Fuel compositions with enhanced cold properties and methods of making same

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuel composition with enhanced cold properties and a method of making the same. The present invention specifically relates to: a process for preparing a diesel fuel blend having enhanced cold properties; a method for reducing the cloud point of a mineral middle distillate fuel; and a diesel fuel blend comprising a blend of a renewable fuel and a mineral middle distillate fuel.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese patent application No. 201880008373.X, entitled “Fuel composition with enhanced cold properties and method for preparing the same”, filed on January 25, 2018. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to fuel compositions having enhanced cold properties which are blends of fossil middle distillate fuels and renewable fuels, and methods of making such compositions. Background Art

[0003] Adequate cold temperature performance year-round is an essential requirement for diesel fuels. Due to the large seasonal and geographic temperature variability, middle distillate fuels are blended and conditioned to minimize problems during cold weather, such as crystallization and solidification of the fuel, which affects the viscosity of the fuel, its volatility and its ability to pass through fuel filters.

[0004] The most important properties of fuels related to their cold temperature operability are cloud point, pour point and cold filter plugging point. As the middle distillate fuel is cooled, it reaches its cloud point. This is the temperature at which the paraffin wax leaves the solution state (fall out of solution) and begins to form waxy crystals in the fuel. It is recommended that the storage temperature of the fuel be higher than its cloud point. As the fuel is further cooled, it will eventually reach its pour point. This is the temperature at which the fuel will no longer flow or the point at which the fuel gels or becomes solid. The third important property of the middle distillate fuel is its cold filter plugging point, which is the lowest temperature at which the fuel is filterable and can be used in a vehicle without problems.

[0005] Since the component with poor cold properties will dominate in the blend, the fuel will be improved by adding the component with better cold properties. The term "poor" or "poorer (worse)" refers to a higher (higher) temperature value of the cloud point or cold filter plugging point, and the term "better (better)" refers to a lower (lower) temperature value of the cloud point or cold filter plugging point.

[0006] Several methods have been described to achieve transportation fuels with good cold temperature operability. U.S. Pat. No. 9,006,501B2 discloses a method for producing a renewable fuel blend, wherein a bio-derived feedstock is hydrotreated, and C14, C16 and C18 normal paraffins (n-paraffins) are recovered from the hydrotreated effluent and blended with a renewable middle distillate. In this process, a certain amount of n-paraffins is provided to the blend so that the blend does not require a pour point reduction treatment to obtain a low pour point. This method is complicated by the need to recover the C14, C16 and C18 n-paraffins.

[0007] U.S. Patent Application Publication 2008 / 0163542A1 discloses a synergistic fuel oil composition that enhances the cold temperature operability of the fuel. The composition comprises a petroleum-based component and a renewable fuel component. Biodiesel, ethanol and biomass are mentioned as examples of renewable fuel sources. However, under ASTM D7467, only 6% to 20% of biodiesel can be used in diesel equipment without modification or with only minor modifications.

[0008] It is also generally known that biodiesel prepared by transesterification, such as fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), is inherently more sensitive to cold temperature operability than typical petroleum-derived fuels. In some cases, fatty acid methyl esters may cause higher particle emissions and smoke development in cold-driven engines. The volume of fatty acid methyl esters allowed in diesel fuels may also be limited. European standards EN 16734 and EN 16709 specify requirements and test methods for diesel fuels containing fatty acid methyl esters. According to EN 16734, B10 diesel fuel is a diesel fuel that only contains fatty acid methyl esters up to 10 volume %. According to EN 16709, high fatty acid methyl ester diesel fuels (B20 and B30) only contain fatty acid methyl esters up to 20 volume % or 30 volume %.

[0009] EP1664249B1 discloses fuel compositions prepared by blending a petroleum derived kerosene based fuel and a Fischer-Tropsch derived kerosene based fuel. It discloses the finding that such a blend has a freezing point lower than the freezing points of the two blend components. However, the components used in these fuel compositions are not bio-based.

[0010] To produce cold operable bio-based fuels, alternative fuel compositions and blending methods are needed that are economical and have no volume limitations on the amount of bio-based fuel.

[0011] The cloud point of a fuel blend is a highly non-linear combination of the cloud points of the original fuels. According to the prior art, a blend will generally have a cloud point that is worse than the weighted average of the cloud points of its components. Therefore, although the cloud point of a fuel can be improved by adding a component with significantly better cold properties, the use of such a component will result in an increase in production costs.

[0012] Therefore, a method for producing fuel by blending components in an economical manner is needed. In addition, a fuel blend having good cold properties and low production cost is also needed. Summary of the invention

[0013] The object of the present invention is to provide a method and means to alleviate the disadvantages discussed above. The present invention relates to a method for preparing a diesel fuel blend having enhanced cold properties; a method for reducing the cloud point of a mineral middle distillate fuel; and a diesel fuel blend comprising a blend of a renewable fuel and a mineral middle distillate fuel. In addition, the present invention also relates to the use of a renewable fuel, typically a hydrotreated renewable middle distillate, for enhancing the cold properties of a fuel composition comprising a mineral middle distillate.

[0014] The present invention is based on studies evaluating the cold properties of mineral middle distillates, renewable fuels and their blends. It was found that the combination of mineral middle distillate fuels with renewable fuels resulted in an enhancement of the cloud point and cold filter plugging point of the final blended fuel. It was also found that the cloud point and cold filter plugging point of certain blends were below the assumed values ​​of linear blending based on the cloud point estimation of the fuels and below the cloud point or cold filter plugging point of both blend components.

[0015] More specifically, the diesel fuel blend of the present invention can be described as a blend comprising a renewable fuel (e.g., a hydrotreated renewable middle distillate) and a mineral middle distillate fuel, wherein the renewable fuel and the mineral middle distillate fuel are present in a ratio of amounts by volume of 10:90 to 90:10, and the diesel fuel blend contains 10-25 wt% of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range and an amount of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range such that the ratio of the sum of the wt% amounts of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range to the sum of the wt% amounts of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range is less than 2.2. It has been experimentally shown that the diesel fuel blend has a cloud point that is lower than the weighted average of the cloud points of the mineral middle distillate and the renewable fuel.

