Copolymer Additives for Fuel Cold Flow and Paraffin Sedimentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cold resistance additives are insufficient in improving the flow properties and preventing sedimentation of paraffin crystals in fuels at low temperatures, particularly in fuels with complex compositions and long-chain paraffins, which can lead to clogging and operational issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of specific copolymers comprising units of formula (I) and (II), which are combined with cold fluidizing additives to enhance the Filterability Limit Temperature (TLF) and prevent sedimentation of paraffin crystals, thereby improving the cold resistance properties of fuels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cold flow improvers (CFIs) are used to inhibit crystal growth at low temperatures, then the Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) and pour point are lowered, but the effectiveness is insufficient for fuels with complex compositions and long-chain paraffins, leading to continued clogging and sedimentation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining two distinct additive components: a cold flow improver (CFI) and a paraffin dispersant. The CFI (such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) inhibits crystal growth and lowers CFPP, while the dispersant (such as polyisobutylene succinimite) prevents sedimentation of long-chain paraffins. This composite additive package addresses both crystal growth inhibition and sedimentation prevention, resolving the insufficiency of conventional single-function additives for complex fuel compositions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by optimizing the molecular weight and chemical structure of the additive components. The CFI uses polymers with specific molecular weights (e.g., 100,000-1,000,000 g/mol for EVA) to effectively interact with paraffin crystals, while the dispersant uses specific molecular weight ranges (e.g., 1,000-100,000 g/mol for PIBS) to optimize steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsion effects. These parameter optimizations enable the additives to effectively handle complex fuel compositions with long-chain paraffins that conventional additives cannot address
2Use of energy by moving object
If the fuel contains long-chain paraffins to maintain energy content, then the energy density is improved, but the Filterability Limit Temperature (TLF) increases and flow properties deteriorate at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the paraffin dispersant as an intermediary substance that mediates between the long-chain paraffins (which provide energy density) and the fuel matrix. The dispersant adsorbs onto paraffin surfaces, creating a protective barrier that prevents aggregation and sedimentation. This allows the fuel to maintain its energy content from long-chain paraffins while the dispersant intermediary ensures these paraffins remain dispersed and do not cause filtration issues at low temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical filtration (which would be required to remove paraffin crystals) with chemical/electrostatic mechanisms. The dispersant uses electrostatic repulsion (through charged groups like carboxylates or sulfonates) and steric hindrance (through long polymer chains) to keep paraffins dispersed, substituting the need for mechanical filter systems and maintaining flow properties without physical removal of the energy-providing long-chain paraffins
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 copolymer additives significantly reduce the Filterability Limit Temperature (TLF) and prevent sedimentation, ensuring improved flow properties and operational efficiency of fuels at low temperatures, even in fuels with challenging compositions.
Implementation Method 1
The copolymer comprises from 70 to 95% by moles of at least one motif of formula (I) in which R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, X represents -O-CO-, or -CO-O- or -NH-CO- or -CO-NH-, and R2 represents a linear or branched acyclic alkyl radical from C8 to C24; and from 5 to 30 mole percent of at least one motif of formula (II) in which R represents a substituted or unsubstituted imidazole ring
Implementation Method 2
The copolymer additives significantly reduce the Filterability Limit Temperature (TLF) and prevent sedimentation, ensuring improved flow properties and operational efficiency of fuels at low temperatures
Implementation Method 3
The copolymer comprises from 70 to 95% by moles of at least one motif of formula (I) in which X represents -O-CO-, or -CO-O- or -NH-CO- or -CO-NH-
Data Source
AI summary
The subject matter of the present invention is the use, for improving the cold-resistance properties of a fuel or combustible composition, of one or more copolymers comprising: - at least one unit of formula (I): in which R1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; X is -O-CO-, or -CO-O- or -NH-CO- or -CO-NH-; R2 is a C6 to C24 alkyl group; and at least one unit of formula (II): in which R is a substituted or unsubstituted imidazole ring. The invention also relates to compositions of additives containing such a polymer, and also fuel or combustible compositions to which such polymers have been added, preferably in combination with a cold flow improver (CFI) additive or a paraffin anti-settling additive (WASA).