METHOD FOR PRODUCING A FUEL ADDITIVE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for producing a highly efficient fuel additive for fossil and biogenic fuels for internal combustion engines.

[0002] Despite intensive research and development efforts, a replacement of combustion engines, particularly in the high and very high performance sectors, by alternative, more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient drive concepts is not expected in the medium term. Therefore, technologies for increasing efficiency and reducing emissions, both with regard to climate-relevant carbon dioxide and relevant pollutants generated and emitted by combustion processes, remain a central issue.

[0003] The need for heat supply based on gaseous and liquid fossil fuels for industrial processes in the field of material conversion is also expected to remain high in the future.

[0004] Internal combustion engines are still dominated by gasoline and diesel technologies. Various development paths are being pursued to further approach the aforementioned objectives. These include technologies that aim for further improvements in engine operation and management, as well as reductions in emissions, such as the development of the HCCI or CCS process, which is being promoted by several leading automotive manufacturers. However, since this is a hybrid technology combining diesel and gasoline principles, one problem with this development is that it requires specially formulated, high-performance fuels (designer fuels) that are very difficult to produce. Furthermore, development work on this engine system has not yet progressed to the point where series production can be achieved in the short term.

[0005] Further optimization strategies involve pretreating the fuel in electric or magnetic fields before it enters the engine system, in order to achieve more efficient combustion by rearranging the molecules or molecular clusters. In addition, improved fuel supply, injection, or distribution systems are proposed, for example, through optimizations of the electronically controlled engine management in modern diesel engines (Automechanika 2010, 15.09.2010).

[0006] All these development efforts essentially focus on further optimizing the engine and powertrain management, and therefore do not aim at optimizing the manipulation of chemical combustion mechanisms by influencing the combustion properties of the fuel system.

[0007] Other concepts are based on the approach of increasing the efficiency of internal combustion engines by reducing energy losses due to friction, i.e., by improving lubrication systems. This can be achieved on the one hand through further optimized friction pairings and on the other hand through improvements to lubricants, especially engine oils but also fuels (WO 002005054314 A2, WO 002004035715 A1, EP 61895 A2, WO 1996003367 A1).

[0008] Introducing water into fuel systems is another intensively researched approach to better manage exhaust gas problems and reduce emissions. However, such systems rely on custom-designed emulsifiers with their own, sometimes complex, manufacturing technologies. Furthermore, long-term stabilization of the fuel-water emulsions presents a challenge (DE 202007002851 U1, DE 60122470 T2, EP 630 398 A, DE 10334897 A1). The technically feasible but expensive method of introducing the water separately into the combustion process requires increased control and regulation, resulting in high costs.

[0009] Finally, a large number of substances, substance classes, and formulated mixtures and thus producible products or product mixtures and their production are published in the technical literature, which aim to generate additives with partially multifunctional effects (HU 200401825 A2) that can be mixed into fuels.

[0010] The focus is on improving lubrication behavior (DE 10111857 ​​A1, WO 001999029748 A1, OS DE 102009005824 A1), preventing deposit formation (DE 10102913 A1, DE 4309074 A1, WO 9007564, DE 548617 A2, EP 831141 A1, DE 69327949 T2, US 4134846 A, US 4191537), and catalytic acceleration and optimization of the combustion process (WO 0020020688570 A2) to achieve savings and emission reductions (DE 102010039039 A1, US 4877416 A, FR 2305491 A1, WO 2017 / 121497 A1) and the performance enhancement of the engines (CN 200909672, GB 950147, US 4099930) are the focus of interest.

[0011] According to DE 102008032254 B4, WO 8603511 and OS DE 3535712 A1, straight- and branched-chain polyoxaalkanes or polyoxoalkylene dialkyl ethers of different alkylene structures and medium molar masses are proposed as effective additives for soot reduction. However, this requires complex, usually multi-stage manufacturing processes with considerable technological effort for upgrading the products.

[0012] Furthermore, the toxicity, in particular of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol dimethyl and diethyl ethers (substance class of polyoxymethylene di(alkyl polyglycol) ethers) is noted in DE 102009035503 A1.