[0016] The synergistic effects described herein are surprising. Typically, blending results in a cloud point or cold filter plugging point that is higher (i.e., worse) than the value of each individual component. This increases production costs because it is more expensive to produce fuels with better cold properties. But in the present invention, by using cheaper components with worse cloud points, middle distillate production can take advantage of the disclosed blending properties to achieve cloud point targets.

[0017] Additionally, in the present invention, the amount of renewable or biocomponent in the fuel composition does not need to be limited to the maximum 7% by volume required for ester-type biodiesel fuels (e.g., fatty acid methyl esters) according to the EN 590:2013 standard. Although higher amounts of fatty acid methyl esters are contemplated, they require additional precautions as they may affect fuel stability, cold properties, engine oil dilution, and deposit formation in the fuel injection system.

[0018] The present invention demonstrates that blending a biocomponent into a fossil middle distillate fuel using a renewable fuel, such as a hydrotreated renewable middle distillate, can improve the cold temperature operability of the blended fuel. This is shown in the experimental section where the measured cold properties of the blended fuel are better than the weighted average of the cold properties of its components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The present invention will be described in more detail with the aid of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0020] Figure 1 The cloud point characteristics in mineral diesel blends are shown, showing the calculated cloud point of the blend as lines and the measured values ​​as diamonds. The Y-axis is the cloud point (T; ° C.) and the X-axis is the percentage increase of mineral diesel with a worse cloud point (volume % of the total blend volume);

[0021] Figure 2 Cloud points of blends of Diesel 7 with Renewable F and Renewable G are shown, showing the calculated cloud points of the blends as lines and the measured values ​​for Renewable F (cloud point -2°C) as diamonds and for Renewable G (cloud point -28°C) as squares. The Y-axis is cloud point (T; °C) and the X-axis is the percentage increase of renewables (volume % of the total blend volume);

[0022] Figure 3 The cloud point properties of a blend of a renewable fuel having a cloud point of -28°C and a mineral diesel having a cloud point of -5.5°C are shown. The Y-axis is the cloud point (T; °C) and the X-axis is the ratio of iso- to normal-paraffins (wt% of total paraffin content).

[0023] Figure 4 The cloud point properties of a blend of a renewable fuel having a cloud point of -2° C. and a mineral diesel having a cloud point of -5.5° C. are shown. The Y-axis is the cloud point (T;° C.) and the X-axis is the ratio of iso- to normal-paraffins in the C14-C20 range in the diesel fuel blend (wt % of total paraffin content). DETAILED DESCRIPTION DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The present invention relates to fuel compositions wherein an enhancement of the cold properties of the final blended fuel composition is achieved by blending a mineral middle distillate component with a renewable fuel component. The present invention further relates to a method of preparing a diesel fuel blend having enhanced cold properties; a method of reducing the cloud point of a mineral middle distillate fuel; and a diesel fuel blend comprising a blend of a renewable fuel component and a mineral middle distillate fuel component.

[0026] The term "cold properties" is used herein to refer to the cloud point and cold filter plugging point of a fuel. The cloud point of a mineral middle distillate fuel is the temperature at which the heaviest normal paraffins are no longer soluble but precipitate from the fuel giving it a cloudy appearance. The cloud point indicates the lowest storage temperature at which the fuel is usable and is an important parameter in product specifications. The cloud point can be evaluated using methods defined, for example, in ASTM D2500, D5771, D5772, D5773, D7689 or EN 23015. The cold filter plugging point of a fuel is the temperature at which and below the temperature the wax in the fuel will cause severe restriction when flowing through the filter. It is believed that the cold filter plugging point is well correlated with vehicle operability at lower temperatures. Typically, the cold filter plugging point of a petroleum fuel is evaluated using ASTM D6371 or EN 116. Both the cloud point and the cold filter plugging point are measured and given as a temperature (T, here ° C).

[0027] The term "mineral" is used herein to refer to a component or composition that occurs naturally and is derived from a non-renewable source. Examples of such non-renewable sources include petroleum or shale oil and combinations thereof. The term "mineral" also refers to wastes of non-renewable sources.

[0028] The middle distillate is typically a diesel fuel or kerosene. In the present invention, the mineral middle distillate is preferably a mineral diesel. Diesel fuel is generally any liquid fuel used in a diesel engine, as a result of compression of the intake mixture and then fuel injection, its fuel ignition occurs without spark. The most common type of diesel fuel is a specific fractionation fraction of petroleum fuel oil. The characteristics of the distillation define how the fuel evaporates when it is injected into the combustion chamber of a diesel engine. Standards (e.g., EN590) include information about typical distillation curves.

[0029] In order to distinguish it from renewable diesel fuels not derived from petroleum, petroleum-derived diesel is referred to herein as "mineral diesel" or "mineral middle distillate". It may also be referred to as, for example, petroleum diesel, fossil diesel or petroleum fractions. Mineral diesel may comprise atmospheric or vacuum fractions. The fraction may comprise a blend of cracked gas oil or any proportion of straight run or thermal or catalytic cracking fractions. Distillate fuels may undergo further treatment, such as hydrotreating or other processes, to improve fuel properties. Typically, mineral diesel comprises 10-70% by weight of normal and isoparaffins, 10-50% by weight of naphtenics, 5-30% by weight of monoaromatics, 0-10% by weight of diaromatics, and 0-5% by weight of other aromatics.

