Diesel Additive Composition for Biodiesel Cold-Weather Filterability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing additives designed for mineral diesel do not effectively improve the low temperature properties of diesel fuels containing biodiesel and/or renewable diesel components, leading to increased issues such as filterability problems during cold weather.
Innovation Solution
A combination of a first additive, comprising the reaction products of polycarboxylic acids with amines and a polyamine, and a second additive, a terpolymer formed from α-olefins, esters of unsaturated alcohols, and monomers with alkene functional groups, is used to enhance the low temperature performance of diesel fuels, including blends with biodiesel and renewable diesel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing additives designed for mineral diesel are used, then the low temperature properties of mineral diesel are improved, but the low temperature properties of diesel fuels containing biodiesel and/or renewable diesel components are not effectively improved
Solution Approach 1:
The additive composition is designed to function effectively across multiple fuel types including mineral diesel, biodiesel, and renewable diesel components. The combination of cold flow improvers and wax anti-settling additives creates a universal solution that addresses low temperature properties across different diesel fuel compositions without requiring fuel-type-specific formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite additive system combining multiple types of additives (cold flow improvers and wax anti-settling additives) in specific combinations. This composite approach leverages the complementary mechanisms of different additives to achieve broad effectiveness across various fuel types, where each additive component addresses specific aspects of low temperature performance.
2Reliability
If biodiesel and/or renewable diesel components are included in diesel fuel, then environmental performance is improved, but low temperature filterability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The additive composition prevents wax crystal formation and filter blockage before they occur by incorporating cold flow improvers that modify crystal growth kinetics and wax anti-settling additives that prevent aggregation. This preliminary protective action maintains filterability throughout cold weather operation, addressing the environmental benefit of biodiesel/renewable diesel inclusion without sacrificing operational reliability.
3Temperature
If wax crystals form in diesel fuel at low temperatures, then the fuel begins to haze and eventually solidify, but this causes filter plugging and flow problems
Solution Approach 1:
The additive composition acts as an intermediary between the wax crystals and the fuel system. Cold flow improvers modify the crystal growth process, while wax anti-settling additives prevent crystal aggregation and adhesion to filter surfaces. These intermediaries maintain fuel flow and filterability even as temperature decreases and wax precipitation occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The additives change the physical parameters of wax crystal formation and behavior, including crystal size, shape, and aggregation tendency. By modifying these parameters, the system maintains fuel pumpability and filterability across a broader temperature range, effectively lowering the practical freezing point of the fuel system.
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 improves the low temperature flow properties of diesel fuels, particularly in the LTFT test, ensuring better filterability and pourability even in extreme cold conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a first additive (i) comprising one or more of: (a) the reaction product of a polycarboxylic acid having at least one tertiary amino group and a primary or secondary amine
Implementation Method 2
a second additive (ii) which is a terpolymer obtained by reacting monomers of: (x) an α-olefin; (y) an ester of an unsaturated alcohol; and (z) a third monomer different to (x) and (y) comprising an alkene functional group
Data Source
AI summary
An additive composition for a diesel fuel, the additive composition comprising: (i) a first additive comprising one or more of: (a) the reaction product of a polycarboxylic acid having at least one tertiary amino group and a primary or secondary amine; (b) the reaction product of an α, β dicarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof and a primary amine; and(c) the reaction product of a polyamine and a fatty acid; and (ii) a second additive which is a terpolymer obtained by reacting monomers of: (x) an α-olefin; (y) an ester of an unsaturated alcohol; and (z) a third monomer different to (x) and (y) comprising an alkene functional group.