[0013] Reference is made to the possibility of using biogenic raw materials and the non-toxicity of these substances; however, their production processes are also characterized by extremely high technical complexity. No information is provided regarding the required mixing ratios of the additives to the fuel matrix and, consequently, the achievable effects.

[0014] Numerous other proposed solutions are based on more complex mixtures of substances which, in addition to ketones, alcohols (US 5433756 A1), alkoxylated and alkenylated alkylphenols, polyolefins, and aromatic carboxylic esters (OS DE 19620262, EP 0706552 B1), contain differently structured nitrogen derivatives, such as primary or tertiary alcoholamines, aliphatic alkylamines or polyamines, as well as organic nitrates and nitroparaffins acting as ignition accelerators, hydroxylamines, and oxime ethers (US 4099930, DE 102010039039 A1, EP 0781793 B1). German patent DE 19918764 A1 secures the use of ethyl acetate in the range of 5–15 vol% in gasoline or diesel fuel. The listed substances, substance classes or substance mixtures, which are protected by intellectual property rights, are among those that are not toxic or hazardous to handle.environmentally hazardous, usable either only for gasoline or diesel fuels, and used in sometimes very high doses (>>0.5 vol%).

[0015] Due to their use in high concentrations, it is likely that relevant properties of the fuel system are affected. Further disadvantages include the often very complex, costly, and environmentally problematic processes and technologies (EP 0781793 B1, OS DE 19620262 A1, DE 69008176 T2) used to produce the additives or additive mixtures.

[0016] Technical Regulation TW 200909672 proposes the mixing of water-alcohol mixtures and hydrogen peroxide into diesel fuel systems. However, this requires complex technical modifications to the vehicle, such as the installation of additional agitators, intermediate tanks, and injection systems.

[0017] Fuel additives or fuel improvers currently available on the market, as well as products of this type described in technical literature, therefore have disadvantages with regard to the complexity of the manufacturing processes, toxicity and consequently limited handling, and the comparatively high energy consumption for production through the use of thermal separation processes. In addition, there are by-products and waste products that require disposal.

[0018] Furthermore, the products offered on the market lack verifiable evidence of their claimed effects. Certificates of efficacy or scientifically proven efficacy data are not available. Based on the difficult-to-access detailed information on their effects and composition, in some cases they must be added in very high concentrations, which no longer justify the term "additive," and in other cases their use is questionable with regard to the health risks to the user.

[0019] Document RU 2 312 884 C1 relates to a process for purifying petroleum products (crude oil, paraffin and diesel fractions, and other fractions) of sulfur impurities, in particular a purification process using adsorbents, and can be used in the petroleum production, refining, and petrochemical industries. In the process for purifying petroleum products of sulfur impurities according to RU 2 312 884 C1, which involves carrying out the purification process in the centrifugal field of a rotating rotor drum by the co-rotation of a dispersion mixture of adsorbent and feedstock, petroleum products are processed in the rotor drum at a mass ratio of adsorbent to petroleum products of (1.5-2.0):1.0, with the mixture of adsorbent and petroleum products being applied vertically to the rotor drum.The adsorbent and the oil products flow continuously into the rotating rotor drum in a predetermined mass ratio. The rotor drum speed is 60–2500 rpm. The dispersion mixture of adsorbent and oil products is continuously discharged through the outside of the rotor drum into a container, from which the dispersion mixture is used to separate the oil products from the adsorbent.

[0020] The invention is therefore based on the objective of developing a method for producing a fuel additive for fossil and biogenic fuels for internal combustion engines that is technically simple, economical and environmentally friendly, and that the fuel additive produced according to the method is also suitable for optimizing combustion processes in burner systems, turbines, internal combustion engines and internal combustion power engines by mixing it into the fuel in such a way that fuel consumption is significantly reduced and environmentally relevant emissions are significantly reduced.

[0021] In light of the increasing need for measures to curb global warming, solutions for fuel additives are required that are suitable as combustion activators for fossil and biogenic fuels and thus significantly reduce CO2 emissions.

