Bio-component Fuel Mixture for Spark Ignition Engines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel mixtures for spark ignition engines, particularly those containing ethanol, face issues with storage stability, lubricity reduction, and adverse effects on engine components, while also failing to meet stringent greenhouse gas emission reduction criteria due to high sulfur and benzene content.
Innovation Solution
A fuel mixture is formulated using a bio-component derived from the catalytic conversion of C1 to C5 alcohols or their derivatives, combined with a base hydrocarbon fraction and oxygen compounds like ethers, to create a blend with reduced sulfur, metals, and benzene levels, enhancing performance characteristics and miscibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If ethanol is added to petroleum fuel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, then the environmental performance is improved, but the storage stability deteriorates and corrosivity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (ester or ether with 3-12 carbon atoms) that mediates between ethanol and the fuel system components. This intermediary reduces the direct harmful interactions between ethanol and elastomers/caulking materials while maintaining the environmental benefits of ethanol blending.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by specifying esters or ethers with 3-12 carbon atoms as additives. This parameter change modifies the fuel's chemical properties to reduce corrosivity and improve storage stability while maintaining the desired ethanol blending level for environmental performance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ethanol is added to petroleum fuel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, then the environmental performance is improved, but the lubricating properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite fuel formulation combining petroleum base stock, ethanol (5-20% by volume), and ester/ether additives (1-10% by volume). This composite structure maintains the environmental benefits of ethanol while the ester/ether components compensate for the loss of lubricating properties.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If higher than 5% ethanol is added to petroleum fuel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, then the environmental performance is improved, but the compatibility with caulking materials deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (ester or ether with 3-12 carbon atoms) that mediates between ethanol and the fuel system components. This intermediary reduces the direct harmful interactions between ethanol and elastomers/caulking materials while maintaining the environmental benefits of ethanol blending.
4Reliability
If conventional petroleum fuel components are used to maintain fuel performance, then the operational parameters are maintained, but the sulfur and benzene content increases violating emission criteria
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by limiting sulfur content to ≤10 mg/kg and benzene to ≤0.5% by volume, while adjusting the hydrocarbon fraction composition to maintain operational parameters such as octane number and combustion performance.
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 bio-component-based fuel mixture improves operational parameters, reduces pollutant emissions, and meets sustainability criteria for greenhouse gas emission reduction without the drawbacks of traditional bioethanol, offering improved calorific value and compatibility with existing fuel systems.
Implementation Method 1
a bio-component, in an amount up to 85%(V/V), isolated from the product of catalytic conversion of alcohols C1 through C5, aldehydes and ketones and esters of lower fatty acids
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention solves the problem of the sensitivity of the before known fuel mixtures containing ethanol for storage and distribution conditions, the negative impact of alcohol contained in them on the performance characteristics of engines and improves the operational performance known fuel mixtures based on petroleum hydrocarbon paraffinic and naphthenic. The product obtained according to the invention is intended for direct use as a self-contained engine fuel meeting the criteria for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Fuel mixture according to the invention contains known market fuels used as a base hydrocarbon fraction, and bio-component derived from the process of catalytic conversion of alcohols. Alternatively, the fuel composition of the invention comprises only hydrocarbons with carbon atoms of no anthropogenic origin from the biocomponent. In addition to bio-component and optionally a base fraction, the composition of the fuel mixture according to the invention comprises a known oxygen compounds, preferably ethers, and particularly bioethers in amounts up to 15% by volume and well-known antioxidant, detergency, anticorrosion additives and other that improve performance characteristics.