Blending of economic, reduced oxygen, summer gasoline

Abstract

Provided is a novel high octane summer gasoline composition which is substantially free of oxygenates, and is in compliance with the California Predictive Model. The gasoline composition is suitable for use in the summer, i.e., having a Reid vapor pressure of 7.0 or less. The method for blending the gasoline comprises blending streams from a refinery in a controlled manner to maintain compliance with the California Predictive Model.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of Application Ser. No. 09 / 603,902, filed on Jun. 26, 2000, which is continuation-in-part of Application Ser. No. 09 / 240,060 filed Jan. 29, 1999.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to fuels, particularly gasoline fuels which are substantially oxygenate free. More specifically, the present invention relates to a low-emission gasoline fuel which complies with the California Predictive Model, as well as ASTM D4814, and is also substantially oxygenate free.[0004]2. Brief Description of the Prior Art[0005]One of the major environmental problems confronting the United States and other countries is atmospheric pollution caused by the emission of pollutants in the exhaust gases and gasoline vapor emissions from gasoline fueled automobiles. This problem is especially acute in major metropolitan areas where atmospheric conditions and the great number of aut...

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Benefits of technology

[0015]In accordance with the foregoing objectives, there is provided by the present invention a method of blending a novel gasoline suitable for use in the summer months, i.e., having a Reid vapor pressure in the range of about 7.20 or less, and more preferably about 7.00 or less, which has an octane (R+M)/2 of 90 or greater, and is substantially free of oxygenates. The method comprises blending streams from a refinery, while maintaining the blend substantially free of oxygenates, in a controlled manner to maintain compliance with the California Predictive Model. It is preferred that testing of the blended fuel occurs during blending for compliance with the California Predictive Model, with adjustments made in the blends based on the results of the testing to thereby maintain compliance with the California Predictive Model.

[0016]Among other factors, the present invention is based in part upon the recognition that the blending process of some or all of the gasoline-component streams of an oil refinery, can be controlled, while eliminating oxygenates, to successfully provide by an economic, continuous blending process a low-emission gasoline substantially free of oxygenates which is in compliance with the California Predictive Model, either the Phase 2 or Phase 3 Predictive Model. The difficulty arises in eliminati

Problems solved by technology

The difficulty arises in eliminating oxygenates, as a significant difference in blending is required in the absence of oxygenates to achieve the requisite octane rating and fluid vapor pressure while also meeting the California Predictive Model specifications.

MTBE in particular is a high octane, low boiling, moderate RVP component and its elimination presents considerable obstacles to successfully blending a high octane (90 or greater octane number (R+M) / 2) summer gasoline.

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