Fuel and related compositions – Liquid fuels
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-25
2001-10-02
Howard, Jacqueline V. (Department: 1764)
Fuel and related compositions
Liquid fuels
C585S014000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296675
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The herein disclosed invention finds applicability in the field of diesel fuels, and more particularly to be used for standby diesel motors or engines to power electric generators.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Well known in the art are diesel engine-powered electrical generators in fixed installations, which function occasionally in emergency situations when the primary supply of electricity is disrupted as, for example, by storm or by high wind. These diesel motors or engines power generators which generate electricity in emergency situations, such as for hospitals to supply light and power to emergency rooms. More and more malls and banks are depending upon diesel motors to power generators when the electricity is cut-off. At times the cut-off of electricity is long and businesses depending on computers can ill afford to be shut down because of loss of electricity. In view of these facts, it is important to have efficiently operating diesel motors to power electric generators.
Special problems involving diesel motors present themselves when starting and running diesel motors which have remained idle for a long period of time. One of the main problems presented is that after standing idle for a long period of time lubrication on moving parts of the motor dissipate leaving the moving parts free of lubricant. This lack of lubrication on moving parts of the diesel motor impedes fast start up of the diesel motor. The diesel fuel of this invention is designed to mitigate the diesel start up problem.
Normal diesel fuel is not suited for the use as an emergency fuel in back-up diesel motors because it is unstable and forms gums and other deposits during long-term storage. This instability is due to the presence in normal diesel fuel of various olefins, free radicals, sulphur compounds and other reactive materials which can polymerize and react to form materials that impede the engine operation by plugging up fuel lines and filters, as well as fuel injection ports. Gasoline is much worse than diesel fuel in this respect but diesel fuels still can cause problems if stored for period of a year or longer. In the case of emergency generators, it is not unusual for a tank of diesel fuel to be partially used and then more fuel added to fill the tank. This means that some of the original fuel is still present and continues to degrade during the further storage.
Prior Art Patents
Murakami et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,762 teach a diesel fuel of reduced sulfur content which contains an alkyl side chain on the aromatic ring and also contains hetero nitrogen compounds with an alkyl side chain.
Nikanjam et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,112 disclose a diesel fuel with low aromatic content and high cetane number. There are controlled amounts of aromatics in the fuel to produce an optimum cetane number as defined by a graph set forth in the patent. The fuel can also have added thereto a cetane improver.
Cook et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,814,109 teach an additive for improving cetane number and/or lubricity of diesel fuel. The additive is prepared by the Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis.
Russell in U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,339 discloses a diesel fuel which minimizes the production of pollutants from vehicles by adjusting the amounts of aromatic compounds in the fuel.
None of the prior art references discloses diesel fuels especially formulated for emergency-use diesel engines.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to produce an improved diesel fuel.
A further object is to produce a diesel fuel wherein stand-by diesel motors will start-up and run without problem.
An important object of this invention is to produce a diesel fuel which will remain stable over a long period of time.
A still further object of this invention is to produce a diesel fuel which will be free of microbiological contamination.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The diesel fuel of this invention is low in odor, with regard to both the odor of the fuel itself and the odor of the exhaust, and in addition the fuel is stable and will not degrade during long periods of storage. Such a fuel would have at least two immediate uses or advantages:
1. Primarily, it would be a satisfactory fuel for long term storage in tanks associated with emergency generators which are used only rarely and for relatively short periods of time.
2. Secondly, when used (albeit intermittently) the premium fuel would be kinder to the environment because it would have a less obnoxious exhaust odor and fuel odor. It would not have the black, smoky exhaust normally associated with diesel engines, since the exhaust emissions would contain a lower level of pollutants as compared with regular diesel emissions. This is a supplementary benefit of the present invention.
Diesel engines which operate very infrequently in emergency situations face some unique fuel problems. Diesel fuel is well known to have stability problems during long term storage. It tends to develop sludge and gums that foul up the fuel system. Also, the fuel tank may be partially emptied during a short period of use and frequently no additional fuel is added. This causes the tank to “breathe” excessively as the temperature changes, thus bringing moist air into the tank. This moisture tends to condense on the walls of the tank causing a buildup of water in the bottom of the tank. This water serves as a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi which thrive in this type of environment. This can cause the formation of slime or sludge which will foul the fuel system. Also, diesel engines are expected to start quickly and easily after a long period of sitting idle. This is especially important for its intended use, namely, powering an emergency electric generator in a fixed installation. A fuel that starts more easily would offer a big advantage. Also, the freezing or gelling point of the fuel is important because the fuel tank may be positioned outside in northern climates where temperatures get very low in winter. Finally, emergency diesel installations of this type will be more acceptable to all concerned if they are environmentally friendly and do not pollute excessively.
The inventors have developed a diesel fuel identified as a “STAND-BY™” Emergency Fuel. The inventors believe that this fuel satisfactorily addresses all of the issues of concern raised above. There are many different compositions that could be used but one that would be satisfactory is as follows:
REFERENCES:
patent: 5389112 (1995-02-01), Nikanjam et al.
patent: 5730762 (1998-03-01), Murakami et al.
patent: 5792339 (1998-08-01), Russell
patent: 5814109 (1998-09-01), Cook et al.
patent: 6096103 (2000-08-01), Hubbard et al.
Hubbard William A.
Koenig, Jr. John G.
Spencer Reginald N.
Bloom Leonard
Howard Jacqueline V.
Koenig, Jr. John G.
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