Aromatic, paraffin and ether rich fuel compositions and their use in automobiles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fuel composition comprising: (i) 50-79% by weight of a mixture of hydrocarbons comprising: a) 35-55% by weight of aromatics; b) 30-50% by weight of acyclic paraffins containing at least 5 carbon atoms; and c) 5-15% by weight of naphthenes; (ii) 20-40% by weight of one or more ethers; and (iii) 1-10% by weight of butane. The composition is useful for supplying spark ignition engines of commercial or racing automobiles.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The object of the present invention is a fuel composition for vehicles containing controlled ignition engines (or gasoline engines), which has advantageous properties.

[0002] Another object of the invention is the use of such a composition for supplying controlled ignition engines of conventional vehicles, in particular both automobiles and racing vehicles. [Background technology]

[0003] Gasoline-type fuels that can be used in controlled ignition engines, particularly automotive controlled ignition engines, must have a sufficiently high octane number to avoid the phenomenon of knocking.

[0004] In a manner known per se, the octane number measures the resistance to autoignition of a fuel used in a controlled ignition engine.

[0005] Gasoline fuels sold in Europe typically comply with EN228 and have a motor octane number (MON) greater than 85 and a research octane number (RON) greater than 95. These fuels are suitable for most automobile engines.

[0006] To increase efficiency, modern controlled ignition engines tend to operate at increasingly higher volumetric compression ratios (ie, higher compression ratios are applied to the air-fuel mixture within the engine before it is ignited).

[0007] However, increasing the engine's volumetric compression ratio increases the risk of knocking-type abnormal combustion caused by localized auto-ignition of a carbon-containing mixture upstream of the flame front, which produces a characteristic noise and is highly likely to damage the engine.

[0008] High volumetric compression ratios are particularly desirable in very high power engines, such as those used in racing cars.

[0009] It is therefore essential for this type of engine to use fuel that is resistant to knocking and pre-ignition, and as a result, fuel with as high a "research" octane number (RON) as possible is required. If the octane number is insufficient, the phenomena of fuel knocking and auto-ignition will be more likely to occur, which will not only significantly reduce engine performance but may even cause serious damage to the engine.

[0010] Furthermore, all vehicles, especially general vehicle applications, are increasingly being required to use fuels formulated from bases of renewable origin, especially 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.

[0011] However, the use of biobased fuel compositions should not impair the performance of the fuel, and in particular the octane number and engine power should be maintained or even increased.

[0012] The most commonly used bio-enriched gasoline fuels are those containing bioethanol, such as E85, although these fuels currently account for only a small portion of the automotive market.

[0013] It is known to blend bioethanol into SP95 type gasoline fuels, where the ethanol content is limited to a maximum of 10% by volume in order to comply with EN228 specifications, particularly with regard to oxygenate blending.

[0014] There is therefore a need to develop new fuel compositions intended to feed controlled ignition engines that are able to meet the requirements of modern vehicles, whether for general vehicle use (passenger cars, heavy trucks, off-road vehicles, i.e. non-road, etc.) or for competition use.

[0015] Therefore, there is a need for fuels for controlled ignition internal combustion engines that have a high octane number, particularly a high RON, and are capable of maximizing engine power output in motor vehicles, particularly racing vehicles, that operate at high volumetric compression ratios.

[0016] Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to improve the performance of gasoline fuel compositions, particularly, but not exclusively, fuel compositions for racing vehicles, by increasing the energy content of the fuel, thereby increasing the power output of controlled ignition engines, whether naturally aspirated, turbocompressed, hybrid, or otherwise, during combustion of the gasoline fuel composition in the engine.

[0017] Furthermore, there is an increasing need to be able to formulate such compositions from bases and / or compounds of renewable origin, also called biobased compounds.

[0018] As is well known in the art, octane improving additives (or octane boosters) are commonly added to gasoline-type fuel compositions. Organometallic compounds containing iron, lead, and manganese, among others, are well known as octane improvers.

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

[0020] Non-metal-based octane improvers include oxygenates (e.g., ethers and alcohols) and aromatic amines. However, these amines have various drawbacks. For example, the aromatic amine N-methylaniline (NMA) must be used at relatively high treatment levels (1.5-2% wt / wt of additive to fuel base) to have a significant impact on the fuel's octane rating. NMA can also be toxic.

