Ion-Tolerant Fuel Additives for Corrosion Inhibition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recent increases in fuel filter plugging and internal diesel injector deposits (IDID) in engines are attributed to the reaction of acidic corrosion inhibitors with ion-containing contaminants, such as sodium and calcium, leading to soap contamination in commercial fuels, which existing additives fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A fuel additive composition comprising a mixture of substituted hydrocarbon additives, including short and long chain hydrocarbons with carboxy functionalities in the form of acids or anhydrides, which bind ion-containing contaminants, reducing corrosion and deposit formation in refinery fuel handling equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If acidic corrosion inhibitors (e.g., DDSA) are added to refinery fuel to inhibit corrosion, then corrosion protection is improved, but soap formation occurs due to reaction with ion-containing contaminants, leading to fuel filter plugging and IDID
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the corrosion inhibitor by using substituted hydrocarbon additives with modified molecular structures (including short and long chain hydrocarbons with carboxy functionalities). These parameter changes allow the additive to provide corrosion protection while reducing reactivity with ion-containing contaminants, thereby preventing soap formation and associated harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite fuel additive compositions containing multiple substituted hydrocarbon additives with different chain lengths and functional groups. This composite approach creates a synergistic effect where the combination of additives provides enhanced corrosion protection while the diverse molecular structures prevent excessive reaction with contaminants, eliminating soap formation issues.
2Reliability
If existing corrosion inhibitors are used in refinery fuel, then corrosion inhibition is achieved, but fuel filter plugging and internal diesel injector deposits increase in engines
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the chemical parameters of the fuel additive by using substituted hydrocarbons with specific functional groups (carboxy functionalities in the form of acids or anhydrides) and varying chain lengths. These parameter changes enable the additive to maintain corrosion inhibition effectiveness while reducing the formation of deposits in fuel filters and diesel injectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The substituted hydrocarbon additives act as intermediaries between the fuel system components and ion-containing contaminants. Instead of allowing direct harmful reactions that produce soap and deposits, these additives interact with contaminants in a controlled manner, providing protection without generating the harmful effects of fuel filter plugging and IDID.
3Reliability
If corrosion inhibitors react with ion-containing contaminants (sodium, calcium), then corrosion protection is provided, but soap contamination occurs in commercial fuel
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the corrosion inhibitor to use substituted hydrocarbon structures with modified reactivity characteristics. These parameter changes allow the additive to protect against corrosion while minimizing unwanted reactions with ion-containing contaminants, thereby preventing soap contamination and maintaining fuel quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harmful reaction between corrosion inhibitors and ion-containing contaminants into a beneficial outcome. By using substituted hydrocarbon additives, the reaction with contaminants is controlled to produce non-harmful products or no reaction at all, while still achieving corrosion protection. This eliminates soap formation and maintains fuel quality.
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 inhibits corrosion and reduces or eliminates fuel filter plugging and IDID in engines, improving engine performance by preventing deposit formation and maintaining fuel efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
substituted hydrocarbon additive (a) includes a short chain hydrocarbon substituted with at least two carboxy functionalities in the form of acids or at least one carboxy functionality in the form of an anhydride
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting corrosion and deposit formation in fuel handling equipment, with reduced or eliminated incidence of fuel filter plugging and internal diesel injector deposits (IDID) in the equipment that eventually employs the final commercially blended form of the fuel. More specifically, the invention relates to inhibiting corrosion from the walls of fuel pipelines and storage equipment and preventing deposits in engines.