WO2009084277A1

WO2009084277A1 - Fuel of multiphase emulsion structure and process for producing the same

Info

Publication number: WO2009084277A1
Application number: PCT/JP2008/065533
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yoshinobu Shinkawa; Tadashi Mochizai
Original assignee: Yoshinobu Shinkawa; Tadashi Mochizai
Priority date: 2007-12-28
Filing date: 2008-08-29
Publication date: 2009-07-09

Abstract

A fuel of a multiphase emulsion structure and a process for producing the fuel. The fuel of a multiphase emulsion structure comprises water and, dispersed therein, multilayer particles each composed of three or more phases which comprise an oil phase alternating with an aqueous phase, the outermost layer being an oil phase.

Description

Fuel having multi-phase emulsion structure and method for producing the same

The present invention relates to a fuel and a manufacturing method thereof.

Conventionally, an emulsion fuel in which an oil having hydrocarbons mainly of unsaturated olefins such as heavy oil and light oil is mixed with water has been developed. Emulsion fuel has the merit of being easy to burn because the fuel becomes fine and uniform due to the explosion caused by evaporation of the contained water during combustion. Further, since the flame temperature is lowered by the latent heat of evaporation and the abnormal increase in combustion temperature is suppressed, there is an advantage that air pollutants such as NOx (nitrogen oxide) can be reduced. For this reason, in the incineration of industrial waste, emulsion fuel is sprayed into a furnace to suppress the generation amount of NOx, dust, and the like.

One method of preparing an emulsion consisting of oil and water is to mechanically stir and mix oil and water. However, after the stirring is stopped, the oil and water are quickly separated (emulsion break). ).

On the other hand, there is a method in which water and an emulsifier (surfactant) are added to oil and mixed by stirring to form an emulsion (for example, Patent Document 1). According to this method, water particles are formed in the oil via the emulsifier, and the state in which the water is dispersed in the oil is maintained. Therefore, it is difficult to cause an emulsion break over time. However, according to the tests of the inventors, in this type of emulsion, those having a water content higher than 30% cannot be suitably used as fuel. That is, if the moisture content is increased, the risk of emulsion breakage increases, and the self-combustibility disappears. Therefore, when it is used as a fuel, it must be burned at a high temperature, thus suppressing air pollutants. Is not enough. These emulsions are in a W / O state in which water particles are dispersed in an oil phase, and the water particle size is 100 to several tens of μm to several 100 μm and is too large. This is thought to be due to non-uniformity.

On the other hand, in recent years, a method for producing an oil-water emulsion having a high water content has been studied. For example, when water and an emulsifier are mixed and oil is added dropwise little by little while stirring, phase inversion occurs, forming an agar-like gel containing a majority of oil and a small amount of water, and the gel is mixed with water. Thus, it has been found that an emulsion having a high water content can be formed (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 to 4).

In the method of Patent Document 2, a surfactant and water are stirred while stirring at a low speed of 1000 rpm or less to obtain a mousse-like emulsified state, and then the oil is added up to about 75 times while stirring at a low speed. Further, 1 to 1.3 times the amount of water is added to make a water-soluble fuel.

In the method of Patent Document 3, stirring of water and surfactant and fuel oil until gelation are performed at a low speed.

The method of Patent Document 4 uses a blender, which is a device for crushing a solid substance having a certain size with a rotating blade, to stir and mix the water particles while applying external pressure. It is made ultrafine, and then the oil is continuously dripped to form a gel.

Japanese Patent No. 3458262 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-292183 JP 2001-181657 A JP-A-7-313859

However, the emulsions obtained by the methods of Patent Documents 2 and 3 are not uniform and stable according to the tests of the inventors, and do not burn well even when actually used as fuel. This is presumably because the particles constituting the gel composed of oil and water are not sufficiently fine and the particle size is not uniform because stirring is performed at a low speed when water, an emulsifier and oil are dropped.

In the method of Patent Document 4, depending on the blender, the emulsifier and water solution and the oil particles cannot be sufficiently refined. In addition, if high-speed stirring is continued, phase inversion starts around the blender, but after that, only a small range of viscosity around the blender increases, and the mixed water and oil do not become a uniform gel. The oil added thereafter is only separated, and it is difficult to stably produce a large amount of fuel comprising a uniform gel and a high water content emulsion.

Furthermore, in any of Patent Documents 2, 3, and 4, when producing a gel, it is necessary to start from the generation of the gel by stirring each time. In this respect, in each of Patent Documents 2, 3, and 4, it is necessary to adjust the conditions for each production in combination with the generated gel being non-uniform and unstable. Takes time and effort. Moreover, even the gels and emulsions thus produced have problems that must be unstable and non-uniform.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and a fuel having a multiphase emulsion structure capable of obtaining stability in an emulsion state at a high water content and good combustibility, and production of the fuel. An object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method that can be used.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present inventor has conducted intensive research. As a result, when the phase inversion to a non-flowing gel-like substance occurs, particles containing the oil are formed, and the particles It was found that a gel was formed by losing fluidity while being dispersed in oil.