[0021] By way of example, document US-A-4,812,146 describes an unleaded gasoline fuel composition for racing engines, which contains at least four components selected from butane, isopentane, toluene, MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether) and alkylates.

[0022] Document WO2010 / 014501 describes an unleaded gasoline fuel composition containing at least 45% by volume of branched paraffins, up to 34% by volume of one or more mono- and di-alkylated benzenes, 5-6% by volume of at least one linear paraffin having 3 to 5 carbon atoms (denoted as C3-C5), and one or more alkanols having 2 to 4 carbon atoms (denoted as C2-C4) in an amount sufficient to increase the AKI (from the English Anti-Knock Index), i.e., (RON+MON) / 2, by at least 93. These compositions are presented as compositions with high torque and maximum power. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0023] Thus, there is a need for fuel compositions that have good intrinsic properties, i.e., that do not necessarily require the addition of octane-enhancing additives as described above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0024] The applicant has continued his research in the development of fuel formulations for gasoline engines and has now discovered compositions which enable the above objectives to be achieved.

[0025] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to (i) a) 35-55% by mass of aromatic compounds; b) 30 to 50% by weight of acyclic paraffins containing at least 5 carbon atoms; and c) Naphthene 5 to 15 mass% 50 to 79 mass% of a hydrocarbon mixture containing (ii) 20 to 40% by weight of one or more ethers; and (iii) 1 to 10% by mass of butane A fuel composition comprising: DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] These compositions are intended to be fed into controlled ignition engines (or gasoline engines).

[0027] The fuel composition according to the invention has a high octane number RON (Research Octane Number).

[0028] In applications where fuel input is limited, particularly in racing vehicles, the use of the compositions according to the invention allows the engine to achieve excellent power levels at a given fuel input.

[0029] In particular, the compounds defined above and the combination of the compositions in specific proportions have proven to be capable of obtaining synergistic performance in terms of octane number RON, net heating value NCV and engine power.

[0030] These properties are particularly desirable for use in racing vehicles.

[0031] The compositions according to the invention are also of great advantage in applications other than racing vehicles, for example in so-called general vehicle applications, in particular in private cars (or PVs), where the compositions are capable of meeting the requirements of EN228, where applicable.

[0032] The compositions also have low emissions of unwanted compounds such as nitrogen oxides (NOx).

[0033] The compositions according to the invention can advantageously be prepared entirely or partly from bases and / or compounds of renewable origin, for example from plants. In particular, the compositions according to the invention may contain at least 50% by weight of one or more bases of biological origin, preferably at least 60% by weight, more preferentially at least 65% by weight and even more preferably at least 70% by weight of one or more bases of biological origin.

[0034] It will therefore be possible to achieve a very significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions determined in accordance with Directive (EU) 2018 / 2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on promoting the use of energy produced from renewable sources.

[0035] The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions obtained by the fuel composition of the present invention is at least 50% compared to the reference fossil fuel as defined in this Directive.

[0036] Another object of the invention is the use of the composition according to the invention for supplying a controlled ignition engine.

[0037] According to a particular embodiment, the compositions according to the invention are used as fuels to power high efficiency and high power controlled ignition engines, preferably motor racing vehicle engines.

[0038] Other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description and examples.

[0039] In the following, unless otherwise specified, the limits of numerical ranges are included within this range, in particular in the following expressions: "lying between... and...", "lying in the range from... to...", "ranging from... to...".

[0040] Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "at least one" and "at least" are equivalent to the terms "one or more" and "greater than or equal to," respectively.

[0041] Finally, as is known per se, C N By compound is meant a compound containing N carbon atoms in its chemical structure.

[0042] fuel composition The composition according to the present invention comprises a) 35-55% by mass of aromatic compounds; b) 30 to 50% by weight of acyclic paraffins containing at least 5 carbon atoms; and c) Contains a hydrocarbon mixture (i) containing 5 to 15 mass % naphthenes. These contents are expressed by mass relative to the mass of the hydrocarbon mixture (i).

[0043] Such a hydrocarbon mixture represents from 50 to 79% by weight relative to the total weight of the fuel composition, preferably from 55 to 75% by weight relative to the total weight of the fuel composition, and more preferentially from 60 to 70% by weight.

