Low-CO2-impact fuel composition and its use, particularly in new vehicles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fuel composition comprising: (i) 70 to 95% by mass of a hydrocarbon mixture comprising: (a) 5 to 40% by mass of aromatic compounds; (b) 50 to 90% by mass of non-cyclic paraffins containing at least 4 carbon atoms; etc.; (c) 1 to 15% by mass of naphthenes; and (ii) 5 to 30% by mass of one or more ethers, this composition having a density at 15°C, measured according to EN ISO 12185, in the range of 720 to 745 kg / m³. This composition is useful for powering a spark-ignition engine, and in particular as original equipment fuel for vehicles equipped with new engines.

Description

Title of the invention: Low-CO2 impact fuel composition, and its use, particularly in new vehicles

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel composition intended for vehicles with a spark-ignition engine (or gasoline engine), and which has particular properties.

[0002] The invention also relates to the use of such a composition to power a spark-ignition engine, both in a conventional vehicle, particularly a car, and in a racing vehicle. The invention is particularly concerned with the use of this composition as a primary fuel in a new engine.

[0003] Gasoline-type fuels marketed in Europe and usable in spark-ignition engines, particularly those of motor vehicles, must meet the specifications of the EN 228 standard which defines a number of criteria such as, for example, a motor octane number (or MON) greater than 85 and a research octane number (or RON) of a minimum of 95. As is well known in itself, the octane number measures the resistance of a fuel used in a spark-ignition engine to auto-ignition.

[0004] These fuels are suitable for the vast majority of motor engines.

[0005] However, special requirements arise when the petrol fuel is a so-called "first fill fuel", or "first fill fuel" in English, that is to say a fuel intended to power a new engine such as typically an engine equipping a new vehicle.

[0006] A new engine is defined as an engine that has not yet been used after its manufacture.

[0007] In particular, at the exit of the motor vehicle assembly lines, the tanks of new vehicles are filled in whole or in part with original equipment fuel, which corresponds to the very first fuel which powers the engine when the vehicle is put into circulation.

[0008] These original equipment fuels must meet very specific technical requirements.

[0009] A first set of requirements is imposed by the numerous vehicle starts and stops performed without the vehicle moving as it leaves the assembly line, and which must be carried out without generating any engine fouling. Under these conditions, Original equipment fuels must protect new engines, guarantee their cleanliness and proper functioning until the vehicle is delivered to the first customer.

[0010] Furthermore, after their manufacture, motor vehicles are often stored and shipped worldwide before being put into service for the first time. Original equipment fuel is thus stored for extended periods, often several months, in the vehicle before being consumed by the end user. Original equipment fuel must therefore exhibit excellent long-term storage stability, and in particular, perfect oxidation stability.

[0011] Furthermore, the vehicle is often put into circulation in a sales location far removed from its place of manufacture: this may involve different continents, with fundamentally different climatic conditions. However, starting the vehicle by the end user must not present any difficulty. To this end, the original equipment fuel must allow for immediate starting and smooth running of the vehicle regardless of its sales location, whether in hot regions or very cold countries.

[0012] Finally, since engines are started and stopped several times on the assembly lines and until their final sale, operators working on the assembly lines are particularly exposed to emissions generated by fuel combustion. For this reason, it is also important that the original equipment fuel have a high level of safety. In particular, the health, safety, and environmental requirements imposed by some car manufacturers may be stringent in order to prevent any fuel toxicity for operators who handle it regularly.

[0013] Thus, original equipment fuels are subject to technical, logistical and environmental requirements that are much higher than conventional fuels sold at service stations.

[0014] Furthermore, for all vehicles, and especially those intended for mass-market applications, there is a growing trend towards using fuels formulated from plant-based bases, particularly so-called "bio-based" bases, in order to address environmental concerns and limit the use of fossil resources. Thus, current environmental concerns are driving consumers to seek more environmentally friendly fuels.

[0015] However, the use of fuel compositions based on bio-based materials must not be at the expense of fuel performance.

[0016] There is therefore a need to develop new fuel compositions for use in spark-ignition engines that meet the requirements of modern vehicles, while being formulated from bases and / or compounds of renewable origin, also called bio-based bases and compounds.

[0017] There is also a need to formulate fuels that meet the specific requirements of original equipment fuels, which can also be formulated from bio-based bases.

