Diesel fuel compositions containing levulinate ester

Abstract

A diesel fuel composition is disclosed that requires a reduced amount of petroleum-based diesel and provides lower level of emissions, while maintaining the desired performances of the petroleum-based diesel. The disclosed fuel composition comprises a petroleum-based diesel and at least about 5% by volume of levulinate ester, and may be substantially free of alkanolamides, alcohols, or combinations thereof. When desired, the fuel composition may include biodiesel and other additives. The disclosed fuel composition may be formulated such that its performances are in compliance with the ASTM D975 standard.

1 . A fuel composition, comprising:
 (a) from about 60% to about 80% by volume of the petroleum-based diesel;   (b) from about 5% to about 15% by volume of the biodiesel; and   (c) at least about 5% by volume of the levulinate ester.   
     
     
         2 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , characterized by performances in compliance with ASTM D975 Specification. 
     
     
         3 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , comprising less than 1% by volume of chemical including a member selected from a member selected from the group consisting of alkanolamides, alcohols, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the petroleum-based diesel includes a member selected from a member selected from the group consisting of diesel fuel oil No. 2, diesel fuel No. 4, petroleum distillates, syntroleum, water-alcohol emulsified diesel, ultra low sulfur fuels, and blends thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the levulinate ester includes a member selected from a member selected from the group consisting of methyl levulinate, ethyl levulinate, butyl levulinate, glycol ester of levulinic acid, and blends thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , comprising:
 (a) from about 60% to about 80% by volume of the petroleum-based diesel;   (b) from about 5% to about 15% by volume of the biodiesel; and   (c) at least about 5% by volume of ethyl levulinate.   
     
     
         7 . The fuel composition of  claim 6 , characterized by performances in compliance with ASTM D975 Specification. 
     
     
         8 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , comprising:
 (a) about 80% by volume of ultra low sulfur diesel;   (b) about 13.3% by volume of the biodiesel; and   (c) about 6.7% by volume of ethyl levulinate.   
     
     
         9 . The fuel composition of  claim 8 , characterized by performances in compliance with ASTM D975 Specification. 
     
     
         10 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an additive selected from a member selected from the group consisting of detergents, octane boosters, cetane number improvers, metal deactivators, corrosion inhibitors, antioxidants, rust inhibitors, dispersants, biocides, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A fuel composition, comprising:
 (a) a petroleum-based diesel; and   (b) at least about 5% by volume of levulinate ester based on total volume of the fuel composition,   wherein the fuel composition includes less than 1% by volume of chemical including a member selected from a member selected from the group consisting of alkanolamides, alcohols, or combinations thereof.   
     
     
         12 . The fuel composition of  claim 11 , further comprising biodiesel. 
     
     
         13 . The fuel composition of  claim 11 , characterized by performances in compliance with an ASTM D975 Specification. 
     
     
         14 . The fuel composition of  claim 11 , wherein the petroleum-based diesel includes a member selected from a member selected from the group consisting of diesel fuel oil No. 2, diesel fuel No. 4, petroleum distillates, syntroleum, water-alcohol emulsified diesel, ultra low sulfur fuels, and blends thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The fuel composition of  claim 11 , wherein the levulinate ester includes a member selected from a member selected from the group consisting of methyl levulinate, ethyl levulinate, butyl levulinate, glycol ester of levulinic acid, and blends thereof.