[0030] In the present invention, the renewable middle distillate component through hydrotreatment preferably comprises the following or is composed of the following: hydrotreated vegetable oil, hydrotreated animal fat, hydrotreated fish fat, hydrotreated fish oil, hydrotreated algae oil, hydrotreated microbial oil, hydrotreated wood and / or other plant-based oils, hydrotreated recyclable waste and / or residues or their combination. Preferably, the fresh feed of renewable fuel is selected from vegetable oil / fats, animal fats / oils, fish fats / oils, fats contained in plants cultivated by means of genetic manipulation, recycled fats of the food industry and their combination. Hydrotreatment of vegetable oil or animal fat is an alternative method for esterification of bio-based middle distillate fuels. Hydrotreated renewable middle distillate fuels are also referred to as "hydrotreated vegetable oil fuels", "hydrotreated renewable diesel", "renewable fuels", "renewable diesel" or "renewable diesel components" rather than "biodiesel" predetermined as fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). The chemically hydrotreated renewable middle distillate is a mixture of paraffins with very small amounts of sulfur and aromatics. The cold properties of the hydrotreated renewable middle distillate can be adjusted to meet local requirements by adjusting the amount of isoparaffins, by the severity of the process or by additional catalytic treatment.

[0031] In the present invention, the isomerization ratio of renewable fuel (e.g., renewable middle distillate through hydrotreatment) is preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%. An isomerization ratio of more than 80% can be achieved, but it has disadvantages, such as the increase of resources required in the production process. Preferably, the isomerization ratio of renewable fuel (e.g., renewable middle distillate through hydrotreatment) is less than 69%, giving a favorable range of 50 to 69% and 60 to 69%, respectively. Higher isomerization ratios typically improve cold properties, but such renewable middle distillates through hydrotreatment consume more resources in its production process. Isomerization ratio means the sum of isoparaffins (weight %) divided by the sum of paraffins (weight %). Since the renewable middle distillates through hydrotreatment are hydrocarbons, they can be used as conventional middle distillate fuels. The fatty acid methyl ester specifications (EN14214, ASTM D6751) do not apply to hydrotreated renewable middle distillates and therefore have no volume percentage restrictions on how much hydrotreated renewable middle distillates can be blended with diesel fuel.

[0032] In particular, the present invention relates to a fuel composition comprising a renewable fuel component blended with a mineral middle distillate component, which is the main component of the diesel fuel blend of the present invention. Taking into account the resources used in the production process, a certain amount of isoparaffins and normal paraffins in the range of C15 to C18 produces a blend with good cold properties. The present invention relates to a diesel fuel blend, which comprises a blend of a renewable fuel and a mineral middle distillate fuel, wherein the renewable fuel and the mineral middle distillate fuel are present in a ratio of 10:90 to 90:10 by volume, and the diesel fuel blend contains 10-25% by weight of normal paraffins in the range of C14-C20 and a certain amount of isoparaffins in the range of C14-C20, so that the ratio of the sum of the weight % amounts of isoparaffins in the range of C14-C20 to the sum of the weight % amounts of normal paraffins in the range of C14-C20 is less than 2.2.

[0033] In one embodiment, the ratio of the sum of the weight % amounts of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range to the sum of the weight % amounts of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range is 1.1 to 2.2. This composition results in good cold properties and low resource consumption during production. The weight percentages of paraffins given here refer to the weight % of the total blend fuel weight.

[0034] In one embodiment, in the composition, the amount of each C15-C18 isoparaffin is equal to or greater than 2.2% by weight of the total mass of the fuel composition, and the amount of each C15-C18 normal paraffin is equal to or greater than 1.9% by weight of the total mass of the fuel composition. This composition produces good cold properties and low resource consumption during production.

[0035] Preferably, the amount of each C15-C18 normal paraffin is less than 10 wt %, more preferably less than 9.6 wt %, and most preferably equal to or less than 7.9 wt % of the total mass of the fuel composition. As indicated herein, C15-C18 paraffins are paraffins (straight or branched) with a carbon number of 15, 16, 17 or 18. The carbon number represents the number of carbon atoms in each paraffin molecule. This composition produces good cold properties and low resource consumption during production.

[0036] In one embodiment, the amount of at least one C15-C18 isoparaffin is equal to or greater than 3.0 wt% of the total mass of the fuel composition, and the amount of at least one C15-C18 normal paraffin is equal to or greater than 2.2 wt% of the total mass of the fuel composition. This composition produces good cold properties and low resource consumption during production.

[0037] In one embodiment, a preferred fuel composition is obtained when the following equation is satisfied for normal paraffins: the weight percentage of normal paraffins in the range of C16 to C18 with the smallest weight percentage minus the weight percentage of normal paraffins in the range of C16 to C18 with the largest weight percentage, divided by the weight percentage of normal paraffins in the range of C16 to C18 with the largest weight percentage, is equal to or greater than 0.26 and preferably equal to or less than 0.45. In another embodiment, the amount of normal paraffins C16 and C17 satisfies the equation 0.26<(C16-C17) / C16<0.45. This composition produces good cold properties and low resource consumption during production.

[0038] In one embodiment, a preferred fuel composition is obtained when the following equation is satisfied for isoparaffins: the weight percentage of isoparaffins in the range of C15 to C18 with the smallest weight percentage minus the weight percentage of isoparaffins in the range of C15 to C18 with the largest weight percentage, divided by the weight percentage of isoparaffins in the range of C15 to C18 with the largest weight percentage, is equal to or greater than 0.49 and preferably equal to or less than 0.63. In another embodiment, the amount of isoparaffin carbon numbers C15 and C18 satisfies the equation 0.49<(C18-C15) / C18<0.63. This composition produces good cold properties and low resource consumption during production.

[0039] In one embodiment, the difference between the cloud point and / or cold filter plugging point of the renewable fuel component and the mineral middle distillate component is equal to or less than 17°C, and more preferably, the difference is between 0 and 13.1°C. This difference results in good cold properties and low resource consumption in the production process. Typically, the cloud point and cold filter plugging point in the blend are lower than the calculated (weighted average) cloud point. The cold properties in the renewable fuel component may be better than the cold properties in the mineral middle distillate component. In the same way, the mineral middle distillate component may have better cold properties than the renewable fuel component in the blend.