[0018] As is well known in the prior art, octane-enhancing additives (or octane boosters) are typically added to gasoline-type fuel compositions. Organometallic compounds, particularly those containing iron, lead, or manganese, are well-known octane-enhancing agents.

[0019] Thus, tetraethyl lead (TEL) has been widely used as a very effective octane-improving agent. However, in most parts of the world, TEL and other organometallic compounds can now only be used in fuels in very small quantities, or not at all, because they can be toxic, damage the engine, and are harmful to the environment.

[0020] Non-metal-based octane-improving agents include oxygenated compounds (e.g., ethers and alcohols) and aromatic amines. However, these additives also suffer from various drawbacks. For example, N-methylaniline (NMA), an aromatic amine, must be used at a relatively high treatment rate (1.5 to 2% by mass of additive / mass of base fuel) to have a significant effect on the fuel's octane rating. NMA can also be toxic.

[0021] By way of example, US-A-4812146 describes compositions of unleaded gasoline fuels for racing engines that include at least four components selected from butane, isopentane, toluene, MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether) and an alkylate.

[0022] Document WO2010 / 014501 describes unleaded petrol fuel compositions comprising at least 45% by volume of branched paraffins, at most 34% by volume of one or more mono- and di-alkylated benzenes, 5 to 6% by volume of at least one linear paraffin having 3 to 5 carbon atoms (denoted C3-C5), one or more alkanols having 2 to 4 carbon atoms (denoted C2-C4), in sufficient quantity to increase the AKI (Anti Knock Index) i.e. (RON+MON) / 2 by at least 93. These compositions are presented as having high torque and maximum power.

[0023] Thus, we are looking for fuel compositions with good intrinsic properties, that is to say without it necessarily being necessary to add additives improving the octane number such as those described above.

[0024] Continuing its research in the development of fuel formulations for gasoline engines, the Applicant has now discovered a composition which makes it possible to meet the above objectives.

[0025] The present invention therefore relates to a fuel composition comprising: (i) 70 to 95% by mass of a mixture of hydrocarbons comprising: a) 5 to 40% by mass of aromatic compounds; b) 50 to 90% by mass of non-cyclic paraffins containing at least 4 carbon atoms; and c) 1 to 15% by mass of naphthenes; and (ii) 5 to 30% by mass of one or more ethers, this composition having a density at 15°C, measured according to EN ISO 12185, within the range of 720 to 745 kg / m3.

[0026] The compositions according to the invention are intended to power spark-ignition engines (or gasoline engines). These engines can be found in any vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, including conventional vehicles as well as plug-in and non-plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The compositions according to the invention are also useful for powering a compression-ignition engine with mixed fuel (or "dual-fuel" engine).

[0027] These compositions comply with the specifications of standard EN 228. In particular, they have high RON and MON octane ratings.

[0028] The compositions according to the invention are particularly suitable for applications where constraints and requirements are extremely high, for example, in vehicles equipped with new engines. Thus, the compositions according to the invention constitute particularly high-performance original equipment fuels.

[0029] They are extremely stable during storage and withstand very wide temperature variations. They can be used in a wide range of climatic conditions, from hot to very cold regions. They do not foul engines and are safe to use.

[0030] The composition according to the invention also offers significant advantages for uses other than in vehicles equipped with new engines, such as, for example, so-called consumer uses, particularly for light vehicles (or LVs). Where applicable, it must comply with the specifications of standard EN 228.

[0031] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the composition according to the invention may be prepared, in whole or in part, from biomass, and in particular from bases and / or compounds of plant origin. In particular, the composition according to the invention may contain at least 30% by mass of one or more bio-based bases, preferably at least 50% by mass, more preferably at least 80% by mass, and even better at least 90% by mass of one or more bio-based bases. According to a particular embodiment, the composition according to the invention is entirely composed of bio-based bases (content greater than 99.9% by mass).

[0032] Thus, it allows a very substantial gain in carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent compared to a fossil base, on the order of at least 20% compared to a conventional fuel not containing hydrocarbons from biomass such as a fuel based on hydrocarbons of fossil origin (petroleum).

[0033] This CO2 equivalent gain is calculated over the entire life cycle of the fuel composition, from its manufacture to its use. It corresponds to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and can be determined by life cycle analysis, in accordance with ISO 14040-44.

