Distillable Fuel Markers Resisting Distillation Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for additional marker compounds for liquid hydrocarbons and fuels that are difficult to remove by distillation, and existing markers may not provide sufficient code diversity for digital marking systems.
Innovation Solution
The use of specific compounds, such as those following formula (I): R1 is C1-C12 alkyl or C2-C12 alkenyl, R2 is C1-C12 alkyl or C3-C12 alkenyl, m is an integer from zero to five, and n is an integer from one to three, added to petroleum hydrocarbons or liquid biologically derived fuels like biodiesel and ethanol, which are detectable at levels from 0.01 ppm to 100 ppm, allowing for multiple marker compounds to form coded information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing marker compounds are used for marking liquid hydrocarbons and fuels, then marking capability is achieved, but the markers can be easily removed by distillation and code diversity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the molecular structure parameters of marker compounds - specifically changing the hydrocarbon chain length (C1-C12 alkyl, C2-C12 alkenyl), ring structure types (aromatic, alicyclic), and substituent positions to create a family of compounds with different boiling points and distillation behaviors. This allows selection of markers that remain in the fuel after distillation while providing sufficient structural diversity for code generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by creating marker compounds that combine multiple structural features - fused ring systems (naphthalene, anthracene cores), various alkyl/alkenyl substituents, and heteroatom-containing groups. These composite molecular structures provide both the thermal stability needed for distillation resistance and the structural complexity required for diverse coding possibilities.
2Measurement precision
If marker compounds are added to fuels for identification, then fuel origin and characteristics can be identified, but additional markers are needed for fuels that are difficult to remove by distillation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the marker compound family into distinct structural categories - compounds with 1-2 aromatic rings, compounds with alicyclic rings, compounds with specific alkyl chain lengths, and compounds with heteroatom substituents. This systematic segmentation creates a large library of distinguishable marker compounds (potentially hundreds of variants) that can be selectively added to fuels to enhance identification precision.
3Loss of information
If multiple marker compounds are used to form coded information, then digital marking capability is enhanced, but the markers must resist removal by distillation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-selecting marker compounds with specifically designed high boiling points and thermal stabilities before the fuel undergoes distillation processing. The molecular structures are chosen in advance to ensure they will remain in the fuel matrix after standard distillation operations, thereby preserving the coded information intact through the processing sequence.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for marking a petroleum hydrocarbon or a liquid biologically derived fuel by adding to the petroleum hydrocarbon or liquid biologically derived fuel at least one compound having formula Ar(R2)m(OR1)n, wherein Ar is an aromatic ring system having from six to twenty carbon atoms, R1 is C1-C12 alkyl or C2-C12 alkenyl, R2 is C1-C12 alkyl or C3-C12 alkenyl, m is an integer from zero to five and n is an integer from one to three; wherein each compound of formula Ar(R2)m(OR1)n is present at a level from 0.01 ppm to 100 ppm.