[0040] The fuel composition may be a hydrocarbon fuel composition which may also contain commonly used additives. The total volume of the renewable fuel and the mineral middle distillate component is typically at least 98%, preferably at least 99%, and most preferably at least 99.9% of the total blend fuel volume, the remainder being commonly used additives. The mineral middle distillate component may contain more than one mineral component, and the renewable fuel component may contain more than one renewable component. Preferably, the renewable fuel component is a hydrotreated renewable middle distillate, and the mineral middle distillate component is mineral diesel.

[0041] According to a specific embodiment, the total volume of the renewable fuel and the mineral middle distillate components is at least 90% by volume, preferably at least 93% by volume, and this blend may contain up to 10% by volume, preferably up to 7% by volume of other components compatible with diesel engines, such as fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). This composition results in good cold properties and low resource consumption during production and allows a wider variety of components to be used in the blend.

[0042] The fuel may contain about 100% renewable fuel; however, in the present invention, the renewable fuel and the mineral middle distillate component are blended in a volume percentage ratio of less than 100% (renewable: mineral middle distillate; 100:0). Preferably, the renewable fuel and the mineral middle distillate component are blended in a volume percentage ratio of less than 90:10 (renewable fuel: mineral middle distillate). In one embodiment, the renewable fuel and the mineral middle distillate component are blended in a volume percentage ratio of 20:80 to 80:20 (renewable fuel: mineral middle distillate). This composition produces good cold properties and low resource consumption during the production process. In another embodiment, the renewable fuel and the mineral middle distillate component are blended in a volume percentage ratio of 20:80 to 60:40. This composition produces even better cold properties and low resource consumption during the production process.

[0043] In another embodiment, the diesel fuel blend has 22 wt % to 55 wt % of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range based on the total blend fuel weight. This results in good cold properties and low resource consumption during production.

[0044] The invention further relates to the use of hydrotreated renewable fuels for enhancing the cold properties of fuel compositions containing mineral middle distillates. The hydrotreated renewable fuel content in a mineral middle distillate blend can be determined by the 14C isotope method, which enables a person skilled in the art to distinguish between fossil and renewable carbon. The principle of this method can be found in standard ASTM D6866.

[0045] Any blend fuel as described above can be produced by the method described subsequently. Therefore, a method for preparing a diesel fuel blend with enhanced cold properties is provided herein, the method comprising: selecting a renewable fuel and a mineral middle distillate fuel having cloud points that differ from each other by no more than 17°C, preferably no more than 13°C; and blending the renewable fuel and the mineral middle distillate fuel in a ratio of 10:90 to 90:10 by volume to form a diesel fuel blend, wherein the diesel fuel blend contains 10-25 wt% of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range and an amount of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range, such that the ratio of the sum of the weight % amounts of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range to the sum of the weight % amounts of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range is less than 2.2, preferably 1.1 to 2.2; and the diesel fuel blend has a cloud point lower than the weighted average of the cloud points of the mineral middle distillate and the renewable fuel.

[0046] In one embodiment, a method for reducing the cloud point of a mineral middle distillate fuel is provided, the method comprising: determining the cloud point of the mineral middle distillate fuel; selecting a renewable fuel having a cloud point that differs from the cloud point of the mineral middle distillate fuel by no more than 17°C, preferably no more than 13°C; and blending the renewable fuel and the mineral middle distillate fuel in a ratio of 10:90 to 90:10 by volume to form a diesel fuel blend having a cloud point below The cloud point of a mineral middle distillate fuel wherein the diesel fuel blend contains 10-25 wt% normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range and an amount of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range such that the ratio of the sum of the wt% amounts of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range to the sum of the wt% amounts of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range is less than 2.2 to form a diesel fuel blend having a cloud point below the cloud point of the mineral middle distillate.

[0047] In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for use in reducing the cloud point of a mineral middle distillate fuel, the method comprising: determining the cloud point of the mineral middle distillate fuel; selecting a renewable fuel having the following properties: (i) a cloud point that differs from the cloud point of the mineral middle distillate fuel by no more than 17°C, preferably no more than 13°C; (ii) an amount of normal paraffins sufficient to provide a diesel fuel blend containing 10-25 wt% normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range when the renewable fuel is blended with the mineral middle distillate fuel; and (iii) a C14-C20 range that is less than 0.1% by weight. The amount of isoparaffins is sufficient to provide, when the renewable fuel is blended with a mineral middle distillate fuel, a diesel fuel blend having a ratio of the sum of the weight % amounts of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range to the sum of the weight % amounts of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range of 1.1 to 2.2; and the renewable fuel is blended with the mineral middle distillate fuel in a ratio of amounts by volume of 20:80 to 80:20 to form a diesel fuel blend having a cloud point below the cloud point of the mineral middle distillate.

[0048] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for use in reducing the cloud point of a renewable fuel, the method comprising: determining the cloud point of the renewable fuel; selecting a mineral middle distillate fuel having a cloud point that differs from the cloud point of the renewable fuel by no more than 17°C, preferably no more than 13°C; and blending the renewable fuel and the mineral middle distillate fuel in a ratio of amounts by volume of 10:90 to 90:10 to form a diesel fuel blend having a cloud point lower than the cloud point of the renewable fuel. , wherein the diesel fuel blend contains 10-25 wt % of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range and an amount of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range such that the ratio of the sum of the wt % amounts of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range to the sum of the wt % amounts of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range is less than 2.2, preferably from 1.1 to 2.2, to form a diesel fuel blend having a cloud point below the cloud point of the renewable fuel.

[0049] The diesel fuel blend obtainable by the method or use as described above has been experimentally demonstrated to have enhanced cold properties with respect to its components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Example

[0052] The following examples are provided to better illustrate the claimed invention, and they are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. With respect to mentioning specific materials, they are only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art can develop equivalent means or reactants without the need for inventiveness and without departing from the scope of the invention. It will be understood that many changes can be made in the procedures described herein while still remaining within the boundaries of the invention. It is the intention of the inventors of the present invention that such changes are included within the scope of the present invention. The weight percentages given for paraffins relate to the weight % of the total blend fuel weight. The volume percentages given for fuel components relate to the volume % of the total blend fuel volume.