[0044] The aromatic compound(s) (i)a) are preferably chosen from alkylbenzenes containing 7 to 12 carbon atoms, by which is meant, as is known per se, derivatives of benzene in which one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by one or more alkyl groups.

[0045] The aromatic compound or compounds may be chosen in particular from toluene (methylbenzene), ethylbenzene, xylenes (in particular 1,2-dimethylbenzene or ortho-xylene, 1,3-dimethylbenzene or meta-xylene and 1,4-dimethylbenzene or para-xylene), 1-ethyl-3-methylbenzene, mesitylene (1,3,5-trimethylbenzene), 1-ethyl-3,5-dimethylbenzene and mixtures of these compounds.

[0046] Mixtures of aromatic compounds are particularly preferred, more particularly mixtures of alkylbenzenes containing from 7 to 10 carbon atoms, such as methylbenzene, ethylbenzene, xylenes (especially 1,2-dimethylbenzene or ortho-xylene, 1,3-dimethylbenzene or meta-xylene and 1,4-dimethylbenzene or para-xylene), 1-ethyl-3-methylbenzene, mesitylene (1,3,5-trimethylbenzene) and 1-ethyl-3,5-dimethylbenzene.

[0047] Preferably, the proportion of aromatic compounds (i) a) ranges from 40 to 53% by weight, preferably from 45 to 52% by weight, relative to the weight of the hydrocarbon mixture (i).

[0048] The composition according to the invention further comprises an acyclic paraffin (i)b) containing at least 5 carbon atoms.

[0049] "Paraffins", as known per se, refers to branched alkanes (also called isoparaffins or isoalkanes) and unbranched alkanes (also called n-paraffins or n-alkanes).

[0050] The paraffins are preferably chosen from those containing from 5 to 12 carbon atoms, more preferentially from 5 to 9 carbon atoms, even more preferably from 5 to 8 carbon atoms.

[0051] The paraffins may be selected from n-paraffins (or normal paraffins, ie, straight-chain alkanes) and isoparaffins (ie, branched alkanes).

[0052] A mixture of n-paraffins and isoparaffins selected from the above is particularly preferred, preferably with a higher proportion of isoparaffins, and the mass ratio of the amount of isoparaffins to the amount of n-paraffins is 3 or more, preferably 4 or more, and more preferably in the range of 4 to 5.

[0053] The hydrocarbon mixture (i) advantageously contains 5 to 10% by weight of paraffins and 20 to 45% by weight of isoparaffins.

[0054] Preferably, the proportion of paraffins (i)b) ranges from 32 to 45% by weight, more preferentially from 35 to 42% by weight, relative to the weight of the hydrocarbon mixture (i).

[0055] The composition according to the invention further comprises naphthenes (i)c).

[0056] "Naphthenes", as known per se, means cyclic alkanes (or cycloalkanes) containing 5 to 10 carbon atoms. Preferably, naphthenes are chosen from cyclic alkanes containing 5 to 10 carbon atoms, more preferentially 6 to 9 carbon atoms.

[0057] Preferably, the proportion of naphthenes (i)c) ranges from 7 to 13% by weight, more preferentially from 8 to 12% by weight, relative to the weight of the hydrocarbon mixture (i).

[0058] According to a preferred embodiment, the hydrocarbon mixture (i) is derived from plant materials. Thus, the mixture (i) is advantageously composed entirely of biologically derived hydrocarbons. The original plant materials can be selected from, for example, cereals (e.g., wheat, corn), rapeseed, sunflower, soybean, palm oil, sugarcane, beetroot, wood chips, straw, bagasse, grape pomace, waste vegetable edible oil, algae, and lignocellulosic materials. Carbohydrate-containing plant materials, such as cereals, sugarcane, beetroot, wood chips, straw, bagasse, grape pomace, and lignocellulosic materials that may be derived from the wood industry, are particularly preferred.

[0059] Preferably, so-called second generation (2G) or advanced plant material is used, especially plant material that does not compete with food resources.

[0060] The hydrocarbon mixture (i) is preferably obtained by converting plant material into alcohols containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably methanol and / or ethanol. The alcohols are converted into hydrocarbons in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst allows the alcohols to be dehydrated to produce reaction intermediates that are then catalytically converted into hydrocarbons.

