Dual Function Fuel Atomizing and Ignition Additives

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions for improving fuel atomization and combustion efficiency comprising fuel additives for use in combustion systems where fuel is injected into the combustion zone under very high pressure

1 . A fuel composition comprising:
 (a) a major amount of a fuel and   (b) a minor amount of an additive composition comprising at least one fuel additive comprising an aromatic ring having:
 (1) a first substituent attached to a carbon atom of the aromatic ring, wherein the first substituent comprises the structure —X—R, wherein —X— comprises at least one of a —CH 2 — and a heteroatom and wherein —R comprises at least one of an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, and an amino group, and 
 (2) at least one second substituent attached to a carbon atom of the aromatic ring, wherein the at least one second substituent comprises at least one of an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, and an amino group, 
   wherein the at least one fuel additive is present in an amount from about 500 ppm or greater in the fuel composition.   
   
   
       2 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one second substituent is attached to a carbon atom of the aromatic ring in the ortho and/or para position relative to the first substituent. 
   
   
       3 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one second fuel additive comprising an aromatic ring having:
 (1) a first substituent attached to a carbon atom of the aromatic ring, wherein the first substituent comprises the structure —X—R, wherein —X comprises a heteroatom and wherein R comprises at least one of an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, and an amino group, and   (2) at least one second substituent attached to a carbon atom of the aromatic ring in the ortho and/or para position relative to the first substituent, wherein the at least one second substituent comprises the structure —X—R, wherein —X— comprises at least one of a —CH 2 — and a heteroatom and wherein —R comprises at least one of an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, and an amino group.   
   
   
       4 . The fuel composition of  claim 3 , wherein the fuel composition provides both enhanced fuel atomization and enhanced fuel ignition. 
   
   
       5 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the heteroatom comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of the group 14 elements, the group 15 elements, and the group 16 elements. 
   
   
       6 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the heteroatom comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen. 
   
   
       7 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein R comprises at least one of methyl, ethyl, propyl, and isopropyl. 
   
   
       8 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one second substituent comprises an alkyl group having up to about 32 carbon atoms, wherein the alkyl group comprises a straight or branched chain, and is saturated or unsaturated. 
   
   
       9 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one second substituent comprises at least one of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, and pentyl. 
   
   
       10 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the aromatic ring comprises at least one of a monocyclic ring, a polycyclic ring, and a heterocyclic ring. 
   
   
       11 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the aromatic ring comprises at least one of benzene, naphthalene, and anthracene. 
   
   
       12 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the additive compound comprises at least one of a member selected from the group consisting of 2,4,6-trimethyl-N-methylaniline; polymerized 1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline; 2-methyl indoline; N,N′-di-sec-butyl-p-phenylenediamine; methyl substituted benzenes; ethyl substituted benzenes; propyl substituted benzenes; isopropyl substituted benzenes; butyl substituted benzenes; and isobutyl substituted benzenes. 
   
   
       13 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fuel additive is present in an amount from about 4000 or greater in the fuel composition. 
   
   
       14 . A method for enhancing fuel ignition, comprising:
 providing a fuel composition to a combustion system, wherein the fuel composition comprises a fuel and at least one fuel additive,   wherein the at least one fuel additive comprises an aromatic ring having:
 (1) a first substituent attached to a carbon atom of the aromatic ring, wherein the first substituent comprises the structure X—R, wherein X comprises a heteroatom and wherein R comprises at least one of an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, and an amino group, and 
 (2) at least one second substituent attached to a carbon atom of the aromatic ring in the ortho and/or para position relative to the first substituent, wherein the at least one second substituent comprises the structure —X—R, wherein —X— comprises a —CH 2 — or a heteroatom and wherein —R comprises at least one of an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, and an amino group; 
   wherein the fuel ignition of the fuel composition is enhanced relative to a fuel free of the at least one fuel additive.   
   
   
       15 . A method of enhancing fuel atomization, comprising:
 (a) providing a fuel composition, wherein the fuel composition comprises a fuel and at least one fuel additive,   wherein the at least one fuel additive comprises an aromatic ring having:
 (1) a first substituent attached to a carbon atom of the aromatic ring, wherein the first substituent comprises the structure —X—R, wherein —X comprises at least one of a —CH 2 — and a heteroatom and wherein —R comprises at least one of an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, and amino group, and 
 (2) at least one second substituent attached to a carbon atom of the aromatic ring, wherein the at least one second substituent comprises at least one of an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, and an amino group; and 
   (b) delivering the fuel composition to a combustion area of a combustion system, wherein the delivery of the fuel composition to the combustion area causes the fuel composition to experience a shear force sufficient to remove at least one electron from the fuel additive to provide a resulting fuel additive;   wherein the fuel atomization of the fuel composition is enhanced relative to a fuel free of the at least one fuel additive.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the delivery of the fuel composition to the combustion area is at a pressure greater than about 1000 bar. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the delivery of the fuel composition to the combustion area is at a pressure greater than about 1500 bar. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the delivery of the fuel composition to the combustion area is at a pressure greater than about 2000 bar. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the pressure is in the range of from about 1000 to about 2500 Bar. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the resulting fuel additive has been oxidized. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the resulting fuel additive has been oxidized to a radical. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the resulting fuel additive has been oxidized to a positively charged radical. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the resulting fuel additive has been oxidized to a positively charged cation. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the combustion area of the combustion system is selected from the group consisting of internal combustion engines, boilers, furnaces, incinerators, jet engines, and rocket engines. 
   
   
       25 . A method for enhancing fuel ignition comprising providing to the combustion area of a combustion system a fuel composition comprising a fuel additive, wherein the fuel additive decreases the fuel MON and/or RON.