[0053] Comparative Example 1

[0054] In order to reduce the cloud point of a mineral middle distillate (fossil fuel component) having a cloud point of -5.5°C by -0.5 to -6°C, a second fuel component having a lower cloud point must be added to the fossil fuel component. Typically, when two or more fuel components having different cloud points are blended together, the final blend has a cloud point that is higher than the cloud point expected based on the weighted average of the cloud points of the components. When 20 volume % of a renewable fuel component (Renewable G) having a cloud point of -28°C was blended with a fossil component having a cloud point of -5.5°C, a cloud point of 6.6°C was achieved. The difference in cloud point between this renewable fuel component and the fossil fuel component is greater than 17°C, making it a comparative example. The weight percentage of normal paraffins of the blended fuels was measured by gas chromatography and is shown in Table 1 below.

[0055] In the blend, the total weight % of normal paraffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 is 9.18%, the total weight % of isoparaffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 is 26.09%, and the ratio of normal paraffins / isoparaffins in the blend is 2.84. When the amount of renewable fuel having a cloud point of -28°C in the blend is increased to 40 volume %, 60 volume % and 80 volume %, the cloud point of the blend can be even further reduced. The resulting cloud points of the blends at various volume percentages are shown in Figure 2 middle. Figure 3 The relationship between the cloud point and the paraffin ratio of the blend is shown. However, for all ratios of renewable fuel to fossil fuel, the cloud point of the blend is higher than the cloud point calculated from the weighted average of the cloud points of the components ( Figure 2 ). This is as predicted based on current practice.

[0056] The weight percent of normal paraffins in the fuel components before blending was measured by gas chromatography and is shown in Table 1. The weight percent of normal paraffins in the blended fuel composition was measured by gas chromatography (Table 2). The weight percent of isoparaffins in the fuel to be blended was measured by gas chromatography (Table 3). The weight percent of isoparaffins in the blended fuel composition was measured (Table 4). In the above blend, the cumulative sum of normal paraffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 is 9.18-7.78% by weight, the cumulative sum of isoparaffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 is 26.09-72.46% by weight, and the ratio of the cumulative sum of isoparaffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 to the cumulative sum of normal paraffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 is 2.84-9.31% by weight.

[0057] Example 1

[0058] When 20% by volume of a renewable fuel (Renewable F) having a cloud point of -2°C was blended with 80% by volume of a fossil component having a cloud point of -5.5°C, a cloud point lower than the cloud point of either component was achieved. This synergistic effect was achieved when the ratio of the cumulative sum of the isoparaffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 to the cumulative sum of the normal paraffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 in the blend was 1.6. The cumulative sum of the normal paraffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 in the blend was 13.6% by weight. The cumulative sum of the isoparaffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 in the blend was 21.87% by weight.

[0059] Example 2

[0060] When 40% by volume of a renewable fuel (Renewable F) having a cloud point of -2°C was blended with 60% by volume of a fossil component having a cloud point of -5.5°C, a cloud point lower than the cloud point of either component was achieved. This synergistic effect was achieved when the ratio of the cumulative sum of the isoparaffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 to the cumulative sum of the normal paraffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 in the blend was 1.9. The cumulative sum of the normal paraffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 in the blend was 17.6% by weight. The cumulative sum of the isoparaffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 in the blend was 33.11% by weight.

[0061] Example 3

[0062] When 60% by volume of a renewable fuel (Renewable F) having a cloud point of -2°C was blended with 40% by volume of a fossil component having a cloud point of -5.5°C, a cloud point lower than the cloud point of either component was achieved. This synergistic effect was achieved when the ratio of the cumulative sum of the isoparaffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 to the cumulative sum of the normal paraffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 in the blend was 2.05. The cumulative sum of the normal paraffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 in the blend was 21.55% by weight. The cumulative sum of the isoparaffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 in the blend was 44.4% by weight.

[0063] Example 4

[0064] When 80% by volume of a renewable fuel (Renewable F) having a cloud point of -2°C was blended with 20% by volume of a fossil component having a cloud point of -5.5°C, a cloud point lower than the cloud point of either component was achieved. This synergistic effect was achieved when the ratio of the cumulative sum of the isoparaffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 to the cumulative sum of the normal paraffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 in the blend was 2.18. The cumulative sum of the normal paraffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 in the blend was 25.5% by weight. The cumulative sum of the isoparaffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 in the blend was 55.6% by weight.

[0065] The following tables report data from Comparative Example 1 and Examples 1-4. The weight percent of normal paraffins in the fuels to be blended was measured by gas chromatography and is shown in Table 1. The weight percent of normal paraffins in the blended fuel compositions was measured by gas chromatography (Table 2). The weight percent of isoparaffins in the fuels to be blended was measured by gas chromatography (Table 3). The weight percent of isoparaffins in the blended fuel compositions was measured (Table 4).

[0066] Table 1. Weight % of normal paraffins of fuel components.

[0067] Carbon number of normal alkanes Renewable F Renewable G 14 0.41 0.26 15 5.49 1.75 16 9.57 2.21 17 5.09 1.65 18 8.83 1.44 19 0.05 0.02 20 0.06 0.01

[0068] Table 2. Weight % of normal paraffins in blended fuel compositions.

[0069]

[0070]

[0071] Table 3. Weight % of isoparaffins of fuel components.

[0072] Isoparaffin carbon number Renewable F Renewable G 14 0.82 1.69 15 8.64 15.07 16 18.83 24.92 17 14.21 20.70 18 23.80 24.97 19 0.28 0.32 20 0.26 0.24

[0073] Table 4. Weight % of isoparaffins in blended fuel compositions.

