Diesel fuel formulations for reduced emissions

Abstract

Diesel fuel and / or fuel blending compositions are provided that have improved emissions profiles by blending a narrow boiling range fraction of an alkylate product into the diesel fuel and / or fuel blending composition. The narrow boiling range alkylate fraction that is blended into the product has a reduced or minimized content of both light naphtha components and diesel boiling range components. As a result, the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction is a fraction that contains a substantial portion of C5 to C12 branched paraffin while generally having little or no aromatics content of aromatics as well as having a reduced or minimized sulfur content. Blending of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction in diesel results in lower T10 values, lower T90 values, lower aromatic content, higher heating value, and a higher molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon as compared to conventional diesel.

Description

PCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 1 -DIESEL FUEL FORMULATIONS FOR REDUCED EMISSIONSHELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Diesel fuel formulations are provided that provide one or more of reduced particulate emissions, reduced NOx emissions, or other reduced criterion emissions.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Current vehicle regulations require reduction of criteria and carbon oxide emissions in heavy-duty vehicles. Criteria emissions include carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitric oxides (NOx), and particulates (particulate matter - PM, particle number - PN10). In the heavy-duty vehicle sector, future vehicle regulations are also targeting to reduce NOx and particulates to near zero levels. Reducing NOx is more challenging at low load conditions due to lower conversion rates of the emission control systems. It is noted that some future heavy-duty regulations have implemented low load cycle as a requirement to comply with heavy-duty emission standards. Another major challenge that vehicle regulations are posing is to simultaneously reduce both particulate matter (soot) and NOx emissions. Based on conventional understanding, there exists a fundamental trade-off between the engine out NOx and particulate emissions. European heavy-duty vehicle regulations also have mandates to regulate particulate number equal to or greater than 10 nm size, posing greater challenges for engine manufacturers. Fuel blends having low emission potential offer a promising solution to help meet near zero-emission limits, especially at low load operating condition, as future HD regulations require HD vehicle manufacturers to comply with emission standards.

[0003] Some conventional diesel fuel formulations include a portion of “heavy alkylate” as a blend component. During an olefin alkylation process, a portion of the product corresponds to a more highly oligomerized product that is above the traditional boiling range for gasoline compositions. This “heavy alkylate” is separated out so that the remaining portion of the alkylate can be added to the gasoline pool. Such a conventional heavy alkylate can have a T90 distillation point of 320°C or higher, indicating the presence of heavier components in the heavy alkylate.

[0004] U.S. Patent 7,919,663 describes using an ionic liquid catalyst to perform an alkylation reaction where an olefin having from 2 to 6 carbons is reacted with an isoparaffin having 4 to 6 carbons. The resulting alkylate is described as including a gasoline portion and a middle distillate portion. In an example, an alkylate is fractionated to form a light naphthaPCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 2 - fraction, a heavy naphtha fraction, a jet boiling range fraction, and a heavy diesel I heating oil fraction.

[0005] U.S. Patent 8,455,708 describes using an ionic liquid catalyst to perform an alkylation. In the examples, an alkylate is formed that is fractionated into a naphtha, a light5 distillate, and a heavy distillate.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In an aspect, a diesel fuel or fuel blending component is provided. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component includes a diesel boiling range fraction having a T10 distillation point of 200°C to 245°C, a T90 distillation point of 270°C to 330°C, a cetane number of 40 or higher, an aromatics content of 11 wt% or higher relative to a weight of the diesel boiling range fraction, and a sulfur content of 50 wppm of sulfur or less relative to a weight of the diesel boiling range fraction. Additionally, the diesel fuel or fuel blending component includes 5.0 vol% to 50 vol%, relative to a volume of the diesel fuel or fuel blending component, of an alkylate fraction having a T10 distillation point of 80°C to 105°C, a T90 distillation point of15 150°C to 175°C, a final boiling point of 150°C to 230°C, an aromatics content of 9.0 wt% or less relative to a weight of the alkylate fraction, a cycloparaffin content of 5.0 wt% to 35 wt% relative to a weight of the alkylate fraction, and a content of isoparaffins of 51 wt% or more relative to a weight of the alkylate fraction.

[0007] In another aspect, a method for forming a diesel fuel or fuel blending component is provided. The method includes forming a mixture of a diesel boiling range fraction having a T10 distillation point of 200°C to 245°C, a T90 distillation point of 270°C to 330°C, a cetane number of 40 or more, an aromatics content of 11 wt% or higher relative to a weight of the diesel boiling range fraction, and a sulfur content of 50 wppm of sulfur or less relative to a weight of the diesel boiling range fraction. Additionally, the method includes 5.0 vol% to 5025 vol%, relative to a volume of the mixture, of an alkylate fraction having a T10 distillation point of 80°C to 105°C, a T90 distillation point of 150°C to 175°C, a final boiling point of greater than 150°C, an aromatics content of 9.0 wt% or less relative to a weight of the alkylate fraction, a cycloparaffin content of 5.0 wt% to 35 wt% relative to a weight of the alkylate fraction, and a content of isoparaffins of 51 wt% or more relative to a weight of the alkylate fraction.PCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 3 -BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a distillation profile for an alkylate product from sulfuric acid alkylation.

[0009] FIG. 2 shows distillation profiles for an ultra low sulfur mineral diesel, a renewable diesel, a narrow boiling range alkylate fraction, and a blend of diesel with narrow boiling range alkylate fraction.

[0010] FIG. 3 shows distillation profiles for various diesel fuel blends.

[0011] FIG. 4 shows carbon number distributions for the diesel fuel blends shown in FIG.3.

[0012] FIG. 5 shows emission reductions for various fuel blends relative to mineral diesel under various load conditions.

[0013] FIG. 6 shows additional details for the low load condition data shown in FIG. 5.

[0014] FIG. 7 shows yield sooting index for various samples.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In various aspects, diesel fuel and / or fuel blending compositions are provided that have improved emissions profiles under both low load and high load operating conditions. The ability to provide improved emissions profiles under various operating conditions is enabled in part by blending a narrow boiling range fraction of an alkylate product into the diesel fuel and / or fuel blending composition. The narrow boiling range alkylate fraction that is blended into the product has a reduced or minimized content of both light naphtha components and diesel boiling range components. As a result, the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction is a fraction that contains a substantial portion of C5 to C12 branched paraffins while generally having little or no aromatics content as well as having a reduced or minimized sulfur content. Blending of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction in diesel results in lower T10 values, lower T90 values, lower aromatic content, higher heating value, and a higher molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon as compared to conventional diesel. These improvements in the fuel blend properties result in a reduction in NOx, soot (all particulate emissions), particulate emissions greater than 10 nm in size, and / or CO2 emissions. In particular, a narrow boiling range alkylate fraction can assist with reducing soot and particulates greater than 10 nm under both low load and high load conditions, while also providing NOx reduction. By only using a targeted boiling range portion of the alkylate fraction, the benefits of adding alkylate to a composition can bePCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 4 - realized while still achieving typical diesel fuel values for properties such as boiling range, flash point, lower heating value (LHV), and cetane rating.

