WO2024141399A1

WO2024141399A1 - Fuel compositions

Info

Publication number: WO2024141399A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/087222
Authority: WO
Inventors: Felix Johannes BALTHASAR
Original assignee: Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V.; Shell Usa, Inc.
Priority date: 2022-12-30
Filing date: 2023-12-21
Publication date: 2024-07-04

Abstract

A fuel composition comprising: (i) at least 30 vol% of renewable gasoline component, wherein the renewable gasoline component has a RON of at least 80 and has been derived from an ethanol to gasoline process; and (ii) at least 5 vol% of a renewable alcohol component; and (iii) from 15 vol% to 50 vol% of petroleum-derived gasoline component; wherein the fuel composition has a RON of 95 or greater and comprises at least 50 vol% of renewable components. The fuel compositions of the present invention allow the formulation of a higher bio-content fuel, while still maintaining high RON, an improved distillation profile and low particulate emissions.

Description

FUEL COMPOSITIONS

The present application relates to high octane, biobased fuel compositions.

In the operation of spark-induced or spark-ignition combustion engines, and particularly automotive engines operating on gasoline, the octane number of the fuel must be high enough to prevent knocking. Gasolines sold at service stations typically have an octane number of 95 upwards. Fuels having such octane numbers are satisfactory for most automotive engines.

For high performance engines, and for racing engines in particular, fuels of even higher octane numbers are required. The lower the octane number, the more likely it is that knocking will occur. The production of fuels of progressively higher octane values is progressively more difficult to achieve. In particular, fuels having an octane value at or above 100 are highly desired and the most difficult to produce. This is particularly true for unleaded fuels.

Current racing fuels, and particularly racing fuels for endurance racing, require not just high octane but optimized engine and fuel efficiency.

Currently many countries also impose a requirement in gasolines of an amount of bio-component: a component that has been derived from biological sources such as cellulose or plant materials, rather than from crude oil. It is expected that both fuel technical specifications and legislation will require increased amounts of biocomponent as the transition is made to alternative, renewable fuel sources. Many types of biofuel components are known. Common bio-components include alkanols, such as ethanol, obtained from natural sources, such as plant products and often termed, bio-ethanol. A drawback of bio-ethanol however is its low energy density compared to hydrocarbons, as well as its propensity to damage pipelines or sealing components of fuel systems. Other known biofuels are esters of fatty and/or animal acids and alcohols, however these tend to have limited storage stability. HVO technology is an alternative method for processing natural fats to renewable fuels which consists in catalytic hydro-conversion of fats resulting in a mixture of paraffinic hydrocarbons. Another known method for processing biomass into biofuels is the gasification of biomass followed by synthesis of paraffinic hydrocarbons via the Fischer-Tropsch process. A known drawback of HVO and Fischer-Tropsch derived fuels however is the lack of aromatic compounds which would provide the required lubrication properties for the final fuel compositions .

Another method for producing biofuels is the conversion of ethanol to gasoline (also known as ETG) . EP2940103B1 relates to a method for the preparation of a synthetic biofuel using ethanol through the conversion of ethanol in a mixture with hydrocarbons in a catalytic process on a bed of zeolite-type aluminosilicate. EP2982734B1 relates to a method for preparation of a fuel mixture for spark-ignition engines comprising a mixture of petroleum hydrocarbons with a final distillation temperature no higher than 210°C, oxygen compounds and refining additives, from biomass, characterized in deriving ethanol or a mixture of ethanol and other alcohols having a carbon number C1-C5, aldehydes, ketones, esters of lower fatty acids up to C5 or mixtures of them all, from a fermentation of the biomass, carrying out a catalytic conversion of the product of the fermentation, to hydrocarbons, isolating a bio-component from the product of the catalytic conversion, whereas the bio-component is a mixture of synthetic hydrocarbons having a final distillation temperature up to 210°C, comprising up to 35% (v/v) of aromatic hydrocarbons, with a content of sulfur, chlorine, and metals, including lead, below the detection level of generally applicable analytic methods, with a benzene content of less than 0.2% (v/v) and an ethanol content less than 0.17% (v/v) , wherein the bio-component is derived from biomass and contains hydrocarbons only with carbon atoms of no anthropogenic origin, and next preparing the fuel mixture for spark-ignition engines comprising the petroleum hydrocarbons, the bio-component, the oxygen compounds and the refining additives selected from detergents, antioxidants, anti-corrosion additives and others that improve the performance characteristics, wherein the biocomponent is present in an amount up to 85% by volume of the total fuel mixture.

