Volatility agents as fuel additives for ethanol-containing fuels

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a fuel composition containing gasoline, ethanol and a volatility agent, such that the cold start performance of the gasoline/ethanol blend fuel is enhanced. Also provided is a fuel composition containing ethanol and a volatility agent and also a method for improving the cold start performance of an engine.

1 . A fuel composition comprising an alcohol and a hydrocarbon volatility agent and optionally a hydrocarbon component. 
     
     
         2 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, propanol, butanol and blends thereof 
     
     
         3 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the volatility agent has a Reid Vapor Pressure greater than 7.0. 
     
     
         4 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the alcohol is ethanol and the hydrocarbon is a gasoline having a Reid Vapor Pressure greater than 7.0. 
     
     
         5 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the alcohol is ethanol, the volatility agent is butane and the hydrocarbon component is gasoline. 
     
     
         6 . A fuel composition consisting essentially of gasoline, an alcohols and at least one a hydrocarbon volatility agent and optionally a hydrocarbon component. 
     
     
         7 . The fuel composition of  claim 6  wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, propanol, butanol and blends thereof 
     
     
         8 . The fuel composition of  claim 6  wherein the volatility agent has a Reid Vapor Pressure greater than 7.0. 
     
     
         9 . The fuel composition of  claim 6  wherein the alcohol is ethanol and the hydrocarbon is a gasoline having a Reid Vapor Pressure greater than 7.0. 
     
     
         10 . The fuel composition of  claim 1  wherein the alcohol is ethanol the volatility agent is butane and the hydrocarbon component is gasoline. 
     
     
         11 . The fuel in  claim 1  wherein the alcohol is ethanol, the volatility agent is dimethyl ether and the hydrocarbon component is selected from the group consisting of gasoline, natural gasoline, naphtha, or gasoline components. 
     
     
         12 . A fuel composition comprising gasoline, ethanol and at least one volatility agent, said volatility agent being selected from the group consisting of methyloxirane, oxiranes, peroxides, alkyl nitrates, C1—C8 aliphatic hydrocarbons, ketones, butylene oxides, propylene oxides, ethylene oxides, epoxides, butane, pentane, nitrous oxide, nitromethane, xylene, diethyl ether, monoesters, diesters, ethers, glymes, and glycols. 
     
     
         13 . A fuel composition consisting essentially of gasoline, ethanol and at least one volatility agent, said volatility agent being selected from the group consisting of methyloxirane, oxiranes, peroxides, alkyl nitrates, C1—C8 aliphatic hydrocarbons, ketones, butylene oxides, propylene oxides, ethylene oxides, epoxides, butane, pentane, nitrous oxide, nitromethane, xylene, diethyl ether, monoesters, diesters, ethers, glymes, and glycols. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the ethanol content of the fuel composition is from about 74% to about 85%. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the ethanol content of the fuel composition is from about 50% to about 74%. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the ethanol content of the fuel composition is from about 74% to about 85%. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the ethanol content of the fuel composition is from about 50% to about 74%. 
     
     
         18 . A method of improving the cold start performance of an engine combusting a fuel composition containing gasoline and ethanol, said method comprising combining the fuel and at least one volatility additive selected from the group consisting of methyloxirane, oxiranes, peroxides, alkyl nitrates, C1—C8 aliphatic hydrocarbons, ketones, butylene oxides, propylene oxides, ethylene oxides, epoxides, butane, pentane, nitrous oxide, nitromethane, xylene, diethyl ether, monoesters, diesters, ethers, glymes, and glycols, wherein the cold start of said engine is improved relative the cold start of the engine combusting a fuel containing gasoline and ethanol without the at least one volatility additive. 
     
     
         19 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a fuel additive selected from the group consisting of lubricity additives, combustion improvers, detergents, dispersants, cold flow improvers, dehazers, demulsifiers, cetane improvers, antioxidants, scavengers, and pollution suppressants. 
     
     
         20 . The fuel composition of  claim 12 , wherein the composition further comprises a fuel additive selected from the group consisting of lubricity additives, combustion improvers, detergents, dispersants, cold flow improvers, dehazers, demulsifiers, cetane improvers, antioxidants, scavengers, and pollution suppressants. 
     
     
         21 . The fuel composition of  claim 6  wherein the alcohol is ethanol, the volatility agent is dimethyl ether and the hydrocarbon component is selected from the group consisting of gasoline, natural gasoline, naphtha, or gasoline components.