[0022] The inventive process is intended to meet current requirements for integrated environmental protection and to generate no environmentally relevant waste or residues, thereby avoiding the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the process should make it possible to produce an active ingredient mixture that can be used as a highly effective fuel additive or activator in currently used and commercially available fuels, significantly reducing fuel consumption and pollutants contained in the exhaust gas. The fuel additive should be characterized by ease of use in practical applications, be non-toxic, and be safely applicable to all power and heat generation technologies (gasoline, diesel, and heavy fuel oil engines, burner systems, turbines) without requiring any technical modifications to the equipment and energy conversion systems.

[0023] The aim is to achieve high economic efficiency with regard to both process and production costs as well as the efficiency (dosing quantity) of the fuel additive, which can also be referred to as an activator. Furthermore, the fuel additive produced according to the inventive process should be non-toxic to humans and the environment, exhibit excellent miscibility with fuels, and be safe in terms of material compatibility with fuel-carrying systems.

[0024] Furthermore, this should simultaneously increase the energy efficiency of conventional burner systems for providing heat and, in all applications, achieve a reduction in relevant emissions NOx, CO and unburned hydrocarbons as well as soot and particles through optimized combustion, in parallel with the savings effect.

[0025] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, aliphatic and naphthenic hydrocarbons in the molar mass range C1 to C18, as well as their ester, ether, ketone, or carboxylic acid oxygenates, preferably cyclohexanes and ketones or mixtures thereof, are used. Methylcyclohexane and methyl ethyl ketone are particularly suitable as mixture components. Using a reaction setup with a direct current electric field and a minimum residence time of 1 h, and the contact of suitable adsorbents from the class of carbonates, oxides, or anhydrites of elements of the alkali or alkaline earth group, preferably silicates and carbonates of metals of the second main group such as calcium and magnesium, the mixture of reactants flows through a fixed bed consisting of the aforementioned adsorbents in granular or granular form.

[0026] The fuel additive produced according to the invention can be added quickly and easily in very low doses. The fuel additive poses no health risks to the user and can be produced, at least partially, from renewable raw materials under environmentally friendly conditions without generating residues or waste.

[0027] According to the invention, a mixture of readily accessible straight- or branched-chain aliphatic and / or naphthenic hydrocarbons or hydrocarbon mixtures, comprising the structural types of cycloalkanes, alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes in the molar mass range up to 280 g / mol, as well as oxygenates of the aforementioned basic hydrocarbons of the ester, ether, or ketone type, is brought into contact with a polar solid, composed of one or a mixture of several ionic compounds of metals of the first and / or second main group, by means of a solvent mixture consisting of one or more aliphatic and / or naphthenic C1 to C8 monoalcohols. According to the invention, the hydrocarbons and oxygenates are premixed and then continuously fluidized before contact with the solid system and exposed to a permanently acting direct current electric field, the field vectors of which are perpendicular to the flowing medium.

[0028] Advantageously, the apparatus is designed such that the liquid components are guided through a suitably designed flow tube, first passing through the electric field and then immediately flowing through the fixed bed consisting of the aforementioned components. Once an equilibrium state is reached, the process is considered complete and the active ingredient mixture can be withdrawn from the apparatus for further processing. The process can be carried out either batchwise or continuously.

[0029] The raw product thus prepared is then freed from particles and other mechanical impurities in a manner known per se, optionally mixed with a solubilizer adapted to the application purpose, and is then ready for direct use.

[0030] Advantageous embodiments of the inventive method are disclosed in the pending claims.

[0031] Flow conditions in the Rey 100-3500 range are preferred. The treatment process is carried out at a pressure of 1-8 bar and a temperature of 15-40°C, particularly preferably at 25°C to 30°C.

[0032] The fuel additive produced according to the invention is therefore in particular a highly efficient mixture of active ingredients consisting of the compounds described in more detail below, under the influence of which the combustion processes in burner systems, turbines, combustion engines and internal combustion engines can be optimized in such a way that fuel consumption is reduced and environmentally relevant emissions are decreased.

