Quaternary Ammonium Emulsifier Package for Low-Shear Fuel Emulsions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel emulsions for diesel engines are not cost-effective, stable during storage, and require high shear forces for emulsification, leading to issues like foaming, poor filterability, and corrosion, especially at varying water concentrations, temperatures, and pressures.
Innovation Solution
A fuel emulsion using a quaternary ammonium surfactant derived from reacting a quaternizable nitrogen compound with a hydrocarbyl epoxide and a hydrocarbyl-substituted polycarboxylic acid, combined with a nonionic surfactant, to create a stable emulsifier package that allows for low shear emulsification and reduces foaming, corrosion, and improves filterability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional emulsifiers are used for fuel emulsion, then emulsification can be achieved, but high shear forces are required leading to foaming and poor filterability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the surfactant system by using quaternary ammonium compounds with specific molecular structures and combinations. This alters the emulsification mechanism to require lower shear forces while reducing foaming, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and harmful foaming effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite surfactant systems combining quaternary ammonium compounds with specific molecular structures. This composite approach creates synergistic effects that improve emulsification efficiency while reducing the need for high shear forces and minimizing foaming, thus resolving the technical contradiction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional emulsifiers are used for fuel emulsion, then emulsification can be achieved, but storage stability is poor at varying temperatures and pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the surfactant system by introducing quaternary ammonium compounds with specific molecular structures. These structural changes enhance the emulsion's resistance to temperature and pressure variations during storage, directly improving both composition stability and reliability under varying storage conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses commercially available quaternary ammonium compounds that provide stable emulsification without requiring complex stabilization systems. This approach achieves reliable storage stability using simple, readily available chemical components rather than complex multi-component systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional emulsifiers are used for fuel emulsion, then emulsification can be achieved, but corrosion protection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of water-fuel mixing (which causes corrosion) into a benefit by using quaternary ammonium compounds that form protective emulsion structures. These structures prevent water from causing corrosion while maintaining the necessary water content for emission reduction, thus converting the harmful effect into a protective mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The quaternary ammonium compounds act as intermediary substances between water and fuel, creating a stable emulsion interface that prevents direct contact between corrosive water and metal surfaces. This intermediary emulsion layer protects the fuel system from corrosion while allowing the emulsion to function properly.
4Ease of operation
If conventional emulsifiers are used for fuel emulsion, then emulsification can be achieved, but filterability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the surfactant system by using quaternary ammonium compounds with specific molecular structures. These changes improve emulsion stability and prevent precipitate formation, enhancing filterability while maintaining ease of emulsification operation.
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 emulsifier package stabilizes the fuel emulsion at high water concentrations and varying conditions, reducing foaming and corrosion while maintaining emulsion integrity, thus enhancing diesel engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
an emulsifier package, which comprises a quaternary ammonium surfactant
Implementation Method 2
The emulsifier package should result in a low foaming fuel emulsion
Implementation Method 3
provide corrosion protection
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel emulsion for powering a diesel engine contains water, a fuel, and an emulsifier package containing a quaternary ammonium surfactant. A method for powering a diesel engine with the fuel emulsion involves preparing the fuel emulsion by emulsifying a fuel and water in the presence of the emulsifier package. An emulsifier package for emulsifying a fuel and water contains a quaternary ammonium surfactant and at least one nonionic surfactant, which is an alkoxylate. The quaternary ammonium surfactant is obtainable by reacting a quaternizable nitrogen compound containing at least one quaternizable, especially tertiary, amino group with a quaternizing agent, which converts the at least one quaternizable, especially tertiary, amino group to a quaternary ammonium group, where the quaternizing agent is a hydrocarbyl epoxide in combination with a free hydrocarbyl-substituted polycarboxylic acid.