Further, based on these, the fuel having a multi-phase emulsion structure can realize the fineness and uniformity of dispersed particles, and in the emulsion production method, it can be formed finely in the particle formation process, and the oil can be sufficiently It has been found that an oil gel in which extremely uniform particles are evenly distributed can be obtained by dispersing in. Further, it has been found that by mixing this oil gel with water, a fuel composed of a high quality and high water content emulsion can be obtained. In addition, it has also been found that the oil gel can be easily increased by adding water, emulsifier and oil. The present invention has been completed based on these findings.

The fuel having a multi-phase emulsion structure according to the present invention is characterized by having a multi-phase emulsion structure in which multiple particles alternately having three or more phases from the aqueous phase with the oil phase on the outside are dispersed in water.

Here, the multi-phase emulsion structure is also referred to as a multiple emulsion (emulsion), and is not a structure such as W / O type or O / W type in which an inner phase consisting of only one phase is dispersed in a liquid such as water or oil. A phase that further surrounds one or more phases and is composed of three or more phases refers to the structure of an emulsion dispersed in a liquid.

The fuel having a multi-phase emulsion structure according to the present invention is characterized in that the multiple particles are triple particles surrounded in the order of a first phase of oil, a second phase of water, and a third phase of oil.

The fuel having the multi-phase emulsion structure of the present invention contains 30 to 80% water.

The method for producing a fuel having a multi-phase emulsion structure according to the present invention comprises mixing water, an emulsifier and an oil to emulsify, adding the oil while stirring at high speed to invert the phase from a fluid state to a non-fluid state, and a gel-like material The gel phase inversion step, the oil gel production step in which oil is added to the gel-like material while stirring at low speed to form an oil gel, the oil gel and water are mixed, and the outer side is an oil phase and the water phase is alternated And a multiphase emulsion step in which a multiphase emulsion structure in which multiple particles having three or more phases are dispersed in water is provided.

The method for producing a fuel having a multi-phase emulsion structure according to the present invention comprises mixing water, an emulsifier and an oil to emulsify, adding the oil while stirring at high speed to invert the phase from a fluid state to a non-fluid state, and a gel-like material The gel phase inversion step, the oil gel production step in which oil is added to the gel-like material while stirring at low speed, and the oil gel is mixed with water, an emulsifier and oil to increase the amount of the oil gel. An oil gel increasing step, a multi-phase emulsion step in which the oil gel and water are mixed, and a multi-phase emulsion structure is formed by dispersing in the water multiple particles alternately having three or more phases from the water phase with the outer oil phase. It is characterized by having.

In the method for producing a fuel having a multi-phase emulsion structure according to the present invention, in the oil gel production step, the amount of oil added is 150 to 250 times the total amount of water and emulsifier, and the rate of oil addition is oil addition per minute. The capacity is 5 to 30 times the amount.

In the method for producing a fuel having a multi-phase emulsion structure according to the present invention, in the oil gel production step, the amount of oil added is 150 to 250 times the total amount of water and emulsifier, and the oil addition rate is water and emulsifier per minute. It is characterized by having a capacity of 10 to 200 times the total amount.

The fuel having the multi-phase emulsion structure of the present invention has a stable emulsion state that does not cause an emulsion break due to the addition of water or the passage of time, and has a good combustibility even at a high water content.

Further, according to the method for producing a fuel having a multiphase emulsion structure of the present invention, in the gel transfer process using high-speed rotation, the oil gel generation process using low-speed rotation is made fine when oil particles are formed. When the water particles containing the oil particles are dispersed in the gel oil so that they do not come into contact with each other when they are formed, the particle size is extremely fine, and uniformity and stability are improved. It is possible to obtain a fuel having a multi-phase emulsion structure having a high water content.

Furthermore, it is possible to increase the amount of a stable gel easily and in large quantities, and it is possible to obtain a fuel having a multiphase emulsion structure in large quantities with very simple equipment and inexpensive materials.

Schematic diagram of a multiphase emulsion structure in which triple particles are dispersed in water.