[0016] The resulting blended diesel fuel and / or fuel boiling range composition can have an improved emissions profile under both low load and high load conditions. The improved emissions profiles include reductions in NOx, soot, and larger particle emissions under both low load and high load conditions.

[0017] Conventionally, alkylate for gasoline is made using a variety of processes, including hydrofluoric acid alkylation, sulfuric acid alkylation, and ionic liquid catalyst alkylation. In a typical commercial alkylate process, propylene or a butene is reacted with isobutane to predominantly form C7 1 Cs compounds. Depending on the reaction conditions, some higher molecular weight compounds can form, including diesel boiling range compounds. Conventionally, the naphtha boiling range portion of the alkylate is separated from the heavier portion of the alkylate, and this naphtha boiling range portion is used for blending with gasoline. Typically, the remaining “heavy alkylate” is a mixture of branched chain paraffins, cycloparaffins with carbon chains that can range from C9 to C25. For example, heavy alkylate produced from HF alkylation can have high T90 values in the range of 320°C to 343 °C, indicating the presence of substantially heavier components in such a conventional heavy alkylate composition. Thus, such a typical or conventional heavy alkylate has a relatively low volatility in comparison with a conventional naphtha boiling range alkylate.

[0018] It has been discovered that a narrow naphtha boiling range fraction of an alkylate can be used as a diesel blend component, as opposed to using it as part of a gasoline pool. Although alkylate generally has a high research octane number (RON), the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction described herein corresponds to a fraction having a RON value of 85 or less. When used as a diesel blend component, this targeted portion of the alkylate can improve the emissions profile of the resulting diesel fuel. In contrast to a typical heavy alkylate, the narrow boiling range alkylate described herein is primarily composed of C5 to C12 branched chain paraffins. Therefore, a narrow boiling range alkylate as described herein is lighter than a conventional heavy alkylate due to higher weight percentage of G. - Ci 1 hydrocarbons.DEFINITIONS

[0019] In this discussion, unless otherwise specified, ASTM D6729 is used to determine the composition (paraffins, isoparaffins, olefins, naphthenes, aromatics) of a naphtha boiling range stream. Density is determined according to ASTM D4052. Research octane numberPCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 5 -(RON) and motor octane number (MON) are determined, respectively, according to ASTM D2699 and ASTM D2700. Lower heating value is determined according to ASTM D240. Dry vapor pressure equivalent (DVPE) is determined according to ASTM D5191.

[0020] In this discussion, the naphtha boiling range is defined as 28°C to 180°C. Thus, the naphtha boiling range roughly starts at the boiling point of C5 paraffins and ends below the boiling point for a C10 n-paraffin. A naphtha boiling range composition, fraction, product, or other portion is defined as a composition, fraction, product, or other portion having a T10 distillation point of 28°C or higher and a T90 distillation point of 180°C or less. Distillation points are determined according to ASTM D86.

[0021] In this discussion, a “naphtha composition” can refer to naphtha boiling range compositions at any stage of blending relative to gasoline formation. Thus, a naphtha composition includes unfinished blendstocks that include no additives or only limited numbers of additives; blendstocks prior to addition of oxygenates (with or without other additives); and finished blendstocks corresponding to gasolines.

[0022] In this discussion, the term “paraffin” refers to a saturated hydrocarbon chain. Thus, a paraffin is an alkane that does not include a ring structure. The paraffin may be straightchain or branched-chain and is considered to be a non-ring compound. “Paraffin” is intended to embrace all structural isomeric forms of paraffins. The term “n-paraffin” has the expected definition of a straight chain alkane (no branches or rings in the carbon chain). The term “isoparaffin” is used herein to refer to any alkane that includes one or more branches in the carbon chain but does not include any ring structures.

[0023] In this discussion, an olefin refers to any compound that can be classified as an alkene under IUPAC naming rules (e.g., hydrocarbons that contain a double bond).

[0024] In this discussion, the term “naphthene” refers to a cycloalkane (also known as a cycloparaffin). Therefore, naphthenes correspond to saturated ring structures. The term naphthene encompasses single-ring naphthenes and multi-ring naphthenes. The multi-ring naphthenes may have two or more rings, e.g., two-rings, three-rings, four-rings, five-rings, six- rings, seven-rings, eight-rings, nine-rings, and ten-rings. The rings may be fused and / or bridged. The naphthene can also include various side chains, such as one or more alkyl side chains of 1-10 carbons.

[0025] In this discussion, the term “aromatic ring” means five or six atoms joined in a ring structure wherein (i) at least four of the atoms joined in the ring structure are carbon atoms and (ii) all of the carbon atoms joined in the ring structure are aromatic carbon atoms.PCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 6 -Therefore, aromatic rings correspond to unsaturated ring structures. Aromatic carbons can be identified using, for example,13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. Aromatic rings having atoms attached to the ring (e.g., one or more heteroatoms, one or more carbon atoms, etc.) but which are not part of the ring structure are within the scope of the term “aromatic ring.” Additionally, it is noted that ring structures that include one or more heteroatoms (such as sulfur, nitrogen, or oxygen) can correspond to an “aromatic ring” if the ring structure otherwise falls within the definition of an “aromatic ring”.

[0026] In this discussion, the term “non-aromatic ring” means four or more carbon atoms joined in at least one ring structure wherein at least one of the four or more carbon atoms in the ring structure is not an aromatic carbon atom. Non-aromatic rings having atoms attached to the ring (e.g., one or more heteroatoms, one or more carbon atoms, etc.), but which are not part of the ring structure, are within the scope of the term “non-aromatic ring.”

[0027] In this discussion, the term “aromatics” refers to all compounds that include at least one aromatic ring. Such compounds that include at least one aromatic ring include compounds that have one or more hydrocarbon substituents. It is noted that a compound including at least one aromatic ring and at least one non-aromatic ring falls within the definition of the term “aromatics”.

