Quaternized Nitrogen Fuel Additives for Diesel Injector Deposit Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern common rail diesel engines face issues with deposit formation in injector systems, leading to performance degradation, increased fuel consumption, and power loss, which conventional additives fail to adequately address, especially in direct and indirect injection systems.

Innovation Solution

The use of quaternized nitrogen compounds, specifically reaction products from quaternizing alkylamines with polycarboxylic acid esters and subsequent transesterification, as fuel additives to prevent deposit formation and improve engine oil compatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional fuel additives are used, then deposit formation is partially reduced, but internal deposits in injector systems (IDID) are not effectively prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeposit formationVSAvoidinjector system performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the fuel additive by using quaternized nitrogen compounds with specific molecular structures (containing nitrogen atoms bonded to four carbon groups) and controlled molecular weights (150-5000 g/mol). These parameter changes enable the additive to effectively prevent internal deposits in injector systems that conventional additives cannot address.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs composite chemical structures in the quaternized nitrogen compounds, combining nitrogen-containing groups with hydrocarbon chains of specific lengths. This composite approach creates an additive with dual functionality: the nitrogen groups provide deposit prevention while the hydrocarbon chains ensure compatibility with diesel fuel and injector materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If fuel additives are used to prevent deposits, then injector system reliability improves, but fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjector system performanceVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses small concentrations of quaternized nitrogen compounds (10-5000 ppm) in the fuel, which is sufficient to prevent deposit formation and maintain injector performance without significantly increasing fuel consumption. This partial action approach achieves the necessary protective effect with minimal energy penalty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If quaternized nitrogen compounds are used as additives, then internal deposit prevention is achieved, but compatibility with existing fuel formulations must be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinternal deposit formationVSAvoidfuel formulation compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention specifies particular parameter ranges for the quaternized nitrogen compounds, including molecular weight (150-5000 g/mol) and nitrogen content (5-20% by weight), to ensure compatibility with existing diesel fuel formulations while maintaining effectiveness in preventing internal deposits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 described additives effectively reduce fuel consumption and power loss, while maintaining excellent performance and compatibility, effectively preventing internal and external deposits in diesel engine injection systems.

Implementation Method 1

which have additionally been subjected to a special transesterification or amidation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTransesterification:

Implementation Method 2

which have additionally been subjected to a special transesterification or amidation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAmidation:

Implementation Method 3

to reduce or prevent deposits in the injection systems of direct-injection diesel engines

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeposit prevention:

Data Source

PatentEP3483234B1Use of specialised derivatives of quaternised nitrogen compounds as additives in fuels

Publication Date: 2021.06.02 BASF SE

Figure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to the use of special quaternized nitrogen compounds, which have additionally undergone special transesterification or amidation, as a fuel and lubricant additive, in particular as a detergent additive; for reducing or preventing deposits in the injection systems of direct-injection diesel engines, in particular in common-rail injection systems, for reducing the fuel consumption of direct-injection diesel engines, in particular diesel engines with common-rail injection systems, and for minimizing power loss in direct-injection diesel engines, in particular in diesel engines with common-rail injection systems; as well as an additive for gasoline, in particular for the operation of DISI engines.