[0033] The fuel additive is highly effective as a power and fuel activator or additive, comparatively inexpensive to produce, easier to handle, non-toxic, and suitable for use in all known internal combustion engines and burner systems for liquid fuels. Demonstrable fuel savings and emission reductions can be achieved.

[0034] Experimental investigation results confirm the properties of the producible activator formulations described above.

[0035] The raw product thus prepared is then freed from particles and other mechanical impurities in a manner known per se, optionally mixed with a solubilizer adapted to the application purpose, and is then directly usable and storable.

[0036] It was surprisingly found that the treatment of aliphatic, straight- or branched-chain or naphthenic C1-C18 hydrocarbons of the alkane, alkene, or alkyne type, or their oxygenates in the form of ketones, ethers, hydroperoxides, or mixtures containing such, in alcoholic solutions consisting of one or more primary, secondary, or tertiary aliphatic or naphthenic C1-C8 monoalcohols with solid ionic compounds of metals of the first or second main group, namely oxides, hydrated oxides, peroxides, carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, and halides, imparts product properties to the treated mixture which, after incorporation into the fuel matrix, enable fuel savings while simultaneously reducing pollutant emissions in internal combustion engines, turbines, and other applications.

[0037] Significant effects on specific fuel consumption and environmentally relevant emissions have been achieved in stationary flame burner systems. It has now been found that the high efficiency of the fuel additive is achieved particularly when the previously described hydrocarbon-alcohol mixture is exposed to a DC electric field after mixing and before contact with the fixed bed.

[0038] According to the invention, the liquid components can be brought into contact with the fixed bed either at rest or under forced flow, which is feasible depending on the flow conditions and the process engineering framework conditions at variable pressure in the range of 0.5 to 6 bar and in the temperature range of 10°C to 40°C (60°C).

[0039] After the treatment described above, the product mixture is separated from solid system components in a known manner, typically using the principle of filtration through filter cartridges with silicate filter aids. This purification process reduces particle sizes to ≤ 0.8 µm to meet the usual fuel and gasoline standards regarding overall contamination. The purified product can then be used directly as a fuel additive, blended into the fuel as appropriate.

[0040] The silicate filter residues produced in this process are the sole by-product of the inventive method and can be easily disposed of without causing environmental pollution.

[0041] To improve the solubility of the active ingredient mixture in the fuel additive within the fuel matrix, solvent-mediating components are advantageously added. Depending on the polarity of the preparation and the fuel system forming the matrix, these can be hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon mixtures, long-chain alcohols or ester compounds such as triglyceride-bound fatty acids, or vegetable oils transesterified with short-chain monoalcohols and processed to fuel suitability.

[0042] Depending on the effective concentration of the active ingredient, the mixture of active ingredients should advantageously be added to the fuel or energy in extremely low concentrations in the range of 100 to 1500 ppm.

[0043] The invention is described in more detail below using exemplary embodiments and a drawing. The attached drawing shows the principle of a system for carrying out the method according to the invention.

[0044] According to the invention, a reactant mixture of organic oxygenates of the ester, ether, ketone, or carboxylic acid type is used; in the exemplary embodiment described, a mixture of methylcyclohexane, iso-octane, and methyl ethyl ketone is used in particular. The reaction arrangement selected in the exemplary embodiments consists essentially of a buffer and mixing vessel 1, a circulation pump 2 for generating forced circulation, and an adsorption column 3 (reactor section) with an upstream DC voltage module 4 including measuring and control devices, as well as a sieve tray 5 for a fixed bed of solid ionic compounds of metals of the first or second main group.

[0045] The reactor section is electrically insulated accordingly.

[0046] The inventive method provides for a minimum residence time of 1 h at the contact in the fixed bed, wherein suitable adsorbents from the class of carbonates, silicates, oxides or anhydrites of elements of the alkali or alkaline earth group, but preferably magnesium silicate and calcium carbonate in calcined and granulated form, are used.

[0047] In this example, the flow conditions in the fixed bed are Rey 100-3500. The treatment process in the fixed bed is carried out in the pressure range of 1-8 bar at a temperature of 15-40°C, preferably at 25-30°C.

[0048] The fuel additive produced according to this process is particularly suitable as an activator for use in both fossil and biogenic fuels. Specific fuel consumption can be reduced by up to 15%.