[0061] The composition according to the invention also contains at least one ether.

[0062] Ethers, also called ether oxides or alkoxyalkyls, are compounds of the formula RO-R', where R and R' represent alkyl groups that may be the same or different.

[0063] According to a preferred embodiment, the ether or ethers are chosen from compounds of formula RO-R', where R and R' represent identical or different C1-C5 alkyl groups.

[0064] Preferably, R represents a C1 or C2 alkyl group and R' represents a C3, C4 or C5 alkyl group.

[0065] Particularly preferably, the one or more oxygenates (ii) are selected from methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME), tert-amyl ethyl ether (TAEE), and mixtures of these compounds.

[0066] Ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) is particularly preferred.

[0067] According to a preferred embodiment, one or more plant-derived ethers, i.e., bioethers, are used, which can be obtained renewablely, for example, by using renewable alcohols and olefins obtained by thermal or catalytic cracking or steam cracking of renewable feedstocks.

[0068] Bioethers can be produced, for example, by the reaction of alcohols with olefins (typically branched olefins). Bioethers can be produced from renewable feedstocks (particularly plant feedstocks) by dehydrating alcohols, such as alcohols obtained by conversion (e.g., fermentation) of renewable feedstocks, and olefins obtained by cracking (thermal or catalytic cracking, or steam cracking) renewable feedstocks. Preferably, the olefins are produced by steam cracking bionaphtha, a by-product of the production of renewable diesel fuels by deoxygenation and isomerization of plant-derived triglycerides.

[0069] The total ether content of the present composition is in the range of 20 to 40 mass %, preferably 22 to 35 mass %, and more preferably 25 to 35 mass %, based on the total mass of the fuel composition.

[0070] The composition according to the invention also contains a butane which may be chosen from n-butane (normal butane), isobutane (2-methylpropane) and mixtures of these two compounds.

[0071] Preferably, a mixture of n-butane and isobutane is used.

[0072] Butane can be obtained from renewable raw materials, for example by fractionation of light hydrocarbons produced by catalytic cracking during the production of renewable diesel fuels obtained by deoxygenation and isomerization of plant-derived triglycerides, animal fats or used cooking oils.

[0073] The butane content of the present composition is in the range of 1 to 10 mass %, preferably 1.5 to 8 mass %, and more preferably 2 to 6 mass %, based on the total mass of the fuel composition.

[0074] According to a preferred embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises at most 2.5% by weight of olefins, preferably at most 2% by weight of olefins, more preferentially at most 1% by weight of olefins, even more preferentially at most 0.5% by weight of olefins.

[0075] Such compositions generally have a research octane number (RON number) greater than or equal to 95, preferably greater than or equal to 99 and more preferentially greater than or equal to 100. RON is measured according to ASTM D2699-86.

[0076] The above values ​​relate to the inherent octane number of the composition, i.e., the octane number without the addition of auxiliary compounds, especially octane booster additives.

[0077] The composition according to the invention may also contain one or more alcohols, preferably chosen from C1 to C6 alcohols, and more preferentially from C1 to C4 alcohols.

[0078] Mention may in particular be made of methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and hexanol, with methanol and ethanol being particularly preferred.

[0079] According to a preferred embodiment, alcohols derived from renewable raw materials are used, in particular alcohols derived from plants, also called bioalcohols.

[0080] Such alcohols may be present in the composition according to the invention in a proportion ranging from 1 to 10% by weight, preferably from 2 to 8% by weight.

[0081] In addition to the above base compound, the fuel composition according to the invention may also contain one or more additives selected from those conventionally used in gasoline fuels.

[0082] In particular, the composition according to the invention may contain at least one detergent additive that ensures engine cleanliness, such as may be selected from the group consisting of succinimides, polyetheramines, betaines, Mannich bases and quaternary ammonium salts, optionally substituted with polyisobutylene groups, such as those described in documents US 4,171,959 and WO 2006 / 135881.

[0083] The composition may also contain at least one lubricity additive or antiwear agent, in particular selected from the group consisting of (but not limited to) fatty acids and their ester or amide derivatives, in particular glycerol monooleate, and derivatives of monocyclic and polycyclic carboxylic acids. Examples of such additives are described in the following documents: EP 680506, EP 860494, WO 98 / 04656, EP 915944, FR 2772783, FR 2772784.

