Fuel additive and preparation method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuel additive and a preparation method thereof. Existing fuel additives depend on fossil raw materials, belong to non-renewable resources, can be gradually reduced along with use, and have the problems of poor environmental protection property and limited improvement of combustion efficiency. The fuel additive is prepared by taking a plant raw material extracting solution vetiver grass plant alcohol-based solution as a solute through processes of alkaline solution mixing, compounding and the like. The additive can significantly reduce the carbon emission of fuel oil, reduce the generation of hydrocarbons and oxynitride, and contribute to environmental protection; carbon deposition is removed, combustion of fuel oil in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is improved, gasoline and diesel oil are promoted to be combusted more completely, and the combustion efficiency is improved. A compound metal catalyst is not contained, deep maintenance of an engine is facilitated, and the fuel saving rate is increased. The product safety is high, the preparation cost is low, and the preparation method is simple and effective.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel additive technology, and in particular to a fuel additive made primarily of plants and its preparation method. Background Technology

[0002] Existing traditional fuel additives primarily consist of petroleum derivatives and metal compounds, which have the following shortcomings: First, traditional additives offer limited improvement in fuel combustion efficiency and fuel economy, typically only 2%-4%, and are prone to producing carbon deposits after combustion, affecting engine lifespan. Second, traditional fuel additives generate large amounts of harmful gases during production and use, such as hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide, which are detrimental to environmental protection. Third, traditional additives rely on petrochemical raw materials, resulting in significant energy consumption and high production costs. Therefore, developing environmentally friendly, efficient, and energy-saving new energy plant-based fuel additives has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a fuel additive primarily made from plants and its preparation method. The fuel additive of this invention consists of two parts: a solute and a solvent. The solute is an alcohol-based liquid composed of an extract of the grass *Vegetalis* and an organic alcohol, and the solvent is an alkaline solution.

[0004] The solute is prepared primarily through steam distillation extraction, based on the principles of "like dissolves like" and azeotropic distillation. Steam carries away volatile organic compounds from vetiver that do not react with water and are sparingly or insoluble in water. Under heating conditions, the steam reacts with the active ingredients in the plant to form an azeotrope, which evaporates from the plant cells and then condenses to form an oil-water mixture. Due to the difference in density between oil and water, they can be separated by liquid-liquid extraction to obtain the plant extract. An organic solvent is then added, and after extraction and separation to remove the organic phase, the extract is concentrated and purified to obtain a vetiver plant alcohol-based liquid. The specific preparation steps are as follows:

[0005] The roots of vetiver grass, a plant of the Poaceae family, are selected as raw materials. After removing impurities such as soil, they are washed, dried, and then crushed. The preferred crushing particle size is 2-5mm.

[0006] Place the crushed granules into the distillation vessel, ensuring an appropriate loading density. The preferred loading volume is 70%-80% of the effective volume of the distillation vessel. The granules should be properly compacted around the vessel to prevent the formation of channels that could cause water vapor to leak and short-circuit.

[0007] Add water until it covers the crushed particles. Ideally, the water level should be 1-2 cm above the crushed particles to increase the contact area between the raw material and the water vapor and improve the extraction efficiency.

[0008] Start the steam generator and distill the material using steam. Heat slowly for 0.5 hours, controlling the temperature at 100-105℃. Gradually increase the heat source and continue heating for another 0.5 hours, keeping the temperature below 120℃ and the pressure at 0.2-0.5 MPa. This ensures the raw material is heated evenly, and volatile components escape with the steam.

[0009] The mixed steam is fed into a condenser, where it undergoes a condensation process to condense into a liquid. The preferred condensation temperature is 40-60℃.

[0010] The condensed liquid is injected into an oil-water separator. Vetiver extract has a different density than water. After standing and separating, the water layer is removed to obtain vetiver extract.

[0011] Transfer the vetiver extract to a separatory apparatus, add an appropriate amount of an alcoholic organic solvent, such as ethanol, and mix the extract and ethanol at a volume ratio of 1:1 to 2:1. Shake thoroughly to ensure the active ingredients in the vetiver are fully dissolved in the ethanol. Allow the mixture to stand and separate the organic and aqueous phases. Remove the ethanol phase using vacuum distillation or a rotary evaporator. The remaining viscous liquid is the vetiver phytoethanol-based solute solution.

[0012] The purity of the vetiver plant alcohol extract can be further refined by filtration, chromatography, and other methods as needed.