Explanation of symbols

1 Triple Particle 2 External Phase 3 First Phase 4 Second Phase 5 Third Phase 6 Emulsifier 7 Triple Particle Size

[First Embodiment]
An example of the structure of a multiphase emulsion in which triple particles shown in FIG. 1 are dispersed in water will be described as a fuel having a multiphase emulsion structure. The multiphase emulsion structure has triple particles 1 dispersed in water 2. The triple particle 1 is a particle having a first phase 3 of oil at the center, a second phase 4 of water surrounding it, and a third phase 5 of oil surrounding it in a substantially spherical shape without gaps. . Since an emulsifier 6 that is amphipathic of water and oil is disposed between the first phase 3, the second phase 4, and the third phase 5 in the triple particle 1 and at the interface between the triple particle 1 and the water 2. The interface is maintained and stabilized.

The oil that forms the first phase 3 and the third phase 5 of the oil in the triple particle 1 can be kerosene, light oil, A heavy oil, or C heavy oil. It is a fuel with little difference in possible water content.

The water that forms the second phase 4 in the triple particle 1 can be purified water, distilled water, purified water, tap water, etc., but in order to reduce phase formation and interaction with the emulsifier, Water that does not contain ions as much as possible, especially pure water that does not contain chlorine, distilled water, and purified water are desirable. Further, hydrogen peroxide water may be used.

On the other hand, the water 2 in which the triple particles are dispersed does not need to remove impurities as much as the water in the particles, and can be pure water, distilled water, purified water, tap water, industrial water, or the like.

As the emulsifier 6, an amphiphilic surfactant can be used. In particular, an emulsifier used for industrial use can be widely used. Suitable examples include anionic surfactants such as alkyl phenyl ether sulfates, α-olefin sulfonates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl benzene sulfonates, and the like. Further, nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers and zwitterionic surfactants such as alkylamine oxides can also be suitably used. These emulsifiers may be used alone or in combination.

The fuel having the multiphase emulsion structure of the first embodiment has a particle size 7 of the triple particles 1 of preferably 10 μm or less, more preferably 0.5 to 2.0 μm, and is fine and uniform. In the example shown in the figure, kerosene is used for the oils of the first phase 3 and the third phase 5, pure water is used for the water of the second phase 4, alkylamine oxide and alkylphenyl ether sulfates are used for the emulsifier 6, water 2 uses tap water.

This fuel can have a stable multi-phase emulsion structure with a water content of more than 30%, and exhibits a self-flammability up to a range where the water content does not exceed 80% at the maximum. However, when considering lowering the exhaust temperature for suppressing air pollutants, 35 to 65% is desirable. Furthermore, considering compatibility with stable combustibility, 40 to 60% is more desirable.

It should be noted that when the water content is higher than 80%, the self-combustibility as fuel disappears, but it can be used as a combustion aid for reducing the combustion temperature by adding to other fuel oils.

The method for producing a fuel having a multi-phase emulsion structure according to the first embodiment includes the following steps. First, the gel phase inversion step is a step in which water, an emulsifier and oil are emulsified and phase-inverted from a fluid state to a non-fluid state to obtain a gel-like product. Here, the fluid state is a state in which oil is dispersed in water and an emulsifier and has fluidity, and the non-fluid state is a phase having no fluidity generated by adding a certain amount of oil. It is a state including.

In the gel phase inversion step, first, the step of mixing and emulsifying water, emulsifier and oil is performed to form fine particles of oil as the first phase and disperse it in the water phase.

When emulsifying, it is desirable to stir the water and the emulsifier sufficiently before starting to add the oil. When oil is added after stirring water and an emulsifier in a whip shape in advance to form fine bubbles, the oil diffuses into the bubbles and easily forms fine particles. It is desirable that the stirring for emulsification is performed under the same conditions as when adding oil while stirring at a high speed described below.

The composition ratio of water: emulsifier in this case is in the range of about 80:20 to 50:50, and 55:45 to 65:35 is preferable as a range suitable for forming the fine micelles. In this production method, the stability of the emulsion structure is higher than that of an emulsion in which water is dispersed in oil, so that a fuel comprising an emulsion having a high water content can be formed even when the ratio of the emulsifier is about 1/20. However, if there is too little emulsifier, an emulsion cannot be formed.

Next, add oil while stirring at high speed. In this case, an operation of applying external pressure and grinding may be added. This is because oil particles can be effectively refined by applying grinding force. As the stirring device, for example, a homogenizer that stirs by rotating a blade can be used. In this case, the rotational speed is preferably 4000 to 15000 rpm, and more preferably 5000 to 10,000 rpm. Note that an ultrasonic homogenizer or the like can be used as long as the material is stirred at a high speed.

It is desirable to add oil in the gel phase inversion process at low speed by inflow or dripping at a slow flow rate. The standard for the rate of oil addition is desirably 5-30% / min of the total volume of water and emulsifier, and if it is slower than this, it may take too much time and fine particles may not be maintained. If too much, water, emulsifier and oil become non-uniform, and there is a possibility that multiple particles are not formed.

