Fuel Additive Mixture for Low Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional friction modifiers, such as partial esters of fatty acids and polyols, face stability issues at low temperatures, leading to solid formation and poor handling characteristics, especially in cold climates, and require excessive solubilizing agents that can alter their properties or exceed concentration limits.
Innovation Solution
A mixture of fatty acid sorbitan esters and fatty acid monoesters of a polyol, where the sorbitan esters are present in amounts from 0.05 wt.% to 50 wt.% and the monoesters are present in amounts from 99.95 wt.% to 50 wt.%, acting as anti-crystallization agents to enhance low temperature stability without compromising friction modifying properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional friction modifiers (partial esters of fatty acids and polyols) are used in fuel additive concentrates, then friction reduction performance is improved, but low temperature stability deteriorates due to solid formation and poor handling characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces solubilizing agents as intermediary substances to mediate between the friction modifiers and the concentrate base. These solubilizing agents form soluble complexes with the friction modifiers, preventing solid formation at low temperatures while maintaining friction reduction performance. The solubilizing agent acts as a bridge that allows the friction modifier to remain dissolved and stable in the concentrate across a wide temperature range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite additive concentrate system combining friction modifiers (partial esters of fatty acids and polyols), solubilizing agents, and base gasoline. This composite formulation leverages the complementary properties of each component: the friction modifier provides lubricity enhancement, while the solubilizing agent ensures low-temperature stability and homogeneous distribution. The synergistic interaction between components resolves the contradiction between performance and stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If solubilizing agents are added to improve low temperature stability, then solubility of friction modifiers is improved, but the amount required often exceeds maximum concentrate concentration limits or alters friction modifier properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of both friction modifiers and solubilizing agents to achieve effective low-temperature stability while remaining within acceptable concentrate concentration limits. By carefully controlling the ratio and amount of each component, the formulation achieves solubility improvement without requiring excessive quantities of solubilizing agents that would exceed concentration constraints or dilute the friction modifier below effective levels.
3Stability of the object's composition
If solubilizing agents are used to enhance low temperature stability, then solubility is improved, but chemical degradation may occur due to reactivity with contaminants or refinery chemicals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects solubilizing agents with molecular structures and chemical properties that closely match or are compatible with the base gasoline and existing additive package components. This structural compatibility minimizes chemical reactivity and degradation while maintaining solubility enhancement. The solubilizing agent is chosen to be chemically inert toward contaminants and refinery chemicals, effectively copying the chemical compatibility profile of the base system.
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 mixture provides improved low temperature stability, preventing sediment formation and maintaining friction reduction performance, even in cold environments, without adverse effects on fuel properties or engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
acting as anti-crystallization agents to enhance low temperature stability
Implementation Method 2
The solubility of the friction modifier in the additive packages at low temperatures may be assisted by employing solubilizing agents
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a fuel additive comprising a mixture of (a) one or more fatty acid sorbitan esters and (b) one or more fatty acid monoesters of a polyol, wherein the one or more fatty acid sorbitan esters are present in an amount of about 0.05 wt. % to about 50 wt. %, based on the weight of the fuel additive, and the one or more fatty acid monoesters of a polyol are present in an amount of about 99.95 wt. % to about 50 wt. %, based on the weight of the fuel additive. Also disclosed is a fuel composition comprising a major amount of a fuel and minor amount of the fuel additive.