[0028] It is noted that that some hydrocarbons present within a feed or product may fall outside of the definitions for paraffins, naphthenes, and aromatics. For example, any alkenes that are not part of an aromatic compound would fall outside of the above definitions for paraffin, naphthene, or aromatic. Similarly, non-aromatic compounds that include a heteroatom, such as sulfur, oxygen, or nitrogen, are not included in the definition of paraffins or naphthenes.Narrow Boiling Range Alkylate Fraction

[0029] In various aspects, a narrow boiling range alkylate fraction is used as a blend component for forming a diesel fuel or fuel blending component. One way of characterizing a narrow boiling range alkylate fraction is based on the T10, T50, and T90 values for the fraction. A narrow boiling range alkylate fraction can have a T10 distillation point from 80°C to 105°C and a T90 distillation point from 150°C to 180°C. One example of a narrow boiling alkylate can be a narrow boiling range alkylate with a T10 distillation point of 80°C and a T90 distillation point of 180°C. Additionally or alternately, the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction can have a T50 distillation point from 125°C to 150°C.PCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 7 -

[0030] In addition to characterization based on boiling range, the composition of a narrow boiling range alkylate fraction can also be characterized. Due to the nature of an alkylation process, an alkylate fraction is generally composed of naphthenes, n-paraffins, and isoparaffins. For a narrow boiling range alkylate, the total paraffin content (n-paraffins plus isoparaffins) can be 65 wt% or more of the alkylate fraction, or 70 wt% or more, or 75 wt% or more, or 80 wt% or more, such as up to 100 wt%. While the fraction could contain only paraffins, typically some naphthenes (cycloparaffins) are also present. In aspects where the narrow boiling range alkylate also contains naphthenes (cycloparaffins), the naphthene content of the alkylate fraction ranges from 5.0 wt% to 35 wt%, or 5.0 wt% to 30 wt%, 5.0 wt% to 20 wt%, or 15 wt% to 35 wt%, or 20 wt% to 35 wt%, or 15 wt% to 30 wt%. The aromatics content of the alkylate fraction is 9.0 wt% or less, or 5.0 wt% or less, or 3.0 wt% or less, such as down to have no aromatics to within detection limit.

[0031] With regard to isoparaffins versus n-paraffins, typically a narrow boiling range alkylate fraction contains a substantially higher percentage of isoparaffins. Depending on the aspect, a weight ratio of isoparaffins to n-paraffins in the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction is 3.0 or more (3.0 to 1), or 4.0 or more, or 5.0 or more, or 7.0 or more, or 10 or more, or 20 or more, such as up to 75 or possibly still higher. Additionally or alternately, the n-paraffin content of a narrow boiling range alkylate fraction can be 0.1 wt% to 10 wt%, relative to a weight of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction, or 0.1 wt% to 5.0 wt%, or 1.0 wt% to 10 wt%, or 1.0 wt% to 5.0 wt%. Further additionally or alternately, the isoparaffin content of a narrow boiling range alkylate fraction can be 51 wt% to 99 wt%, relative to a weight of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction, or 60 wt% to 99 wt%, or 70 wt% to 99 wt%, or 80 wt% to 99 wt%, or 90 wt% to 99 wt%.

[0032] Although alkylate is typically used to enhance the octane rating of a naphtha / gasoline, the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction can have a lower research octane number (RON) than would typically be expected for an alkylate fraction. In various aspects, the RON of the narrow boiling range fraction is 65 to 85, or 70 to 85, or 75 to 85, or 65 to 80, or 70 to 80, or 65 to 77, or 70 to 77. Additionally or alternately, the motor octane number (MON) can be 70 to 90, or 70 to 85, or 75 to 90, or 75 to 85.

[0033] Other properties of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction include dry vapor pressure equivalent (DVPE), density, sulfur content, and final boiling point. In various aspects, the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction has a DVPE of 2.0 psia to 8.0 psia (13.8 kPa to 55.1 kPa), or 2.0 psia to 6.5 psia (13.8 kPa to 44.8 kPa), or 3.0 psia to 8.0 psia (20.7 kPa to 55.1PCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 8 - kPa), or 3.0 psia to 6.5 psia (20.7 kPa to 44.8 kPa). Additionally or alternately, the density at 15.6°C of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction is 0.705 g / ml to 0.740 g / ml, or 0.715 g / ml to 0.740 g / ml, or 0.725 g / ml to 0.740 g / ml, or 0.705 g / ml to 0.735 g / ml, or 0.715 g / ml to 0.735 g / ml, or 0.725 g / ml to 0.735 g / ml. Additionally or alternately, the alkylate fraction is typically relatively low in sulfur content. In various aspects, the sulfur content is 100 wppm or less, or 10 wppm or less, or 1.0 wppm or less, such as down to no sulfur within detection limit. Further additionally or alternately, the final boiling point of the alkylate fraction can be 150°C to 230°C, or 160°C to 225°C, or 160°C to 215°C, or 160°C to 205°C, or 175°C to 225°C, or 175°C to 215°C, or 175°C to 205°C, or 185°C to 225°C, or 185°C to 215°C.

[0034] Generally, a narrow boiling range alkylate fraction can be formed by distillation (or other boiling point separation) of an alkylate fraction. Any convenient alkylation process can be used to form the alkylate fraction. For illustration purposes, formation of an alkylate fraction is described below with respect to a sulfuric acid alkylation process.

[0035] The conditions for acid alkylation can correspond to any convenient conditions that are suitable for acid alkylation, including conventional conditions. Examples of suitable conditions for acid alkylation can include a volume ratio of isoparaffins to olefins (excluding refrigerant) of between 3.0 and 10; a pressure of 1.0 kPa-g to 450 kPa-g; and a temperature of 2°C to 13 °C. The sulfuric acid can correspond to sulfuric acid with a concentration of 86 wt% or more, or 90 wt% or more, such as up to being substantially only composed of sulfuric acid. The volume ratio of sulfuric acid to hydrocarbons can be roughly 1.0 to 2.0. Isobutane is an example of an isoparaffin, although any C4 to Ce isoparaffin (or mixture of isoparaffins) could potentially be used. Butene, such as 1 -butene and / or 2-butene, are examples of olefins, although any C3 to Ce olefins that do not include a ring structure can potentially be used.