More specifically, during the oil addition operation, the addition speed is confirmed while diffusing in the bubbles generated by stirring at high speed rotation without forming a layer. It is desirable to adjust. In this case, the addition rate is particularly preferably 10 to 20% / min. In particular, a gradual addition such as gradual dripping onto the liquid surface near a device that stirs at high speed is desirable. By completely bubbling with high speed agitation, the fine oil particles increase until they are uniformly saturated in the aqueous phase. If the oil is not completely diffused into the bubbles at this time, combustion will be incomplete when the emulsion is used as fuel later. This is because if the oil particles are not formed in the water phase until the oil particles are uniformly saturated, non-oil-containing water-only particles having a large particle size are formed.

By the above gel phase inversion process, phase inversion from a fluidized state to a non-fluidized state occurs, resulting in a gel-like material. The phase inversion to the non-flowing state means that the viscosity of the fluid solution being stirred rapidly increases and immediately becomes non-flowing. When the ratio of oil increases beyond a certain level from the fluid state in which oil particles are dispersed in water, the water particles are dispersed in the oil. The water surrounding the particles is shredded and dispersed in the surrounding oil as water particles containing oil. Since these particles do not have fluidity, they are in a non-flowing state. The phase inversion to the non-flowing state occurs when the amount of oil added is about 3 to 5 times the total volume of water and emulsifier. This can be confirmed from the disappearance of bubbles due to the emulsifier and the sudden increase in viscosity.

Also, during phase inversion to a non-flowing state, particles having no fluidity are further refined by stirring at a high speed, and the diameter becomes 5 to 10 μm or less. Furthermore, by continuing stirring at a high speed even after phase inversion, the water-containing oil particles can be made extremely fine and dispersed in the gel oil at the molecular level without contacting each other. Can be. In this case, if the stirring is performed at a low speed, such effective refinement and dispersion cannot occur.

Next, the oil gel generating step is performed to stir the gel-like material while adding oil to obtain a uniform oil gel including the oil. The oil gel produced by this process is a fluidized process in which the double particles, which are finer than the phase inversion process, in which the first phase of oil is incorporated in the second phase of water, are dispersed in the oil phase. It is in a state of losing sex.

In the oil gel production step, by stirring at a low speed, the particles surrounding the oil surrounded by water generated by the stirring at a high speed are further shredded. Moreover, the added oil is allowed to enter between the finely chopped particles, and gently causes phase inversion to an oil gel containing a large amount of oil between the particles.

Describing this process in further detail, it is possible to take a means of transferring oil, for example, by transferring the phase-reversed gel-like material to a large-capacity container and stirring it at a low speed with a large rotary blade device or the like. If the rotational speed is around 200 to 2000 rpm, a force at a speed sufficient to cause gel formation can be applied and the generation can be effected gently. From the uniformity when the particles are finely cut, 300 to 800 rpm is more desirable. The oil is desirably added gradually, and a flow rate of 10 to 200 times the amount of water and emulsifier in the first gel phase inversion step per minute is desirable. If it is slower than 10 times the amount, the production rate is too slow, and the shredded particles may not be maintained until the oil is taken in. If it is faster than 200 times, the oil gets too much and becomes uneven once. . Particularly desirable is 20 to 60 times the amount for the production rate and uniformity. When the oil is added and stirred uniformly at a low speed, the amount of gel is gradually increased. When the amount of oil added exceeds a certain amount, the gel is not saturated any further and the whole becomes an oil gel.

In low-speed agitation, it is desirable to use a means of directly agitating the liquid with screws or fins instead of applying only rotation and vibration because particles are broken by applying physical force. As the means, a large-capacity container having a sufficient allowable amount with respect to the amount of oil to be finally added, and a large stirring device capable of uniformly stirring the entire capacity of the container are used. When the oil and the gel-like material are continuously stirred, the amount of the gel increases in such a manner that the oil is taken into the gel-like material. This is because the particles in which water is incorporated in the oil that constitutes the gel-like material are refined by external pressure such as grinding, crushing, friction, shearing and shearing, and the oil is incorporated between the particles. It is presumed that. And even if stirring is continued, the gelled material does not increase when oil is no longer taken in, and most of the oil becomes an oil gel composed of oil. Therefore, it is desirable to stop adding oil at that point.

The total amount of oil until saturation is preferably about 150 to 250 times the total volume of water and emulsifier in the phase inversion process. Below this range, the oil gel does not contain enough oil and the outermost oil phase of the triple particles is not formed, or there is too much oil and the outermost oil phase is too thick and the triple particles are not. It may become stable. In view of the stability of the triple particles, the amount is preferably 190 to 210 times. In this state, an oil gel is produced in which about 99% of the components are oil and the others are fine amounts of water and emulsifiers.