[0084] The fuel composition according to the invention may also contain other additives, such as valve recession prevention additives, antioxidants, octane number improving additives, in particular octane number improving additives selected from oxygen-containing or non-oxygen-containing amines, preferably aromatics.

[0085] The above additives can be added to the fuel composition in an amount of 10 to 5000 ppm by mass, preferably 50 to 1000 ppm by mass, and more preferably 100 to 500 ppm by mass, based on the total mass of the fuel composition.

[0086] According to a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises at least one additive advantageously chosen from detergent additives, lubricity additives, anti-valve recession additives, antioxidants, octane improving additives, and mixtures of such additives.

[0087] The fuel composition according to the invention generally contains a maximum of 5 mg / L of lead (e.g. in the form of tetraethyl lead) and is preferably lead-free, i.e., does not contain lead or lead-containing compounds. The composition is also sulfur-free (maximum content of 10 ppm by weight).

[0088] Preparation of the fuel composition The compositions according to the invention can be prepared by simple mixing of the ingredients.

[0089] A first non-limiting embodiment includes the following steps: 1) preparing a hydrocarbon mixture (i) containing 35 to 55% by mass of aromatic compounds, 30 to 50% by mass of acyclic paraffins containing at least 5 carbon atoms, and 5 to 15% by mass of naphthenes; then 2) Mixing 50 to 79% by mass of the mixture (i) with 20 to 40% by mass of one or more ethers and 1 to 10% by mass of butane.

[0090] A second non-limiting embodiment includes the following steps: 1') preparing a base B comprising the hydrocarbon mixture (i) and butane; then 2') mixing base B with one or more ethers so that the ether content in the final composition is in the range of 20 to 40% by weight; and 3') Optionally, adding butane so that the amount of butane in the final mixture is in the range of 1 to 10% by weight.

[0091] A preferred variation of this second embodiment includes the following steps: 1') preparing a base B comprising the hydrocarbon mixture (i) and butane; then 2') Mixing 60 to 80% by mass of base B with 20 to 40% by mass of one or more ethers; preferably mixing 65 to 78% by mass of the base B with 22 to 35% by mass of one or more ethers.

[0092] The second embodiment described above and its preferred variants are preferred.

[0093] In this embodiment, the base B is advantageously a base of biological origin, i.e. advantageously obtained from plant material, preferably from plant material containing carbohydrates, such as cereals, sugarcane, beetroot, wood waste, bakery waste, straw, bagasse, grape pomace and alcohols obtained by fermentation of lignocellulosic materials.

[0094] Such plant material can be converted into biohydrocarbons by known catalytic conversion methods.

[0095] Similarly, the one or more ethers are preferably bioethers.

[0096] Thus, the compositions according to the invention can be prepared entirely from raw materials of renewable origin.

[0097] Purpose Another object of the invention is the use of a composition as described above for supplying a controlled ignition engine, which may be of the direct or indirect injection type.

[0098] The fuel composition can be advantageously used to power both conventional motor vehicle (so-called "road car") engines and highly efficient, high-power, controlled-ignition engines, such as those used in motor racing vehicles, in particular naturally aspirated and turbo-compressed engines used in racing vehicles (circuit and rally), or hybrid engines, i.e. heat engines coupled with electric motors.

[0099] Another object of the present invention is the use of a composition as described above for reducing greenhouse gas emissions as determined in accordance with Directive EU 2018 / 2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on promoting the use of energy produced from renewable resources.

[0100] According to the Directive, greenhouse gas emission reductions are determined relative to a reference fossil fuel. The method for calculating the percentage reductions is defined, inter alia, in Annex V, Part C of the Directive.

[0101] The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions obtained by the fuel compositions of the present invention is at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65% compared to the reference fossil fuel as defined in the Directive.

[0102] The following examples are intended merely to illustrate the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. [Example]

[0103] The following examples were carried out using a base B of biologically derived hydrocarbons obtained by conversion of bioalcohol obtained by conversion of biomass.

[0104] Base B has the following composition:

[0105] [Table 1]

[0106] a fuel composition C according to the present invention, - Base B66% by weight; - 34% by weight of ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) was mixed.