[0074]

[0075] In these embodiments, the composition of the fossil component is such that the cumulative sum of the isoparaffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 is 10.63% by weight, the cumulative sum of the isoparaffins C8, C9, C10, C11, C12 and C13 is 6.45% by weight, the cumulative sum of the isoparaffins C21, C22, C23, C24, C25 and C26 is 3.13% by weight, the cumulative sum of the normal paraffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 is 9.63% by weight, the cumulative sum of the 4-paraffins C8, C9, C10, C11, C12 and C13 is 3.84% by weight, and the cumulative sum of the normal paraffins C21, C22, C23, C24, C25 and C26 is 2.58% by weight.

[0076] Comparative Example 2

[0077] When 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% by volume of a renewable fuel component having a cloud point of -35°C is blended with a fossil fuel component having a cloud point of 5.5°C, all cloud points of the blend are higher than the cloud point calculated from the weighted average of the cloud points of the components. This is as predicted based on current practice. In the above blends, the cumulative sum of normal paraffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19, and C20 is 8.41-4.50 wt%. The cumulative sum of isoparaffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19, and C20 is 26.25-76.25 wt%. The ratio of the cumulative sum of the isoparaffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 to the cumulative sum of the normal paraffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 is 3.1-17.0. The weight percentages of iso- and normal paraffins in the blended fuel composition are measured by gas chromatography.

[0078] Comparative Example 3

[0079] When 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% by volume of a renewable diesel fuel component having a cloud point of -27°C was blended with a fossil fuel component having a cloud point of -5.5°C, all of the cloud points of the blend were higher than the cloud point calculated from the weighted average of the cloud points of the components. This is as predicted based on current practice. In the above blend, the cumulative sum of normal paraffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 is 9.16-7.70 wt%, the cumulative sum of isoparaffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 is 26.00-75.22 wt%, and the ratio of the cumulative sum of isoparaffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 to the cumulative sum of normal paraffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 is 2.6-6.8. The weight percentages of iso- and normal paraffins in the blended fuel composition are measured by gas chromatography.

[0080] Comparative Example 4

[0081] When 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% by volume of a renewable diesel fuel component having a cloud point of -23°C was blended with a fossil fuel component having a cloud point of -5.5°C, all of the cloud points of the blend were higher than the cloud point calculated from the weighted average of the cloud points of the components. This is as predicted based on current practice. In the above blend, the cumulative sum of normal paraffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 is 9.61-9.53 wt%, the cumulative sum of isoparaffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 is 25.66-73.76 wt%, and the ratio of the cumulative sum of isoparaffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 to the cumulative sum of normal paraffins C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19 and C20 is 2.7-7.7. The weight percentages of iso- and normal paraffins in the blended fuel composition are measured by gas chromatography.

[0082] Comparative Example 5

[0083] Two mineral diesel blends with different cloud points were blended. The cloud points of the blends were measured by the methods defined in EN 23015 and EN 116. The cloud point values ​​of the measured mineral diesel blends are presented in Tables 5 and Figure 1 The calculated linear values ​​in Table 5 are based on a linear behavior, which means a weighted average of the cloud points of the components. The linear behavior is an average of the cloud points, and in other words, it is achieved by weighting the cloud points of the components by their volume percentage in the blend. The analysis shows that the components with poor cloud points dominate.

[0084] Table 5. Cloud Points of Mineral Diesel Blends.

[0085]

[0086] Figure 1 It is shown that the components with worse cloud point values ​​are dominant in the mineral diesel blend. The term "worse (worse)" means a higher (higher) temperature value of the cloud point or cold filter plugging point, and the term "better (better)" means a lower (lower) temperature value of the cloud point or cold filter plugging point.

[0087] Example 5

[0088] Renewable hydrotreated vegetable oil compositions with different cold properties were blended with mineral diesel in different volumes. The cloud point and / or cold filter plugging point of the blends were measured by the methods defined in EN 23015 and EN 116 and are shown in Table 6. It can be seen that the measured cloud point and cold filter plugging point produced by blending are lower, i.e. better, than the cloud point and cold filter plugging point predicted by calculating the weighted average of the cloud points of the components. In some cases, the cold properties of the blends are even better than the cold properties of their individual components. The measured cloud point is even better than the calculated weighted average of the cold properties by more than 3°C. In addition, the cold filter plugging point is better in the blend than in the pure mineral fuel.

[0089] Table 6. Cloud Point and Cold Filter Filter Point of Mineral Diesel and Renewable Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil Diesel Blends.

[0090]

[0091]

[0092] In contrast to the cloud point value, the cold filter plugging point value can be improved by a cold flow improver additive, typically polyethylene vinyl acetate, i.e. poly-EVA. Other typical additives are lubricity improvers and conductivity improvers. Diesel 6 and Diesel 8 include a cold flow improver.

[0093] Example 6

[0094] 7% fatty acid methyl esters were added to 100% renewable hydrotreated vegetable oil diesel (Renewable E) or its blend with mineral diesel (Diesel 6). The cloud points of Diesel 6 and Renewable E blends to which fatty acid methyl esters were added were measured and the weighted average of the cloud points was calculated.

[0095] Table 7. Cloud points and calculated weighted averages of cloud points for mineral diesel (Diesel 6) and renewable hydrotreated vegetable oil diesel (Renewable E) blends to which fatty acid methyl esters were added.

[0096]

[0097] In Example 7, the difference in cloud point between diesel 6 and renewable E is 5°C. The results show that fatty acid methyl esters as a blending component lead to a worse cloud point, but the blending according to the present invention can alleviate this effect. Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, blending up to 7% by volume of fatty acid methyl esters with a blend fuel of a renewable fuel and a mineral middle distillate according to claim 1 can achieve a cloud point lower than the weighted average of its components. The cloud point can even be lower than the cloud point of any single component.

[0098] The present invention is further illustrated by the following clauses, which do not limit the claims.

[0099] Clause 1. A diesel fuel blend comprising a blend of a renewable fuel component and a mineral middle distillate fuel component, wherein the renewable fuel component and the mineral middle distillate fuel component are present in a ratio of amounts by volume of 10:90 to 90:10, and the diesel fuel blend contains 10-25 wt% of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range and an amount of iso-paraffins in the C14-C20 range such that the ratio of the sum of the wt% amounts of iso-paraffins in the C14-C20 range to the sum of the wt% amounts of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range is less than 2.2.