Next, the multi-phase emulsion process is performed in order to produce a fuel having a multi-phase emulsion structure by mixing the produced oil gel with water. By mixing the oil gel and water, the triple phase in which the first phase of the oil is taken into the second phase of the water and further surrounded by the third phase of the oil is dispersed in the outer phase of the water. Become.

The mixing method of water in this step is arbitrary, and the order may be either mixing water with oil gel or mixing oil gel with water, and the volume and mixing method (such as stirring) can be selected as appropriate. The water content can also be arbitrarily selected, and an emulsion break occurs even when water is added from 0.5% (at the time when water is not mixed into the oil gel in which 99.5% of the oil is mixed) to 80%. There is nothing.

The fuel having a multi-phase emulsion structure produced through the above steps is composed of a high water content emulsion having a multi-phase emulsion structure in which very fine triple particles composed of water, emulsifier and oil are dispersed in the outer phase of water. It is a fuel, and the triple particle size is fine, uniform and stable, and the water content can be increased.

The inventor has not completely clarified the mechanism and the reason why this fuel can increase the water content. However, the triple particles composed of water, an emulsifier and oil in the first embodiment are 10 μm or less, and more preferably 0. It consists of very fine particles of 5 to 2.0 μm, and the oil particles are covered with an emulsifier and harden relatively firmly. It is estimated that this is because A fuel comprising a so-called microemulsion having a strong hydrophilic property by these very fine particles can be produced uniformly and stably by performing the production method of the present invention.

Note that the oil gel generated in the first embodiment remains in a gel state, is extremely stable, and can withstand long-term storage. By storing in the form of this oil gel, the volume can be reduced, and fuel can be obtained by adding water and stirring as necessary.

[Second Embodiment]
The method for producing a fuel having a multiphase emulsion structure according to the second embodiment includes a gel phase inversion step, an oil gel generating step, an oil gel increasing step, and a multiphase emulsion step. The same steps as those in the first embodiment are omitted.

The oil gel increasing step in the second embodiment is a step of adding water, an emulsifier and oil to the oil gel and mixing them. The amount of oil added at this time is preferably 150 to 250 times the total volume of water and emulsifier. Below this range, the oil gel does not contain sufficient oil and the outermost of the triple particles. The oil phase may not be formed, or the oil may be too much and the outermost oil phase is too thick, making the triple particles unstable. In view of the stability of the triple particles, the amount is preferably 190 to 210 times. The rate of adding water, emulsifier, and oil to the oil gel is preferably moderate, and is preferably 5 to 30 times the amount of water and emulsifier in total per minute. If it is slower than 5 times, the rate of weight increase is too slow, and if it is faster than 30 times, water, oil and emulsifier are not uniformly incorporated into the gel, and the gel to be increased may become unstable. Particularly preferred is 10 to 25 times the amount for increasing speed and stability.

In this oil gel increasing step, the order in which water, emulsifier, and oil are added to the oil gel is preferably the same, but they may be in different orders. For example, the order of adding a mixed solution of water and an emulsifier and oil to the oil gel can be taken. Moreover, a stirring method etc. will not ask | require if it stirs uniformly. For example, as with the low-speed rotation in the oil gel generation process, stirring can be performed with a device such as a large rotary blade, and in this case as long as the rotation speed is around 200 to 2000 rpm, the speed is sufficient to cause gel generation. It is possible to apply the force of and to generate gently. From the uniformity when the particles are finely cut, 300 to 800 rpm is more desirable.

When mixing with the oil gel, the added water, emulsifier, and oil are phase-inverted into a non-flowing state, so that the amount of the oil gel increases. The oil gel thus produced exhibits the same characteristics as those according to the second embodiment. In addition, the oil gel can be further increased by repeating the oil gel increasing step.

The fuel having a multi-phase emulsion structure manufactured according to the second embodiment has substantially the same properties as those manufactured according to the first embodiment. That is, it has a multiphase emulsion structure in which triple particles are dispersed in water, has uniformity and stability, and can increase the water content.

In the manufacturing method according to the second embodiment, an oil gel can be manufactured on a large scale much more easily than the manufacturing method according to the method of the first embodiment, and the oil gel is first manufactured by the method of the first embodiment. Then, after that, the production can be continued in an increased form by simply adding water, emulsifier and oil to the finished gel. The equipment is very simple and can be scaled up, and a large amount of gel can be produced. Further, while the methods of Patent Documents 1 to 3 produce gels one by one for each batch and further produce emulsions one by one, it is possible to continue producing oil gel and fuel continuously. .

