Tetraalkylethane Fuel Composition for Faster Burning and Stable Ignition Delay

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel compositions do not effectively enhance flame speed, burn duration, power output, and acceleration performance without altering ignition delay time (IDT) in spark-ignition internal combustion engines.

Innovation Solution

A fuel composition comprising a gasoline base fuel, a tetraalkylethane compound, and a nitroxide radical, which increases flame speed, reduces burn duration, and improves power output and acceleration without affecting IDT.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If existing fuel compositions are used to enhance flame speed and burn rate, then power output and acceleration performance improve, but ignition delay time is altered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflame speedVSAvoidignition delay time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the fuel through the addition of specific compounds (tetraalkylethane compound and nitroxide radical) at controlled concentrations. This changes the chemical properties of the fuel to achieve faster flame speed while maintaining stable ignition delay time, as the additives specifically enhance combustion kinetics without affecting the ignition phase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by creating a blended fuel composition that combines the base fuel (gasoline) with specific functional additives (tetraalkylethane compound and nitroxide radical). This composite fuel formulation achieves enhanced flame speed and burn rate while maintaining stable ignition delay time through the synergistic interaction of the base fuel and additives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Power

If flame speed is increased to reduce burn duration, then power output improves, but fuel composition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidfuel composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the concentration parameters of the additives in the fuel composition. By controlling the amount of tetraalkylethane compound and nitroxide radical added, the patent achieves significant power output improvements while keeping the composition relatively simple and manageable for fuel formulation

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 fuel composition achieves significant improvements in flame speed, burn rate, power output, and acceleration performance, with potential enhancements ranging from 0.05% to 10% compared to baseline formulations.

Implementation Method 1

Laminar burning velocity (also referred to as 'flame speed') is a fundamental combustion property of any fuel/air mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

if the fuel is modified so that the ignition delay time increase is caused by inhibition of the chemical radical reactions that occur before the spark

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical radical reactions: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP4330358B1Fuel compositions
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ BV
  • EP4330358B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4330358B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4330358B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Fuel composition comprising: (a) a base fuel suitable for use in an internal combustion engine; (b) a tetraalkylethane compound having the formula (I) : wherein Ar represents an aryl group and each X is independently selected from a hydrogen atom, substituted or unsubstituted, straight chain or branched C1-C12 alkyl group, ( CH2 ) nOH or (CH2) nNH2, wherein n is in the range of 1 to 9, provided that at least one of the X groups in each CX3 group is a hydrogen atom. The fuel composition of the present invention provides improved power and acceleration benefits, as well as increased flame speed and burn duration.