Polyhydroxyalkyl Ether Amine Fuel Additive for Low-Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fuel additives for gasoline engines face challenges such as instability at low temperatures, poor low temperature compatibility, and undesirable side effects like increased intake valve deposits, which hinder their effectiveness in improving fuel economy and wear protection in fuel delivery systems.
Innovation Solution
A fuel composition containing polyhydroxyalkyl ether amine additives, derived from hydrocarbyl substituted ether amines reacted with epoxides, which are stable at low temperatures and effectively reduce friction and wear in engine parts, thereby enhancing fuel economy without detrimental effects on the additive package.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fatty acid amides are added to fuel to reduce friction and wear in fuel delivery systems, then wear protection is improved, but the additive becomes unstable at low storage temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the additive by using polyhydroxyalkyl ether amines with specific molecular weights and structures (formula I) that maintain stability at low temperatures while providing adequate wear protection and fuel economy benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite additive system combining polyhydroxyalkyl ether amine with specific fuel composition ratios (10-750 ppm in gasoline) that achieves both low-temperature stability and wear protection functionality
2Loss of energy
If GMO or diethanolamine fatty amides are added to fuel to improve fuel economy, then friction reduction is achieved, but intake valve deposits increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by selecting polyhydroxyalkyl ether amines with specific hydrocarbon chain lengths and ether linkage structures that provide fuel economy improvement without promoting intake valve deposit formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a fuel-soluble additive that can be continuously supplied through the fuel system, replacing the need for long-lasting lubricant-based additives and providing ongoing protection without deposit formation
3Loss of energy
If fatty amine ethoxylates are used to reduce fuel consumption, then fuel economy improves, but low temperature compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the ethoxylate chain length and hydrocarbon structure parameters to achieve a balance between fuel economy performance and low-temperature fluidity, using polyhydroxyalkyl ether amines that remain compatible with fuel at low temperatures
4Reliability
If etheramine polyalkoxylates are added to reduce corrosion, then corrosion protection is provided, but intake valve deposits dramatically increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular structure parameters by using polyhydroxyalkyl ether amines with specific hydroxyl group configurations and alkyl chain lengths that provide corrosion protection through a different mechanism that does not promote deposit formation on intake valves
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 polyhydroxyalkyl ether amine additives improve fuel economy and wear protection in gasoline engines by maintaining stability and fluidity at low temperatures, reducing friction, and preventing intake valve deposits, while being cost-effective and compatible with fuel compositions.
Implementation Method 1
the additive may also be effective to improve fuel economy without detrimentally affecting the low temperature stability of a fuel additive package containing the additive component
Implementation Method 2
certain fatty amides may be unstable in additive packages for fuels at low storage temperatures and the performance of such fatty acid amides is often less than desirable
Implementation Method 3
the additive for the fuel composition may not only improve the friction or wear properties of the fuel, but the additive may also be effective to improve fuel economy without detrimentally affecting the low temperature stability of a fuel additive package containing the additive component
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel additive and method for improving fuel economy in an engine. The method includes providing a fuel composition to an engine, wherein the fuel composition includes gasoline and from 10 to 750 ppm by weight based on a total weight of the fuel composition of a fuel stable additive of the formula: wherein R1 comprises a saturated hydrocarbyl group having from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkylene, polyalkylene, alkoxyalkylene or polyalkoxyalkylene group containing from 2 to 25 carbon atoms, R3 is an alkylene group containing from 2 to 5 carbon atoms, R4 is a linear alkyleme group containing 2 to 3 carbon atoms, and x is an integer selected from 0 and 1, and combusting the fuel composition in the engine.