High power fuel compositions

Abstract

A fuel composition is prepared by blending a petroleum derived low sulphur diesel with a Fischer-Tropsch derived gasoil and a Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil wherein the amount of the petroleum derived low sulphur diesel is from 60% up to 80% v / v of the total composition; the amount of Fischer-Tropsch derived gasoil is from 10% up to 30% v / v of the total composition; the amount of Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil is from 10% up to 30% v / v of the total composition; the amounts of the Fischer-Tropsch derived gas oil and Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil together being at least 20% v / v of the total composition.The fuel compositions of the invention have improved properties, in terms that they display increased power when compared to fuel compositions in which the Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil component is not present.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]This non-provisional application claims priority to European Application No. 13176589.3, filed Jul. 16, 2013, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates high power fuel compositions prepared by blending a petroleum derived low sulphur diesel with a Fischer-Tropsch (GTL) derived gasoil and a Fischer-Tropsch (GTL) derived base oil, and to the use of a Fischer-Tropsch derived base oil in said fuel compositions.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]It is well known that an increase in the viscosity of a fuel can increase the power performance of certain engines through the influence on the injection process. The principal mechanism leading to the power increase is reduced ‘leakback’ in the fuel injectors, i.e. with a high viscosity fuel the injected volume increases and hence there is a power benefit. However, generally, increasing fuel viscosity also increases fuel density, which can increase sm...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to a fuel composition that is made by blending a petroleum-derived low sulphur diesel with a Fischer-Tropsch-derived gasoil and a Fischer-Tropsch-derived base oil. The composition has a higher viscosity and lower density than conventional diesel fuel, resulting in higher power performance in diesel engines. The use of Fischer-Tropsch-derived components allows for blends with higher viscosity at lower density, resulting in a higher power formulation. The fuel composition also has high paraffinic content and high cetane number, which can benefit emissions reduction. It is especially useful for arctic applications as a winter grade fuel. The fuel composition has good cold flow properties, with a lower inherent CFPP than the low sulphur diesel component. This means that it will have improved cold flow performance and can be used as an arctic grade fuel.

Problems solved by technology

However, generally, increasing fuel viscosity also increases fuel density, which can increase smoke emissions as the air / fuel ratio decreases.

However, there is a limit on how much can be blended whilst adhering to limits on certain properties (distillation, density) in diesel fuel specifications (e.g. EN 590).

Additionally, the high viscosity components also increase the density of the fuel, and thus can be detrimental in terms of smoke emissions (as found in WO2005 / 054411).

Images