Blending of economic, ether free summer gasoline

Abstract

Provided is a novel summer gasoline composition which is substantially free of ethers, contains less than 20 ppm sulfur, 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 7.2, and more preferably 7.0 or less, but also offers the advantages of low-emissions while being substantially free of ethers. 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]The present application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 603,899, filed Jun. 26, 2000, now abandoned, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 266,901, filed on Mar. 12, 1999, now abandoned.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 summer, 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 atmosphe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[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 ether compounds, to successfully provide by an economic, continuous blending process a low-emission gasoline substantially free of ether compounds which is in compliance with the California Code of Regulations, and in particular the California Predictive Model. The difficulty arises in eliminating ether compounds, as a significant difference in blending is required in the absence of ether compounds 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 conside

Problems solved by technology

The difficulty arises in eliminating ether compounds, as a significant difference in blending is required in the absence of ether compounds 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, in particular, a high octane summer gasoline.

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