Fuel System for Improved Fuel Efficiency Utilizing Glycols in a Spark Ignition Engine

Abstract

A fuel system for improved fuel efficiency which can be contained in a single fuel source, such as a fuel tank of a vehicle, having a gasoline phase comprises gasoline or gasohol; and an anti-knock phase comprising a glycol anti-knock subagent, water and one or more of a second anti-knock subagent selected from the group of methanol, ethanol and mixtures thereof; such that the anti-knock agent phase is substantially immiscible with the gasoline phase.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims priority to provisional U.S. application Ser. No. 61 / 001177, filed Oct. 31, 2007.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]A fuel system for improved fuel efficiency which can be contained in a single fuel source, such as a fuel tank of a vehicle, having a gasoline phase comprises gasoline or gasohol; and an anti-knock phase comprising an anti-knock agent comprising a glycol anti-knock subagent, water and one or more of a second anti-knock subagent selected from the group of methanol, ethanol and mixtures thereof; such that the anti-knock agent phase is substantially immiscible with the gasoline phase.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]This invention relates to spark ignition gasoline engines utilizing an antiknock agent which is immiscible with gasoline to improve engine efficiency while being stored in the same containment area / volume or tank of a vehicle.[0004]It is known that the efficiency of gasoline engines can be inc...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The use of techniques to increase engine efficiency, however, is limited by the onset of engine knock.

Knock is the undesired detonation of fuel and can severely damage an engine.

Octane number represents the resistance of a fuel to knocking but the use of higher octane gasoline only modestly alleviates the tendency to knock.

However, the proposed use of two separate tanks in a vehicle is a recognized challenge whether consumers will mind filling up with two fuels in two different fuel tanks.

The occurrence of a separate liquid phase in gasohol is perceived as harmful even though the phase behavior of gasoline-ethanol-water mixtures is totally different from gasoline-water mixtures.

There still exists a problem of how to deliver two components to a gasoline engine in a consumer friendly manner that requires little to no change in customary habits.

Images