Fuel Oil Ester Additives for Lubricity and Conductivity Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-sulphur content fuel oils face issues with reduced lubricity and electrical conductivity, leading to increased viscosity at low temperatures, difficulty in handling, and a decrease in electrostatic charge dissipation over time, which poses risks in fuel processing and handling.
Innovation Solution
A fuel oil additive comprising an ester of an alkyl neo-monocarboxylic acid and an aliphatic alkanol is used in combination with an anti-static additive to enhance lubricity and maintain electrical conductivity at a constant level for an extended period, reducing viscosity and handling difficulties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If refining processes are employed to reduce diesel fuel sulphur and aromatic contents, then sulphur content is reduced to lower levels, but electrical conductivity of the fuel is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces anti-static additives as intermediary substances that mediate between the refined low-sulphur fuel and the requirement for adequate electrical conductivity. These additives form conductive pathways on the fuel surface, enabling static charge dissipation without compromising the sulphur reduction benefits of the refining process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical conductivity parameter of the fuel by adding anti-static additives. This parameter modification allows the fuel to maintain adequate conductivity (typically above 25 pSm⁻1) despite the inherent conductivity reduction from sulphur and aromatic content reduction, thereby resolving the contradiction between purification and conductivity maintenance.
2Reliability
If refining processes are employed to reduce diesel fuel sulphur and aromatic contents, then sulphur content is reduced to lower levels, but lubricity of the fuel is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces lubricity additives as intermediary substances that compensate for the lubrication deficiency caused by sulphur and aromatic reduction. These additives form a protective film on engine components, maintaining adequate lubrication without interfering with the environmental benefits of low-sulphur refining.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite fuel system by combining the refined low-sulphur fuel base with lubricity additives. This composite approach allows the fuel to simultaneously achieve low sulphur content for environmental compliance and adequate lubricity for engine protection, resolving the contradiction between purification and lubrication maintenance.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If anti-static additives are used to control static charge accumulation, then electrical conductivity is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of anti-static additives to achieve adequate electrical conductivity at the lowest effective dose. By carefully controlling the additive level (typically 1-100 ppm), the system achieves the required conductivity (above 25 pSm⁻1) while minimizing costs, resolving the contradiction between safety and economy.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If lubricity additives are used to improve fuel lubricity, then lubricity is improved, but viscosity increases at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects lubricity additives with optimized molecular structure and concentration to minimize viscosity increase. By controlling the additive type and level, the system achieves adequate lubricity while keeping low-temperature viscosity within acceptable ranges, resolving the contradiction between lubrication performance and cold-flow properties.
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 additive improves lubricity and maintains electrical conductivity of low-sulphur content fuel oils, ensuring compliance with specifications and reducing wear in fuel supply systems while facilitating ease of handling and storage, even in cold climates.
Implementation Method 1
improve the lubricity and/or electrical conductivity properties of the low-sulphur content fuel oil
Implementation Method 2
improve the lubricity and/or electrical conductivity properties of the low-sulphur content fuel oil
Implementation Method 3
improved low temperature properties (e.g. at or below-5° C.), such as improved reduced low temperature viscosity
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to fuel oil compositions comprising an ester of an alkyl neo-monocarboxylic acid having a total number of from 5 to 30 carbon atoms and an aliphatic acyclic (C2 to C18) alkanol having a total number of from 2 to 18 carbon atoms and a total number of from 2 to 8 hydroxyl groups, wherein the aliphatic acyclic (C2 to C18) alkanol includes one or more alkyl chain(s) and each of said one or more alkyl chain(s) may optionally be interrupted by one or more oxygen atom(s), and to associated fuel additive compositions and uses of fuel additives.