fuel composition

Abstract

A fuel composition comprising: (i) at least 30% by volume of a renewable gasoline component, the renewable gasoline component having a RON of at least 80 and derived from an ethanol-gasoline process; (ii) at least 5% by volume of a renewable alcohol component; and (iii) 15% to 50% by volume of a petroleum-derived gasoline component, wherein the fuel composition has a RON of 95 or greater and comprises at least 50% by volume of the renewable component. The fuel composition of the present invention enables the blending of higher bio-content fuels while still maintaining a high RON, improved distillation profile, and low particulate matter emissions.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application relates to high-octane bio-based fuel compositions. [Background technology]

[0002] In the operation of spark-induced or spark-ignited combustion engines, particularly gasoline-powered automobile engines, the octane number of the fuel must be high enough to prevent knocking. Gasoline sold at gas stations typically has an octane number of 95 or higher. Fuels with such octane numbers are satisfactory for most automobile engines.

[0003] High performance engines, especially racing engines, require fuels with higher octane numbers. The lower the octane number, the more likely knocking will occur. Producing fuels with progressively higher octane numbers becomes increasingly difficult to achieve. In particular, fuels with an octane number of 100 or higher are highly desirable and the most difficult to produce. This is especially true for unleaded fuels.

[0004] Modern race fuels, especially those for endurance racing, require not only high octane but also optimized engine and fuel efficiency.

[0005] Many countries now also require a certain amount of biocomponents in gasoline, i.e., components derived from biological sources such as cellulose or plant material rather than from crude oil. It is expected that both fuel technical specifications and legislation will require increasing amounts of biocomponents as the transition to alternative renewable fuel sources takes place.

[0006] Many types of biofuel components are known. Common biocomponents include alkanols, such as ethanol, obtained from natural sources such as plant products and are often referred to as bioethanol. However, disadvantages of bioethanol include its lower energy density than hydrocarbons and its tendency to damage pipelines or sealing components in fuel systems. Other known biofuels are esters of fatty acids and / or animal acids with alcohols, but these tend to have limited storage stability. HVO technology is an alternative method for processing natural fats into renewable fuels and consists of catalytic hydroconversion of fats, resulting in a mixture of paraffinic hydrocarbons. Another known method for processing biomass into biofuels is gasification of biomass followed by the synthesis of paraffinic hydrocarbons using the Fischer-Tropsch process. However, a known disadvantage of HVO and Fischer-Tropsch-derived fuels is the lack of aromatic compounds, which provide the necessary lubrication properties for the final fuel composition.

[0007] Another method for producing biofuels is the conversion of ethanol to gasoline (also known as ETG). EP 2940103 B1 relates to a method for the preparation of synthetic biofuels using ethanol by converting the ethanol in a mixture with hydrocarbons in a catalytic process over a bed of zeolitic aluminosilicates. EP 2982734 B1 describes a method for preparing a fuel mixture for spark-ignition engines from biomass containing a mixture of petroleum hydrocarbons, oxygenates, and refinery additives having a final distillation temperature of 210°C or less, characterized in that it comprises deriving from the fermentation of biomass ethanol or a mixture of ethanol with other alcohols having carbon numbers C1 to C5, aldehydes, ketones, esters of lower fatty acids up to C5, or a mixture of all of these, catalytically converting the products of the fermentation to hydrocarbons, and isolating a biocomponent from the products of the catalytic conversion, the biocomponent being a mixture of synthetic hydrocarbons having a final distillation temperature of up to 210°C. % (v / v) of aromatic hydrocarbons, with sulfur, chlorine, and metals including lead below the detection level of commonly applicable analytical methods, with a benzene content of less than 0.2% (v / v), and an ethanol content of less than 0.17% (v / v), wherein the biocomponent contains hydrocarbons having only carbon atoms that are derived from biomass and are not of anthropogenic origin; and then preparing a fuel mixture for a spark-ignition engine containing petroleum hydrocarbons, the biocomponent, oxygenates, and refinery additives selected from detergents, antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors, and others that improve performance characteristics, wherein the biocomponent is present in an amount of up to 85% by volume of the total fuel mixture.

[0008] WO 2021 / 099220 relates to a gasoline composition comprising: (a) a base gasoline having no oxygen content in an amount ranging from about 60 to about 90% by volume, based on the total gasoline composition; (b) a renewable gasoline component in an amount ranging from 1 to 15% by volume, based on the total gasoline composition; and (c) one or more monoalcohols having a RON of about 105 or greater, in an amount ranging from 5 to up to 15% by volume, based on the total gasoline composition, wherein the composition as a whole has a RON of at least 95, with the proviso that the components listed in (a), (b), and (c) add up to 100% by volume. This patent publication does not mention renewable gasoline components produced by an ethanol-gasoline process.

