Amine Detergent Fuel Additive Mitigates Injector Fouling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Direct injection spark ignition engines face issues with injector nozzle fouling and increased particulate emissions due to the direct injection of fuel, which leads to deposit formation and reduced engine performance.

Innovation Solution

A fuel composition comprising a hydrocarbon-based fuel and an amine-based detergent, along with one or more nitrogen-containing detergents, is supplied to the engine to mitigate injector fouling and reduce particulate emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional PFI fuel additives are used in DISI engines, then fuel flow rate is maintained, but injector nozzle fouling occurs and particulate emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel flow rateVSAvoidinjector nozzle fouling

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of fuel additives by specifying particular detergents (polyisobutylammonium phenolic sulfonate at 50-500 ppm, polyalkylammonium carboxylate at 50-500 ppm, and alkylphenolic detergent at 50-500 ppm) to change how fuel interacts with injector surfaces, preventing deposit formation while maintaining flow rate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces detergent molecules as intermediary substances that adsorb onto injector nozzle surfaces, creating a protective layer that prevents combustion byproducts from directly fouling the injector, thereby maintaining clean surfaces without affecting fuel flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If direct injection is used to improve fuel economy, then fuel economy increases, but deposit formation on injector and combustion chamber occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel economyVSAvoiddeposit formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies detergent additives to fuel before injection, creating a preventive protective effect on injector and combustion chamber surfaces before deposits can form, allowing direct injection to maintain fuel economy without the harmful side effect of deposit accumulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful combustion byproducts into beneficial effects by using detergent molecules that attract and hold these byproducts, preventing them from fouling surfaces while the cleaned surfaces maintain optimal combustion efficiency for improved fuel economy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If injector fouling is controlled to reduce particulate emissions, then particulate emissions decrease, but fuel flow rate may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticulate emissionsVSAvoidfuel flow rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes detergent concentration parameters (50-500 ppm for each detergent type) to achieve the minimum effective dosage that reduces particulate emissions through improved combustion, while maintaining fuel flow rate by using detergents that do not form excessive residues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 fuel composition effectively reduces injector fouling and particulate emissions, improving engine performance, fuel economy, and extending equipment life.

Implementation Method 1

an amine-based detergent given by formula R 1 -O-(CH 2 ) m -NHR 2 , wherein the detergent is present in about 10 ppm to about 750 ppm by weight based on total weight of the fuel composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

mitigating injector nozzle fouling and reducing particulate emissions in direct injection spark ignition engines

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface protection:

Implementation Method 3

direct injection spark ignition (DISI) engines

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 4

one or more nitrogen-containing detergent, wherein the one or more nitrogen-containing detergent is an aliphatic hydrocarbyl amine, hydrocarbyl-substituted poly(oxyalkylene)amine, hydrocarbyl-substituted succinimide, Mannich reaction product, nitro and amino aromatic ester of polyalkylphenoxyalkanol, or polyalkylphenoxyaminoalkane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP4179047B1Fuel additives for mitigating injector nozzle fouling and reducing particulate emissions

Publication Date: 2025.02.12 CHEVRON ORONITE CO LLC

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AI summary

The present disclosure provides a fuel composition that includes hydrocarbon-based fuel boiling in the gasoline or diesel range; an amine-based detergent given by formula R1-O-(CH2)m-NHR2, wherein the additive is present in about 10 ppm to about 750 ppm by weight based on total weight of the fuel composition; wherein R1 is a hydrocarbylgroup having 8 to 20 carbons, R2 is hydrogen or (CH2)nNH2 moiety, and wherein m, n are independently integers having a value of 3 or greater; and one or more nitrogen-containing detergent.