[0049] The production of the activator according to the invention generates only very small quantities of easily disposable and environmentally irrelevant filter residues as residual or by-products, and therefore no environmentally harmful substances, since the filters 6 can be used multiple times. Example 1

[0050] For the production of the diesel fuel additive, an apparatus arrangement as shown in the drawing is selected, which makes it possible to premix the base components in a mixing vessel 1, to circulate this mixture by means of a positive displacement or circulation pump 2, and thereby to guide it through a flow tube adsorption column 3, which has a DC voltage module 4 with electrodes in its lower part and a sieve tray 5 with a fixed bed of alkali and alkaline earth compounds in its upper part. The system is pressure-resistant and thermally insulated.

[0051] The arrangement provides for the flow of water into the fixed bed from below.

[0052] A mixture of technical grade methylcyclohexane, iso-octane and ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) in a molar ratio of 1:1:2 is homogenized in the mixing vessel 1 by a stirrer (not explicitly shown) and tempered to 30°C by circulation through the thermostatized adsorption column 3.

[0053] Then 5% (w / w) bioethanol is added to the mixture.

[0054] Granulated magnesium oxide is placed on the sieve plate 5 in a vertically oriented flow tube. The mass ratio of MgO to the total mass of all liquid components used is 1:1.

[0055] The mixture is circulated over the fixed bed by means of the frequency-controlled circulation pump 2, with the circulation rate selected to maintain a differential pressure across the fixed bed of between 1 and 1.5 bar. The flow to the fixed bed is from below. Electrodes of the DC voltage module 4 are installed in the area below the flowing fixed bed such that the field lines of the DC voltage field run perpendicular to the flow direction. The electrodes are electrically insulated from the wall of the flow tube. The spacing and area of ​​the electrodes are selected so that the measured current flow reaches a maximum of 7 mA. Taking into account the maximum permissible current, the applied DC voltage is linearly increased to 800 V within 8 hours during the process.

[0056] Afterwards, the voltage is switched off and the reaction mixture is filtered at 3 bar through a filter candle coated with silica gel.

[0057] Both the fixed bed and the filter cake can be reused for the next batch.

[0058] The filtrate produced in this way is used as a fuel additive or activator in a combined heat and power (CHP) diesel engine. This engine is a direct-injection, 6-cylinder turbodiesel with an intercooler, designed for a nominal electrical output of 65 kW at 1500 rpm. A synthetic, low-friction engine oil of viscosity grade 10W40 was used. The measurement was only started after the engine had been run in until constant coolant and exhaust gas temperatures had been reached.

[0059] For comparative testing, low-sulfur, non-additivated diesel fuel conforming to EN 590 is used, both with and without the addition of the activator. Both tests are performed three times alternately by switching the fuel tanks, with a twenty-minute purge phase in between each run.

[0060] The activator is mixed into the diesel fuel at a ratio of 1:20000 on the suction side of a circulating centrifugal pump at 25°C, with a mixing time of one hour.

[0061] The evaluation of the results and the calculation of the specific fuel requirement per kWh of electrical energy were based on the accumulated performance data and consumption measurements. The actual fuel consumption is determined by mass balancing and weighing the fuel tank at the beginning and end of each test run.

[0062] The exhaust gas composition was assessed with regard to the components HC (hydrocarbons), CO, NOx, and residual oxygen by measuring the exhaust gas stream using a FID (fluorescent detector) via thermostatically controlled gas sampling, as well as with a commercially available gas analyzer operating according to the NDIR (non-volatile internal temperature) method. Exhaust gas data was collected quasi-continuously. Mean values ​​were used for the evaluation.

[0063] The specific fuel consumption can be reduced by 8.4% through the addition of the activator. The mass of emitted nitrogen oxides also decreased by 37%. Example 2

[0064] In a 2-liter laboratory vessel, 0.75 liters of hydrocarbon middle distillate (boiling range 280–320°C) were mixed with 0.5 liters of an ethyl ester mixture, prepared by ethanollysis of a 1:1 (v / v) mixture of triacylglycerides, refined soybean oil, and yatropha oil, while stirring at room temperature. Then, 0.1 mol% methyl ethyl ketone and 0.1 mol% n-butyl alcohol were added successively to the mixture, based on the molar amount of the ethyl ester mixture. The resulting mixture was then heated to 50°C in the stirred vessel using a hot water heater.

