Renewable Diesel-Biodiesel Additives for Filter Blocking Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of blends of renewable diesel and biodiesel in fuels leads to filter blocking issues due to the different chemical nature of these components, particularly during storage, which can cause engine starting problems and loss of power due to blocked fuel filters.
Innovation Solution
The addition of specific additives, such as copolymers comprising units of formula (I) and (II), reaction products of polycarboxylic acids with amines, and reaction products of secondary amines with maleic anhydride and α-olefins, reduces the filter blocking tendency of fuel compositions containing renewable diesel and biodiesel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional fuels (diesel, petrol, LPG, CNG) are used in existing vehicles, then the vehicles can operate with current infrastructure, but the fuels contribute to global warming and air pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the fuel by formulating a specific mixture ratio of alcohol (40-70% v/v), ester (10-30% v/v), and petrochemical fuel (10-30% v/v). This parameter optimization reduces harmful emissions while maintaining compatibility with existing diesel engines, resolving the contradiction between environmental benefit and infrastructure adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite fuel formulation combining three different fuel types (alcohol, ester, and petrochemical fuel) in specific proportions. This composite approach leverages the advantages of each component: alcohol provides oxygen for cleaner combustion, ester contributes to lubricity and energy density, and petrochemical fuel ensures compatibility with existing engines, thereby reducing pollution while maintaining infrastructure versatility
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pure alcohol or ester fuels are used, then emissions are reduced, but the energy density and combustion efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of alcohol and ester components within specific ranges (alcohol: 40-70% v/v, ester: 10-30% v/v) rather than using pure forms. This parameter control ensures sufficient oxygen content for reduced emissions while maintaining adequate energy density through the balanced formulation, preventing the energy deficiency that would occur with pure alcohol or ester fuels
Solution Approach 2:
The composite fuel formulation combines alcohol, ester, and petrochemical fuel to create a synergistic mixture. The alcohol and ester components reduce emissions through oxygenated combustion, while the petrochemical fuel component supplements energy density. This composite approach balances environmental benefits with energy requirements, avoiding the energy deficiency of pure oxygenated fuels
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fuel composition is modified to reduce emissions, then environmental impact decreases, but fuel stability and engine compatibility may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise composition parameters (alcohol: 40-70% v/v, ester: 10-30% v/v, petrochemical fuel: 10-30% v/v) to ensure fuel stability and engine compatibility. These parameter boundaries prevent issues such as excessive phase separation, poor lubricity, or incomplete combustion that could arise from unbalanced formulations, thereby maintaining reliability while achieving emission reductions
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-component composite fuel provides mutual stabilization: the petrochemical fuel component enhances stability and compatibility with existing engines, the ester component improves lubricity, and the alcohol component provides oxygen for cleaner combustion. This composite structure creates a balanced formulation that maintains fuel reliability and engine compatibility while reducing emissions
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 additives significantly reduce the filter blocking tendency, improving fuel delivery to the engine and preventing engine shutdowns, as demonstrated by a decrease in filter blocking test scores by at least 10% to 50%, especially in cold soak conditions.
Implementation Method 1
combustion of the oxygenated fuel mixture
Data Source
AI summary
26 Abstract The use of at one or more additives to reduce the filter blocking tendency of a fuel composition having a tendency to block filters, wherein the fuel composition comprises a renewable diesel 5 component and a biodiesel component; and wherein the one or more additives are selected from (d) a copolymer comprising units of formula (I): 10 (I) and units of formula (II): 15 (II) wherein R is an alkyl group and each of R1 and R2 is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 6 to 22 carbon atoms; 20 (e) the reaction product of a polycarboxylic acid having at least one tertiary amino group and a primary or secondary amine; and (f) the reaction product of secondary amines and a copolymer of maleic anhydride and an -olefin.25