Nitrogen in fuel-additives to suppress particulate emissions from gas turbines and diesel engines

Abstract

A method of suppressing particulate emissions during fuel combustion comprising the steps of providing a fuel, and adding to the fuel a heterocyclic hydrocarbon structure comprising at least one nitrogen atom.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of suppressing particulate emissions during fuel combustion, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a fuel; and    adding to said fuel a heterocyclic hydrocarbon structure comprising at least one nitrogen atom.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said adding step comprises adding an aromatic structure comprising at least one nitrogen atom.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said adding step comprises adding a heterocyclic hydrocarbon structure selected from the group consisting of pyridine, quinoline, aniline, and derivatives thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said adding step comprises adding a heterocyclic hydrocarbon structure comprising at least one side chain.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said adding step comprises adding said heterocyclic hydrocarbon structure comprising at least one side chain wherein said at least one side chain is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups, cycloalkyl groups, aryl groups, and heterocyclic groups.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said adding step comprises adding said heterocyclic hydrocarbon structure comprising at least one side chain wherein said at least one side chain is selected from the group consisting of ethyl groups, amine groups, butyl groups, and methyl groups.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising the step of selecting said at least one side chain so as to obtain at least one desired characteristic of said fuel.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said adding step comprises adding said heterocyclic hydrocarbon structure functions as a substance selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, metal deactivators, anti-icing additives, corrosion inhibitors, lubricity improvers, biocides, thermo-stabilizers, and static dissipaters.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  comprising the additional step of adding at least one additional fuel additive.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said adding said at least one additional fuel additive comprises adding an oxygenated compound.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said adding said oxygenated compound comprises adding an oxygenated compound selected from the group consisting of nitromethane and dimethylether.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said adding said additional fuel additive comprises adding a metal additive.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said adding said metal additive comprises adding ferrocene.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said heterocyclic hydrocarbon structure is added to said fuel at a concentration less than 9000 ppm.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said heterocyclic hydrocarbon structure is added to said fuel at a concentration less than 6000 ppm.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said heterocyclic hydrocarbon structure is added to said fuel at a concentration less than 3400 ppm.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said heterocyclic hydrocarbon structure is added in an amount sufficient to reduce a soot mass formed during said fuel combustion by at least 10%.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said fuel additive is added at a combustion of a least 50 ppm.  
     
     
         19 . A method of suppressing particulate emissions during fuel combustion, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a fuel; and    adding to said fuel a nitrogen bearing hydrocarbon capable of decomposing so as to combine with at least one other hydrocarbon to form a nitrogen-bearing aromatic species.    
     
     
         20 . A fuel mixture comprising: 
 a fuel; and    an additive comprising a heterocyclic hydrocarbon structure comprising at least one nitrogen atom.    
     
     
         21 . The fuel mixture of  claim 20  wherein said heterocyclic hydrocarbon structure comprises an aromatic structure comprising at least one nitrogen atom.  
     
     
         22 . The fuel mixture of  claim 20  wherein said heterocyclic hydrocarbon structure is selected from the group consisting of pyridine, quinoline, aniline, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         23 . The fuel mixture of  claim 20  wherein said heterocyclic hydrocarbon structure comprises at least one side chain.  
     
     
         24 . The fuel mixture of  claim 23  wherein said at least one side is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups, cycloalkyl groups, aryl groups, and heterocyclic groups.  
     
     
         25 . The fuel additive of  claim 23  wherein said at least one side chain is selected from the group consisting of an ethyl group, an amine group, a butyl group, and a methyl group.  
     
     
         26 . The fuel mixture of  claim 20  wherein said heterocyclic hydrocarbon structure is present at a concentration less than 9000 ppm.  
     
     
         27 . The fuel mixture of  claim 26  wherein said heterocyclic hydrocarbon structure is present at a concentration less than 6000 ppm.  
     
     
         28 . The fuel mixture of  claim 27  wherein said heterocyclic hydrocarbon structure is present at a concentration less than 3400 ppm.  
     
     
         29 . The fuel mixture of  claim 20  wherein said additive is present in an amount effective to reduce a soot mass formed during said fuel combustion by at least 10%.