[0036] After forming alkylate, the alkylate can be fractionated or otherwise separated to form a narrow boiling range alkylate fraction. The nature of the separation depends on the alkylate formed by the alkylation process. In some aspects where an alkylation process generates an alkylate fraction with a final boiling point of 225°C or less, or 215°C or less, or 205°C or less, such as down to 160°C, the narrow boiling range alkylate is formed as a “bottoms” fraction from separation of the full range alkylate. In other aspects, separations can be performed on an alkylate fraction to separate the alkylate into at least one lower boiling fraction, the narrow boiling range fraction, and at least one higher boiling fraction.

[0037] FIG. 1 shows an example of a distillation profile for an alkylate fraction formed from an acid alkylation process. FIG. 1 shows a distillation profile obtained according toPCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 9 -ASTM D86. The distillation profile shows the vol% of the alkylate that boils at the corresponding temperature.

[0038] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the conditions for acid alkylation were selected so that the final boiling point of the alkylate fraction is below 205 °C. Conventionally, this type of alkylate would either be added in its entirety to a gasoline pool, or possibly the lightest 5.0 vol% or 10 vol% (roughly corresponding to unreacted feed components for making the alkylate) might be separated out based on vapor pressure considerations. In contrast to this, in various aspects, a heavy alkylate fraction can be separated from the alkylate, so that the heavy alkylate can be used as a diesel boiling range blend component. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , this corresponds to separating out roughly 10 vol% of the alkylate to form the heavy alkylate fraction.Properties of Diesel Blends Containing Narrow Boiling Range Alkylate Fraction

[0039] In various aspects, incorporating 5.0 vol% to 50 vol% of a narrow boiling range alkylate fraction into a diesel fuel or fuel blending component provides benefits for reducing or minimizing various types of emissions under both low load and high load conditions. This includes reduction in both solid particulate emissions and soot under both low load and high load conditions.

[0040] It is noted that, by itself, the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction described herein does not correspond to a diesel fuel. Instead, the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction is a blend component for incorporation into a diesel fuel or fuel blending component. Therefore, emission reduction benefits are illustrated herein in comparison with a conventional ultra-low sulfur diesel fraction, and in comparison with an ultra-low sulfur diesel fraction that includes a substantial portion of renewable diesel. For CO2 and NOx emissions, emission values are provided as indicated specific CO2 (ISCO2) and NOx (ISNOx) emissions, so that the CO2 and NOXemission values correspond to normalized values per unit quantity of energy that is consumed by an engine.

[0041] In various aspects, a narrow boiling range alkylate fraction can provide benefits when added to a mineral diesel or when added to a mineral diesel blend, such as a blend of mineral diesel with renewable diesel I distillate. The amount of narrow boiling range alkylate fraction added to a diesel blend can be from 5.0 vol% to 50 vol% (relative to a volume of the diesel blend), or 5.0 vol% to 35 vol%, or 5.0 vol% to 25 vol%, or 5.0 vol% to 15 vol%, or 10 vol% to 50 vol%, or 10 vol% to 35 vol%, or 10 vol% to 25 vol%, or 20 vol% to 50 vol%. The amount of renewable diesel / distillate in such a diesel blend can be from 1.0 vol% to 40 vol%,PCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 10 - or 1.0 vol% to 30 vol%, or 1.0 vol% to 15 vol%, or 10 vol% to 40 vol%, or 10 vol% to 30 vol%. Optionally, the amount of renewable diesel I distillate in the blend can be greater than the amount of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction. The amount of mineral diesel or mineral diesel blendstock in such a diesel blend can be from 50 vol% to 95 vol%, or 50 vol% to 80 vol%, or 60 vol% to 95 vol%, or 60 vol% to 80 vol%, or 70 vol% to 95 vol%.

[0042] By adding a narrow boiling range alkylate fraction to a diesel blend, reductions in various types of emissions can be provided relative to a comparable diesel fuel formed without the narrow boiling range fraction. In some aspects, addition of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction can provide a reduction in soot emissions of 5.0% to 50%, or 5.0% to 25%, or 5.0% to 15%, relative to the comparable diesel fuel without the addition of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction. Additionally or alternately, addition of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction can provide a reduction in emissions of particles larger than 10 nm (PN10) of 5.0% to 40%, or 5.0% to 25%, or 5.0% to 15%, relative to the comparable diesel fuel without the addition of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction. Further additionally or alternately, addition of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction can provide a reduction in NOx emissions under low load conditions of 1.0% to 15%, or 1.0% to 10%, or 1.0% to 5.0%, or 5.0% to 15%, relative to the comparable diesel fuel without the addition of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction. Still further additionally or alternately, addition of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction can provide a reduction in yield sooting index of 10 or more, or 20 or more, or 30 or more, such as up to 70 or possibly still more, relative to the comparable diesel fuel without the addition of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction. Yet further additionally or alternately, addition of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction can result in a diesel blend with a yield sooting index of 100 or less, such as down to 20 or possibly still lower.

[0043] The narrow boiling range alkylate fraction can be added to any convenient type of mineral and / or renewable distillate fraction. In some aspects, a diesel boiling range fuel or blendstock for blending with the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction can have a cetane number of 40 or more, or 42 or more, or 45 or more, such as up to 60 or possibly still higher. Additionally or alternately, the diesel boiling range fuel or blendstock can have an aromatics content of 11 wt% or more, or 15 wt% or more, or 20 wt% or more, such as up to 40 wt% or possibly still higher. Further additionally or alternately, the diesel boiling range fuel or fuel blendstock can have a molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon of 1.70 to 1.92, or 1.75 to 1.92, or 1.70 to 1.85, or 1.75 to 1.85.PCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 11 -

[0044] A renewable diesel boiling range fuel or blendstock can have an aromatics content of 10 wt% or less, or 5.0 wt% or less, such as down to having no aromatics within detection limit. Additionally or alternately, a renewable diesel boiling range fuel or blendstock can have a molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon of 1.95 or more, or 2.0 or more, such as up to 2.2. Depending on the aspect, a renewable diesel boiling range fuel or blendstock can have a combined content of n-paraffins and isoparaffins of 90 wt% or more, or 95 wt% or more, such as up to 100 wt%. In other aspects, a renewable diesel boiling range fuel or blendstock can have a naphthenes (cycloparaffins) content of 20 wt% or more, or 25 wt% or more, or 30 wt% or more, such as up to 45 wt% or possibly still higher.

