Fuel Additive Concentrate Low Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel additives for internal combustion engines face challenges in maintaining low temperature stability, leading to poor solubility and handling issues, which affect their friction modification and lubricity performance, especially at temperatures below ambient.
Innovation Solution
A fuel additive concentrate comprising a solvent with aromatic content, an alkoxylated fatty amine or fatty acid derivative, and a compatibilizer such as a low molecular weight carboxylic acid or anhydride, which remains fluid at temperatures as low as -8°C, enhancing low temperature stability and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fuel additives are formulated to provide friction modification and lubricity performance, then engine wear reduction is improved, but low temperature stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite fuel additive formulation combining multiple components: ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a carboxylic acid (provides friction modification), an amine (enhances lubricity), and a ketone (improves low temperature fluidity). This composite approach allows each component to contribute its specific function, resolving the contradiction between friction modification performance and low temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the molecular weight and chemical structure parameters of the additive components to optimize performance. Specifically, it uses esters with controlled molecular weights, selects amines with appropriate chain lengths, and incorporates ketones with specific carbon numbers to ensure the mixture remains fluid at low temperatures while maintaining friction modification and lubricity benefits.
2Productivity
If fuel additives are formulated to improve fuel economy, then engine efficiency is improved, but solubility at low temperatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ketone component acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates solubility at low temperatures. Ketones have relatively low freezing points and good solubility characteristics, serving as a mediator between the other additive components and the fuel matrix, ensuring homogeneous mixing and preventing precipitation at low temperatures while maintaining fuel economy benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the molecular parameters of the additive components, particularly selecting esters with appropriate molecular weights and incorporating ketones with specific carbon numbers (C5-C15) to ensure the additive mixture maintains solubility and fluidity at low temperatures while providing fuel economy improvements.
3Reliability
If fuel additives are formulated to provide lubricity characteristics, then engine wear reduction is improved, but handling at low temperatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite additive system where the amine component (providing lubricity) is combined with ketone and ester components that improve low temperature fluidity. This composite formulation ensures the additive remains easy to handle and mix at low temperatures while maintaining the lubricity characteristics necessary for engine wear reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the physical parameters of the additive mixture by selecting components with appropriate melting points and viscosities. The ketone and ester components serve to lower the mixture's freezing point and improve its fluidity at low temperatures, making it easier to handle and inject while the amine component maintains the lubricity function.
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 provides a stable fuel additive concentrate that reduces fuel consumption, improves engine efficiency, and maintains fluidity at low temperatures, thereby enhancing engine performance and reducing emissions.
Implementation Method 1
The enhanced lubricity characteristics of fuel compositions containing these additives were demonstrated by the reduction of the wear scar of the fuel in the high frequency reciprocation rig
Implementation Method 2
Unsaturated low molecular weight saturated or mono-unsaturated hydrocarbons have waxy characteristics and encounter poor solubility at low temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel additive concentrate comprises a friction modifier selected from the group consisting of an alkoxylated fatty amine, a fatty acid or derivative thereof, and mixture thereof; an alcohol; and a compatibilizer selected from the group consisting of a low molecular weight carboxylic acid or anhydride or derivative there of, glycol ether, alkylated phenol, and a mixtures thereof wherein the fuel additive concentrate remains fluid at −80 C or lower wherein the solvent has enough aromatic content to permit the fuel additive concentrate to be a fluid at minus 80 C. A fuel composition comprises fuel and the fuel additive concentrate. A method of operating a gasoline internal combustion engine comprises fueling the engine with the fuel composition and is effective in reducing fuel consumption.