W02021/099220 relates to a gasoline composition comprising (a) a base gasoline without oxygen content in an amount in the range from about 60 to about 90 vol% based on the total gasoline composition; (b) a renewable gasoline component in an amount in the range from 1 to 15 vol% based on the total gasoline composition; and (c) one or more mono alcohols in an amount in the range from 5 to at the most 15 vol% based on the total gasoline composition, having a RON of about 105 or more; and wherein the composition as a whole has a RON of at least 95; and with the proviso that the components listed in (a) , (b) and (c) taken together adds up to 100 vol% . This patent publication does not mention renewable gasoline components produced by an ethanol-to-gasoline process .

A need exists for fuel compositions which allow higher content of biofuel components while still maintaining high RON, as well as providing an improved distillation profile and low particulate emissions. Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a fuel composition comprising:

(i) at least 30 vol% of renewable gasoline component, wherein the renewable gasoline component has a RON of at least 80 and has been derived from an ethanol to gasoline process ;

(ii) at least 5 vol% of a renewable alcohol component; and

(iii) from 15 vol% to 50 vol% of petroleum-derived gasoline component; wherein the fuel composition has a RON of 95 or greater and comprises at least 50 vol% of renewable components.

According to the present invention there is further provided a process for preparing a fuel composition comprising blending (i) at least 30 vol% of renewable gasoline component having a RON of at least 80 with (ii) at least 5 vol% of a renewable alcohol component and (iii) from 15 vol% to 50 vol% of petroleum-derived gasoline component, wherein the renewable gasoline component has been derived from an ethanol to gasoline process and wherein the components (i) , (ii) and (iii) are blended in amounts such that the final fuel composition comprises at least 50 vol% of renewable components. The fuel composition produced by the process has a RON of 95 or greater, preferably 98 or greater, more preferably 100 or greater.

The fuel composition of the present invention allows a higher bio-content fuel while still maintaining high RON, an improved distillation profile and low particulate emissions .

It is particularly surprising that a very high RON can be achieved in the final formulation despite the low RON/MON of the renewable gasoline component, while at the same time achieving good local emissions performance and an improved distillation profile. Advantageously, the fuel composition meets the requirements of the EN228 fuels specification. Detailed Description of the Invention

The fuel composition of the present invention is a gasoline fuel composition suitable for a spark ignition engine. It most suitably has a low or ultra low sulphur content, for instance at most 1000 ppmw (parts per million by weight) , preferably no more than 500 ppmw, more preferably no more than 100, even more preferably no more than 50 and most preferably no more than even 10 ppmw . Octane Number

The octane number of a fuel composition can be measured as Research Octane Number (RON) and/or Motor Octane Number (MON) ; an octane number may also be calculated as the sum of the Research Octane Number (RON) and the Motor Octane Number (MON) divided by 2, i.e. , (R+M) /2. Unless otherwise indicated, the Research Octane Number (RON) is determined according to method ASTM D2699 and the Motor Octane Number (MON) is determined according to method ASTM D2700, both incorporated by reference. The fuel compositions of the present application have a RON of 95 or greater, preferably 98 or greater. In one embodiment, the fuel compositions have a RON of about 100 or more.

