Fuel and related compositions – Liquid fuels – Plant or animal extract mixtures or extracts of...
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-07
2004-05-04
Medley, Margaret B. (Department: 1714)
Fuel and related compositions
Liquid fuels
Plant or animal extract mixtures or extracts of...
C044S361000, C044S398000, C044S456000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06730139
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the creation of vegetable oil based alternative fuels for use with internal combustion engines, particularly diesel engines. The present invention includes the use of halogenated hydro-carbon(s) and solvent(s) to render vegetable oils into an effective alternative fuel. The present invention also includes the combination of halogenated hydro-carbons and solvents with a combustion catalyst as a fuel treatment for all fuels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Prior art for the present invention may include certain uses of halogenated hydrocarbons in fuel supplements, additives and treatments.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,266, issued to Barclay et al for an Additive for Improving Performance of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels, discloses a fuel comprised of a mixture of low molecular weight alcohol, an aliphatic ester, an aromatic hydrocarbon, a halogenated alkene, a hydroxy unsaturated vegetable oil and an aliphatic hydrocarbon. The additive is intended to improve fuel efficiency and be clearer burning, i.e., reduce engine deposits. This invention is limited to a fuel additive and does not render alternative fuel material suitable for use in an internal combustion engine. This product is also disadvantageous, amongst other reasons, in that a large number of ingredients are required. Obtaining, measuring and mixing these ingredients is involved and reasonably expensive. In addition, supplemental ingredients or process steps, e.g., shaking before use, are often required to assure that the various ingredients do not separate or settle out.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,825, issued to Sloan for an Extreme Pressure Additive for Use in Metal Lubrication, discloses the mixing of a substantial portion of chlorinated paraffins (a halogenated hydrocarbon) with a smaller portion of an alkaline earth metal sulfonate, such as calcium or barium sulfonate, and preferably a base mineral oil and solvent. This additive is disadvantageously limited to use in motor oil to enhance lubrication and is not applicable to fuel or to rendering an alternative fuel suitable for use in an internal combustion engine. This additive is also disadvantageous in that the solvents are aromatic solvents (benzene, toluene and xylene) which are known toxins and carcinogens.
Prior efforts by the inventor herein include development of an oil additive containing a halogentated hydrocarbon, epoxidized soybean oil and a corrosion inhibitor. This oil additive increases the lubricity of engine oil resulting in increased engine life or longer intervals between oil changes. Prior efforts also include development of a diesel fuel additive containing refined canola oil and d-limonene, a commercially known and available essential oil solvent from citrus. This additive is intended to increase lubrication and reduce deposits in the fuel supply pathway. The oil provides lubrication while the solvent reduces coagulation of certain molecules in the oil. Neither of these additives render an alternative fuel suitable for combustion in an internal combustion engine.
With respect to alternative fuels, a number of factors, including the increased price of petroleum oil, uncertainties in its supply, depressed agricultural markets and a desire for renewable fuel sources, are driving the development of and demand for alternative fuels. Corn, soybean and other vegetable oils have at times been considered as fuels, but for various reasons their development in this capacity has been slow and limited. Some entities are currently attempting to use methyl ester to remove sugar molecules from these vegetable oils to achieve a less engine fouling fuel. The extra process steps are disadvantageously involved and costly.
The present invention also includes a universal engine fuel treatment. While several fuel treatments are known, these prior art fuel treatments are generally highly toxic and flammable. A need exists for an efficacious fuel treatment, for any hydro-carbon containing liquid fuel, that is less toxic and/or flammable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention includes a composition for rendering vegetable oil useful and suitable as a fuel, particularly in combination with diesel fuel. In one embodiment, this composition includes a halogenated hydrocarbon (HHC) combined with a solvent such as a terpenoid containing solvent. In one preferred embodiment, the combination ratio of these components is in the range of approximately 2:1 to 20:1 (HHC:solvent) and more preferably between 4:1 to 10:1, and further more preferably about 6:1 (by weight or volume). The ratio may vary widely with the caveat that too much solvent may destroy seals, gaskets and other engine components.
The HHC may be any halogenated oil. In a preferred embodiment it is chlorinated oil. In a more preferred embodiment it is chlorinated olefin. The solvent may be, but is not limited to, any solvent from the large array of terpenoid containing substances or similar substances. These solvents are generally renewable, non-toxic and environmentally benign. In a preferred embodiment, the solvent is from the group including citrus distillates and like substances. These substances are food grade and tend to generate pleasant fragrances. Note that the solvent may be petroleum derived, despite the mentioned disadvantages.
The present invention also includes combining an HHC and solvent with ferrocene (dicyclopentadienyl iron) or a like material (metal-organic compound) to achieve a fuel treatment applicable to all liquid hydrocarbon fuels.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention includes several “product types” and these product types include a fuel rendering composition, an alternative supplemental fuel, and a fuel that includes the fuel rendering composition and/or the alternative supplemental fuel. The present invention includes several embodiments of each of these products types.
Fuel Rendering Composition
The fuel rendering composition (FRC) includes a halogenated hydrocarbon (HHC) and a solvent. The HHC provides several functions including, but not limited to, preventing injector nozzles from clogging and maintaining an even spray pattern. The solvent provides several functions including, but not limited to, preventing or reducing carbon buildup in fuel delivery systems.
In one embodiment, the fuel rendering composition includes chlorinated olefin as the HHC, d-limonene as the solvent and epoxidized soybean oil (ESO). The ESO includes a double bond to oxygen that can break to form a bond with a free chlorine or other halogen atom, including radicals. The HHC and ESO are mixed to form a solution that is approximately 99% HHC and 1% ESO by weight, though other mixing percentages are within the present invention. The HHC with ESO is then combined in a ratio of approximately 6:1 with d-limonene. Note that while 6:1 (HHC:solvent) has demonstrable benefits, the present invention is not limited to this ratio. The ratio may vary from 4-10:1 to 2-20:1 or may extend beyond this latter range. One caveat is that as the amount of solvent increases, the opportunity for solvent induced damage of seals, gaskets and related engine sealing parts increases.
In another embodiment of a FRC in accordance with the present invention, the HHC is any suitable HHC including, but not limited to, such compounds as chlorinated or brominated oils. There is considerable variety in the hydrocarbon component, particularly given the large number of hydrocarbons known in the chemical arts. Representative examples include paraffin, vegetable oil and other oils. The halogen is more limited, as specified in Column VIIA of the Periodic Table.
While some of these compounds may be viewed as having toxic or other disadvantageous properties, (for example, flourinated HC may react with aluminum parts) they could be suitable as an HHC for purposes of the present invention if techniques are developed to mitigate their toxicity or other disadvantageous aspects.
In another embodiment of a FRC in accordance with the present invention, the solvent is preferably any suitable solvent that
Crawford James C.
Crawford Stephen R.
Adamson Steven J.
Medley Margaret B.
LandOfFree
Halogenated hydrocarbon containing fuel supplement and/or... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Halogenated hydrocarbon containing fuel supplement and/or..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Halogenated hydrocarbon containing fuel supplement and/or... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3268503