[0009] There is a need for a fuel composition that allows for higher content of biofuel components while maintaining a high RON, and that provides an improved distillation profile and low particulate emissions. Summary of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, there is provided a fuel composition comprising: (i) at least 30% by volume of a renewable gasoline component, the renewable gasoline component having a RON of at least 80 and derived from an ethanol-gasoline process; (ii) at least 5% by volume of a renewable alcohol component; (iii) 15% to 50% by volume of a petroleum-derived gasoline component; A fuel composition is provided, wherein the fuel composition has a RON of 95 or greater and comprises at least 50% by volume of renewable components.

[0011] The present invention further provides a process for preparing a fuel composition, comprising blending (i) at least 30% by volume of a renewable gasoline component having a RON of at least 80 with (ii) at least 5% by volume of a renewable alcohol component, and (iii) 15% to 50% by volume of a petroleum-derived gasoline component, wherein the renewable gasoline component is derived from an ethanol-gasoline process, and components (i), (ii), and (iii) are blended in amounts such that the final fuel composition contains at least 50% by volume of the renewable component. The fuel composition produced by this process has a RON of 95 or greater, preferably 98 or greater, and more preferably 100 or greater.

[0012] The fuel compositions of the present invention allow for higher bio-content fuels while maintaining a high RON, improved distillation profile, and low particulate emissions.

[0013] It is particularly surprising that, despite the low RON / MON of the renewable gasoline component, a very high RON can be achieved in the final formulation, while at the same time achieving good local emissions performance and an improved distillation profile. Advantageously, the fuel composition meets the requirements of the EN228 fuel specification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The fuel composition of the present invention is a gasoline fuel composition suitable for spark ignition engines, which preferably has a low or ultra-low sulphur content, for example at most 1000 ppmw (parts per million by weight), preferably 500 ppmw or less, more preferably 100 ppmw or less, even more preferably 50 ppmw or less, and most preferably 10 ppmw or less.

[0015] Octane number The octane number of a fuel composition may be measured as the research octane number (RON) and / or the motor octane number (MON), and the octane number may also be calculated as the sum of the research octane number (RON) and the motor octane number (MON) divided by 2, i.e., (R+M) / 2. Unless otherwise specified, the research octane number (RON) is determined according to the ASTM D2699 method and the motor octane number (MON) is determined according to the ASTM D2700 method, both of which are incorporated by reference.

[0016] The fuel compositions of the present application have a RON of 95 or greater, preferably 98 or greater. In one embodiment, the fuel composition has a RON of about 100 or greater.

[0017] It is surprising that despite the low RON / MON of the renewable gasoline component, such a high RON can be achieved in the final blend.

[0018] Renewable gasoline components The fuel composition of the present invention comprises at least 30% by volume, preferably at least 35% by volume, and more preferably at least 40% by volume, of a renewable gasoline component, based on the total fuel composition, the renewable gasoline component having a RON of at least 80 and derived from an ethanol-gasoline process.

[0019] The fuel composition of the present invention comprises 30% to 50% by volume, preferably 30% to 40% by volume, more preferably 35% to 40% by volume of a renewable gasoline component based on the total fuel composition.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the amount of renewable gasoline component in the fuel composition is about 36.5% by volume, based on the total fuel composition.

[0021] As used herein, the term "renewable" in the context of renewable fuel components refers to fuel components that are derived from any renewable source (i.e., not from any fossil-based source). Thus, renewable gasoline components and renewable alcohol components as used herein are based on renewable sources and do not originate from or derive from any fossil-based materials. Renewable gasoline components and renewable alcohol components have a higher content of ethanol than similar components derived from fossil sources. 14 C isotope. Thus, in a gasoline blend where part of the gasoline blend is based on fossil materials and part of the gasoline blend is based on renewable sources, the renewable component is 14 This can be determined by measuring C activity. 14 The analysis of C is 12 Isotopes compared to C 14 It is an established approach to determining the age of a component based on its rate of decay (also known as carbon dating). The renewable fraction of any material is its 14 The carbon content is proportional to the carbon content. A suitable method for analyzing the content of carbon from biological or renewable sources is ASTM D6866 (2018). Other methods include DIN 51637 (2014) and EN16640 (2017). For the purposes of this invention, a component is considered renewable if it contains 90% or more, preferably 100%, modern carbon (pMC) as measured using ASTM D6866.