[0107] Fuel C according to the present invention contains not only ETBE but also a very large proportion of a bio-based base, which makes it possible to obtain sufficient performance in terms of net calorific value (NCV) and octane number (RON).

[0108] The composition reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 65%, determined in accordance with the methodology set out in Annex V Part C of Directive (EU) 2018 / 2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

Claims

1. (i) a) 35-55% by mass of aromatic compounds; b) 30 to 50% by weight of acyclic paraffins containing at least 5 carbon atoms; and c) Naphthene 5 to 15% by mass 50 to 79% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture comprising (ii) 20 to 40% by weight of one or more ethers; and (iii) butane 1 to 10% by mass 1. A fuel composition comprising:

2. 2. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the hydrocarbon mixture (i) represents from 55 to 75% by weight, preferably from 60 to 70% by weight, relative to the total weight of the fuel composition.

3. 3. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the aromatic compound (i)a) is selected from alkylbenzenes containing from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably alkyl-benzene mixtures containing from 7 to 10 carbon atoms.

4. 4. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the proportion of aromatic compounds (i)a) ranges from 40 to 53% by weight, preferably from 45 to 52% by weight, relative to the weight of the hydrocarbon mixture (i).

5. 5. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the acyclic paraffins (i)b) are chosen from paraffins containing from 5 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably from 5 to 9 carbon atoms and more preferentially from 5 to 8 carbon atoms.

6. 6. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the hydrocarbon mixture (i) contains from 5 to 10% by weight of n-paraffins and from 20 to 45% by weight of isoparaffins.

7. 7. Composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the proportion of paraffins (i) b) ranges from 32 to 45% by weight, preferably from 35 to 42% by weight, relative to the weight of the hydrocarbon mixture (i).

8. 8. Composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the naphthenes (i)c) are chosen from cyclic alkanes containing from 5 to 10 carbon atoms, and more preferentially from 6 to 9 carbon atoms.

9. 9. Composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the proportion of naphthenes (i)c) ranges from 7 to 13% by weight, preferably from 8 to 12% by weight, relative to the weight of the hydrocarbon mixture (i).

10. 10. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the one or more ethers are chosen from compounds of formula R-O-R', in which R and R' represent identical or different C1 to C5 alkyl groups.

11. 11. Composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the one or more ethers are chosen from compounds of formula R-O-R', in which R represents a C1 or C2 alkyl group and R' represents a C3, C4 or C5 alkyl group.

12. 12. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the one or more ethers are selected from methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME), tert-amyl ethyl ether (TAEE) and mixtures of these compounds, preferably the ether is ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE).

13. 13. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the total ether content ranges from 22 to 35% by weight, preferably from 25 to 35% by weight, relative to the total weight of the fuel composition.

14. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the butane content ranges from 1.5 to 8% by weight, preferably from 2 to 6% by weight, relative to the total weight of the fuel composition.

15. 15. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it contains at most 2.5% by weight of olefins, preferably at most 2% by weight of olefins, more preferentially at most 1% by weight of olefins, even more preferentially at most 0.5% by weight of olefins.

16. 16. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that it further contains one or more alcohols, preferably chosen from C1 to C6 alcohols, more preferentially from C1 to C4 alcohols and even more preferentially from ethanol or methanol.

17. 17. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one or more alcohols are present in a proportion ranging from 1 to 10% by weight, preferably from 2 to 8% by weight.

18. 18. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the hydrocarbon mixture (i) is derived from plant material, preferably second generation plant material.

19. 19. Composition according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that it contains at least 50% by weight of one or more bases of biological origin, preferably at least 60% by weight, more preferentially at least 65% by weight and even more preferably at least 70% by weight of one or more bases of biological origin, said one or more bases of biological origin being preferably of plant origin.

20. 20. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that it further comprises at least one additive, advantageously chosen from detergent additives, lubricity additives, anti-valve recession additives, antioxidants, octane improving additives, and mixtures of such additives.

21. 21. Use of a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 20 for supplying a controlled ignition engine, preferably a naturally aspirated or turbo compression controlled ignition engine, or a hybrid engine, more preferentially an engine used in motor racing vehicles.

22. 21. Use of a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 20 for reducing greenhouse gas emissions as determined according to Directive (EU) 2018 / 2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

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