Nova Patents
EP0903395A1

Diesel fuel composition comprising dialkoxy alkanes for increased cetane number

Abstract

A diesel fuel composition comprising dimethoxy ethane (DMET) and/or dimethoxy propane (DMPP) has increased cetane number vis-a-vis conventional diesel fuel compositions. Other dialkoxy alkanes may be present and the diesel fuel composition preferably consists of moderate amounts of both DMET and DMPP blended into a conventional diesel fuel.

Term

Term ended

Projected expiry passed 21 September 2018, 8 years ago.

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25 claims: 15 independent, 10 dependent

  1. 1
    A diesel fuel composition for increased cetane number comprising one or more compounds selected from:(a) dimethoxy propane (DMPP) as represented by CH3-O-C3H6-O-CH3;(b) dimethoxy ethane (DMET) as represented by CH3-O-C2H4-O-CH3 wherein the concentration of the DMET in said diesel fuel composition is either: (i) any concentration less than 100 volume % if the DMET is used in combination with DMPP in said diesel fuel composition;or(ii) any concentration greater than or equal to 15 volume % but less than 100 volume % if the DMET is not used in combination with DMPP in said diesel fuel composition;and(c) in addition to DMPP and DMET, other dialkoxy alkanes [higher DAAKs] as represented by R-O-X-O-R where R = CnH2n+1 and X = CmH2m and where n is at least 1 and m is at least 2.
  2. 2
    A method of operating an internal combustion engine characterized in that the fuel comprises a dialkoxy alkane selected from DMPP, DMET in an amount (of DMET) of at least 15 volume %, mixtures of DMPP and DMET, and mixtures of DMPP and/or DMET with one or more higher DAAK.
  3. 4
    The use as an intermediate distillate fuel or intermediate distillate fuel component of a dialkoxy alkane selected from DMPP, DMET in an amount (of DMET) of at least 15 volume % but less than volume 100%, mixtures of DMPP and DMET, and mixtures of DMPP and/or DMET with one or more higher DAAK.
  4. 6
    The use to increase the cetane number of a diesel fuel of a dialkoxy alkane selected from DMPP, DMET, mixtures of DMPP and DMET, and mixtures of DMPP and/or DMET with one or more higher DAAK.
  5. 9
    A diesel fuel composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1, 7 and 8, comprising at least 35 volume % DMPP.
  6. 10
    A diesel fuel composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1, 7 and 8, comprising at least 18 volume % DMET.
  7. 11
    A diesel fuel composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1, 7 and 8, comprising at least 25 volume % DMET.
  8. 12
    A diesel fuel composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1, 7 and 8, comprising a mixture of DMPP and DMET.
  9. 14
    A diesel fuel composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1, 7, 8 and 10 to 13, wherein the DMET is present as a liquid reaction product from the oxidative coupling of dimethyl ether (DME) conducted under reaction conditions minimizing the amount of methanol and dimethoxy methane (DMMT) as represented by CH3-O-CH2-O-CH3.
  10. 15
    A composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1, 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13, wherein the DMPP is 1,2-DMPP.
  11. 20
    A use as claimed in any one of Claims 6, 18 and 19, wherein the dialkoxy alkane is DMPP and is used in an amount of at least 35 volume %.
  12. 21
    A use as claimed in any one of Claims 6, 18 and 19, wherein the dialkoxy alkane is DMET and is used in an amount of at least 18 volume %.
  13. 22
    A use as claimed in any one of Claims 6, 18 and 19, wherein the dialkoxy alkane is DMET and is used in an amount of at least 25 volume %.
  14. 23
    A use as claimed in any one of Claims 6, 18 and 19, wherein the dialkoxy alkane is a mixture of DMPP and DMET.
  15. 25
    A use as claimed in any one of Claims 6, 18 to 20, 23 and 24, wherein the DMPP is 1,2-DMPP.
Independent claims15