Biofuel Additive Mixture for Copper Corrosion and Microbial Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of biofuels, particularly biodiesel, in fuel systems leads to increased material compatibility issues due to the leaching of copper ions, resulting in corrosion, microbial degradation, and the formation of sludge, which can cause system failures and require expensive repairs.
Innovation Solution
An additive mixture comprising N-formal, antioxidants, and corrosion inhibitors, such as 3,3'-methylenebis(5-methyloxazolidine), 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, and N,N-bis(2-ethylhexyl)((1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl)amine, is used to provide bactericidal and anticorrosive protection to fuels, specifically inhibiting copper corrosion and preventing sludge formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If biofuels (biodiesel) are used in fuel systems, then the release of CO2 is climate-neutral and renewable raw materials are utilized, but material compatibility problems increase due to copper ion leaching, leading to corrosion and microbial degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a multifunctional additive mixture as an intermediary between biodiesel and copper-containing system components. This additive mixture includes corrosion inhibitors that form protective films on copper surfaces, preventing copper ion leaching into the biodiesel, and biocides that eliminate microbial contaminants. The additive thus mediates the harmful interaction between biodiesel and copper materials, resolving the material compatibility problem while maintaining the use of renewable fuels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful copper ions from the fuel system by using corrosion inhibitors that sequester copper ions and prevent their release into the biodiesel. The additive mixture effectively takes out the corrosive copper ions from the interaction between biodiesel and copper components, preventing the chain reaction of corrosion and degradation.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If long storage times are allowed for fuels, then fuel distribution and usage flexibility increases, but oxidative and microbial degradation processes change the fuel composition, leading to corrosion and sludge formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating antioxidants and biocides into the fuel additive mixture before storage begins. These substances proactively prevent oxidative and microbial degradation processes from initiating or progressing during storage. The antioxidants prevent oxidation of the fuel components, while the biocides eliminate or inhibit microbial growth, thereby maintaining fuel composition stability throughout extended storage periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The additive mixture provides beforehand cushioning against degradation by creating protective chemical environments. The antioxidants act as sacrificial agents that preferentially oxidize instead of the fuel components, cushioning the fuel from oxidative damage. Similarly, biocides create a hostile environment for microorganisms before they can cause degradation, cushioning the fuel system from microbial attacks during storage.
3Strength
If copper-containing materials are used in fuel systems, then system durability and heat resistance improve, but copper ions leach into biofuels, accelerating decomposition and causing corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces corrosion inhibitors as intermediaries between copper-containing materials and biodiesel. These inhibitors form protective films on copper surfaces or complex with copper ions, preventing their leaching into the biodiesel. This intermediary layer allows copper materials to maintain their structural durability and heat resistance while preventing the harmful copper ion release that would otherwise accelerate fuel decomposition.
4Reliability
If biocides are added to improve microbial protection, then microbial degradation is suppressed, but the biocides themselves may cause material incompatibility or require high concentrations that increase cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multifunctional additive mixture where a single formulation provides multiple protective functions simultaneously. The additive blend includes corrosion inhibitors, antioxidants, and biocides that work synergistically to protect against microbial degradation, copper corrosion, and oxidative degradation. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate additive treatments and reduces the overall complexity of the fuel protection system while maintaining effective microbial protection at appropriate concentrations.
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 mixture effectively protects fuels from microbial infestation and oxidative degradation, preventing sludge formation and improving the stability and compatibility of biofuels with various materials, thus extending the shelf life and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
N-Formals are formaldehyde depot compounds which release formaldehyde in a controlled manner. The formaldehyde exerts its biocidal effect by cross-linking with microbial cell components, denaturing proteins and nucleic acids, ultimately destroying the microorganism.
Implementation Method 2
The compositions have very good storability as concentrates and have a constantly low level of deformation of the plastic vessel containing the concentrate
Implementation Method 3
at least one antioxidant... protect fuels from microbial infestation and oxidative degradation
Implementation Method 4
at least one corrosion inhibitor... effectively protects fuels from microbial infestation and oxidative degradation, preventing sludge formation and improving the stability and compatibility of biofuels with various materials
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an additive mixture for fuels, which comprises a) at least one N-formal, b) at least one antioxidant and c) at least one corrosion inhibitor. The additive mixture ensures that the additized fuels and lubricants have biocidal and corrosion-inhibiting additization, especially when they comprise proportions of renewable raw materials, such as biodiesel, and when they are in contact with copper-containing surfaces.