[0065] To this mixture, 650 g of solid material, consisting of one third each of pre-dried magnesium oxide, calcium oxide and sodium bicarbonate of technical quality, pressed into strand granules of the format 2 x 4 mm, was then added.

[0066] The container was then fitted with a drying tube to prevent the ingress of atmospheric moisture.

[0067] The liquid phase is drawn off by a pump through a nozzle at the bottom of the vessel, which is initially secured by a drain strainer. It is then passed through a filter cartridge filled with magnesium silicate and finally forced back into the container through a flow tube. Outside the borosilicate glass container...

[0068] An electrode system is installed in the manufactured tube, which generates a direct current field acting within the tube.

[0069] The system was treated by varying the applied DC voltage and treatment times. In two test series, the effect of the applied voltage and the effect of the treatment time / dwell time were investigated and subsequently evaluated by a motor test as described below. After termination of the test, the sample required for the application was taken from the pressure side of the pump downstream of the filter and then directly mixed with the test fuel at a concentration of 250 ppm as an activator.

[0070] A commercially available, super-sulfur-free gasoline fuel from a common market supplier with a specified RON of 95 is used as the fuel matrix.

[0071] The test fuels produced in this way were subjected to comparative tests on a test bench engine. The activator was mixed into the fuel by premixing it in one liter of fuel and then mixing it into the total fuel quantity using a static mixer.

[0072] For comparative analysis, the 4-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine was operated at a medium load operating point under otherwise constant conditions (engine speed, oil temperature, cylinder pressure initiation, EGR rate, torque, lambda ratio). A purge cycle with unactivated fuel was performed between each individual measurement.

[0073] Each measurement was started 10 minutes after switching to the new fuel profile. Fuel consumption is calculated from data provided by a telematics system installed on the test bench.

[0074] All collected exhaust gas composition data were statistically averaged and expressed in g / km, based on the speed-dependent relative speed and the resulting calculated virtual driving distance. Test 0 represents the reference run without the activator additive. For this test, the gravimetrically determined fuel consumption was set to 100%, and the consumption data from the other tests were referenced to this value.

[0075] The average measurement results of the individual tests can be found in the table above in comparison to the unactivated fuel (test 0, reference).

[0076] The effect of the electric field is clearly noticeable. On average, fuel savings of 3-6% are achieved. Nitrogen oxide emissions fall within the Euro VI standard range. Example 3

[0077] A pressure-resistant, small-scale technical system designed for continuous operation is operated in such a way that a liquid mixture is permanently guided through a flow pipe by means of a circulating pump working according to the displacement principle.

[0078] Inside the tube is a support plate containing a 2:1 molar mixture of magnesium silicate and sodium carbonate. The previously calcined material was processed into 1 x 3 mm extruded pellets at 15 bar. The liquid mixture is drawn from a feed vessel and fed upside down into the vertical flow tube. In the upper section of the tube, above the fixed bed, is an electrode system that can be subjected to a DC voltage. The operating voltage is selected so that the measured current does not exceed 5 mA. At the outlet of the flow column, an alternating double filter unit is installed, which filters the flowing medium to a particle size of 1 µm. The resulting equilibrium pressure should not exceed 8 bar.Once this limit pressure is reached, the system automatically switches to the redundant filter system via a bypass, which allows the filter of the used cartridge to be changed.

[0079] The circulated liquid was premixed in the unpressurized storage tank, with the individual components supplied via separate lines equipped with flow meters. The components are supplied according to the specified mixing ratios to maintain a constant fill level in the storage tank. This compensates for volume loss due to continuous withdrawal via a discharge valve downstream of the filter, ensuring continuous operation of the system. The constant total volume of the mixture guarantees that the system is always filled with liquid on the pressure side and that the circulation pump can run without dry running at all times.