[Third Embodiment]
The method for producing a fuel having a multi-phase emulsion structure according to the third embodiment includes the following steps. In the gel phase inversion process, water, emulsifier and oil are mixed from the beginning. Specifically, it is desirable to start stirring with a water: emulsifier: oil ratio of around 60:60:40. Thereafter, oil is added in the same manner as in the first embodiment while rotating at a high speed of 7000 to 10000 rpm. Since the oil gel generation step and the multiphase emulsion step are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. In the third embodiment, since the stirring in the gel phase inversion step is sufficiently high-speed rotation, even if water, an emulsifier, and oil are added together from the beginning and stirring is started, the particle size of the emulsion is sufficiently fine. And the process can be omitted. It should be noted that the gel phase inversion step can be performed in the same manner as in the second embodiment.

A fuel having a multi-phase emulsion structure in which multi-particles are composed of more phases is also conceivable. For example, the multi-particles are surrounded by the first phase of water at the center, the second phase of oil around it, the third phase of water around it, and the fourth phase of oil around it without any gaps. A case of a quadruple particle consisting of This emulsion is considered to exhibit properties similar to those of the fuel having the multi-phase emulsion structure of the first embodiment, and since it has more water phases, it is considered that further evaporation of moisture occurs during combustion. Moreover, implementation is not hindered with respect to multi-particles composed of more phases than that and having the oil phase on the outside.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples.

[Example 1]
As the gel phase inversion step, 55 mL of pure water was mixed with 15 mL of alkylamine oxide and 30 mL of alkylphenyl ether sulfate as an emulsifier, thereby preparing an aqueous emulsifier solution in a 1 L container. This emulsifier aqueous solution was set in a homogenizer, and while stirring at a high speed of 7000 to 9000 rpm, commercially available kerosene was added dropwise at a rate of 15 to 20 ml / min, it foamed into a whip shape. When the amount of kerosene added reached 500 mL, the foam disappeared rapidly, and at the same time, the viscosity increased rapidly to form a gel.

In the oil gel production step, the gel-like material was transferred to a large container with a capacity of 50 L, and kerosene was further added at an addition rate of 5 to 6 L / min while stirring at a rotational speed of 600 to 1000 rpm using a commercially available stirrer. . Thereby, the substance of the gel-like substance increased and kerosene became a gel-like substance uniformly. 4 to 8 minutes after the start of stirring and addition, the total amount of kerosene reached 20 L, which is 200 times the amount of the original aqueous emulsifier solution. At this point, the gelation stopped, the oil addition became saturated, and the kerosene phase only increased. At this time, the addition of kerosene was stopped to obtain an oil gel.

In the multiphase emulsion process, 60 parts by volume of tap water was added to 40 parts by volume of the oil gel, and the fuel having a multiphase emulsion structure was prepared by manually stirring and mixing with a stirring bar. This fuel was milky white and the emulsion state was very stable. The fuel having this multiphase emulsion structure has a multiphase emulsion structure in which triple particles surrounded in the order of the first phase of oil, the second phase of water and the third phase of oil are dispersed in water.

The oil gel is extremely stable and can withstand long-term storage. Therefore, storage is performed in the form of an oil gel, and if necessary, water is added and stirred to produce an emulsion fuel with a high water content. The fuel of the structure can be adjusted.

[Example 2]
It was produced in the same manner as the oil gel of Example 1 except that heavy oil A was used instead of kerosene.

[Example 3]
It was manufactured in the same manner as the oil gel of Example 1 except that C heavy oil was used instead of kerosene.

[Test Example 1]
[Combustion test of kerosene fuel in a closed furnace]
The oil gel obtained in Example 1 has extremely high hydrophilicity. By adding water and stirring the oil gel, a fuel composed of a stable high water content emulsion can be formed regardless of the addition ratio of water. For this reason, the blending ratio of oil gel: water was set to plural, fuels having various multiphase emulsion structures were prepared, and a combustion test was performed.

The shape of the closed furnace for the combustion test, the test conditions, etc. are as follows. The self-flammability is confirmed by visual inspection from the inspection window provided on the side wall of the furnace, and the exhaust gas temperature is measured for 1 hour after ignition. The test was performed when the combustion state became stable.

Furnace shape (inner dimensions): Width 1000mm x Height 1200mm x Depth 1500mm
Flue: Projected at the top of the wall on the opposite side of the fuel injection port, inner diameter 250mm
Temperature measurement point: installed in the flue, 300 mm above the furnace, thermocouple thermometer Fuel discharge: 4 gallons / hour Fuel discharge pressure: 6 kg / cm ²

The results are shown in Table 1. It was found that even if the water content was 60% by volume, it had self-combustibility.

[Test Example 2]
[Open furnace combustion test of fuel using kerosene and A heavy oil]
A fuel test using a kerosene gel (oil gel produced in Example 1) and A heavy oil gel (oil gel produced in Example 2) was conducted using an open furnace.
A combustion test was carried out by setting the blending ratio of gel: water to plural, adjusting fuels having various multi-phase emulsion structures. The conditions for the combustion test were as follows.

