Method and compositions for reducing corrosion in engines combusting ethanol-containing fuels

Abstract

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for improving corrosion inhibition in engines combusting a fuel containing ethanol. In particular, E85 fuels are provided containing additives able to reduce, eliminate and/or prevent corrosion of engine combustion surfaces and surfaces of engine components exposed to the fuel containing ethanol.

1 . A method to reduce corrosion in an internal combustion engine having fuel injectors, said method comprising combusting in said engine a fuel composition comprising gasoline, ethanol and at least one fuel additive, said additive being selected from the group consisting of succinimide dispersants, succinamide dispersants, amides, Mannich base dispersants, and polyetheramine dispersants, whereby corrosion is reduced relative to the corrosion when combusting a fuelL composition without ethanol. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a second fuel additive, said additive being selected from the group consisting of phenolics, hindered phenolics, aryl amines, and diphenyl amines. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a second fuel additive, said additive being selected from the group consisting of p- phenylenediamine and dicyclohexylamine. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a second fuel additive, said additive being selected from the group consisting of oxylated alkylphenolic resins, and formaldehyde polymer with 4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenol, methyloxirane and oxirane. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a second fuel additive, said additive being selected from the group of methyl cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl, cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl, azides, tetraethyl lead, peroxides and alkyl nitrates. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a second fuel additive, said additive her being selected from the group of monoesters, diesters, ethers, ketones, diethers, polyethers, and glycols. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a second fuel additive, said additive being selected from the group consisting of monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, and polycarboxylic acids. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a second fuel additive, said additive being selected from the group consisting of phenates, salicylates, sulfonates, nonylphenol ethoxylates, fuel-soluble alkali detergents and alkaline earth metal-containing detergents. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a second fuel additive, said additive being selected from the group consisting of oxiranes, C1—C8 aliphatic hydrocarbons, butylene oxide, propylene oxide, ethylene oxide, epoxides, butane, pentane, xylene, nitrous oxide, and nitromethane. 
     
     
         10 . A composition to reduce corrosion in an internal combustion engine combusting an ethanol-containing fuel, said composition comprising gasoline, ethanol, and one or more materials selected from the group consisting of succinimide dispersants, succinamide dispersants, amides, Mannich base dispersants. polyetheramine dispersants, phenolics, hindered phenolics, aryl amines, diphenyl amines, monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, polycarboxylic acids, p-phenylenediamine and dicyclohexylainine, oxylated alkylphenolic resins, formaldehyde polymer with 4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenol, methyloxirane and oxirane, methyl cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl, cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl, azides, tetraethyl lead, peroxides, alkyl nitrates, monoesters, diesters, ethers, ketones, diethers, polyethers, glycols, glymes, oxiranes, C1—C8 aliphatic hydrocarbons, butylene oxide, propylene oxide, ethylene oxide, epoxides, butane, pentane, xylene, nitrous oxide, nitromethane, phenates, salicylates, sulfonates, nonylphenol ethoxylates, fuel-soluble alkali detergents and alkaline earth metal-containing detergents. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the ethanol content of the fuel composition is from about 74% to about 85%. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the ethanol content of the fuel composition is from about 50% to about 74%. 
     
     
         13 . A method to reduce corrosion of copper and/or silver in an engine having copper or silver components and combusting an ethanol-containing fuel by adding to the ethanol or to the fuel at least one additive selected from succinimide dispersants, succinamide dispersants, amides, Mannich base dispersants, polyetheramine dispersants, phenolics, hindered phenolics, aryl amines, diphenyl amines, monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, polycarboxylic acids, p-phenylenediamine and dicyclohexylamine, oxylated alkylphenolic resins, formaldehyde polymer with 4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenol, methyloxirane and oxirane, octane enhancer materials, monoesters, diesters, ketones, ethers, diethers, polyethers, glycols, glymes, oxiranes, C1—C8 aliphatic hydrocarbons, butylene oxide, propylene oxide, ethylene oxide, epoxides, butane, pentane, xylene, nitrous oxide, nitromethane, phenates, salicylates, sulfonates, nonylphenol ethoxylates, fuel-soluble alkali detergents and alkaline earth metal-containing detergents, whereby the copper and/or silver component(s) have/has reduced corrosion relative to the corrosion observed when the copper and/or silver component(s) are/is exposed to a fuel without ethanol. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the ethanol content of the fuel composition is from about 74% to about 85%. 
     
     
         15 . The method of any of  claim 13 , wherein the ethanol content of the fuel composition is from about 50% to about 74%. 
     
     
         16 . A corrosion inhibitor fuel additive concentrate for gasoline engines combusting an ethanol-containing fuel, said concentrate comprising one or more corrosion inhibitors and a diluent selected from the group consisting of an oil, a fuel, gasoline, ethanol, solvent, carrier fluid, and other liquid materials combustible in a gasoline engine. 
     
     
         17 . A composition to reduce corrosion in an internal combustion engine combusting an ethanol-containing fuel, said composition comprising gasoline, ethanol, and one or more materials selected from the group consisting of 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole, dodecenyl succinic acid, oleic acid, a condensation product of alpha halogenated mono-carboxylic acid with 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole, and the reaction product of oleic acid and 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole. 
     
     
         18 . A composition to reduce corrosion in an internal combustion engine combusting an ethanol-containing fuel, said composition comprising gasoline, ethanol, and one or more materials selected from the group consisting of tall oil fatty acids, dodecenyl succinic acid, and oleic acid plus N,N dimethylcyclohexylamine.