[0013] After multiple extraction tests, the vetiver plant alcohol base liquid was analyzed for its main components, which consist of alcohols, ketones, esters, and acids, including: diethyl phthalate 0.2%-0.3%, ethyl α-cholate 4.5%-5%, butyl ricinoleate 6.5%-7%, cholesterol 1.7%-1.9%, 21-acetoxy-11,17-dihydroxy-3,20-pregnanedione 5.5%-6%, iso-5α-cholate 4.4%-4.7%, 3,88-trimethoxy-3-piperidinyl-2,2-binaphthyl-1,4,4-tetraone 2.9%-3.2%, heptadecyl alcohol 1.1-1.3%, ethyl 6-nitro-ethyl acetate (3B)-cholesterol 58%-63%, eicosyl palmitate 5.2%-5.6%, and cholanic acid 3.9%-4.2%.

[0014] The core of preparing an alkaline aqueous solution involves electrolyzing an aqueous solution containing electrolytes, utilizing the reduction reaction at the cathode to enrich hydroxide ions. First, a small amount of food-grade salt is added to the water, and the reduction reaction at the cathode enriches hydroxide ions while retaining some beneficial minerals. During the electrolysis of the electrolyte-containing aqueous solution, a direct current electric field drives the ions to move in a specific direction. The cathode is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply, where a reduction reaction occurs, and water molecules gain electrons to generate hydrogen gas (H2) and hydroxide ions (OH-). Due to the increased OH- concentration near the cathode, the solution becomes strongly alkaline with a pH of 10-13, i.e., strongly alkaline water. A diaphragm separates the anode and cathode regions to prevent acid-base mixing, and the strongly alkaline water from the cathode is collected separately.

[0015] Mix the alcohol-based solution with alkaline water with a pH of 10-13 and stir at 22-26℃ for 10-20 minutes.

[0016] When formulating fuel additives suitable for gasoline, the alcohol-based liquid and alkaline water are mixed in a volume ratio of 1:19 to 1:21. When formulating fuel additives suitable for diesel, the alcohol-based liquid and alkaline water are mixed in a volume ratio of 1:75 to 1:85.

[0017] First, add alkaline water as the solvent to the stirring device, then slowly add the alcohol-based solute, avoiding a single addition. The volume ratio of solute to solvent should be 1:19-1:21 (for gasoline) or 1:75-1:85 (for diesel). Maintain the temperature at approximately 22-26℃ and stir for 10-20 minutes at a speed of 100-500 rpm to initially disperse the solute in the solvent and form a mixture. Simultaneously, increase the stirring speed to 300-800 rpm and continue stirring for 5 minutes to promote dissolution and enhance mixing. After mixing, filter the solution into a clean, sealed container. Take samples to test for stratification, precipitation, and pH value to ensure compliance with final product requirements, ultimately obtaining the finished fuel additive.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. Improved fuel combustion efficiency. Tests show fuel savings of over 10%, reduced engine carbon buildup, and extended engine life; 2. Reduce emissions of harmful substances. The raw materials are vetiver plant alcohol base liquid and alkaline solution. The production and combustion processes produce very low pollution. The carbon emissions before and after adding plant fuel additives are as follows: hydrocarbons are reduced by about 96%, nitrogen oxides by about 98%, and carbon monoxide by about 75%. 3. Low manufacturing and usage costs. The raw materials are natural and renewable plant materials, which are cheaper than the raw materials for compound additives. It also has a wide range of applications and is compatible with both gasoline and diesel fuel. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, the preparation method of the fuel additive will be described below using a flowchart.

[0020] Figure 1 Flowchart of the preparation method for fuel additives. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present invention will be further described with reference to specific embodiments. These embodiments are merely illustrative examples of a specific implementation and do not represent a limitation on the technical solution. Unless otherwise specified, all methods and equipment are conventional and readily available from the open market. A traditional steam distillation apparatus is used, mainly comprising: a steam generator for producing saturated steam; a distillation kettle for placing plant materials and introducing steam; a condenser for cooling the steam into liquid; an oil-water separator for collecting and separating oil-water mixtures; and a rotary evaporator for removing the organic solvent ethanol at a lower temperature. Check that the equipment is clean and operating normally. New or long-stored equipment should be thoroughly washed and subjected to empty steam distillation to remove unpleasant odors.

[0022] Preparation: Collect vetiver root materials, preferably those harvested during the dry season from December to March, using high-quality roots. Wash the vetiver roots thoroughly to remove soil and other impurities, then dry and crush them into powder with a particle size of 2-5mm to increase the contact area between the raw material and water vapor, thus improving extraction efficiency. Evenly pack the pre-treated vetiver root materials into the distillation vessel, ensuring an appropriate packing density. Generally, the packing volume should be 70%-80% of the effective volume of the distillation vessel. The packing should be properly compacted around the edges to prevent short-circuiting of water vapor. Add a small amount of water, just enough to cover the bottom of the raw materials by 1-2cm to prevent dry burning.