Combustion equipment: Open furnace, rotary burner Furnace temperature: Start at 350 ° C Fuel discharge: 20 L / hour

The results are shown in Table 2.

[Test Example 3]
[Influence on NOx concentration in exhaust gas]
The fuel (oil gel: water = 40: 60 parts by volume) and kerosene having a multi-phase emulsion structure obtained in Example 1 were each sprayed and burned in a combustion furnace preheated to 350 ° C. for combustion. The NOx concentration in the gas was measured. As a result of the measurement, it was 1800 ppm in the case of kerosene, and 40 ppm in the case of the fuel of Example 1.

[Test Example 4]
[Comparison with combustion gas emission standards based on the Air Pollution Control Law]
A simple combustion test of the fuel (oil gel: water = 40: 60 parts by volume) having a multi-phase emulsion structure obtained in Example 1 was conducted, and the melamine alkyd resin-based paint residue, which is an industrial waste, was applied to the same test conditions. In addition, an incineration test was conducted.

Both tests were carried out by spraying fuel in a combustion furnace preheated to 350 ° C. As a result, the fuel self-combusted and the furnace temperature rose to 1000 ° C. The spray rate was 15 liters / hour in the simple combustion test, 22 liters / hour in the paint residue incineration test, and the amount of paint residue incinerated was 36 kg.

Table 3 shows the concentration of pollution components in the exhausted combustion gas in each combustion test compared to the emission standard value based on the Air Pollution Control Law. In all combustion tests, the concentration of pollutant components was far below the emission standard value.

[Test Example 5]
[A fuel consumption of A heavy oil emulsion, exhaust gas test]
About the emulsion using A heavy oil as an oil phase, the fuel consumption and exhaust gas were compared using the heating machine (heater). A water 25, 40% emulsion (A heavy oil oil gel: water = 75: 25, 60:40 parts by volume) composed of the multiphase emulsion structure obtained in Example 2 was prepared and compared with A heavy oil 100%. It was. The conditions of the combustion equipment were as follows.

Heater: Furuta House Heater EXII U300
Burner: LB-35 manufactured by Olympia Industry

[Test results]
The fuel consumption of A heavy oil and emulsion was measured by putting the fuel into a 30 L container, attaching a ruler to the gauge line, and checking the scale every 15 minutes. Fuel consumption of A heavy oil was 16.57 L / hour, water 40% emulsion was 16.0 L / hour, and water 25% emulsion was 21.4 L / hour. Since each emulsion is water-consumed consumption, when converted to the amount of heavy oil A, the water 40% emulsion is 9.6 L / hour and the water 25% emulsion is 16.05 L / hour. It was. In this test, it is thought that the fuel pressure is as high as 1.9 Mpa with respect to the fuel pressure of 1.6 Mpa of heavy oil A, so that the fuel efficiency is deteriorated. It is also possible to improve fuel efficiency.

Table 4 shows the exhaust gas analysis, the temperature of the warmer and other conditions in the test.

The NOx value is reduced by 60% for the 40% water emulsion and 36% for the 25% water emulsion as compared with the heavy oil A. The CO ₂ value increased by 3.3% and 7.7% respectively for the A heavy oil, but the amount of water contained in the same fuel decreased by the fuel consumption reduction rate. 40% and 25% are further reduced, and when combined, they are reduced by 36.7% and 17.3%, respectively.

[Test Example 6]
In the warmer (heater), the fuel efficiency of heavy fuel oil A and emulsion fuel was compared in terms of the rate of temperature rise of the exhaust from the warmer. An apparatus under the same conditions as in Test Example 5, A heavy oil, and 40% emulsion fuel were prepared, and the amount of fuel spray per hour, the outside air temperature, and the exhaust temperature from the warmer were measured. The difference between the exhaust temperature and the outside air temperature is the temperature rise due to combustion, and the temperature rise rate per liter of fuel can be calculated by dividing by the fuel spray amount. The results are shown in Table 5.

As a result, the rate of temperature increase per liter of 40% emulsion is 3 / 3.39 = 0.85 times that of A heavy oil. Here, since the A heavy oil contained in the 40% emulsion is 60%, the consumption efficiency of the A heavy oil is 1 / 0.6 = 1.66 times better. Therefore, the rate of temperature rise per A heavy oil consumption of 40% emulsion is 1.66 × 0.885 = 1.47 times. An increase in the rate of temperature increase per fuel consumption can be said to be equivalent to an increase in fuel efficiency, so that 40% emulsion has a fuel efficiency of 47 even when the same warmer is used compared to when A heavy oil is used as fuel. % Increase was obtained.