[0045] A diesel boiling range fraction (including a renewable diesel or renewable distillate) can have a T10 distillation point of 200°C to 300°C, or 200°C to 245°C, or 200°C to 265°C, or 220°C to 300°C, or 240°C to 280°C. The diesel boiling range fraction can have a T90 distillation point of 270°C to 350°C, or 290°C to 350°C, or 270°C to 33O°C.

[0046] The sulfur content of a diesel boiling range fuel or blendstock can vary depending on the nature of the fuel or blendstock (such as mineral, renewable, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis product) and any prior processing. In some aspects, the diesel boiling range fuel or blendstock can have a relatively low sulfur content of 50 wppm or less, or 25 wppm or less, or 10 wppm or less, such as down to 0.1 wppm or possibly still lower.Example 1 - Properties of Narrow Boiling Range Alkylate Fraction

[0047] FIG. 1 shows an example of a distillation profile for a conventional alkylate fraction formed from an acid alkylation process. FIG. 1 shows a distillation profile obtained according to ASTM D86. The distillation profile shows the vol% of the alkylate that boils at the corresponding temperature.

[0048] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the conditions for acid alkylation were selected so that the final boiling point of the alkylate fraction was below 215°C. Conventionally, this type of alkylate would either be added in its entirety to a gasoline pool, or possibly the lightest 5.0 vol% or 10 vol% (roughly corresponding to unreacted feed components for making the alkylate) might be separated out based on vapor pressure considerations, or maybe the lightest 20 vol% (including the “ultra-light alkylate) might be separated out. In contrast to this, in various aspects, a narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) fraction can be separated from the conventional alkylate, so that the narrow boiling range alkylate can be used as a diesel boiling range blend component. In the example shown in FIG. 1, this corresponds to separating out roughly the highest boiling 10 vol% of the alkylate to form the narrow boiling range alkylatePCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 12 - fraction. It is noted that in aspects where the total alkylate contains still higher boiling components, the narrow boiling range alkylate might not correspond to a bottoms fraction.

[0049] Table 1 shows a comparison of the properties of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction illustrated in FIG. 1 with properties for a typical alkylate fraction.Table 1 - Narrow Boiling Range Alkylate Properties

[0050] The narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) fraction illustrated in FIG. 1 and shown in Table 1 contains 25 wt% cycloparaffins, 72 wt% iso-paraffins, and 3.0 wt% n- paraffins. The average molecular weight of the components in the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction is 129.9 g / mol and the average carbon number is 9. Thus, the narrow boiling range alkylate shown in Table 1 is lighter than the diesel boiling range but heavier than the typical alkylate shown in Table 1. As shown in Table 1, the typical alkylate has higher octane and greater C? / Cs concentration than the narrow boiling range alkylate. The narrow boiling range alkylate is higher in C9 - Cn concentration and has a RON and MON of 70.5 and 83.5, respectively. Both the typical alkylate and the narrow boiling range alkylate shown in Table 1 have substantially no aromatics, which is believed to result in a lesser tendency to form soot intermediates during combustion.Example 2 - Forming Diesel Blends Containing Narrow Boiling Range Alkyate Fraction

[0051] To illustrate the benefits of using a narrow boiling range alkylate fraction as a blend component for a diesel fuel, a series of diesel fuels were formed. The blend components used for making the diesel fuels were a conventional ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), a renewable diesel (RD), and the narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) fraction shown in TablePCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 13 -1. The ULSD corresponds to a conventional mineral diesel. Table 2 shows a comparison of the blend components used in the following examples.Table 2 - Blend Components

[0052] Table 2 compares the distillation characteristics (T10, T90), aromatic content, cycloparaffin and total paraffin content of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction, a conventional ultra-low sulfur diesel, and two types of renewable diesel. The narrow boiling range alkylate fraction has lower T10 and T90 values than pure renewable diesel derived from either vegetable oil or a wooden feedstock. This indicates that fuel droplets containing the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction should vaporize faster than renewable diesel, leading to a better air- fuel mixture preparation before the start of premixed diesel combustion.

[0053] Both the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction and the two types of renewable diesel are paraffinic, but they differ in cycloparaffin concentration and molecular weight. In Table 2, the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction contains roughly 25 wt% cycloparaffins. By contrast, the renewable diesel derived from vegetable oil contains substantially no cycloparaffins, while the renewable diesel derived from wood has a substantially higher cycloparaffin content than the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction. Additionally, the average molecular weight for the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction is 129.9 g / mol, which is substantially lighter than either of the renewable diesel fractions shown in Table 2.

[0054] The blend components shown in Table 2 were used to make diesel fuels. The ULSD was used by itself as one fuel, to serve as a baseline for characterizing the performance of other diesel fuels. The renewable diesel (RD) based on vegetable oil was also used by itself. Additionally, three fuel blends were formed. One blend corresponded to a mixture of 70 vol% ULSD and 30 vol% of the renewable diesel (RD) based on vegetable oil. A second blendPCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 14 - corresponded to 92 vol% of the ULSD and 8.0 vol% of the narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) fraction. A third blend corresponded to 66 vol% ULSD, 27 vol% of the renewable diesel (RD) based on vegetable oil, and 7.0 vol% of the narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) fraction. Table 3 shows properties of these five fuels.5 Table 3 - Comparison of Fuel Compositions

[0055] As shown in Table 3, the cetane number of the renewable diesel is substantially higher than the ULSD, so that the fuels including the renewable diesel have increased cetane numbers. The renewable diesel also has a higher lower heating value than the ULSD. By10 contrast, the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction has a lower cetane number than the ULSD, while have a comparable (or possibly slightly higher) LHV relative to the ULSD.