[0023] Distillation: Start the steam generator. In the initial stage of distillation, heat slowly and maintain the temperature at 100℃ for 0.5 hours. Then gradually increase the heat source temperature and control it at 115℃, and continue heating for another 0.5 hours. During the distillation process, the heat source supply should be stable, with saturated steam introduced at a pressure of 0.3MPa to ensure that the raw material is heated evenly and that volatile components are released with the steam.

[0024] Condensation separation: The mixture of steam and plant extracts enters the condenser from the still, where it is cooled and condensed into a liquid. For plant extracts, the condensation temperature is generally maintained at 40-60℃. The condensed liquid then enters an oil-water separator, where it is separated to obtain vetiver extract. The purity of the plant extract is approximately 85%-95%.

[0025] Preparation of the alcohol-based solution: Transfer the distilled vetiver extract to a separatory funnel, add an appropriate amount of ethanol (1:1 volume ratio of ethanol to vetiver extract). Shake the separatory funnel thoroughly to ensure the active ingredients in the vetiver are fully dissolved in the organic solvent. Allow the mixture to stand and separate the organic and aqueous phases. Remove the ethanol from the organic phase using vacuum distillation or a rotary evaporator. The remaining viscous liquid is the final product, the vetiver alcohol-based solution. The purity of the vetiver alcohol-based solution can be further refined by filtration, chromatography, or other methods as needed.

[0026] Based on component analysis, the main components of the obtained vetiver plant alcohol-based liquid are shown in Table 1.

[0027] Table 1. Composition of Alcohol-Based Liquids

[0028] Preparation of alkaline solvent: Prepare an electrolytic cell with a diaphragm to separate the anode and cathode chambers and prevent acid-base mixing; the cell should be made of corrosion-resistant plastic. Use a DC power supply with an adjustable voltage of 6-24V, adjusted according to the required electrolysis efficiency; use inert electrodes. The diaphragm separates the anode and cathode areas to prevent acid-base mixing and allows for separate collection of the strong alkaline solution from the cathode. Use a food-grade, non-metallic container (tonne container) to prevent corrosion from the strong alkali. Use a reverse osmosis system to produce purified water. Use an ozone disinfection system to further eliminate harmful bacteria in the strong alkaline solution.

[0029] The raw water is purified by reverse osmosis to obtain purified water. A small amount of food-grade electrolyte salt (approximately 0.1%-0.5%) is added to enhance conductivity. Stirring until completely dissolved yields a homogeneous electrolyte solution with good conductivity. The electrolytic cell is divided into a cathode chamber and an anode chamber, with a cation exchange membrane installed between them. The membrane is sealed on both sides to prevent solution mixing. The cathode is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply and placed in the cathode chamber, while the anode is connected to the positive terminal and placed in the anode chamber. The prepared electrolyte solution is injected into both the cathode and anode chambers, ensuring the liquid levels are consistent and the electrodes are completely submerged. A DC power supply is connected, the power is turned on, and the voltage is adjusted to an initial 12V. The electrolysis reaction is observed. After electrolysis begins, bubbles are generated in both the cathode and anode chambers: H2 at the cathode and O2 at the anode. During electrolysis, the pH value in the cathode chamber gradually increases due to OH- accumulation, which can be monitored using a real-time pH monitor. The pH value in the anode chamber decreases. The temperature needs to be controlled at approximately 25℃ during electrolysis. The pH value is adjusted according to the target setting; a higher pH value requires a longer electrolysis time, but over-electrolysis should be avoided to prevent excessive electrolyte concentration. When the pH value of the solution in the cathode chamber reaches the target value of 10-13, turn off the power and release the solution from the cathode chamber, which is a strong alkaline solution. Transfer it to a clean, food-grade non-metallic container and seal it for storage to avoid long-term contact with air and prevent CO2 from entering and causing the pH value to drop, and finally obtain an alkaline solvent.

[0030] Solute and solvent mixing: First, add the alkaline solvent solution to the mixing tank, then slowly add the vetiverol-based solute, avoiding a single addition. The volume ratio of solute to solvent is 1:20. Maintain the temperature at approximately 25℃ and stir for 15 minutes at a speed of 200 rpm to initially disperse the solute in the solvent, forming a mixture. Simultaneously, increase the speed to 800 rpm and maintain this for 5 minutes to promote dissolution and enhance mixing. After mixing, filter the solution into a clean, sealed container. Take a sample for testing to observe for stratification, precipitation, and whether the pH value meets the requirements of the finished product. The final product is a fuel additive suitable for gasoline use.