It is surprising that a very high RON can be achieved in the final formulation despite the low RON/MON of the renewable gasoline component. Renewable Gasoline component

The fuel composition of the present invention comprises at least 30 vol% of renewable gasoline component, preferably at least 35 vol%, more preferably at least 40 vol%, based on the total fuel composition . The renewable gasoline component has a RON of at least 80 and has been derived from an ethanol to gasoline process.

In preferred embodiments, the fuel composition of the present invention comprises from 30 vol% to 50 vol, preferably from 30 vol% to 40 vol%, more preferably from 35 vol% to 40 vol% of renewable gasoline component, based on the total fuel composition.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the amount of renewable gasoline component in the fuel composition is about 36.5 volume!, based on the total fuel composition.

As used herein the term 'renewable' in the context of a renewable fuel component refers to a fuel component derived from any renewable source (i.e. not from any fossil based source) . Thus, the renewable gasoline component and the renewable alcohol component used herein are based on renewable sources and do not originate from or derive from any fossil based material. The renewable gasoline component and renewable alcohol component have a higher content of ¹⁴C isotope than similar components derived from fossil sources. Thus, in gasoline blends, where a portion of the gasoline blend is based on fossil based material and a portion of the gasoline blend is based on renewable source, the renewable component can be determined by measuring the ¹⁴C activity. Analysis of ¹⁴C is an established approach to determine the age of components based on the rate of decay of the isotope ¹⁴C compared to ¹²C (also known as carbon dating) . The renewable fraction of any material is proportional to its ¹⁴C content. A suitable method for analysing the content of carbon from biological or renewable sources is ASTM D6866 (2018) . Other methods include DIN 51637 (2014) and EN16640 (2017) . For the purposes of the present invention, a component is considered to be renewable if it contains 90% or more, preferably 100%, modern carbon (pMC) , as measured using ASTM D6866.

The fuel compositions of the present invention comprise at least 50 vol% of renewable components, based on the total fuel composition.

As used herein, the term 'renewable gasoline component' means a mixture of C4 to C9 straight or branched hydrocarbons originating from renewable sources and not derived from any fossil based material. For example, the renewable gasoline component may comprise a mixture of one or more of n-hexane, n-pentane, isopentane and other C4 to C9 alkanes such as 2-methyl pentane, 2,3-dimethyl butane, heptane and 3-methyl heptane. The renewable gasoline component preferably has a boiling point range from 40°C to 170°C.

As used herein, the term 'ethanol-to-gasoline' process means the conversion of ethanol into gasoline using a suitable catalyst. Preferably the catalyst for the ethanol-to-gasoline process is a zeolite catalyst. A preferred ethanol-to-gasoline process for producing the renewable gasoline component used herein can be found in EP2940103B1 and EP2982734B1, incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

In one embodiment herein, the renewable gasoline component can be produced via the catalytic conversion of ethanol, originating from the fermentation of alcohol or a mixture of ethanol and other alcohols having a carbon number C1-C5, aldehydes and ketones and esters of lower fatty acids up to C5 or mixtures of them, where the used biocomponent is derived from biomass, and containing hydrocarbons with carbon atoms only of no anthropogenic origin. Such a process is taught in EP2982734B1, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In one embodiment herein, the renewable gasoline component can be produced from ethanol through the conversion of ethanol in a mixture with hydrocarbons, in a catalytic process on a bed of zeolite-type aluminosilicate. Such a process is taught in EP2940103B1, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In this process, ethanol, especially from alcoholic fermentation, at a concentration of at least 10% w/w, or a mixture of ethanol with other alcohols and/or organic oxy compounds such as aldehydes, ketones, esters, with carbon content not higher than C5, and/or distillation waste by-product formed during the ethanol separation operation, such as fusels, fusel oil and/or the 'heads' , prior to the catalytic conversion process is mixed with a diluting gas containing hydrocarbons and the conversion process is carried out without supplying the reaction mixture stream with equimolar quantities of water and without any additional amount of heat, in a one-step process in the gas phase at a temperature of 250-450°C, preferably 270-350°C and a pressure up to 5 MPa, using at least two alternately operated, preferably four connected in series, flow reactors with heat exchangers, and then at a temperature of up to 100°C, preferably 30-80°C, and a pressure up to 2 MPa, the 'hearts' fraction is recovered from the reaction product, and the remainder, in whole or in part, is recycled back to dilute the alcohol-containing raw material in a quantity of 0.5:1 to 20:1 in relation to the weight of the raw material containing alcohol. Preferably the catalyst is a zeolite type ZSM-5 with SiCt/A^Oa ratio from 50 to 280, in the shape of 'macaroni' with a diameter of 1.6 mm or 3.2 mm and length up to 20 mm. Further details of this process can be found in EP2940103B1.