[0100] Clause 2. A diesel fuel blend according to clause 1, wherein the renewable fuel component and the mineral middle distillate fuel component have cloud points that differ by no more than 17°C, preferably no more than 13°C.

[0101] Clause 3. A diesel fuel blend according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the ratio of the sum of the weight % amounts of iso-paraffins in the C14-C20 range to the sum of the weight % amounts of normal-paraffins in the C14-C20 range is from 1.1 to 2.2.

[0102] Clause 4. The diesel fuel blend of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the diesel fuel blend has 22 wt% to 55 wt% isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range.

[0103] Clause 5. The diesel fuel blend according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the mineral middle distillate fuel component is derived from a source selected from the group consisting of crude oil, shale oil, and combinations thereof.

[0104] Clause 6. A diesel fuel blend according to any preceding clause, wherein the mineral middle distillate fuel component is a diesel fuel.

[0105] Clause 7. A diesel fuel blend according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the fresh feed for the renewable fuel component is selected from the group consisting of vegetable oils / fats, animal fats / oils, fish fats / oils, fats contained in plants bred with the aid of genetic manipulation, recycled fats from the food industry, and combinations thereof.

[0106] Clause 8. A diesel fuel blend according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the renewable fuel component and the mineral middle distillate fuel component are present in a ratio of amounts by volume of 20:80 to 80:20.

[0107] Clause 9. A diesel fuel blend according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the renewable fuel component has an isomerization ratio of at least 50%, preferably from 50 to 69%, more preferably at least 60%, and most preferably from 60 to 69%.

[0108] Clause 10. A method of preparing a diesel fuel blend having enhanced cold properties, the method comprising:

[0109] (a) selecting a renewable fuel component and a mineral middle distillate fuel component which have cloud points which differ by no more than 17°C, preferably no more than 13°C; and

[0110] (b) blending the renewable fuel component and the mineral middle distillate fuel component in an amount ratio by volume of 10:90 to 90:10 to form a diesel fuel blend,

[0111] wherein the diesel fuel blend contains 10-25 wt% of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range and an amount of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range such that the ratio of the sum of the wt% amounts of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range to the sum of the wt% amounts of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range is less than 2.2; and the diesel fuel blend has a cloud point that is lower than a weighted average of the cloud points of the mineral middle distillate component and the renewable fuel component.

[0112] Clause 11. The method according to clause 10, wherein the diesel fuel blend has a ratio of the sum of the weight % amounts of iso-paraffins in the C14-C20 range to the sum of the weight % amounts of normal-paraffins in the C14-C20 range of 1.1 to 2.2.

[0113] Clause 12. The method of any one of clauses 10 or 11, wherein the diesel fuel blend has 22 wt% to 55 wt% isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range.

[0114] Clause 13. The method according to any one of clauses 10-12, wherein the fresh feed of renewable fuel is selected from vegetable oils / fats, animal fats / oils, fish fats / oils, fats contained in plants grown with the aid of genetic manipulation, recycled fats from the food industry, and combinations thereof.

[0115] Clause 14. The method according to any one of clauses 10-13, wherein the isomerization proportion of the renewable fuel component is at least 50%, preferably 50 to 69%, more preferably at least 60%, and most preferably 60 to 69%.

[0116] Clause 15. The method of any one of clauses 10-14, wherein the diesel fuel blend has a cloud point lower than the cloud point of the mineral middle distillate fuel component.

[0117] Clause 16. The method of any one of clauses 10-14, wherein the diesel fuel blend has a cloud point lower than a cloud point of the renewable fuel component.

[0118] Clause 17. Use of a renewable fuel for lowering the cloud point of a fossil middle distillate fuel, comprising:

[0119] (a) Determination of the cloud point of mineral middle distillate fuels;

[0120] (b) Select renewable fuels that have the following properties:

[0121] (i) a cloud point which differs from the cloud point of the mineral middle distillate fuel by no more than 17°C;

[0122] (ii) an amount of normal paraffins sufficient to provide a diesel fuel blend containing 10 to 25 wt. % normal paraffins in the C14 to C20 range when the renewable fuel is blended with the mineral middle distillate fuel; and

[0123] (iii) an amount of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range sufficient to provide, when the renewable fuel is blended with the mineral middle distillate fuel, a diesel fuel blend having a ratio of the sum of the weight % amounts of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range to the sum of the weight % amounts of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range of from 1.1 to 2.2; and

[0124] (c) blending the renewable fuel with the mineral middle distillate fuel in an amount ratio by volume of 10:90 to 90:10 to form a diesel fuel blend, the diesel fuel blend having a cloud point lower than the cloud point of the mineral middle distillate fuel.

[0125] Clause 18. Use of a mineral middle distillate fuel for lowering the cloud point of a renewable fuel, comprising:

[0126] (a) determining the cloud point of a renewable fuel;

[0127] (b) Selecting a mineral middle fraction having the following properties:

[0128] (i) a cloud point that differs from the cloud point of the renewable fuel by no more than 17°C;

[0129] (ii) an amount of normal paraffins sufficient to provide a diesel fuel blend containing 10 to 25 wt. % normal paraffins in the C14 to C20 range when the renewable fuel is blended with the mineral middle distillate fuel; and

[0130] (iii) an amount of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range sufficient to provide, when the renewable fuel is blended with the mineral middle distillate fuel, a diesel fuel blend having a weight percent of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range of

[0131] The ratio of the sum of the weight % amounts of n-paraffins in the range of C14-C20 to the sum of the weight % amounts of n-paraffins in the range of C14-C20

[0132] is between 1.1 and 2.2; and

[0133] (c) blending the renewable fuel with the mineral middle distillate fuel in an amount ratio by volume of 10:90 to 90:10 to form a diesel fuel blend having a cloud point lower than the cloud point of the renewable fuel.