[0022] The fuel composition of the present invention comprises at least 50% by volume of renewable components, based on the total fuel composition.

[0023] As used herein, the term "renewable gasoline component" means a mixture of C4 to C9 straight or branched chain hydrocarbons derived from renewable sources and not from any fossil-based materials. For example, the renewable gasoline component may include a mixture of one or more of n-hexane, n-pentane, iso-pentane, and other C4 to C9 alkanes such as 2-methylpentane, 2,3-dimethylbutane, heptane, and 3-methylheptane. The renewable gasoline component preferably has a boiling point range of 40°C to 170°C.

[0024] As used herein, the term "ethanol-to-gasoline" process refers to the conversion of ethanol to gasoline using a suitable catalyst. Preferably, the catalyst for the ethanol-to-gasoline process is a zeolite catalyst.

[0025] Preferred ethanol-gasoline processes for producing the renewable gasoline component used herein can be found in EP 2940103(B1) and EP 2982734(B1), which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0026] In one embodiment herein, renewable gasoline components can be produced via catalytic conversion of ethanol derived from the fermentation of a mixture of alcohols or ethanol with other alcohols having carbon numbers C1 to C5, aldehydes and ketones, and esters of lower fatty acids up to C5 or mixtures thereof, where the biocomponent used is derived from biomass and contains hydrocarbons with only carbon atoms that are not of anthropogenic origin. Such a process is taught in EP 2982734 B1, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0027] In one embodiment herein, renewable gasoline components can be produced from ethanol via the conversion of ethanol in a mixture with hydrocarbons in a catalytic process over a bed of zeolitic aluminosilicates. Such a process is taught in EP 2940103(B1), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In this process, ethanol at a concentration of at least 10% w / w, in particular ethanol from alcoholic fermentation, or a mixture of ethanol with other alcohols and / or organic oxy-compounds such as aldehydes, ketones, esters having a carbon content of C5 or less, and / or distillation waste by-products formed during ethanol separation operations, such as fusel oils and / or "heads", is mixed with a hydrocarbon-containing diluent gas prior to the catalytic conversion process, and the conversion process is carried out in the gas phase at a temperature of 250-450°C, preferably 270-350°C, and a pressure of up to 5 MPa using at least two, preferably four, series-connected flow reactors with heat exchangers operating alternately, without the need to supply an equimolar amount of water to the reaction mixture stream and without the need to supply any additional heat, and then at a temperature of up to 100°C, preferably 30-80°C, and a pressure of up to 2 MPa in a one-step process, with the "heart" fraction being recovered from the reaction product and the remaining fraction being recycled, in whole or in part, to dilute the alcohol-containing feedstock in an amount of 0.5:1 to 20:1 by weight relative to the alcohol-containing feedstock. Preferably, the catalyst is zeolite type ZSM-5 with a SiO2 / Al2O3 ratio between 50 and 280, in the shape of "macaroni" with a diameter of 1.6 mm or 3.2 mm and a length of up to 20 mm. Further details of this process can be found in EP 2940103 (B1).

[0028] The renewable gasoline component used herein preferably meets the EN228 standard. The renewable gasoline is preferably a synthetic hydrocarbon fraction having a final boiling point of up to 210°C. Preferably, the renewable gasoline has an aromatics content of up to 35% v / v. Preferably, the renewable gasoline component has an oxygenate content equal to or less than that specified in the EN228 standard. In a preferred embodiment, the renewable gasoline component has an oxygenate content of less than 0.02% by weight of the renewable gasoline component, preferably 0% by weight. The level of metals, including sulfur and lead, present in the renewable gasoline component is preferably 0 ppm. The level of benzene in the renewable gasoline component is preferably less than 0.2% v / v.

[0029] The renewable gasoline component as used herein typically comprises greater than 3 wt.% benzene and toluene combined, based on the weight of the renewable gasoline component. In a preferred embodiment, the renewable gasoline component as used herein comprises greater than or equal to 3.5 wt.% benzene and toluene combined, based on the weight of the renewable gasoline component.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the renewable gasoline component comprises less than 40% by weight of cyclic hydrocarbons, based on the weight of the renewable gasoline component.

[0031] A suitable renewable gasoline component produced by the ethanol-gasoline process is commercially available from Ekobenz, Poland.

[0032] In one embodiment, the fuel composition comprises 36.5% by volume of renewable gasoline.