The renewable gasoline component used herein preferably meets the EN228 specification. The renewable gasoline is preferably a synthetic hydrocarbons fraction having a final boiling temperature of up to 210°C. Preferably the renewable gasoline has an aromatic content up to 35% v/v. Preferably the renewable gasoline component has an oxygenate content no higher than that specified in the EN228 specification. In a preferred embodiment, the renewable gasoline component has an oxygenate content of less than 0.02 wt% by weight, preferably 0 wt%, by weight of the renewable gasoline component. The level of sulfur and metals including lead present in the renewable gasoline component is preferably 0 ppm. The level of benzene in the renewable gasoline component is preferably less than 0.2% v/v.

The renewable gasoline component used herein typically comprises more than 3% by weight of benzene and toluene combined, by weight of the renewable gasoline component. In a preferred embodiment, the renewable gasoline component used herein comprises 3.5% by weight or more of benzene and toluene combined, by weight of the renewable gasoline component.

In a preferred embodiment, the renewable gasoline component comprises less than 40wt% cyclic hydrocarbons, by weight of the renewable gasoline component.

A suitable renewable gasoline component produced by an ethanol-to-gasoline process is commercially available from Ekobenz, Poland.

In one embodiment, the fuel composition comprises 36.5 vol% of renewable gasoline. Renewable Alcohol component

The fuel composition of the present invention comprises at least 5 vol%, preferably at least 8 vol%, of a renewable alcohol component, based on the final fuel composition .

In preferred embodiments, the fuel composition comprises from 5 vol% to 30 vol%, preferably from 5 vol% to 20 vol%, more preferably from 8 vol% to 15 vol%, and even more preferably from 8 vol% to 12 vol%, of a renewable alcohol component, based on the final fuel composition .

The renewable alcohol component preferably contains from 2 to 4 carbon atoms. Suitable alcohols are selected from methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment the alcohol is ethanol .

In one embodiment of the present invention, the amount of alkanol in the fuel composition is about 8.5 volume% of total fuel composition. The ethanol used may suitably be any fuel-grade ethanol from a renewable source. Suitable bio-ethanol is readily available commercially.

Petroleum-derived gasoline component

In the liquid fuel compositions of the present invention, the petroleum-derived gasoline component may be a gasoline base fuel which is derived from a petroleum source. The petroleum-derived gasoline base fuel may be any gasoline suitable for use in an internal combustion engine of the spark-ignition (petrol) type known in the art, including automotive engines as well as in other types of engine such as, for example, off road and aviation engines. The gasoline used as the base fuel in the liquid fuel composition of the present invention may conveniently also be referred to as 'base gasoline' .

The gasoline base fuel may itself comprise a mixture of two or more different gasoline fuel components, and/or be additivated as described below.

Conventionally gasoline base fuels are present in a gasoline or liquid fuel composition in a major amount, for example greater than 50% m/m of the liquid fuel composition. However, in the present invention, the petroleum-derived gasoline component is present at a level from 15 vol% to 50 vol%, preferably from 15 vol% to 30 vol%, more preferably from 20 vol% to 30 vol%, based on the total fuel composition. In one embodiment herein, the petroleum-derived gasoline component is present at a level of about 24 vol% based on the total fuel composition .

