High-power liquid fuel composition for spark-ignition engines

Abstract

A high-power liquid fuel composition for spark-ignition engines is provided. The fuel composition has a RON greater than or equal to 95 and a MON greater than or equal to 85, the RON and MON values being measured according to the ASTM D 2699-86 standard or D 2700-86 standard, and includes at least one C4-C5 unsaturated alcohol. The disclosure also relates to the use of a C4-C5 unsaturated alcohol, preferably 3-methyl-2-butene-1-ol or 3-methyl-3-butene-1-ol, in a petrol fuel composition, for improving the power of a naturally-aspirated or turbocharged spark-ignition engine, during the combustion. The disclosure also relates to a process for preparing such a fuel composition.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a National Phase Entry of International Application Serial No. PCT / EP2013 / 053792, filed on Feb. 26, 2013, which claims priority to French Patent Application Serial No. 1251766, filed on Feb. 27, 2012, both of which are incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY[0002]The present invention relates to liquid fuel compositions for spark-ignition engines of the petrol type, naturally-aspirated or turbocharged, and more particularly, high-power petrol fuel compositions and their use.[0003]The petrol-type fuels that can be used in naturally-aspirated or turbocharged spark-ignition engines, in particular those of motor vehicles, have octane numbers that are sufficiently high to avoid the knock phenomenon. Typically, the petrol fuels marketed in Europe, complying with the EN 228 standard, have a Motor Octane Number (MON) above 85 and a Research Octane Number (RON) of 95 as a minimum. These fuels are suitable for th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The purpose of the present invention is to improve the performance of petrol fuel compositions, in particular competition fuel compositions. The objective is to increase the power of a naturally-aspirated or turbocharged spark-ignition engine, during combustion of the petrol fuel composition in said engine. This purpose is achieved by the use of at least one C4-C5 unsaturated alcohol in a petrol fuel composition, for improving the power of a naturally-aspirated or turbocharged spark-ignition engine during combustion.

[0012]The subject of the present invention is based on the applicant's observation that the addition of a C4-C5 unsaturated alcohol in a fuel composition has an effect known as a “power booster” on a spark-ignition engine, naturally-aspirated or turbocharged, during combustion of said fuel. This “booster” effect is even more marked for a turbocharged spark-ignition engine. By “power booster” is meant an increase in the power released during combustion of said fuel in an engine due to the addition of said alcohol in the fuel, in other words, the obtaining of a power improvement in engine speed by the addition of said alcohol to the fuel.

Problems solved by technology

If the octane numbers are insufficient with respect to the compression ratio applied in the engine, the knock phenomenon or fuel pre-ignition can occur, which can significantly damage the engine and dramatically reduce its performance.An optimized oxygen content.

But, nitromethane, like nitroparaffins, is now prohibited in the majority of motor sports competition regulations.