Fuel composition having a fuel, water, a high molecular weight emulsifier, and a surfactant including natural fats, non-ionic and ionic surfactants, co-surfactants, fatty acids and their amine salts, or combinations thereof

Abstract

The invention provides an emulsified water in oil composition comprising: A) a fuel; B) a water; C) a high molecular weight emulsifier; D) a surfactant having a molecular weight of about less than or equal to about 950 g / mol wherein the surfactant comprises: i) natural fats; ii) non-ionic and ionic surfactants; iii) co-surfactant; iv) fatty acids and their amine salts; or v) combinations thereof; and E) optionally ammonium nitrate.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 319,668 filed Dec. 13, 2002 and claims the benefit of said prior application.FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to a novel low energy process to produce a water in oil emulsion, in particular water blended fuels with good emulsion stability. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of a low molecular weight surfactant to make a water in oil emulsion by a low energy, low shear process. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Internal combustion engines, especially diesel engines, using water fuel blends results in the combustion chamber producing lower nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons and particulate matter emissions. NOx emissions have become an important environmental issue because it contributes to smog and air pollution. Governmental regulations and environmental concerns have driven the need to reduce NOx emissions from engines. In particular, the U.S. Clean Air Act will require about 90% to 95% ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020] The surfactant lowers the interfacial tension of the water in oil interface during emulsion and formation and is a low molecular weight surfactant that is less than or equal to 950 g / mol.

[0023] The water in oil emulsion provides good emulsion stability. The water in oil composition is useful as a fuel for stationary and / or combustion engines and / or open flame burning apparatus.

Problems solved by technology

Internal combustion engines, especially diesel engines, using water fuel blends results in the combustion chamber producing lower nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons and particulate matter emissions.

NOx emissions have become an important environmental issue because it contributes to smog and air pollution.

These methods are typically expensive or complicated to be readily commercially available.

When water is added to the fuel it forms an emulsion and these emulsions are generally unstable.

Stable water in fuel emulsions of a small particle size are difficult to reach and maintain.

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