Gasolines typically comprise mixtures of hydrocarbons boiling in the range from 25 to 230° C (ENISO 3405) , the optimal ranges and distillation curves typically varying according to climate and season of the year. The hydrocarbons in a petroleum-derived gasoline may be derived by any means known in the art, conveniently the hydrocarbons may be derived in any known manner from straight-run gasoline, synthetically-produced aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures, thermally or catalytically cracked hydrocarbons, hydro-cracked petroleum fractions, catalytically reformed hydrocarbons or mixtures of these.

The specific distillation curve, hydrocarbon composition, research octane number (RON) and motor octane number (MON) of the petroleum-derived gasoline are not critical .

Conveniently, the research octane number (RON) of the petroleum-derived gasoline base fuel may be at least 80, for instance in the range of from 80 to 110. Typically, the RON of the gasoline base fuel will be at least 90, for instance in the range of from 90 to 110. Typically, the RON of the gasoline base fuel will be at least 91, for instance in the range of from 91 to 105 (EN 25164) . The motor octane number (MON) of the gasoline may conveniently be at least 70, for instance in the range of from 70 to 110. Typically, the MON of the gasoline will be at least 75, for instance in the range of from 75 to 105 (EN 25163) .

Typically, gasolines comprise components selected from one or more of the following groups; saturated hydrocarbons, olefinic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, and oxygenated hydrocarbons. Conveniently, the gasoline may comprise a mixture of saturated hydrocarbons, olefinic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, and, optionally, oxygenated hydrocarbons. Typically, the olefinic hydrocarbon content of the gasoline is in the range of from 0 to 40% v/v based on the gasoline (ASTM D1319) ; preferably, the olefinic hydrocarbon content of the gasoline is in the range of from 0 to 30% v/ v based on the gasoline, more preferably, the olefinic hydrocarbon content of the gasoline is in the range of from 0 to 20% v/v based on the gasoline.

Typically, the aromatic hydrocarbon content of the gasoline is in the range of from 0 to 70% v/v based on the gasoline (ASTM D1319) , for instance the aromatic hydrocarbon content of the gasoline is in the range of from 10 to 60% v/v based on the gasoline; preferably, the aromatic hydrocarbon content of the gasoline is in the range of from 0 to 50% v/v based on the gasoline, for instance the aromatic hydrocarbon content of the gasoline is in the range of from 10 to 50% v/v based on the gasoline .

The benzene content of the gasoline is at most 10% v/v, more preferably at most 5% v/v, especially at most 1% v/v based on the gasoline.

The gasoline preferably has a low or ultra low sulphur content, for instance at most 1000 mg/kg (otherwise known as ppm or ppmw or parts per million by weight) , preferably no more than 500 mg/kg, more preferably no more than 100, even more preferably no more than 50 and most preferably no more than even 10 mg/kg.

The gasoline also preferably has a low total lead content, such as at most 0.005 g/1, most preferably being lead free - having no lead compounds added thereto (i.e. , unleaded) .

Examples of suitable gasolines include gasolines which have an olefinic hydrocarbon content of from 0 to 20% v/v (ASTM D1319) , an oxygen content of from 0 to 5% m/m (EN 1601) , an aromatic hydrocarbon content of from 0 to 50% v/v (ASTM D1319) and a benzene content of at most 1% v/v. Renewable Cyclopentane

The fuel composition of the present invention preferable comprises in the range from 0.1 volumei to 8 volumei, more preferably 1 vol% to 6 vol%, even more preferably 2 vol% to 5 vol%, of a renewable cyclopentane.

In one embodiment herein the fuel composition contains about 4 vol% of renewable cyclopentane.

