Fuel additive for enhancing combustion efficiency and decreasing emissions

Abstract

A fuel additive comprising a sol containing particles of at least one inorganic-metallic component and at least one organo-metallic component stabilized in a suitable hydrocarbon medium. The components are formed as a metal complex wherein the metallic element comprises at least one metal selected from the elements of Groups VIII to XI in the Periodic Table, preferably platinum, cobalt, nickel, copper, gold, rhodium or, most preferably, palladium. The organo component is an alkyl carboxylate, preferably acetate, and the inorganic component is derived from silicon, titanium, aluminum, and preferably silicate. The additive is preferably formed by (a) forming an aqueous solution of at least one metallic component; (b) forming a colloid of organo-metallic and inorganic-metallic components from said solution; and (c) extracting at least some of the metallic colloidal components from the aqueous solution using a suitable hydrocarbon medium under controlled PH, temperature and time.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 662,421, filed Mar. 1, 2005, and titled “A Liquid Hydrocarbon Based Fuel Additive For Enhancing Combustion Efficiency And Decreasing Emissions From An Internal Combustion Engine, Heating Chamber Or Jet Engine And Method Of Making Same.”FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to improved combustion of fuels in internal combustion engines, heating chambers and jet engines.BACKGROUND[0003]Burning a fossil fuel in an internal combustion engine, jet engine or heating furnace presents a hazard to the ecosystem of the world due to the emissions of hazardous carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulfur and incompletely burned fossil fuels. Sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen are major components of acid rain. Acid rain is toxic to both animals and plants. The burning of carbon based fuels also releases carbon diox...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0046]The present invention relates to a novel fuel additive product and a method for making such additive, which decreases toxic exhaust emissions and increases the efficiency of the burn. Without limiting the invention to any specific theory of operation, the fuel additive composition of the invention is believed, based on the available evidence, to operate by depositing and activating a reversible microfilm catalyst on the combustion surfaces of internal combustion engines, heat chambers and jet engines. The fuel additive of the present invention comprises a sol of an inorganic-metallic and organo-metallic complex stabilized in a suitable hydrocarbon medium. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the complex component of the inventive composition is itself derived from an aqueous colloidal gel-sol composition in which the inorganic-metallic and organo-metallic complex components are formed and bound.

[0050]The metallic complex components of the additive according to the invention are formed by any suitable technique, preferably by the methods of the invention, and dispersed in a hydrocarbon medium, such as xylene, jet fuel, diesel fuel, and, preferably, kerosene. In one embodiment, the sol particles are a colloidal complex dispersed as a stable suspension in the hydrocarbon medium. In the practice of the invention, where the complex particles are extracted from an aqueous colloidal precursor, the particles are preferably less than about 20 microns, preferably where the major portion of a particle distribution is less than 20 microns. When exposed to a combustion chamber, for example, the stabilized particles are believed to be adhered to the walls of the combustion chamber, so as to function effectively to achieve improved fuel performance.

[0053]The catalytic activity increases the speed of combustion and, therefore, the efficiency of hydrocarbon fuels, and decreases the emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons as well as carbon dioxide.

[0055]It is believed that the particles, through one embodiment of the process of the present invention, are electrostatically charged and polarized, the degree of polarization being dependent on several factors, including pH. This technique is believed to enhance the adhesiveness of the active ingredients of the sol to the combustion surfaces in the chamber.

[0063]The present invention may be practiced by a variety of chemical and physical processes in order to manufacture the desired catalyst. It is believed that when the active catalyst is exposed to the combustion chamber walls, it adheres to the chamber surface. This adhesive quality facilitates the formation of a catalytic matrix on the surface of the combustion chamber which is believed to enable the improved catalytic action of the inventive composition.

Problems solved by technology

Burning a fossil fuel in an internal combustion engine, jet engine or heating furnace presents a hazard to the ecosystem of the world due to the emissions of hazardous carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulfur and incompletely burned fossil fuels.

Acid rain is toxic to both animals and plants.

The burning of carbon based fuels also releases carbon dioxide into the environment, therefore increasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Moreover, crude oil supplies are dwindling worldwide.

The combustion of hydrocarbons produces a large volume of gases in addition to a large amount of heat.

However, smog and acid rain may result from the combustion process, specifically from the production of carbon, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen and other non-metal oxides.

However, very small concentrations of nitrogen oxides (NOx) cause serious problems.

Both NO and NO2 are very reactive and do considerable damage to plants and animals.

It is apparent from the above analysis that carbon monoxide is a threat to the health and welfare of the earth's animal population.

Carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and NOx also threaten plant and animal population, due to their role in acid rain formation.

To date, however such attempts have been unsuccessful.

However, the methods described in Carroll are generally limited to the use of starting compounds which are soluble in water.

Tanaka does not disclose the preparation of fuel additives.

Again, these efforts in the past have failed to achieve an acceptable level of improvement and have failed to recognize or appreciate the nature and benefits of the present invention.

Images