[0034] The composition according to the invention also makes it possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This reduction is determined in accordance with the method defined in Annex V, Part C of EU Directive 2018 / 2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

[0035] The invention also relates to the use of the fuel composition defined above to power a spark-ignition engine.

[0036] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the composition according to the invention is used as a first-fill fuel for a new engine, that is to say, as "original equipment" fuel. In other words, the composition is used to power a new engine of a motor vehicle.

[0037] Other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the invention will become even clearer upon reading the description and examples that follow.

[0038] In what follows, and unless otherwise indicated, the bounds of a range of values ​​are included in that range, in particular in the expressions: "between... and...", "within the range from ... to...", and "ranging from ... to ...".

[0039] Furthermore, the expressions "at least one" and "at least" used in this description are respectively equivalent to the expressions "one or more" and "greater than or equal to".

[0040] Finally, in a manner known per se, a compound in CN is designated as a compound containing in its chemical structure N carbon atoms.

[0041] The fuel composition The composition according to the invention contains a mixture (i) of hydrocarbons containing: a) from 5 to 40% by mass of aromatic compounds; b) 50 to 90% by mass of non-cyclic paraffins containing at least 4 carbon atoms; and c) 1 to 15% by mass of naphthenes. These contents are expressed in mass, relative to the mass of the mixture (i) of hydrocarbons.

[0042] The hydrocarbon mixture (i) represents from 70 to 95% by mass, relative to the total mass of the fuel composition, preferably from 75 to 85% by mass, per ratio to the total mass of the fuel composition.

[0043] The aromatic compound(s) (i)a) are preferably chosen from alkylbenzenes comprising 7 to 12 carbon atoms. Alkylbenzenes are defined, in a manner known per se, as derivatives of benzene in which one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by one or more alkyl groups.

[0044] The aromatic compound(s) may in particular be chosen from toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes (and in particular 1,2-dimethylbenzene or ortho-xylene, 1,3-dimethylbenzene or meta-xylene and 1,4-dimethylbenzene or para-xylene), l-ethyl-3-methylbenzene, mesitylene (1,3,5-trimethylbenzene), l-ethyl-3,5-dimethylbenzene, and mixtures of these compounds.

[0045] We particularly prefer mixtures of aromatic compounds, and more particularly mixtures of alkyl-benzenes comprising 8 to 10 carbon atoms such as ethylbenzene, xylenes (and in particular 1,2-dimethylbenzene or ortho-xylene, 1,3-dimethylbenzene or meta-xylene and 1,4-dimethylbenzene or para-xylene), l-ethyl-3-methylbenzene, mesitylene (1,3,5-trimethylbenzene), and l-ethyl-3,5-dimethylbenzene.

[0046] The content of aromatic compounds (i)a) represents from 5 to 40% by mass, preferably from 10 to 30% by mass, and better from 12 to 25% by mass, relative to the mass of the hydrocarbon mixture (i).

[0047] The composition according to the invention further contains non-cyclic paraffins (i)b) containing at least 4 carbon atoms.

[0048] By "paraffins" we mean in a way known per se branched alkanes (also called iso-paraffins or iso-alkanes) and unbranched alkanes (also called n-paraffins or n-alkanes).

[0049] Paraffins are preferably chosen from those comprising 5 to 12 carbon atoms, more preferably 5 to 10 carbon atoms.

[0050] Paraffins can be chosen from n-paraffins (or normal-paraffins, i.e. linear alkanes) and iso-paraffins (i.e. branched alkanes).

[0051] Mixtures of n-paraffins and iso-paraffins selected from those described above are particularly preferred, preferably comprising a major proportion of iso-paraffins, with a mass ratio of the quantity of iso-paraffins to the quantity of n-paraffins greater than or equal to 6, preferably greater than or equal to 8 and even better greater than or equal to 10. According to a preferred embodiment, this ratio is in the range of 8 to 20, preferably 10 to 18, and even better 12 to 17.

[0052] The hydrocarbon mixture (i) advantageously contains from 3 to 10% by mass of n-paraffins and from 40 to 87% by mass of iso-paraffins.

[0053] Preferably, the paraffin content (i)b) ranges from 50 to 90% by mass, more preferably tiellement from 60 to 80% by mass, relative to the mass of the hydrocarbon mixture (i).

[0054] The composition according to the invention further contains naphthenes (i)c).