[0056] With regard to distillation properties, when a low volume of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction is blended in diesel, the resulting T10, T50, T90 values are considerably lower than the distillation values for ULSD and renewable diesel. This is illustrated in FIG. 2, which shows distillation profiles for ULSD, renewable diesel (WORD), the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction (100NBRA), and for a blend of 8.0 vol% of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction in ULSD (92-D-8NBRA). FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the influence of the narrow boiling ranger alkylate (NBRA) fraction on distillation curve and carbon distribution for blends including diesel (ULSD) and renewable diesel (RD). As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4,20 the T10 and T90 distillation values are lower than the mineral ULSD, and the concentration of C > - C9 compounds is higher than the mineral ULSD. Blending the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction into a blend containing both diesel and renewable diesel also helps improve distillation characteristics. The modifications in fuel properties that are provided by adding the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction facilitates faster combustion rates of air-fuel mixturesPCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 15 - by reducing physical delay during diesel premixed combustion. This is due to the lower molecular weight of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction and / or the presence of higher concentrations of lighter hydrocarbons in the fuel composition.Example 3 - Engine Testing Results5

[0057] The diesel fuels shown in Table 3 were tested on a 13 L heavy duty engine at different operating conditions. During the test, the engine was operated at both low and high load conditions at a constant engine speed of 1200 rpm. At each load, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) levels, injection timings, and intake air temperature were varied. EGR variation was between 18.5% to 24.5%, injection timing was varied from 6.5 CA to 12.9 CA, and intake air 10 temperature was varied from 40 °C or 90 °C. The parameters were selected to understand the impact of fuel composition on engine out emissions. The details of the operating conditions are shown in Table 4. Conditions 1 - 4 correspond to low load conditions. Conditions 5 - 8 correspond to high load conditions. Conditions 9 - 12 correspond to modified low load conditions with a higher intake air temperature of 90°C, to represent higher severity low load 15 conditions.PCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 16 -Table 4 - Engine Test Conditions

[0058] The fuels shown in Table 3 were evaluated at the 12 different operating points listed in Table 4. At all test points, engine out emissions and fuel consumption were measured.5 After the tests, emission values were compared to identify the impact of the renewable diesel and narrow boiling range alkylate fraction fuel components. Emission values of ULSD were used as the baseline for all analysis. The emissions were characterized for NOx, CO2, SPN10 (solid particulate number concentration at 10 nm, corresponding to amount of particles having a size of 10 nm or greater), and Soot (total particulates). It is noted that the emissions were 10 measured using a facility fully accredited by American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) for calibrating equipment to ISO / IEC 17025. The procedure for calibration was in accordance with ISO standards. Real time PM mass was measured using AVL Micro-soot sensor, and PM filter sample collection was CFR 1065 compliant. The NOx and CO2 are reported as indicated specific values based on the use of the same engine type for 15 generation of the values. Thus, in FIG. 5 and in Tables 5 - 7 below, the NOx and CO2 values are labeled as ISNOx and ISCO2 respectively.PCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 17 -

[0059] FIG. 5 shows the emissions reductions for all of the tests conducted based on the operating condition in Table 4. FIG. 5 shows results for CO2, NOx, soot (total particles), and SPN10 (particles larger than 10 nm). The results shown in FIG. 5 correspond to the average values across the four conditions at a given load.

[0060] With regard to NOx values shown in FIG. 5, under high load conditions, all of the fuels have substantially the same NOx emissions levels. This is due to the fact that at high load, the exhaust temperature is sufficiently high to allow exhaust-based NOx reduction mechanisms to function well.

[0061] At lower load conditions, using a narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) fraction as a blend component provides the advantage of achieving substantial NOx reduction while only requiring a modest addition of the blend component to a conventional ULSD. As shown in FIG. 5, using renewable diesel (RD) in place of the conventional ULSD provides a substantial reduction in NOx emissions. However, using renewable diesel (RD) as a blend component provides a lesser benefit. For the 70 130 blend by volume of ULSD and renewable diesel (RD), the NOx reduction is roughly half of the NOx reduction from using a fuel entirely composed of renewable diesel (RD). By contrast, the addition of only 8.0 vol% of the narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) fraction results in NOx reduction that is comparable to using only renewable diesel (RD). Finally, it is noted that addition of both renewable diesel (RD) and the narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) fraction to ULSD appears to provide less NOx reduction than addition of either component individually.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 5, blending of the narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) into either ULSD or a blend of ULSD and renewable diesel (RD) unexpectedly allows for a substantial reduction in NOx emissions for a mineral diesel fuel while reducing or minimizing the amount of blend component that is required. This is beneficial, as auto OEMs are looking for unique ways to achieve near zero NOx limits posed by increasingly stringent vehicle regulations. The ability to blend a lower volume of a narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) fraction into ULSD and achieving higher NOx reduction than would be expected from blending ULSD with renewable diesel (RD) at low load offers significant advantages. In particular, CARB, EPA and European vehicle regulations emphasize reducing NOx at low load condition during the certification, which corresponds to regular operation of heavy duty vehicles. It is noted that the NOx reduction benefit is somewhat lower but still significant for adding 7.0 vol% of narrow boiling range alkylate to a 70 / 30 blend of ULSD and renewable diesel. ThisPCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 18 - further illustrates the benefits of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction as a blend component for reducing NOx emissions.

[0063] Without being bound by any particular theory, at low engine loads, exhaust temperature is not high enough to effectively reduce NOx coming out of engine exhaust. The NOx reduction benefit due to addition of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction is believed to be due to lower charge residence time during the combustion of fuels in the engine. The lower distillation characteristics (IBP, T10, T50) and lower molecular weight properties of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction result in faster vaporization rates during premix diesel combustion, hence lesser charge residence time. In a typical diesel combustion, NOx emission mainly consists of NO and NO2. The emission results of the ULSD blend containing 8 vol% of the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction shows lower NOx emission (-3.8 to - 6.5 %) as compared to the baseline ULSD.

[0064] With regard to soot reduction, it is conventionally believed to be difficult to have a blend component that provides both NOx reduction and soot reduction for heavy duty diesel engines. However, the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction provides benefits for both soot reduction and NOx reduction. As shown in FIG. 5, the blend containing ULSD and the narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) fraction provided soot reduction at all conditions. This benefit in soot reduction is achieved even though the amount of the narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) fraction used as a blend component was substantially less than the amount of renewable diesel (RD) blend component. Further, it is noted that addition of both the narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) fraction and renewable diesel (RD) unexpectedly resulted in a substantially greater reduction in soot emissions, similar to the reduction in soot that was observed when using renewable diesel alone as a fuel.

[0065] Without being bound by any particular theory, it is noted that the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction is paraffinic in nature and has higher percentages of isoparaffins and cycloparaffins relative to n-paraffins. It is believed that this mix of paraffins provides soot reduction benefit at both low and high engine loads. Additionally, aromatic content is a factor that affects engine out soot emissions. The reduction in aromatics content by blending in the paraffinic narrow boiling range alkylate fraction provides further benefit for soot reduction. Unexpectedly, the soot reduction benefit is further amplified when the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction is blended with renewable diesel and diesel.

