Fuel and related compositions – Liquid fuels – Containing organic -c
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-08
2001-04-03
Medley, Margaret (Department: 1714)
Fuel and related compositions
Liquid fuels
Containing organic -c
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210452
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to novel fuel additives, and, more particularly, to fuel additives that prevent or reduce deposits in internal combustion engines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The performance of an internal combustion engine may be adversely affected by the formation of deposits in or around the fuel injection system and combustion chamber. Even when present in minor amounts, these deposits can cause a noticeable reduction in the performance of the engine, an increase in fuel consumption, and the production of exhaust pollutants. It is generally accepted that deposit formation is largely dependent on the fuel composition, and to a lesser extent, on the engine design and on the operating conditions of the engine. In an effort to control deposit formation, considerable efforts have been directed toward developing fuel compositions that have a reduced tendency to cause the formation of deposits. In particular, the majority of the research has been directed toward developing fuel additives that either prevent or reduce the formation of such deposits.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,189 discloses compositions that are useful as fuel additives for reducing intake valve deposits. Such compositions comprise the reaction product of: (a) a cyclic compound containing at least one nitrogen and at least one carbonyl group; (b) an aldehyde or ketone; and (c) an etheramine.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,917 discloses compositions that are useful in reducing intake valve deposits. Such compositions contain: (a) a polyether alcohol; (b) a hydrocarbylphenol; and (c) optionally, a nitrogen-containing dispersant.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,190 discloses fuel additive compositions for controlling intake valve deposits. These compositions comprise: (a) a gasoline-soluble Mannich reaction product of a high molecular weight alkyl-substituted phenol, an amine, and an aldehyde; (b) a gasoline-soluble poly(oxyalkylene) carbamate; and (c) a gasoline-soluble poly(oxyalkylene) alcohol, glycol, or polyol, or mono or diether thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,988 discloses a fuel additive composition that reduces engine deposits and controls octane requirement increases in engines. The fuel additive composition comprises: (a) a Mannich reaction product of a high molecular weight alkyl-substituted phenol, an amine, and an aldehyde; (b) a polyoxyalkylene compound; and (c) optionally, a poly-∝-olefin.
Despite such efforts, further improvements in the art are needed. Specifically, what are needed are fuel additives that function as fuel detergent promoters that prevent or reduce deposit formation in engines, fuel compositions containing such fuel additives, and a method for controlling the formation of deposits in engines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention includes novel fuel additives that control the formation of deposits in engines. The fuel additives are particularly suited for controlling the formation of deposits in fuel injection systems, and are thought to reduce deposit formation in combustion chambers. The fuel additives of the present invention comprise carboxylic acids that have been alkoxylated with one or more lower molecular weight alkylene oxides, and have the following general formula:
where R
1
is an aliphatic hydrocarbon with from about seven to about twenty-seven carbon atoms; each R
2
is independently a straight or branched chain alkylene group with from about two to about six carbon atoms; and x is a number from about three to about forty. The fuel additives of the present invention function as detergent promoters to improve the detergency of conventional nitrogen-containing fuel detergents.
The present invention also includes fuel compositions that contain the novel fuel additives of the present invention. The fuel compositions comprise a motor fuel, a minor amount of a nitrogen-containing fuel detergent, and a minor amount of an alkoxylated carboxylic acid fuel additive of the present invention. Such fuel compositions are particularly suited for controlling fuel injection system deposits in engines, and are expected to reduce combustion chamber deposits in such engines.
The present invention additionally provides for a method for controlling the formation of deposits in engines, and particularly, in the fuel injection system and combustion chamber of such engines. The method involves fueling and operating such engines with a fuel composition comprising a motor fuel, a nitrogen-containing fuel detergent, and an alkoxylated carboxylic acid fuel additive of the present invention.
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Crema et al., “Effect of Thermal Stability of Detergents and Carrier Fluids on the Formation of Combustion Chamber Deposits,” Proceedings of the International Spring Fuels & Lubricants Meeting (May 6-8, 1996) Paper No. 961097, pp. 1-22.
Lacey et al., “A Laboratory-Scale Test to Predict Intake Valve Deposits,” Proceedings of the International Fall Fuels & Lubricants Meeting & Exposition (Oct. 13-16, 1997) Paper No. 972838, pp. 239-250.
Gardere Wynne & Sewell LLP
Headley Tim
Hhntsman Petrochemical Corporation
Medley Margaret
Peffer Nicole
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