Mixtures of fatty alkyl lower alkyl esters having improved low-t

Details Mixtures of fatty alkyl lower alkyl esters having improved low-t Mixtures of fatty alkyl lower alkyl esters having improved low-t

1993-08-17

1995-02-14

Kalafut, Stephen

Fuel and related compositions

Liquid fuels

Containing organic -c

44397, C10L 102

Patent

active

053891139

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
This application is a continuation of PCT/EP91/02312, filed December 4, 1991.


FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to mixtures of fatty acid lower alkyl esters having improved low-temperature stability, to a process for their production and to their use as a fuel for diesel engines.


STATEMENT OF RELATED ART

Non-inflammable mixtures consisting predominantly of paraffins with additions of olefins, naphthenes and aromatic hydrocarbons are normally used as fuels for diesel engines. Their composition is not uniform and depends to a large extent on the production process. Fuels of this type are obtained from petroleum and natural gas. Accordingly, their use contributes to the consumption of fossil, non-renewable raw materials. Accordingly, the use of diesel fuels based on fats and oils, i.e. renewable raw materials, has been discussed for some years [RAPS, 6, Sonderausgabe, 145 (1988)]. Technical fatty acid methyl ester mixtures ("biodiesel") have proved to be particularly suitable for this purpose. However, since these mixtures cannot be adequately filtered and solidify in the fuel pipes at temperatures below -5.degree. C., they cannot be used as a diesel fuel under winter conditions.


DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1. Object of the Invention
Accordingly, the problem addressed by the present invention was to develop a diesel fuel based on fatty acid esters which would have improved low-temperature stability.
2. Summary of the Invention
The present invention relates to mixtures of fatty acid lower alkyl esters having improved low-temperature stability which contain 150 derived from fatty acids containing 12 to 22 carbon atoms and lower aliphatic alcohols containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, 14 carbon atoms and lower aliphatic alcohols containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms and
It has surprisingly been found that the low-temperature stability of biodiesel can be improved by the addition of short-chain fatty acid methyl esters and selected pour point depressants of the polymeric ester type to such an extent that the mixtures can still be pumped even at temperatures of -19.degree. C. and, hence, can readily be used as a fuel for diesel engines, even under severe winter conditions. The invention includes the observation that the choice of pour point depressants of component c) is not unlimited. Instead, only specific types are capable-together with the lower fatty alkyl esters of component b) - of satisfactorily improving the low-temperature stability of the fatty acid lower alkyl esters of component a).


DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Suitable fatty acid lower alkyl esters of component a) are technical mixtures of the ethyl, propyl, butyl and, in particular, methyl esters of C.sub.12-22 fatty acids, i.e. for example lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearid acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, petroselic acid, ricinoleic acid, elaeostearic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachic acid, gadoleic acid, behenic acid or erucic acid, which have an iodine value of 50 to 150 and, more particularly, 90 to 125. Mixtures having particularly advantageous properties are obtained when component a) consists of technical mixtures which, for the most part, i.e. of which at least 50% by weight, based on component a) , contain methyl esters of fatty acids containing 16 to 22 carbon atoms and 1, 2 or 3 double bonds. The preferred fatty acid lower alkyl esters are oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid and erucic acid methyl ester.
Technical mixtures of the type mentioned are obtained, for example, by hydrogenation and esterification of natural fats and oils or by transesterification thereof with lower aliphatic alcohols. Fatty acid lower alkyl esters of component a) are advantageously produced from fats and oils of high iodine value, such as for example sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, coriander oil, castor oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil or beef tallow. Preferred fatty acid alkyl esters are based on rapeseed oil from new plants in which more than 80% by weight of the fatty acid compone

REFERENCES:
patent: 4364743 (1982-12-01), Erner
patent: 5039432 (1991-09-01), Ritter et al.

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