Alcohol-Gasoline Blend Stabilizer Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing alcohol-gasoline blends face challenges with low temperature stability, moisture tolerance, vapor pressure control, and corrosion protection, particularly in the presence of small quantities of water.
Innovation Solution
A novel additive composition comprising a mixture of 6-10% fatty acid, 7-15% alkoxy ether, and 60-85% linear or branched chain monohydroxylated aliphatic saturated alcohol is developed to improve the stability and performance of methanol-gasoline and ethanol-gasoline blends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If alcohol-gasoline blends are used to reduce atmospheric pollution and carbon monoxide emissions, then environmental benefits are achieved, but the blends separate into two phases at low temperature in the presence of moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (surfactant or phase stabilizer) that mediates between the alcohol and gasoline phases, preventing phase separation at low temperatures in the presence of moisture while maintaining the environmental benefits of alcohol-gasoline blends
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite fuel system by combining alcohol, gasoline, and phase stabilizing agents to form a stable multi-component mixture that maintains homogeneity under varying temperature and moisture conditions
2Reliability
If small quantities of water are present in alcohol-gasoline blends, then moisture tolerance is reduced, but avoiding water ingression during storage is difficult in practice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of moisture presence by using hydrophilic phase stabilizers that actively bind and retain small quantities of water within the fuel blend, transforming water from a phase-separating contaminant into a stabilized component of the fuel system
3Reliability
If higher concentration alcohol blends (E15, E20) are used to improve water tolerance, then phase separation resistance increases, but vapor pressure control becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by introducing surfactants and blending agents that alter the physical properties of the alcohol-gasoline mixture, enabling higher alcohol concentrations to be maintained while controlling vapor pressure through adjusted formulation ratios
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The additive composition significantly enhances the low temperature stability, moisture tolerance, and vapor pressure control of alcohol-gasoline blends, while providing effective corrosion protection, thus ensuring the blends remain in a single phase and meet fuel standard specifications.
Implementation Method 1
controls vapor pressure of alcohol (methanol/ethanol)-gasoline blends
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses additive package comprising a mixture of (a) 6-10% by weight of fatty acid (b) 7-15% by weight of alkoxy ether and (c) 60-85% by weight of linear or branched chain monohydroxylated aliphatic saturated alcohol (C2-C8) for improving stability of mixtures of methanol-gasoline, ethanol-gasoline blends containing at least 5-15% by volume of short chain alkanol (methanol/ethanol). The additive composition is added to the alcohol-gasoline blends to improve low temperature stability, provides corrosion protection and to normalize vapor pressure of methanol/ethanol-gasoline blends.