[0033] Renewable alcohol content The fuel composition of the present invention comprises at least 5% by volume, preferably at least 8% by volume, of a renewable alcohol component, based on the final fuel composition.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the fuel composition comprises from 5% to 30% by volume, preferably from 5% to 20% by volume, more preferably from 8% to 15% by volume, and even more preferably from 8% to 12% by volume of renewable alcohol components, based on the final fuel composition.

[0035] The renewable alcohol component preferably contains 2 to 4 carbon atoms. Suitable alcohols are selected from methanol, ethanol, propanol, and butanol, and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the alcohol is ethanol.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, the amount of alkanol in the fuel composition is about 8.5% by volume of the total fuel composition.

[0037] The ethanol used may suitably be any fuel-grade ethanol from renewable sources. Suitable bioethanol is readily commercially available.

[0038] Petroleum-derived gasoline components In the liquid fuel compositions of the present invention, the petroleum-derived gasoline component may be a gasoline base fuel derived from a petroleum source. The petroleum-derived gasoline base fuel may be any gasoline suitable for use in spark-ignition (gasoline) type internal combustion engines known in the art, including automotive engines and other types of engines such as, for example, off-road and aviation engines. The gasoline used as the base fuel in the liquid fuel compositions of the present invention may also be referred to as "base gasoline" for convenience.

[0039] The gasoline base fuel may itself comprise a mixture of two or more different gasoline fuel components and / or may be additivated as described below.

[0040] Conventionally, gasoline base fuels are present in gasoline or liquid fuel compositions in large amounts, for example, greater than 50% m / m of the liquid fuel composition. However, in the present invention, the petroleum-derived gasoline component is present at a level of 15% to 50% by volume, preferably 15% to 30% by volume, and more preferably 20% to 30% by volume, based on the total fuel composition. In one embodiment herein, the petroleum-derived gasoline component is present at a level of about 24% by volume, based on the total fuel composition.

[0041] Gasoline typically comprises a mixture of hydrocarbons boiling in the range 25-230°C (EN-ISO 3405), with the optimum range and distillation curve typically varying with climate and season. The hydrocarbons in petroleum-derived gasoline may be derived by any means known in the art, conveniently the hydrocarbons may be derived by any known means from straight run gasoline, synthetically produced aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures, thermally or catalytically cracked hydrocarbons, hydrocracked petroleum fractions, catalytically reformed hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof.

[0042] The particular distillation curve, hydrocarbon composition, research octane number (RON) and motor octane number (MON) of the petroleum-derived gasoline are not critical.

[0043] Conveniently, the research octane number (RON) of the petroleum-derived gasoline base fuel may be at least 80, for example in the range 80 to 110. Typically, the RON of the gasoline base fuel is at least 90, for example in the range 90 to 110. Typically, the RON of the gasoline base fuel is at least 91, for example in the range 91 to 105 (EN 25164). The motor octane number (MON) of the gasoline may conveniently be at least 70, for example in the range 70 to 110. Typically, the MON of the gasoline is at least 75, for example in the range 75 to 105 (EN 25163).

[0044] Typically, gasoline comprises components selected from one or more of the following groups: saturated hydrocarbons, olefinic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, and oxygenated hydrocarbons. Advantageously, gasoline may comprise a mixture of saturated hydrocarbons, olefinic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, and optionally oxygenated hydrocarbons.

[0045] Typically, the olefinic hydrocarbon content of the gasoline is in the range of 0 to 40% v / v based on the gasoline (ASTM D1319). Preferably, the olefinic hydrocarbon content of the gasoline is in the range of 0 to 30% v / v based on the gasoline, and more preferably, the olefinic hydrocarbon content of the gasoline is in the range of 0 to 20% v / v based on the gasoline.

[0046] Typically, the aromatic hydrocarbon content of the gasoline is in the range of 0-70% v / v based on the gasoline (ASTM D1319), for example, the aromatic hydrocarbon content of the gasoline is in the range of 10-60% v / v based on the gasoline. Preferably, the aromatic hydrocarbon content of the gasoline is in the range of 0-50% v / v based on the gasoline, for example, the aromatic hydrocarbon content of the gasoline is in the range of 10-50% v / v based on the gasoline.

[0047] The benzene content in the gasoline is preferably at most 10% v / v, more preferably at most 5% v / v, in particular at most 1% v / v, based on the gasoline.

