Diesel Fuel Detergent Compositions for Injector Deposit Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diesel engines with high-pressure fuel systems face issues of injector fouling and internal diesel injector deposits (IDIDs) due to carbonaceous coke-like residues, lacquers, and metal salts, leading to reduced performance, increased emissions, and potential engine failure.
Innovation Solution
A diesel fuel composition containing a reaction product of polycarboxylic acid compounds or their anhydrides with monohydric alcohols, which act as detergent additives without nitrogen, effectively preventing and reducing IDIDs and external injector deposits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-pressure fuel injection systems are used to improve combustion efficiency, then fuel atomization and combustion performance are improved, but injector fouling and internal diesel injector deposits increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces detergent additives as intermediary substances that mediate between the high-pressure fuel injection system and the injector components. These detergents adsorb onto deposit-forming surfaces and react with carbonaceous residues, lacquers, and metal salts to prevent their accumulation, thereby protecting injectors while maintaining high-pressure operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of high-pressure fuel injection (which generates deposits through increased fuel degradation) into a beneficial outcome by using the heat and pressure conditions to activate detergent additives that clean deposits. The same high-pressure conditions that cause fouling also enhance the effectiveness of the detergent additives in preventing and removing deposits
2Productivity
If injector nozzle hole diameters are reduced to improve fuel atomization, then combustion performance is improved, but sensitivity to deposit build-up increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent additives serve as intermediary substances that protect the small nozzle holes from deposit accumulation. The detergents form protective films on the nozzle surfaces and chemically interact with deposit precursors, preventing them from blocking the narrow passages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies detergent additives to the fuel before injection to perform preliminary cleaning action. The detergents are already present in the fuel and begin preventing deposit formation immediately as the fuel passes through the injection system, rather than waiting for deposits to form and then treating them
3Use of energy by moving object
If fuel injection pressures are increased to achieve better combustion, then energy efficiency is improved, but fuel degradation and deposit formation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful fuel degradation that occurs under high-pressure conditions into a beneficial process by using the same high-pressure and temperature conditions to activate detergent additives. These activated detergents then clean the deposits that form from fuel degradation, turning the degradation process itself into a self-cleaning mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the fuel by adding detergent compounds that alter the fuel's behavior under high-pressure conditions. The detergents modify the chemical reactions that occur during fuel degradation, directing them toward forming removable deposits rather than hard carbonaceous residues
4Reliability
If nitrogen-containing detergent additives are used to prevent deposits, then deposit control is improved, but compatibility with modern low-sulfur fuels decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the detergent additive by eliminating nitrogen and instead using compounds based on hydrocarbons, oxygen, and sulfur in controlled amounts. This compositional change allows the detergent to be compatible with modern low-sulfur fuels while maintaining effective deposit control capabilities
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 or prevent the formation and removal of deposits, enhancing engine performance, fuel efficiency, and reducing emissions by maintaining precise fuel metering and combustion efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The additives significantly reduce or prevent the formation and removal of deposits
Implementation Method 2
reaction product of polycarboxylic acid compounds or their anhydrides with monohydric alcohols, which act as detergent additives
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
A fuel composition comprising as an additive the reaction product of a polycarboxylic acid compound of formula (I): (I) or an anhydride thereof; and an alcohol having at least 5 carbon atoms; wherein each of n and m may be 0 or a positive integer.