[0055] The term "naphthenes" refers, in a manner known per se, to cyclic alkanes (or cycloalkanes) containing from 5 to 12 carbon atoms. Preferably, the naphthenes are chosen from among cyclic alkanes containing from 5 to 12 carbon atoms, and more preferably from 6 to 9 carbon atoms.

[0056] Preferably, the content of naphthenes(i)c) ranges from 2 to 10% by mass, more preferably from 3 to 6% by mass, relative to the mass of the hydrocarbon mixture (i).

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment, the mixture (i) of hydrocarbons is derived at least 20% by mass from the transformation of plant raw materials, preferably at least 30% by mass, more preferably at least 50% by mass, more preferably still at least 70% by mass, and better still at least 80% by mass.

[0058] Thus, the mixture (i) is advantageously made up entirely or partially of bio-based hydrocarbons, and preferably entirely of bio-based hydrocarbons. The raw materials of plant origin can be chosen for example from cereals (wheat, corn), rapeseed, sunflower, soybeans, palm oil, sugar cane, beetroot, plant waste such as, for example, wood waste, straw, bagasse, grape pomace, used vegetable cooking oils, algae, lignocellulosic materials.

[0059] The composition according to the invention also contains one or more ethers.

[0060] Ethers, also called ether-oxides or alkoxy-alkyls, are compounds of formula RO-R', in which R and R', identical or different, represent an alkyl radical, typically a radical in C1 to C7.

[0061] The ether(s) are preferably chosen from the following compounds: methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), methyl tert-amyl ether (TAME), ethyl tert-amyl ether (TAEE), diisopropyl ether (DIPE), and mixtures of these compounds. Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), and mixtures thereof are particularly preferred, and ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) is even more preferred.

[0062] According to a preferred embodiment, one or more bio-based ethers, i.e. of plant origin, are used.

[0063] The composition has an ether(s) content ranging from 5 to 30% by mass, preferably from 15 to 25% by mass, relative to the total mass of the fuel composition.

[0064] According to an advantageous embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises at most 2% by mass of olefins, preferably at most 1.5% by mass of olefins, plus preferably at most 1% by mass of olefins, relative to the total mass of the fuel composition.

[0065] According to a preferred embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises at most 1% by mass of benzene and even more preferably at most 0.1% by mass of benzene. In other words, its benzene content is less than or equal to 1% by mass and preferably less than 0.1% by mass, relative to the total mass of the composition.

[0066] The composition according to the invention may further comprise one or more alcohols, preferably selected from monoalcohols comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, more preferably from monoalcohols comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Methanol and ethanol are preferred, with ethanol being particularly preferred.

[0067] The composition has a density at 15°C, measured according to EN ISO 12185, in the range of 720 to 745 kg / m3. Preferably, the density is in the range of 720 to 730 kg / m3.

[0068] According to a preferred embodiment, the composition according to the invention has a distillation endpoint, measured according to EN ISO 3405, greater than 190°C, preferably greater than or equal to 195°C.

[0069] The composition as described above generally has a research octane rating (RON) greater than or equal to 95, preferably greater than or equal to 99, and more preferably greater than or equal to 100, the RON being measured according to EN ISO 5164.

[0070] It generally has a motor octane rating (MON rating) greater than or equal to 85, preferably greater than or equal to 88, and more preferably greater than or equal to 90, the MON being measured according to standard EN ISO 5163.

[0071] The above values ​​refer to the intrinsic octane number of the composition, i.e. without the addition of additional compounds such as, in particular, octane booster additives.

[0072] In addition to the basic compounds described above, the fuel composition according to the invention may also include one or more additives, chosen from those commonly used in gasoline fuels.

[0073] In particular, the composition according to the invention may include at least one detergent additive ensuring the cleanliness of the intake circuit. Such an additive may, for example, be chosen from the group consisting of succinimides possibly substituted with a polyisobutylene group, polyetheramines, betaines, Mannich bases and quaternary ammonium salts, for example those described in documents US4171959 and WO2006135881.

[0074] The composition may also include at least one lubricating additive or anti-wear agent, in particular (but not limited to) those selected from the group consisting of fatty acids and their ester or amide derivatives, notably glycerol monooleate, and mono- and polycyclic carboxylic acid derivatives. Examples of such additives are given in the following documents: EP680506, EP860494, WO98 / 04656, EP915944, FR2772783, FR2772784.

