Fuel compositions with enhanced stability and methods of making same

Abstract

Method to improve or maintain stability and / or compatibility of a residual hydrocarbon fuel comprising: (a) blending at least 5-95 % m / m of a residual hydrocarbon component with at least 5-80% m / m of a fatty acids alkyl esters component or (b) blending at least 5-80 % m / m of a fatty acids alkyl esters component with a stable residual fuel composition comprising (i) at least 5-95 % m / m of a residual hydrocarbon component and (ii) up to 90 % m / m of a non hydroprocessed hydrocarbon, a hydroprocessed hydrocarbon or any combination thereof; wherein the fatty acids alkyl esters component is blended with the stable residual fuel composition before at least one other fuel composition that decreases the asphaltenes solvency power of the residual fuel composition is added thereto.