[0031] The finished fuel additive was tested.

[0032] Fuel efficiency test: The Great Wall Haval H6 was used as the test vehicle. The test data collection system and equipment used are shown in Table 2.

[0033] Table 2 Test Equipment

[0034] The fuel consumption before and after adding 92# gasoline, without fuel additives and with fuel additives was compared, and the fuel saving rate was calculated. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0035] Table 3 Fuel-saving test data

[0036] Exhaust emission testing: An Audi A4 was used as the test vehicle, and the data collection system was an NHA-506 exhaust emission analyzer. The exhaust emission test results before and after adding 95# gasoline and this fuel additive were compared. The reduction in exhaust emissions before and after the addition was calculated, and the results are shown in Table 4.

[0037] Table 4 Exhaust gas test results

[0038] Based on data and actual analysis, the plant-based fuel additive of this invention has the advantages of superior fuel saving, strong carbon deposit cleaning, good lubrication and protection, deep engine maintenance, higher safety, environmentally friendly exhaust carbon emissions, and low cost due to the recyclability of raw materials compared to compound fuel additives.

Claims

1. A method for preparing a fuel additive, characterized in that: The following steps are required: a. Preparation: Select the roots of vetiver as raw material, wash and dry them, crush them into granules, and put them into a distillation apparatus. b. Distillation: Add water and pass steam through to distill; d. Condensation separation: The distilled plant mixture vapor is fed into a condenser, condensed, and then extracted and separated. After removing the water layer, vetiver extract is obtained. f. Preparation of alcohol-based solution: Vetiver extract is mixed with organic solvent, allowed to stand and separate into layers, so that the organic phase and aqueous phase are separated. After removing the organic phase, the alcohol-based solution is obtained. g. Mix the solute (alcohol-based solution) with the solvent (alkaline water) and stir.

2. The method for preparing a fuel additive according to claim 1, characterized in that... In step b, during distillation, the mixture is first slowly heated for 0.5 hours, with the temperature controlled at 100-105℃. The heat source is then gradually increased, and heating continues for another 0.5 hours, with the temperature not exceeding 120℃ and the pressure at 0.2-0.5 MPa.

3. A method for preparing a fuel additive according to claim 1, characterized in that... In step f, when preparing the alcohol-based solution, the organic solvent used is ethanol, and the mixing ratio of vetiver extract to ethanol is 1:1-2:1 by volume.

4. The method for preparing a fuel additive according to claim 1, characterized in that... When the solute alcohol-based liquid in step g is mixed and stirred with the solvent alkaline water, the volume ratio is 1:19-1:21 or 1:75-1:85, and the temperature is 22-26℃.

5. The method for preparing a fuel additive according to claim 1, characterized in that... The solvent alkaline water mentioned in step g is obtained by ionization and has a pH value of 10-13.

6. A fuel additive prepared according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that... The solute is an alcoholic liquid composed of vetiver extract and organic alcohol, and the solvent is an alkaline solution.

7. A fuel additive according to claim 6, characterized in that... The volume ratio of the solute alcohol-based solution to the solvent alkaline solution is 1:19-1:21 or 1:75-1:

85.

8. A fuel additive according to claim 6, characterized in that... The alcohol-based liquid is mainly composed of alcohols, lipids, ketones, and acids.

9. A fuel additive according to claim 6, characterized in that... The main components of the alcohol-based liquid include diethyl phthalate, ethyl α-cholate, butyl ricinoleate, cholesterol, 21-acetoxy-11,17-dihydroxy-3,20-pregnanedione, iso-5α-cholate, 3,88-trimethoxy-3-piperidinyl-2,2-binaphthyl-1,4,4-tetraone, heptadecyl alcohol, ethyl 6-nitro-ethyl acetate (3B)-cholestosterol, eicosyl palmitate, and cholanonic acid.

10. A fuel additive according to claim 6, characterized in that... The main components of the alcohol-based liquid are as follows: diethyl phthalate 0.2%-0.3%, ethyl α-cholate 4.5%-5%, butyl ricinoleate 6.5%-7%, cholesterol 1.7%-1.9%, 21-acetoxy-11,17-dihydroxy-3,20-pregnanedione 5.5%-6%, iso-5α-cholate 4.4%-4.7%, 3,88-trimethoxy-3-piperidinyl-2,2-binaphthyl-1,4,4-tetraone 2.9%-3.2%, heptadecyl alcohol 1.1-1.3%, 6-nitroethyl acetate (3B)-cholesterol 58%-62%, eicosyl palmitate 5.2%-5.6%, and cholanic acid 3.9%-4.2%.

Images