[0066] With regard to reduction of larger particles, such as particles of 10 nm or greater in size, the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction provides still further benefits. As shown inPCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 19 -FIG. 5, addition of the narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) fraction provides a reduction in PN10 emissions at all conditions. Additionally, addition of both the narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) fraction and renewable diesel (RD) to a blend provides an unexpected synergy so that still further reduction in PN10 is achieved.5

[0067] With regard to reduction of CO2, it is noted that CO2 production is primarily a function of energy density for hydrocarbon-based fuels. CO2 emissions from a fuel depends on the weight ratio of C / H in the fuel. In the case of the two fuel blends shown in Table 3 that contain the narrow boiling range alkylate, CO2 emissions are less due to having a lower C / H weight ratio (or a higher molar ratio of H / C) than diesel. The lower heating values of both renewable diesel and the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction are also higher than the lower heating value of the ULSD, as shown in Table 3. As shown in FIG. 5, a corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions can be seen that is roughly proportional to the change in lower heating value that is produced by forming the various blends shown in FIG. 5.

[0068] Fuel composition analysis shows that average carbon for a narrow boiling range15 alkylate is roughly 9, where for diesel it is 12 and above. Also, the lower boiling point range of a narrow boiling range alkylate, relative to a conventional diesel, results in faster fuel vaporization resulting in appropriate fuel-air ratio conducive for better combustion contributing to some CO2 reduction benefits.

[0069] It is noted that the values shown in FIG. 5 correspond to averages across the four test conditions at each type of load condition. Table 5, Table 6, and Table 7 show the range of values that were obtained for each type of load condition. Table 5 shows the results from testing at the low load conditions corresponding to Conditions 1 - 4 in Table 4. NBRA refers to the narrow boiling range alkylate fraction.Table 5 - Emissions Characterization at Low Load Conditions25PCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 20 -

[0070] As shown in Table 5, there was some variation in emissions across the four low load test conditions, but all of the results were comparable. This illustrates that the average values shown in FIG. 5 are representative across a variety of low load conditions.

[0071] Further details regarding the low load condition runs (Conditions 1 - 4) are shown 5 in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows the results from the individual runs at Conditions 1 - 4. FIG. 6 further shows that the average results at low load are representative of the individual runs.

[0072] Table 6 shows the emissions reduction data for the same two fuel blends under the low load but higher air intake temperature conditions corresponding Conditions 9 to 12 in Table 4. Similar to Table 5, the values in Table 6 show that the average values used in FIG. 5 10 are representative across various low load, high severity conditions.Table 6 - Emissions Characterization at Low Load, Higher Severity Conditions

[0073] Table 7 shows the emissions reduction data for the same two fuel blends under the high load conditions corresponding to Conditions 5 to 8 in Table 4. It is noted that the 15 spread in values for the particulate emissions (PN10, soot) is larger under high load conditions.Table 7 - Emissions Characterization at High Load ConditionsPCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 21 -

[0074] Still another characterization that was performed was a determination of yield sooting index (YSI), which is a bench scale test that indicates the sooting tendency of a fuel or fraction. FIG. 7 compares yield sooting index (YSI) of the ULSD, the renewable diesel (RD), the narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) fraction, and a 30 vol% blend of the narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) fraction with ULSD. The percentage reduction of YSI for the pure narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) fraction as compared to ULSD is 49.6%. YSI is indicative measurement of investigating sooting tendency of a fuel. The reduction of 49.6% shows that sooting tendency of the narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) fraction is significantly lower as compared to ULSD. This bench top test result supports the engine out particulate matter reduction benefit of the narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) fraction and fuel formulations including the narrow boiling range alkylate (NBRA) fraction in ULSD and renewable diesel (RD).Additional Embodiments

[0075] Embodiment 1. A diesel fuel or fuel blending component, comprising: a diesel boiling range fraction having a T10 distillation point of 200°C to 245°C, a T90 distillation point of 270 °C to 330°C, a cetane number of 40 or higher, an aromatics content of 11 wt% or higher relative to a weight of the diesel boiling range fraction, and a sulfur content of 50 wppm of sulfur or less relative to a weight of the diesel boiling range fraction; and 5.0 vol% to 50 vol%, relative to a volume of the diesel fuel or fuel blending component, of an alkylate fraction having a T10 distillation point of 80°C to 105°C, a T90 distillation point of 150°C to 175°C, a final boiling point of 150°C to 230°C, an aromatics content of 9.0 wt% or less relative to a weight of the alkylate fraction, a cycloparaffin content of 5.0 wt% to 35 wt% relative to a weight of the alkylate fraction, and a combined content of isoparaffins of 51 wt% or more relative to a weight of the alkylate fraction.

[0076] Embodiment 2. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of Embodiment 1, wherein the diesel fuel or fuel blending component comprises 20 vol% to 50 vol% of the alkylate fraction.

[0077] Embodiment 3. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of any of the above embodiments, wherein the diesel fuel or fuel blending component comprises 5.0 vol% to 20 vol% of the alkylate fraction.

[0078] Embodiment 4. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of any of the above embodiments, wherein the diesel fuel or fuel blending component further comprises 1.0 vol% to 40 vol% of a paraffinic renewable distillate fraction having a T10 distillation point of 240°CPCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 22 - to 280°C and a combined content of a combined content of n-paraffins and isoparaffins of 90 wt% or more relative to a weight of the paraffinic renewable distillate fraction.

[0079] Embodiment 5. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of Embodiment 4, wherein the diesel fuel or fuel blending component comprises 10 vol% to 40 vol% of the paraffinic renewable distillate fraction.

[0080] Embodiment 6. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of Embodiment 5, wherein the diesel fuel or fuel blending component comprises 5.0 vol% to 15 vol% of the alkylate fraction, the volume percentage of the alkylate fraction in the diesel fuel or fuel blending component being less than the volume percentage of the paraffinic renewable distillate fraction.

[0081] Embodiment ?. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of any of Embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the diesel fuel or fuel blending component further comprises 1.0 vol% to 40 vol% of a renewable distillate fraction having a T10 distillation point of 200°C to 245°C, a T90 distillation point of 280°C to 350°C, a cycloparffin content of 20 wt% or more relative to a weight of the renewable distillate fraction, and an aromatics content of 10 wt% or less relative to a weight of the renewable distillate fraction.

[0082] Embodiment 8. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of Embodiment 7, wherein the diesel fuel or fuel blending component comprises 10 vol% to 40 vol% of the renewable distillate fraction.

