more preferred that the electrical conductivity of the fuel be greater than 200 pS / m to ensure maximum safety when refueling. For this purpose, at least one additive can be added to reduce electrical conductivity.

The additives described above can be added to the fuel composition in an amount in the range of 10 to 1,000 ppm by weight, preferably 100 to 500 ppm by weight, for each of them.

The fuel composition according to the invention generally has a lead concentration of 0.5 g / L or less (eg, present in the form of tetraethyl lead) and is preferably lead-free, i.e. not containing lead or lead-containing compounds.

The composition according to the invention can be prepared simply by mixing its constituents.

One non-limiting example of the preparation method includes the following steps:
a) Prepare a mixture A containing 75% by weight cyclopentane and 25% by weight of one or more of the above aromatic hydrocarbons, followed by
b) Add one or more branched alkanes to mixture A up to a maximum concentration of 55% by weight of the final mixture.

This example provides a composition according to the invention having a cyclopentane / aromatic hydrocarbon weight ratio of 3. Needless to say, those skilled in the art know how to adapt this method to the preparation of other compositions in the field of formulations of the present invention.

Use The present invention further relates to the use of the above composition for feeding a spark ignition engine. The engine can be direct injection or indirect injection.

According to the first embodiment, the composition according to the invention is used to increase the power of the engine.

In this embodiment, the fuel composition can be conveniently used to feed a high efficiency and high power spark ignition engine, preferably the engine of a car racing vehicle. It can be a naturally aspirated or turbocharged engine, especially used in racing vehicles (race tracks or rally vehicles).

In a second embodiment, the composition according to the invention is used to reduce the fuel consumption rate of the engine.

In this embodiment the use according to the invention is of the "fuel economy" type, i.e. its fuel consumption rate is reduced.

This use also makes it possible to reduce the amount of _{CO 2} emitted into the atmosphere.

The present invention further relates to the use of the above compositions to increase the RON (also known as research octane number) of gasoline fuel compositions.

The following examples are intended merely to illustrate the invention and should not be construed as limiting its scope.

Preparation of Composition According to the Invention Composition C according to the present invention was prepared from the following starting compounds A and B:
A: A mixture of 75.5% by weight of cyclopentane and 24.5% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon formed from a mixture of toluene and xylene having the following detailed composition:

Ｂ：イソオクタン（２，２，４−トリメチルペンタン）。

B: Isooctane (2,2,4-trimethylpentane).

Composition C was obtained by simply mixing 50% by weight A with 50% by weight B. Its final composition is:
37.75% by weight cyclopentane,
12.25% by weight aromatic hydrocarbons,
50% by weight isooctane,
Weight ratio of cyclopentane amount / aromatic hydrocarbon amount = 3.1.

Characteristics of Fuel Composition C The following parameters were measured for composition C of the present invention and for each of the starting compounds A and B:
Octane number RON, according to the protocol described in Standard ASTM D 2699-86:
RON (A) = 102.7
RON (B) = 100
RON (C) = 104.9

clearly,
RON (C)> RON (A),
RON (C)> RON (B), and RON (C)> (RON (A) + RON (B)) / 2
Is.

Specific output P, and fuel consumption rate SFC (the latter corresponds to the mass of fuel required to produce a useful energy output of 1 kW.h):
Measurements same conditions for three compositions, at constant fuel flow rate, for the same single-cylinder spark ignition engine, performed by the exhaust amount 350 cm ^3, provided in direct injection.

The result obtained is as a specific output:
P (A) = 13.6kW
P (B) = 12.9 kW
P (C) = 13.9 kW

Obviously P (C)> P (A),
P (C)> P (B), and P (C)> (P (A) + P (B)) / 2
Is.

The result obtained is as a fuel consumption rate:
SFC (A) = 232.5 g / kW. h
SFC (B) = 247.9 g / kW. h
SFC (C) = 227.6 g / kW. h

Obviously SFC (C) <SFC (A),
SFC (C) <SFC (B), and SFC (C) <(SFC (A) + SFC (B)) / 2
Is.

These results indicate that the composition C according to the invention yields synergistic results in terms of octane number RON and specific output and fuel consumption as compared to each of the starting components A and B.

These improved performance levels are the result of the particular combination of compounds of the invention in the particular proportions specified in this application, as well as the selection of higher weight ratios of cyclopentane and aromatic hydrocarbons. be.

Claims (15)

35% to 75% by weight cyclopentane,
Contains 10% to 25% by weight of one or more aromatic hydrocarbons, and 55% by weight or less of one or more branched alkanes selected from 2-methylbutane and trimethylpentane, in an amount of cyclopentane. A fuel composition having a weight ratio of 2 or more to the amount of aromatic hydrocarbons. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the amount of cyclopentane is in the range of 36 to 62% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more aromatic hydrocarbons are _{selected from C 7 to} C _{10 hydrocarbons containing a benzene ring.} One or more aromatic hydrocarbons are selected from those containing a single substituent, or two substituents at the meta or para position, or three substituents at the meta position on the benzene ring. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the composition comprises. One or more aromatic hydrocarbons include toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (particularly 1,3-dimethylbenzene or mesitylene and 1,4-dimethylbenzene or para-xylene), 1-ethyl-3-methylbenzene, It is characterized by being selected from mesitylene (1,3,5-trimethylbenzene), 1-ethyl-3,5-dimethylbenzene, and mixtures of these compounds, more preferably toluene, xylene and mixtures of these compounds. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the amount of aromatic hydrocarbons is in the range of 13 to 24% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. A range of 2 to 7, preferably a range of 2 to 6.5, more preferably a range of 2.5 to 4, even more preferably a range of 2.8 to 3.2, even more preferably 3 to 3.2. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which has a weight ratio of the amount of cyclopentane to the amount of aromatic hydrocarbons in the range of. Among the trimethylpentanes, one or more branched alkanes are preferably 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (or isooctane), 2,3,3-trimethylpentane, 2,3,4-trimethylpentane and these. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the composition is selected from the mixture of. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the branched alkane contained is 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (isooctane). Any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the one or more branched alkanes are contained in an amount in the range of 50% by weight or less, preferably 15 to 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. The composition according to item 1. Use of the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for increasing the RON of the gasoline fuel composition. Use of the fuel composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for supplying to a spark ignition engine, preferably a direct injection engine or an indirect injection engine. The use according to claim 12, wherein the output of the engine is increased. The use according to claim 12 or 13, for reducing the fuel consumption rate of the engine. The use according to any one of claims 12-14, wherein the engine is a high efficiency and high power spark ignition engine, preferably an engine for a car racing vehicle.