[Test Example 7]
[Fuel consumption and exhaust gas test of C heavy oil emulsion]
About the emulsion using C heavy oil as an oil phase, the fuel consumption and exhaust gas were compared using the heating machine (heater). A 30% water emulsion (C heavy oil oil gel: water = 70: 30 parts by volume) having a multiphase emulsion structure obtained in Example 3 was prepared and compared with C heavy oil. The density of this C heavy oil (analyzed according to JIS K2249) is 0.9758 g / cm ³ , the density in the state where an emulsifier is mixed in C heavy oil for oil gel is 0.9709 g / cm ³ , and the total water is distilled ( According to JIS K2275), it was 10.6% v / v.

The conditions of the combustion equipment were as follows.
Heater: Furuta House Heater EXII U300
Burner: LB-35 manufactured by Olympia Industry
Insulation of fuel when supplying burner: 40-50 ° C

[Test results]
For fuel economy measurement of C heavy oil and emulsion, the fuel was put in a 60 L container and placed on a scale, the numerical value obtained by measuring the weight difference at the start and after 30 minutes was doubled, and converted from weight to volume. Fuel consumption of C heavy oil (specific gravity 962 g per liter) was 23.4 L / hour, and water 30% emulsion (specific gravity 968 g per liter) was 20.64 L / hour. In the 30% water emulsion, an improvement in fuel consumption of 12% by weight with respect to C heavy oil was observed.

Table 6 shows the exhaust gas analysis and the temperature and other conditions of the heater in the test.

The value of NOx is a 30% water emulsion, which is 8% less than C heavy oil. The CO ₂ value has decreased by 8% compared to C heavy oil, and the emissions per fuel have decreased by the fuel efficiency reduction rate, so when combined with the 12% decrease in fuel efficiency, the total is 20%. CO ₂ reduction. From these results, the emulsion fuel containing 30% water using C heavy oil in the oil phase showed better fuel economy and reduction of exhaust gas than when C heavy oil was used as it was.

According to the present invention, a fuel having a high water content multi-phase emulsion structure with a water content of 30 to 80% can be obtained even though the relative amount of the emulsifier is relatively small. Since the combustion temperature is about 1000 ° C., it is possible to reduce NOx that is likely to occur during high-temperature combustion. The fuel according to the present invention is suitable as a fuel for heating or the like, and as a temporary or secondary fuel for incinerators when incinerating old tires, vinyl chloride, paint residue, etc., greatly increasing the amount of air pollutants generated. Can be suppressed.

Claims

A fuel having a multi-phase emulsion structure in which multi-particles alternately having three or more phases from the water phase with the oil phase on the outside are dispersed in water.
2. The fuel having a multi-phase emulsion structure according to claim 1, wherein the multiple particles are triple particles surrounded in the order of a first phase of oil, a second phase of water, and a third phase of oil. .
3. A fuel having a multiphase emulsion structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by containing 30 to 80% water.
Water, emulsifier and oil are mixed and emulsified, and the gel phase inversion step is performed by adding oil while stirring at high speed to invert the phase from a fluidized state to a non-fluidized state to form a gelled product
An oil gel production step of adding oil to the gel-like material while stirring at low speed to form an oil gel;
A multi-phase emulsion step in which the oil gel and water are mixed, and a multi-phase emulsion structure is formed in which multiple particles alternately having three or more phases are dispersed in water from the water phase with the oil phase on the outside. A method for producing a fuel having a multi-phase emulsion structure.
Water, emulsifier and oil are mixed and emulsified, and the gel phase inversion step is performed by adding oil while stirring at high speed to invert the phase from a fluidized state to a non-fluidized state to form a gelled product
An oil gel production step of adding oil to the gel-like material while stirring at low speed to form an oil gel;
An oil gel increasing step for increasing the amount of the oil gel by mixing water, an emulsifier and oil to the oil gel;
A multi-phase emulsion step in which the oil gel and water are mixed, and a multi-phase emulsion structure is formed in which multiple particles alternately having three or more phases are dispersed in water from the water phase with the oil phase on the outside. A method for producing a fuel having a multi-phase emulsion structure.
In the oil gel increasing step, the amount of oil added is 150 to 250 times the total amount of water and emulsifier, and the rate of oil addition is 5 to 30 times the total amount of water and emulsifier per minute. A method for producing a fuel comprising a multiphase emulsion structure according to claim 5.
In the oil gel production step, the amount of oil added is 150 to 250 times the total amount of water and emulsifier, and the rate of oil addition is 10 to 200 times the total amount of water and emulsifier per minute. A method for producing a fuel comprising a multiphase emulsion structure according to any one of claims 4 to 6.