It has been found that the inclusion of renewable cyclopentane, particularly in combination with the toluene, is beneficial for providing a fuel composition which has a very high RON (e.g. close to 100) despite the low RON/MON of the renewable gasoline component, while at the same time also achieving good local emissions performance and good distillation properties. Alkylate

The fuel composition of the present invention comprises from 5 vol% to 20 vol%, preferably from 10 vol% to 20 vol%, more preferably from 12 vol% to 18 vol% of alkylate, based on the total fuel composition.

In one embodiment, the fuel composition comprises about 15 vol . % alkylate.

The term "alkylate" is typically used to refer to a refinery stream consisting of predominantly branched- chain paraffins, derived from the alkylation processes used in oil refining. Alkylation is described, for example, in J. Gary, et al. Petroleum Refining, Technology and Economics (2d Ed. 1984) Chapter 10, pp . 159-183, and in Kirk Othmer. Concise Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology (4^th Ed. 1999) Vol. 1, p. 75-76.

As used herein, the word "alkylate" refers to hydrocarbon compositions used for fuel applications comprising 90 volumei or more iso-paraffins, as measured according to ASTM D5134-98 (2003) . Alkylate is typically produced by distillation of the reaction products of isobutane with monoolefinic hydrocarbons usually ranging in carbon numbers from C3 through C5. Alkylate consists of predominantly branched chain saturated hydrocarbons having carbon numbers predominantly in the range of C? through C12 and boiling in the range of approximately 90°C to 220°C (194°F to 428°F) .

Suitable alkylate typically has a RON of, for example, from 93 to 95. Suitable alkylate typically has a MON of, for example, from 91 to 92. Suitable alkylate typically has an octane number (R+M/2) of, for example, from 92 to 93.5.

Suitable alkylates can be obtained from a variety of sources, including Shell Chemical Company under the tradename MIRO.

In one embodiment, the unleaded fuel composition contains toluene.

Toluene

The fuel composition herein preferably comprises from 0.1 vol% to 15 vol%, more preferably from 1 vol% to 15 vol%, even more preferably from 5 vol% to 15 vol%, and especially from 8 vol% to 12 vol% of toluene, based on the final fuel composition.

Toluene is a mono-substituted benzene having the

In one embodiment, the fuel composition contains 12 vol . % of toluene. Specific Formulations In one embodiment, there is provided a fuel composition comprising 30 to 50 vol% of renewable gasoline component, 5 to 30 vol% of renewable alcohol component, preferably ethanol, 15 to 50 vol% of a petroleum derived gasoline component, 0.1 to 8 vol% of renewable cyclopentanone, 5 to 20 vol% alkylate, and 0.1 to 15 vol% of toluene (all vol% amounts being based on the final fuel composition) .

In another embodiment, there is provided a fuel composition comprising 30 to 40 vol% renewable gasoline component, 5 to 20 vol% of renewable alcohol, preferably ethanol, 15 to 30 vol% of petroleum derived gasoline component, 1 to 6 vol% of renewable cyclopentane, 10 to 20 vol% alkylate, and 1 to 15 vol% toluene (all vol% amounts being based on the final fuel composition) .

In another embodiment herein, there is provided a fuel composition comprising 35 to 40 vol% renewable gasoline component, 8 to 15 vol% renewable alcohol, preferably ethanol, 20 to 30 vol% of petroleum-derived gasoline component, 2 to 5 vol% of renewable cyclopentanone, 12 to 18 vol% alkylate, and 8 to 12 vol% toluene (all vol% amounts being based on the final fuel composition) .

The unleaded fuel composition of the present invention is most suitable for use in racing applications, for example in endurance racing or high speed racing applications.

It has been found that the fuel compositions of the present invention have improved distillation properties. Preferably, the fuel compositions of the present invention have an E150 of greater than 85%. Preferably, the fuel composition has a final boiling point of less than 195°C. These improved distillation properties ensure that low PN/PM emissions are achieved.