[0080] The continuous mixture withdrawal is adjusted to the required average residence time of the substance system in the apparatus. This is based on the analytical findings.

[0081] The mean residence time for this apparatus configuration is at least 15 hours at a process temperature of 30-32°C and a system pressure of 5-8 bar.

[0082] The liquid system consists of SME (methyl sulfite of soybean oil) and a mixture of bioethanol, isobutanol, and 2-ethylhexanol in a molar ratio of 2:1:1 of the alcohols to each other and a molar ratio of SME to alcohol of 1:16, with an average molar mass of 290 g / mol assumed for SME. The components were dosed into the feed vessel as described above and continuously and homogeneously distributed internally into the existing mixture by a centrifugal pump.

[0083] The fuel additive or activator produced according to the invention was used in a heavy fuel oil (HFO) mixture, which serves as fuel for firing stationary burners in an ore processing and pre-drying plant. For this purpose, the activator was continuously added to the fuel supplied to the burner system by means of a precision metering pump and a static mixer under pressure. The metering rate of the mixing pump was linked to the feed pump of the base fuel and set to a mixing ratio (v / v) of 20,000 : 1 (fuel / activator).

[0084] The activator's fuel-saving potential was tested as a randomized, double-blind study on three different heavy oil burner systems (rotary kilns for drying and calcining) over a multi-week trial period and statistically evaluated. Key parameters for the systems were the inlet and outlet moisture content of the material being dried. The evaluation and calculation of results incorporated the mass balance analysis of the total throughput (raw ore), the calculated amount of water (mass loss due to evaporation / drying), and the gravimetrically determined fuel consumption. The table below summarizes the results, with the determined efficiency derived from the fuel savings rate and the change (increase) in system throughput based on the water balance (degree of dryness). The operating hours for the individual tests are listed in the "Run" column (measurement campaign).For the measurement campaigns without an activator, the determined efficiencies have been set to 100% as a standard.

[0085] These test series resulted in average throughput increases of 7.2% (Plant 1), 11.8% (Plant II) and 6.7% (Plant III), in addition to fuel savings.

[0086] These illustrated examples are to be presented schematically for the case of a continuously performed treatment in an electric field and subsequent contacting of a bed of mineral compounds according to the technology according to the invention. List of reference symbols

[0087] 1 Buffer / Mixing vessel 2 Circulating pump 3 Reaction setup 4 DC voltage source 5 Adsorption fixed bed 6 Filter

Claims

1. Method for producing a fuel additive for fossil and biogenic fuels by treating aliphatic or naphthenic hydrocarbons in the molecular weight range C1-C18 and their oxygenates of the ester, ether, ketone or carboxylic acid type and / or mixtures thereof, characterized in that the reactant or reactant mixture is subjected to a direct current electric field with a minimum dwell time of 1 hour and contact with adsorbents from the class of carbonates, oxides, silicates or anhydrites of elements of the alkali or alkaline earth group in a fixed bed through which a flow passes.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the hydrocarbons are, under forced flow, subjected to treatment in a stationary or fluidized fixed bed with inorganic minerals or mixtures thereof.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the treatment of the reactant in the fixed bed (5) takes place in a pressure range of 1-8 bar, preferably in a pressure range of 2-3 bar.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the treatment of the reactant in the fixed bed takes place at a temperature of 15-40°C, preferably at 25-30°C.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that flow conditions are maintained, which are characterized by Reynolds numbers of 100 to 3500, preferably however by Reynolds numbers of 200-300.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the oxygen introduced via oxygenates is in a molar ratio of 1:100 to 1:300, but preferably 1:200, to the organically bound carbon of the liquid component.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the dwell time in the direct current electric field is between 1 and 28 hours, but preferably between 6 and 8 hours.

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the mixture presented as a heterogeneous component in the fixed bed is introduced both as a stationary fixed bed and as a moving or fluidized fixed bed.

9. System for producing a fuel additive according to a method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises at least one mixing tank (1) and a circulation pump (2), followed by an adsorption column (3) with a sieve bottom (5) and an upstream DC voltage module (4).