[0048] The gasoline preferably has a low or ultra-low sulphur content, for example at most 1000 mg / kg (also known as ppm or ppmw or parts per million by weight), preferably 500 mg / kg or less, more preferably 100 or less, even more preferably 50 or less, and most preferably 10 mg / kg or less.

[0049] The gasoline also preferably has a low total lead content, such as at most 0.005 g / l, and is most preferably lead-free, ie, has no added lead compounds (ie, is unleaded).

[0050] Examples of suitable gasolines include those having an olefinic hydrocarbon content of 0-20% v / v (ASTM D1319), an oxygen content of 0-5% m / m (EN1601), an aromatic hydrocarbon content of 0-50% v / v (ASTM D1319), and a benzene content of up to 1% v / v.

[0051] Renewable Cyclopentane The fuel composition of the present invention preferably comprises renewable cyclopentane in the range of 0.1% to 8% by volume, more preferably 1% to 6% by volume, and even more preferably 2% to 5% by volume.

[0052] In one embodiment herein, the fuel composition contains about 4% by volume of renewable cyclopentane.

[0053] It has been found that the inclusion of renewable cyclopentane, particularly in combination with toluene, is beneficial in providing a fuel composition with a very high RON (e.g., approaching 100) despite the low RON / MON of the renewable gasoline component, while also achieving good local emissions performance and good distillation characteristics.

[0054] Alkylate The fuel composition of the present invention comprises from 5% to 20% by volume, preferably from 10% to 20% by volume, even more preferably from 12% to 18% by volume of an alkylate, based on the total fuel composition.

[0055] In one embodiment, the fuel composition comprises about 15% by volume of alkylate.

[0056] The term "alkylate" is typically used to refer to a refinery stream consisting primarily of branched-chain paraffins derived from the alkylation process used in petroleum refining. Alkylation is described, for example, in J. Gary, et al., Petroleum Refining, Technology and Economics (2nd ed., 1984), Chapter 10, pp. 159-183, and Kirk Othmer, Concise Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology (4th ed., 1999), Vol. 1, pp. 75-76.

[0057] As used herein, the term "alkylate" refers to a hydrocarbon composition used in fuel applications that contains 90% or more by volume of isoparaffins as measured in accordance with ASTM D5134-98(2003). Alkylate is typically produced by distillation of the reaction product of isobutane with monoolefinic hydrocarbons, the carbon number of which usually ranges from C3 to C5. Alkylate is primarily composed of C7 to C8 hydrocarbons. 12 It consists primarily of branched-chain saturated hydrocarbons with carbon numbers in the range of 194°F to 428°F (90°C to 220°C).

[0058] Suitable alkylates typically have a RON of, for example, 93 to 95. Suitable alkylates typically have a MON of, for example, 91 to 92. Suitable alkylates typically have an octane number (R+M / 2) of, for example, 92 to 93.5.

[0059] Suitable alkylates can be obtained from a variety of sources, including those manufactured by Shell Chemical Company under the trade name MIRO.

[0060] In one embodiment, the unleaded fuel composition contains toluene.

[0061] toluene The fuel composition herein preferably comprises from 0.1% to 15% by volume, more preferably from 1% to 15% by volume, even more preferably from 5% to 15% by volume, especially from 8% to 12% by volume of toluene, based on the final fuel composition.

[0062] Toluene is a monosubstituted benzene with the following structure:

[0063] [ka]

[0064] In one embodiment, the fuel composition contains 12% by volume of toluene.

[0065] Specific formulations In one embodiment, there is provided a fuel composition comprising 30-50% by volume of a renewable gasoline component, 5-30% by volume of a renewable alcohol component, preferably ethanol, 15-50% by volume of a petroleum-derived gasoline component, 0.1-8% by volume of renewable cyclopentanone, 5-20% by volume of an alkylate, and 0.1-15% by volume of toluene (all vol.% amounts based on the final fuel composition).

[0066] In another embodiment, there is provided a fuel composition comprising 30-40% by volume of a renewable gasoline component, 5-20% by volume of a renewable alcohol, preferably ethanol, 15-30% by volume of a petroleum-derived gasoline component, 1-6% by volume of renewable cyclopentane, 10-20% by volume of an alkylate, and 1-15% by volume of toluene (all vol.% amounts based on the final fuel composition).

[0067] In another embodiment herein, there is provided a fuel composition comprising 35-40% by volume of a renewable gasoline component, 8-15% by volume of a renewable alcohol, preferably ethanol, 20-30% by volume of a petroleum-derived gasoline component, 2-5% by volume of renewable cyclopentanone, 12-18% by volume of an alkylate, and 8-12% by volume of toluene (all vol.% amounts based on the final fuel composition).