[0075] Other additives may also be incorporated into the fuel composition according to the invention, such as valve recession inhibitors and antioxidants, octane improvers where appropriate.

[0076] The additives described above can be added in quantities ranging, for each of them, from 10 to 5000 ppm by mass, preferably from 50 to 1000 ppm by mass in the fuel composition.

[0077] According to a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises an additive package, that is to say, a combination of at least two different additives, advantageously selected from detergent additives, lubrication additives, valve anti-recession additives, and antioxidant additives. These additives are advantageously selected from those mentioned above.

[0078] The fuel compositions according to the invention generally have a lead content of less than or equal to 5mg / L (present for example in the form of tetraethyl lead) and, preferably, are lead-free, i.e. they do not contain lead or lead-containing compounds.

[0079] Preparation of the fuel composition The composition according to the invention can be prepared by simply mixing its constituents.

[0080] A non-limiting embodiment includes the following steps: 1) preparation of a mixture of hydrocarbons (i) comprising from 5 to 40% by mass of aromatic compounds, from 50 to 90% by mass of non-cyclic paraffins containing at least 4 carbon atoms and from 1 to 15% by mass of naphthenes; then 2) mixture of 70 to 95% by mass of said mixture (i) with 5 to 30% by mass of one or more ethers.

[0081] The hydrocarbon mixture (i) preferably comprises one or more bio-based bases at least 20% by mass, meaning that at least 20% by mass of the hydrocarbons were obtained from plant-based raw materials. More preferably, the hydrocarbon mixture (i) comprises one or more bio-based bases at least 30% by mass, more preferably at least 50% by mass, even more preferably at least 70% by mass, and even more preferably at least 80% by mass. These quantities are expressed as a percentage of the total mass of the hydrocarbon mixture (i).

[0082] The hydrocarbon mixture (i) may further comprise non-bio-based hydrocarbons, such as fossil (petroleum) hydrocarbons, preferably in minor quantity, typically less than 80% by mass, preferably less than 70% by mass, more preferably less than 50% by mass, more preferably less than 50% by mass, and better less than 20% by mass. These quantities are expressed in relation to the total mass of the hydrocarbon mixture (i).

[0083] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the hydrocarbon mixture (i) is entirely made up of one or more bio-based bases.

[0084] Preferred bio-based bases include those produced from biomass, converted into bio-hydrocarbons by known catalytic conversion processes.

[0085] Similarly, the ether(s) are preferably derived from biomass.

[0086] Thus, the composition according to the invention can be entirely prepared from raw materials of vegetable origin.

[0087] Uses The invention also relates to the use of the composition as described above to power a spark-ignition engine. The engine may be of the direct injection type or of the indirect injection type.

[0088] The fuel composition can be advantageously used to power both a conventional (or "mainstream") motor vehicle engine and a high-power spark-ignition engine, such as a motor racing engine. This may include, in particular, a naturally aspirated or turbocharged engine used in a racing vehicle (circuits or rallies), or a hybrid engine, i.e., a combustion engine coupled to an electric motor, either rechargeable (or PHEV for "Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle") or non-rechargeable (or HEV for "Hybrid Electric Vehicle").

[0089] According to a preferred embodiment, the composition according to the invention is used as "original equipment" fuel, that is, as initial fuel in a vehicle comprising a new engine. In other words, the composition is used to power a new engine of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle or other vehicle (heavy goods vehicle, commercial vehicle, public transport vehicle or other), preferably a motor vehicle.

[0090] The invention also relates to the use of the composition as described above to reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, measured by life cycle analysis in accordance with ISO 14040-44. This reduction is typically determined in relation to a fossil reference, in particular an equivalent petroleum-based fuel composition.

[0091] The invention ultimately relates to the use of the composition as described above to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this reduction being determined in accordance with the method defined in Annex V Part C of the EU Directive 2018 / 2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

[0092] The examples below are intended solely to illustrate the invention, and should not be interpreted as limiting its scope. Examples

[0093] The following examples were carried out using a base B comprising 22% by mass of bio-based hydrocarbons from the transformation of bio-alcohol itself from the transformation of biomass.

