Fuel and related compositions – Liquid fuels – Emulsion fuel
Reexamination Certificate
1994-04-04
2001-10-16
Medley, Margaret (Department: 1714)
Fuel and related compositions
Liquid fuels
Emulsion fuel
C044S320000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302929
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a novel aqueous fuel for an internal combustion engine and to a method of preparing same. More particularly, the invention relates to an aqueous fuel combustible in the combustion chamber(s) of internal combustion engines such as are used in motor vehicles, and, still more particularly, the invention relates to aqueous fuels which may be combusted in an internal combustion engine in which the combustion chamber(s) includes a hydrogen-producing catalyst such as is disclosed in Gunnerman U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,114 dated Oct. 20, 1992, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As indicated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,114, there is a need for fuels to replace diesel fuel and gasoline for use in internal combustion engines, especially engines used in motor vehicles. Internal combustion engines, such as engines operating on gasoline and diesel fuel, produce unacceptably high amounts of pollutants which are injurious to human health and may damage the earth's atmosphere. The adverse effects of such pollutants upon health and the atmosphere have been the subject of great public discussion. Undesirable pollutants result from combustion of carbonaceous fuel with combustion air that contains nitrogen. The combustion of conventional fuels with air in conventional engines and the relatively incomplete combustion of such fuels are the primary reasons for unsatisfactory levels of pollutants emitted by vehicles with internal combustion engines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A novel aqueous fuel and method of producing same has been discovered which, in addition to reducing pollutants produced by internal combustion engines, including spark ignited and compression engines, is also stable, storable and substantially nonflammable outside the internal combustion engine. The novel fuel comprises a fluid emulsion with at least two-phases comprising 20 to 80 vol. % water and carbonaceous fuel, preferably 40 to 60% carbonaceous fuel, and more preferably carbonaceous fuel selected from the group consisting of gasoline, “straight run gasoline,” kerosene fuels, diesel fuels, gaseous carbon-containing fuels, and mixtures thereof, about 2 to less than 20 vol. % alcohol, preferably 2 to about 10%, and about 0.3 to 1 vol. % of a nonionic emulsifier, preferably about 0.5 to about 0.7%. As known in the art, “straight run gasoline” also known as “straight run atmospheric naptha”, is the product of the first petroleum fractionation in the production of conventional gasoline products. The carbonaceous fuel may also comprise carbon bearing synthetic products as well as biomass derived oils, in addition to carbon bearing fossil fuels. The emulsion comprises a standard oil/water (“o/w”) emulsion with water being the external continuous phase. A third phase may be formed with the alcohol component. Advantageously, a fuel lubricity enhancer and/or an additive to improve resistance to phase separation upon heating may also be included. Preferred lubricity enhancers include silicon-containing compounds which also serve as anti-foam and/or anti-rust agents.
The preparation of the novel fuel is very critical. It is prepared by first mixing the carbonaceous fuel and emulsifier together, providing a mixture of alcohol and water by separately adding alcohol, e.g., ethanol, methanol, etc. to water and adding the water-and-alcohol mixture to the previously prepared fuel-and-emulsifier mixture to produce a mixture of carbonaceous fuel with 20 to 80 vol % water and about 0.3 to 1 vol % emulsifier. Alternatively, water and alcohol may be separately added to the previously formed mixture of carbonaceous fuel and emulsifiers. The resultant mixture is vigorously agitated with sufficient agitation to produce a stable, storable fuel. Where the fuel is to include a fuel lubricity enhancer and/or an additive to resist phase separation at elevated temperatures, such agents are added to the mixture of combustion fuel, emulsifier, alcohol and water prior to the vigorous mixing step. Preferred fuel formulations are made with gasoline or diesel fuel. The gasoline and diesel versions are referred to herein as “A-55” and “D-55” respectively, and as naptha and water. The A-55 and D-55 comprise, respectively, nominally about 51 vol. % water, about 48.5% gasoline and about 0.5% emulsifier; and about 47 vol. % water, about 52.5% diesel and about 0.5% emulsifier. Another preferred fuel formulation may be made with straight run gasoline. The naptha and water fuel comprises, nominally, water and about 40% naptha. Preferably, deionized water is used and, most preferably, charcoal-filtered deionized water. Carbonaceous fuel is present in amounts of about 20% to about 80%, preferably about 40% to about 60% by volume.
The term “internal combustion engine” as used herein is intended to refer to and encompass any engine in which carbonaceous fuel is combusted with oxygen in one or more combustion chambers of the engine. Presently known such engines include piston displacement engines, rotary engines and turbine (jet) engines, including electric spark ignited and compression, e.g., diesel engines.
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Medley Margaret
Toomer Cephia D.
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
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