[0134] Clause 19. A diesel fuel blend with enhanced cold properties obtainable by a method according to one of clauses 10 to 16 or by use according to clause 17 or 18.

[0135] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The subject matter in the above-described embodiments can be combined in any arrangement or manner. The same applies to the subject matter of all dependent claims, which can be used in any combination to limit the independent claims. The present invention and its embodiments are not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be varied within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A diesel fuel blend comprising a blend of a renewable fuel component and a mineral middle distillate fuel component, wherein the renewable fuel component and the mineral middle distillate fuel component are present in a ratio of amounts by volume of 10:90 to 90:10, and the diesel fuel blend contains 10-25 wt% of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range and an amount of iso-paraffins in the C14-C20 range such that the ratio of the sum of the wt% amounts of iso-paraffins in the C14-C20 range to the sum of the wt% amounts of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range is less than 2.

2.

2. A diesel fuel blend according to claim 1, wherein the renewable fuel component and the mineral middle distillate fuel component have cloud points that differ by no more than 17°C, preferably no more than 13°C.

3. The diesel fuel blend according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ratio of the sum of the weight % amounts of iso-paraffins in the C14-C20 range to the sum of the weight % amounts of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range is from 1.1 to 2.

2.

4. The diesel fuel blend according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diesel fuel blend has 22 wt% to 55 wt% isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range.

5. The diesel fuel blend according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mineral middle distillate fuel component is derived from a source selected from the group consisting of crude oil, shale oil and combinations thereof.

6. A diesel fuel blend according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mineral middle distillate fuel component is a diesel fuel.

7. The diesel fuel blend according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fresh feed for the renewable fuel component is selected from the group consisting of vegetable oils / fats, animal fats / oils, fish fats / oils, fats contained in plants grown with the aid of genetic manipulation, recycled fats from the food industry, and combinations thereof.

8. The diesel fuel blend according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the renewable fuel component and the mineral middle distillate fuel component are present in a ratio of amounts by volume of 20:80 to 80:

20.

9. The diesel fuel blend according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the isomerization proportion of the renewable fuel component is at least 50%, preferably 50 to 69%, more preferably at least 60%, and most preferably 60 to 69%.

10. A method of preparing a diesel fuel blend having enhanced cold properties, the method comprising: (a) selecting a renewable fuel component and a mineral middle distillate fuel component which have cloud points which differ by no more than 17°C, preferably no more than 13°C; and (b) blending the renewable fuel component and the mineral middle distillate fuel component in an amount ratio by volume of 10:90 to 90:10 to form a diesel fuel blend, wherein the diesel fuel blend contains 10-25 wt% of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range and an amount of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range such that the ratio of the sum of the wt% amounts of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range to the sum of the wt% amounts of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range is less than 2.2; and the diesel fuel blend has a cloud point that is lower than a weighted average of the cloud points of the mineral middle distillate component and the renewable fuel component.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the diesel fuel blend has a ratio of the sum of the weight percent amounts of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range to the sum of the weight percent amounts of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range of 1.1 to 2.

2.

12. The method of any one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the diesel fuel blend has 22 wt% to 55 wt% isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10-12, wherein the fresh feed of renewable fuel is selected from the group consisting of vegetable oils / fats, animal fats / oils, fish fats / oils, fats contained in plants grown with the aid of genetic manipulation, recycled fats from the food industry, and combinations thereof.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10-13, wherein the isomerization proportion of the renewable fuel component is at least 50%, preferably 50 to 69%, more preferably at least 60%, and most preferably 60 to 69%.

15. A method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the diesel fuel blend has a cloud point lower than the cloud point of the mineral middle distillate fuel component.

16. The method of any one of claims 10-14, wherein the diesel fuel blend has a cloud point lower than a cloud point of the renewable fuel component.

17. Use of a renewable fuel for lowering the cloud point of a fossil middle distillate fuel, comprising: (a) Determination of the cloud point of mineral middle distillate fuels; (b) Select renewable fuels that have the following properties: (i) a cloud point which differs from the cloud point of the mineral middle distillate fuel by no more than 17°C; (ii) an amount of normal paraffins sufficient to provide a diesel fuel blend containing 10 to 25 wt. % normal paraffins in the C14 to C20 range when the renewable fuel is blended with the mineral middle distillate fuel; and (iii) an amount of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range sufficient to provide, when the renewable fuel is blended with the mineral middle distillate fuel, a diesel fuel blend having a ratio of the sum of the weight % amounts of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range to the sum of the weight % amounts of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range of from 1.1 to 2.2; and (c) blending the renewable fuel with the mineral middle distillate fuel in an amount ratio by volume of 10:90 to 90:10 to form a diesel fuel blend, the diesel fuel blend having a cloud point lower than the cloud point of the mineral middle distillate fuel.

18. Use of a mineral middle distillate fuel for lowering the cloud point of a renewable fuel, comprising: (a) determining the cloud point of a renewable fuel; (b) Selecting a mineral middle fraction having the following properties: (i) a cloud point that differs from the cloud point of the renewable fuel by no more than 17°C; (ii) an amount of normal paraffins sufficient to provide a diesel fuel blend containing 10 to 25 wt. % normal paraffins in the C14 to C20 range when the renewable fuel is blended with the mineral middle distillate fuel; and (iii) an amount of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range sufficient to provide, when the renewable fuel is blended with the mineral middle distillate fuel, a diesel fuel blend having a ratio of the sum of the weight % amounts of isoparaffins in the C14-C20 range to the sum of the weight % amounts of normal paraffins in the C14-C20 range of from 1.1 to 2.2; and (c) blending the renewable fuel with the mineral middle distillate fuel in an amount ratio by volume of 10:90 to 90:10 to form a diesel fuel blend having a cloud point lower than the cloud point of the renewable fuel.

19. A diesel fuel blend with enhanced cold properties obtainable by a method according to one of claims 10 to 16 or by the use according to claim 17 or 18.

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