[0094] Base B has the following composition:

[0095] [Tables 1] Compounds Content (% by mass) Olefins 0.7 Aromatic compounds C6 to Cl 1 20.5 N-paraffins C5 to C9 5.3 Isoparaffins C5 to Cl 1 69.8 Naphthenes 3.7

[0096] A fuel composition C was prepared by mixing: - 77.6% by mass of base B, and - 22.4% by mass of ETBE prepared from ethanol derived from biomass.

[0097] This composition has a density at 15°C, measured according to standard EN ISO 12185, of 722 kg / m3.

[0098] Its final distillation point, measured according to EN ISO 3405, is 195°C.

[0099] It has a research octane rating (RON, measured according to EN ISO 5164) of 100 and a motor octane rating (MON, measured according to EN ISO 5163) of 92.5.

[0100] Compared to an equivalent petroleum-based fuel composition (i.e., comprising 77.6% by mass of fossil hydrocarbons and 22.4% by mass of ETBE), the composition C described above resulted in a 20% reduction in CO2 equivalents. This reduction was calculated by life cycle analysis, in accordance with ISO 14040-44.

Claims

Demands

1. Fuel composition comprising: (i) 70 to 95% by mass of a mixture of hydrocarbons comprising: (a) 5 to 30% by mass of aromatic compounds; (b) 50 to 90% by mass of non-cyclic paraffins containing at least 4 carbon atoms, consisting of a mixture of n-paraffins and iso-paraffins with a mass ratio of iso-paraffins to n-paraffins greater than or equal to 8; and (c) 1 to 15% by mass of naphthenes; and (ii) 5 to 30% by mass of one or more ethers, this composition having a density at 15°C, measured according to EN ISO 12185, within the range of 720 to 745 kg / m3 and comprising at most 2% by mass of olefins, relative to the total mass of the fuel composition.

2. Composition according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the mixture (i) of hydrocarbons represents 75 to 85% by mass, relative to the total mass of the fuel composition.

3. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aromatic compounds (i)a) are selected from alkylbenzenes comprising 7 to 12 carbon atoms, and preferably from mixtures of alkylbenzenes comprising 8 to 10 carbon atoms.

4. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the content of the aromatic compounds (i)a) ranges from 10 to 30% by mass, preferably from 12 to 25% by mass, relative to the mass of the hydrocarbon mixture (i).

5. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the non-cyclic paraffins (i)b) are made up of a mixture of n-paraffins and iso-paraffins with a mass ratio of the amount of iso-paraffins to the amount of n-paraffins greater than or equal to 10.

6. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mass ratio of the quantity of iso-paraffins to the quantity of n-paraffins is in the range of 8 to 20, preferably 10 to 18, and even better 12 to 17.

7. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the paraffin content (i)b) ranges from 60 to 80% in niasse, relative to the mass of the hydrocarbon mixture (i).

8. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the naphthenes (i)c) are selected from cyclic alkanes containing from 5 to 12 carbon atoms, and more preferably from 6 to 9 carbon atoms.

9. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the content of naphthenes (i)c) ranges from 2 to 10% by mass, preferably from 3 to 6% by mass, relative to the mass of the hydrocarbon mixture (i).

10. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ether(s) are selected from compounds of formula RO-R', in which R and R', identical or different, represent a C1 to C7 alkyl radical; preferably selected from methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), methyl tert-amyl ether (TAME), ethyl tert-amyl ether (TAEE), diisopropyl ether (DIPE), and mixtures of these compounds; more preferably methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), and mixtures thereof; and even more preferably ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE).

11. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that its ether(s) content ranges from 15 to 25% by mass, relative to the total mass of the fuel composition.

12. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at most 1.5% by mass of olefins, preferably at most 1% by mass of olefins, relative to the total mass of the fuel composition.

13. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that its benzene content is less than or equal to 1% by mass, and more preferably less than 0.1% by mass, relative to the total mass of the fuel composition.

14. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mixture of hydrocarbons (i) is derived at least 20% by mass from the processing of vegetable raw materials, preferably at least 30% by mass, more preferably at least 50% by mass, more preferably still at least 70% by mass and better still at least 80% by mass.

15. Use of the composition as defined in any one of the preceding claims to power an ignition engine order.

16. Use of the composition as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14, as first fill fuel in a vehicle comprising a new engine, preferably a motor vehicle.

17. Use of the composition as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14, to reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, measured by life cycle analysis in accordance with ISO 14040-44.