Fuel Additive Combination for Ice Prevention and Detergency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel additives fail to effectively prevent the formation of ice flakes in diesel fuels at low temperatures without compromising the detergent properties or increasing costs, and existing anti-icing agents are either expensive or inhibit detergent performance.
Innovation Solution
A combination of polyalkylene glycol compounds and polyol esters is used to prevent ice flake formation in diesel fuels, maintaining detergent effectiveness and reducing additive costs, with a mass ratio of 10:1 to 1:10, effective at temperatures below -15°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional anti-icing additives (DIEGME, EGME, or alcohols) are used to prevent ice flake formation, then ice prevention effectiveness is improved, but either cost increases significantly or detergent properties are inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite additive system comprising a polyol ester (T1) combined with a polyalkylene glycol compound (T2) in specific ratios. This composite approach allows the polyol ester to provide ice prevention while the polyalkylene glycol compound maintains detergent properties, resolving the contradiction between ice prevention effectiveness and detergent functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by selecting specific polyol esters with particular molecular weights and acid values, and combining them with polyalkylene glycol compounds in controlled ratios. This parameter optimization enables simultaneous achievement of ice prevention and detergent effectiveness without using conventional additives that inhibit detergent properties
2Reliability
If conventional anti-icing additives (DIEGME, EGME) are used to prevent ice flake formation, then ice prevention effectiveness is improved, but additive cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive conventional anti-icing additives (DIEGME, EGME) with a cost-effective combination of polyol ester and polyalkylene glycol compound. This substitution maintains ice prevention effectiveness while significantly reducing additive costs, making the solution economically viable for widespread use
3Object-generated harmful factors
If detergent additives are added to maintain engine cleanliness, then engine cleanliness is improved, but ice flake formation is aggravated at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The polyalkylene glycol compound acts as an intermediary that bridges the conflicting requirements of detergent additives and anti-icing functionality. When combined with polyol ester, it allows detergent additives to maintain engine cleanliness while the overall additive system prevents ice flake formation, resolving the aggravation effect
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 solution effectively prevents ice flake formation in diesel fuels at low temperatures while maintaining engine cleanliness and reducing raw material costs, ensuring the fuel's performance and properties are preserved.
Implementation Method 1
This combination of additives surprisingly prevents the formation of ice flakes in a fuel at temperatures below or equal to -15°C, or even below or equal to -25°C, or even below or equal to -30°C
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a fuel composition which comprises at least: a fuel from one or more sources selected from the group that comprises mineral, plant and synthetic sources; a compound (T1) selected among polyalkylene glycols, C1-C12 alkyl and polyalkylene glycol ethers, and the mixtures thereof; and a compound (T2) selected among the non-ionic emulsifiers. The invention also relates to an additive composition comprising at least: a compound (T1) selected among the C1-C6 alkyl and polyethylene glycol ethers comprising two to six units of ethylene glycol; a compound (T2) selected among the esters of one or more C1-C36 alkenyl carboxylic or alkyl carboxylic acids, and a polyol selected among sorbitan and isosorbide, taken alone or mixed together; and possibly a detergent additive. The invention further relates to a method for preventing, avoiding or delaying the formation of ice crystals or flakes in a tank of a vehicle provided with an internal combustion engine.