[0068] The unleaded fuel compositions of the present invention are best suited for use in racing applications, for example, endurance or high speed racing applications.

[0069] The fuel compositions of the present invention have been found to have improved distillation properties. Preferably, the fuel compositions of the present invention have an E150 of greater than 85%. Preferably, the fuel compositions have a final boiling point of less than 195°C. These improved distillation properties ensure that low PN / PM emissions are achieved.

[0070] Other ingredients The unleaded fuel composition may also contain one or more fuel additives.

[0071] Non-limiting examples of suitable types of fuel additives that can be included in the fuel composition or in a performance additive package for use in a fuel composition include antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors, detergents, dehazers, anti-knock additives, metal deactivators, valve-seat recession protectant compounds, dyes, solvents, dispersants, diluents, and markers. Examples of suitable such additives are generally described in U.S. Patent No. 5,855,629.

[0072] Conveniently, the fuel additive may be blended with one or more solvents to form an additive concentrate, which may then be mixed with the gasoline or other components of the fuel composition of the present invention.

[0073] The (active matter) concentration of any optional additive present in the fuel composition of the invention is preferably up to 1% by weight, more preferably in the range 5 to 3000 ppmw, for example 2000 ppmw, optionally in the range 200 to 3000 ppmw, for example 300 to 1000 ppmw.

[0074] The invention is illustrated below and suitable blends are further described by the following non-limiting examples. [Example]

[0075] Fuel formulations according to the present invention were prepared by blending the components specified in Table 1 below. In Table 1, the volume percentage of each component is a percentage of the total composition specified. The renewable gasoline used in the combustion formulations shown in Table 1 was a commercially available ethanol-gasoline product supplied by Ekobenz, Poland. Table 2 below shows the measured properties of the ethanol-gasoline product. Table 3 below shows the measured properties of the final fuel formulations according to the present invention.

[0076] [Table 1]

[0077] [Table 2-1]

[0078] [Table 2-2]

[0079] [Table 3]

[0080] Despite the low RON / MON of the base renewable ETG component (RON=89.7; MON=82.8), the final fuel blend according to the invention was still managed to achieve a very high RON (close to 100) while also achieving good local emissions performance with excellent distillation characteristics. In particular, the final fuel blend had an E150>85% and FBP<195°C, compared to the ethanol-gasoline component, which had an E150 of 70.6% and an FBP of 206°C.

Claims

1. 1. A fuel composition comprising: (i) at least 30% by volume of a renewable gasoline component, the renewable gasoline component having a RON of at least 80 and derived from an ethanol-gasoline process; (ii) at least 5% by volume of a renewable alcohol component; (iii) 15% to 50% by volume of a petroleum-derived gasoline component; 1. A fuel composition, wherein the fuel composition has a RON of 95 or greater and comprises at least 50% by volume of renewable components.

2. 10. The fuel composition of claim 1, wherein the fuel composition has a RON of 98 or greater.

3. 3. The fuel composition of claim 1, wherein the fuel composition further comprises 0.1% to 8% by volume of renewable cyclopentane.

4. 4. A fuel composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fuel composition further comprises from 0.1% to 15% by volume of toluene.

5. 5. A fuel composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fuel composition further comprises from 5% to 20% by volume of an alkylate.

6. 6. The fuel composition of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fuel composition comprises at least 35% by volume of a renewable gasoline component.

7. 7. The fuel composition of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fuel composition comprises at least 40% by volume of a renewable gasoline component.

8. A fuel composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fuel composition comprises at least 8% by volume of a renewable alcohol component.

9. 9. A fuel composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the renewable alcohol component is ethanol.

10. A fuel composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fuel composition has an E150 of more than 85%.

11. A fuel composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the fuel composition has a final boiling point of less than 195°C.

12. 10. A fuel composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fuel composition meets the requirements of the EN 228 fuel specification.

13. 1. A process for preparing a fuel composition, comprising blending (i) at least 30% by volume of a renewable gasoline component having a RON of at least 80 with (ii) at least 5% by volume of a renewable alcohol component, and (iii) 15% to 50% by volume of a petroleum-derived gasoline component, wherein the renewable gasoline component is derived from an ethanol-gasoline process, and wherein the components (i), (ii), and (iii) are blended in amounts such that the final fuel composition comprises at least 50% by volume of the renewable component.

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