Fuel formulations

Abstract

A diesel fuel formulation containing (i) a lower molecular weight dialkyl carbonate (DAC) selected from dimethyl carbonate (DMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC) and mixtures thereof; (ii) di-n-butyl carbonate (DBC); and optionally (iii) an additional diesel fuel component is provided.

1 . A diesel fuel formulation comprising (i) a lower molecular weight dialkyl carbonate (DAC) selected from dimethyl carbonate (DMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC) and mixtures thereof; and (ii) di-n-butyl carbonate (DBC). 
     
     
         2 . The fuel formulation of  claim 1  further comprising (iii) an additional diesel fuel component. 
     
     
         3 . The fuel formulation of  claim 1  wherein the lower molecular weight DAC is DEC. 
     
     
         4 . The fuel formulation of  claim 2  wherein the lower molecular weight DAC is DEC. 
     
     
         5 . The fuel formulation of  claim 1  wherein the concentration of the lower molecular weight DAC is from 0.5 to 20% v/v. 
     
     
         6 . The fuel formulation of  claim 2  wherein the concentration of the lower molecular weight DAC is from 0.5 to 20% v/v. 
     
     
         7 . The fuel formulation of  claim 1  wherein the concentration of the DBC is from 0.5 to 99.5% v/v. 
     
     
         8 . The fuel formulation of  claim 1  wherein the volume ratio of the lower molecular weight DAC to the DBC is approximately 1:1. 
     
     
         9 . The fuel formulation  claim 1  wherein the flash point of the formulation (ASTM D92 or D93) is 50° C. or higher. 
     
     
         10 . The fuel formulation  claim 2  wherein the flash point of the formulation (ASTM D92 or D93) is 50° C. or higher. 
     
     
         11 . A process for the preparation of a diesel fuel formulation comprising blending together (i) a lower molecular weight DAC selected from DMC, DEC and mixtures thereof; and (ii) DBC. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 11  wherein at least one additional diesel fuel component is blended. 
     
     
         13 . A method of operating an internal combustion engine, and/or a vehicle which is driven by an internal combustion engine comprising introducing into a combustion chamber of the engine a diesel fuel formulation of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . A method of operating an internal combustion engine, and/or a vehicle which is driven by an internal combustion engine comprising introducing into a combustion chamber of the engine a diesel fuel formulation of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         15 . A method of operating an internal combustion engine, and/or a vehicle which is driven by an internal combustion engine comprising introducing into a combustion chamber of the engine a diesel fuel formulation of  claim 5 . 
     
     
         16 . A method of operating an internal combustion engine, and/or a vehicle which is driven by an internal combustion engine comprising introducing into a combustion chamber of the engine a diesel fuel formulation of  claim 7 . 
     
     
         17 . A method of operating an internal combustion engine, and/or a vehicle which is driven by an internal combustion engine comprising introducing into a combustion chamber of the engine a diesel fuel formulation of  claim 8 . 
     
     
         18 . A method for increasing the flash point of a diesel fuel formulation which contains a lower molecular weight DAC selected from DMC, DEC and mixtures thereof, comprising adding to the formulation a concentration c of DBC, wherein c is lower than the minimum concentration c′ of DBC which theory would predict needed to be added to the formulation in order to achieve flash point X.