Other Components

The unleaded fuel composition also may comprise one or more fuel additives

Non-limiting examples of suitable types of fuel additives that can be included in the fuel composition, or in a performance additive package for use in the fuel composition, include anti-oxidants, corrosion inhibitors, detergents, dehazers, antiknock additives, metal deactivators, valve-seat recession protectant compounds, dyes, solvents, carrier fluids, diluents and markers. Examples of suitable such additives are described generally in US Patent No. 5,855, 629.

Conveniently, the fuel additives can be blended with one or more solvents to form an additive concentrate, the additive concentrate can then be admixed with the other components of the gasoline or fuel composition of the present invention.

The (active matter) concentration of any optional additives present in the fuel composition of the present invention is preferably up to 1 percent by weight, more preferably in the range from 5 to 3000 ppmw, for example to 2000 ppmw, and possibly in the range of from 200 to 3000 ppmw, such as from 300 to 1000 ppmw.

The present invention will now be illustrated and suitable blends further described by the following nonlimiting Examples. Examples

A fuel formulation according to the present invention was prepared by blending the components specified in Table 1 below. In Table 1, the percentage volume of each component is the percentage of the whole composition specified . The renewable gasoline used in the fuel formulation set out in Table 1 was a commercially available ethanol-to-gasoline product supplied by Ekobenz , Poland . Table 2 below shows the measured properties of the ethanol-to-ga soline product . Table 3 below shows the measured properties of the final fuel formulation according to the present invention .

Table 1

Table 2 (Measured properties of ETG component )

Table 3 (Measured properties of Final Fuel Composition)

Despite the low RON/MON of the base renewable ETG component (RON = 89.7; MON = 82.8) , the final fuel formulation according to the present invention still managed to achieve a very high RON (close to 100) while at the same time also achieving good local emissions performance with excellent distillation characteristics. In particular, the final fuel formulation had an E150 > 85% and EBP < 195 °C, compared with the ethanol-to- gasoline component which had an E150 of 70.6% and EBP of 206°C.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A fuel composition comprising:

(i) at least 30 vol% of renewable gasoline component, wherein the renewable gasoline component has a RON of at least 80 and has been derived from an ethanol to gasoline process; and

(ii) at least 5 vol% of a renewable alcohol component; and

2. A fuel composition according to Claim 1 wherein the fuel composition has a RON of 98 or greater.

3. A fuel composition according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the fuel composition additionally comprises from 0.1 vol% to 8 vol% of renewable cyclopentane.

4. A fuel composition according to any of Claims to 3 wherein the fuel composition additionally comprises from 0.1 vol% to 15 vol% of toluene.

5. A fuel composition according to any of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the fuel composition additionally comprises from 5 vol% to 20 vol% of alkylate.

6. A fuel composition according to any of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the fuel composition comprises at least 35 vol% of renewable gasoline component.

7. A fuel composition according to any of Claims 1 to

6 wherein the fuel composition comprises at least 40 vol% of renewable gasoline component.

8. A fuel composition according to any of Claims 1 to

7 wherein the fuel composition comprises at least 8 vol% of renewable alcohol component.

9. A fuel composition according to any of Claims 1 to

8 wherein the renewable alcohol component is ethanol.

10. A fuel composition according to any of Claims 1 to

9 wherein the fuel composition has an E150 of greater than 85% .

11. A fuel composition according to any of Claims 1 to 9 wherein the fuel composition has a final boiling point of less than 195°C.

12. A fuel composition according to any of Claims wherein the fuel composition meets the requirements of the EN228 fuel specification.

13. A process for preparing a fuel composition comprising blending (i) at least 30 vol% of renewable gasoline component having a RON of at least 80 with (ii) at least 5 vol% of a renewable alcohol component and (iii) from 15 vol% to 50 vol% of petroleum-derived gasoline component, wherein the renewable gasoline component has been derived from an ethanol to gasoline process and wherein the components (i) , (ii) and (iii) are blended in amounts such that the final fuel composition comprises at least 50 vol% of renewable components.