[0083] Embodiment 9. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of Embodiment 8, wherein the diesel fuel or fuel blending component comprises 5.0 vol% to 15 vol% of the alkylate fraction, the volume percentage of the alkylate fraction in the diesel fuel or fuel blending component being less than the volume percentage of the renewable distillate fraction.

[0084] Embodiment 10. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of any of the above embodiments, wherein the alkylate fraction comprises a RON of 80 or less.

[0085] Embodiment 11. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of any of the above embodiments, wherein the diesel boiling range fraction comprises a hydrogen to carbon molar ratio of 1.75 to 1.92.

[0086] Embodiment 12. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of any of the above embodiments, wherein the diesel fuel or fuel blending component comprises a yield sooting index of 100 or less.

[0087] Embodiment 13. A method for forming a diesel fuel or fuel blending component according to any of Embodiments 1 to 12, comprising: forming a mixture of a diesel boilingPCT / US25 / 49857 07 October 2025 (07.10.2025)- 23 - range fraction having a T10 distillation point of 200°C to 245°C, a T90 distillation point of 270°C to 33O°C, a cetane number of 40 or more, an aromatics content of 11 wt% or higher relative to a weight of the diesel boiling range fraction, and a sulfur content of 50 wppm of sulfur or less relative to a weight of the diesel boiling range fraction; and 5.0 vol% to 50 vol%,5 relative to a volume of the mixture, of an alkylate fraction having a T10 distillation point of 80°C to 105°C, a T90 distillation point of 150°C to 175°C, a final boiling point of greater than 150°C, an aromatics content of 9.0 wt% or less relative to a weight of the alkylate fraction, a cycloparaffin content of 5.0 wt% to 35 wt% relative to a weight of the alkylate fraction, and a content of isoparaffins of 51 wt% or more relative to a weight of the alkylate fraction.10

[0088] Embodiment 14. The method of Embodiment 13, wherein a yield sooting index of the mixture is lower than a yield sooting index of the diesel boiling range fraction by 20 or more.

[0089] All numerical values within the detailed description and the claims herein are modified by “about” or “approximately” the indicated value, and take into account experimental error and variations that would be expected by a person having ordinary skill in the art.

[0090] While the present invention has been described and illustrated by reference to particular embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the invention lends itself to variations not necessarily illustrated herein. For this reason, then, reference should be20 made solely to the appended claims for purposes of determining the true scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A diesel fuel or fuel blending component, comprising: a diesel boiling range fraction having a T10 distillation point of 200 °C to 245 °C, a T90 distillation point of 270°C to 330°C, a cetane number of 40 or higher, an aromatics content of 11 wt% or higher relative to a weight of the diesel boiling range fraction, and a sulfur content of 50 wppm of sulfur or less relative to a weight of the diesel boiling range fraction; and 5.0 vol% to 50 vol%, relative to a volume of the diesel fuel or fuel blending component, of an alkylate fraction having a T10 distillation point of 80°C to 105°C, a T90 distillation point of 150°C to 175°C, a final boiling point of 150°C to 230°C, an aromatics content of 9.0 wt% or less relative to a weight of the alkylate fraction, a cycloparaffin content of 5.0 wt% to 35 wt% relative to a weight of the alkylate fraction, and a content of isoparaffins of 51 wt% or more relative to a weight of the alkylate fraction.

2. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of claim 1 , wherein the diesel fuel or fuel blending component comprises 20 vol% to 50 vol% of the alkylate fraction.

3. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of any of the above claims, wherein the diesel fuel or fuel blending component comprises 5.0 vol% to 20 vol% of the alkylate fraction.

4. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of any of the above claims, wherein the diesel fuel or fuel blending component further comprises 1.0 vol% to 40 vol% of a paraffinic renewable distillate fraction having a T10 distillation point of 240°C to 280°C and a combined content of a combined content of n-paraffins and isoparaffins of 90 wt% or more relative to a weight of the paraffinic renewable distillate fraction.

5. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of claim 4, wherein the diesel fuel or fuel blending component comprises 10 vol% to 40 vol% of the paraffinic renewable distillate fraction.

6. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of claim 5 , wherein the diesel fuel or fuel blending component comprises 5.0 vol% to 15 vol% of the alkylate fraction, the volume percentage of the alkylate fraction in the diesel fuel or fuel blending component being less than the volume percentage of the paraffinic renewable distillate fraction.

7. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the diesel fuel or fuel blending component further comprises 1.0 vol% to 40 vol% of a renewable distillate fraction having a T10 distillation point of 200°C to 245°C, a T90 distillation point of 280°C to 35O°C, a cycloparffin content of 20 wt% or more relative to a weight of the renewable distillate fraction, and an aromatics content of 10 wt% or less relative to a weight of the renewable distillate fraction.

8. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of claim 7, wherein the diesel fuel or fuel blending component comprises 10 vol% to 40 vol% of the renewable distillate fraction.

9. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of claim 8, wherein the diesel fuel or fuel blending component comprises 5.0 vol% to 15 vol% of the alkylate fraction, the volume percentage of the alkylate fraction in the diesel fuel or fuel blending component being less than the volume percentage of the renewable distillate fraction.

10. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of any of the above claims, wherein the alkylate fraction comprises a RON of 80 or less.

11. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of any of the above claims, wherein the diesel boiling range fraction comprises a hydrogen to carbon molar ratio of 1.75 to 1.92.

12. The diesel fuel or fuel blending component of any of the above claims, wherein the diesel fuel or fuel blending component comprises a yield sooting index of 100 or less.

13. A method for forming a diesel fuel or fuel blending component according to any of claims 1 to 12, comprising: forming a mixture of a diesel boiling range fraction having a T10 distillation point of 200°C to 245°C, a T90 distillation point of 270°C to 330°C, a cetane number of 40 or more, an aromatics content of 11 wt% or higher relative to a weight of the diesel boiling range fraction, and a sulfur content of 50 wppm of sulfur or less relative to a weight of the diesel boiling range fraction; and 5.0 vol% to 50 vol%, relative to a volume of the mixture, of an alkylate fraction having a T10 distillation point of 80°C to 105°C, a T90 distillation point of 150°C to 175°C, a final boiling point of greater than 150°C, an aromatics content of 9.0 wt% or less relative to a weight of the alkylate fraction, a cycloparaffin content of 5.0 wt% to 35 wt% relative to a weight of the alkylate fraction, and a content of isoparaffins of 51 wt% or more relative to a weight of the alkylate fraction.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein a yield sooting index of the mixture is lower than a yield sooting index of the diesel boiling range fraction by 20 or more.

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