US4451265A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Diesel fuel-aqueous alcohol microemulsions
Assignee: United States Department of Agriculture
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Filing: 1981-04-21
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Granted: 1984-05-29
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Expires: 2001-04-21
Abstract
Abstract Hybrid fuel microemulsions are prepared from diesel fuel, water, alcohol, and a novel surfactant system comprising N,N-dimethylethanolamine and a long-chain fatty acid substance. These fuels are characterized by high water tolerance and low-temperature stability, and are particularly adaptable to the utilization of aqueous ethanol as the alcohol source.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur W. Schwab
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:49
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10L; C10L1/00; C10L1/02; C10L1/026; C10L1/10; C10L1/12; C10L1/1233; C10L1/125; C10L1/14; C10L1/18; C10L1/182; C10L1/1822; C10L1/188; C10L1/1881; C10L1/22; C10L1/222; C10L1/2222; C10L1/2225; F; F02; F02B; F02B3/00; F02B3/06; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E50/00; Y02E50/10; Y10; Y10S; Y10S516/00; Y10S516/01; Y10S516/06; Y10S516/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A hybrid fuel composition comprising: (a) a diesel fuel; (b) a lower (C 1 -C 3 ) alcohol; (c) water; and (d) a surfactant system comprising the reaction product of N,N-dimethylethanol amine and a long-chain fatty acid substance selected from the group of monocarboxylic acids having a chain length of C 9 -C 22 and mixtures thereof in an amine:fatty acid substance molar ratio of about 2:1 to 1:2, wherein said surfactant system is present in the fuel composition in an amount effective for said composition to exist as a thermodynamically stable microemulsion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A hybrid fuel composition comprising: (a) a diesel fuel; (b) a lower (C 1 -C 3 ) alcohol; (c) water; and (d) a surfactant system comprising the reaction product of N,N-dimethylethanol amine and a long-chain fatty acid substance selected from the group of monocarboxylic acids having a chain length of C 9 -C 22 and mixtures thereof in an amine:fatty acid substance molar ratio of about 2:1 to 1:2, wherein said surfactant system is present in the fuel composition in an amount effective for said composition to exist as a thermodynamically stable microemulsion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A hybrid fuel composition as described in claim 1 wherein said diesel fuel is No. 2 diesel fuel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A hybrid fuel composition as described in claim 1 wherein said lower alcohol is ethanol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A hybrid fuel composition as described in claim 1 wherein said fatty acid substance in the surfactant system is a soybean acid fraction and the molar ratio of said fraction to N,N-dimethylethanolamine is approximately 1:1.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
120 words
A hybrid fuel composition comprising: (a) No. 2 diesel fuel; (b) ethanol; (c) water; and (d) a surfactant system comprising the reaction product of N,N-dimethylethanolamine and a soybean acid fraction in a molar ratio of approximately 1:1; wherein, on a volmetric basis, the amount of water is in the range of 0.1% to about 6%, the amount of ethanol is in the range of about 0.4 to about 42%, the ratio of ethanol:water is in the range of 19:1 to 7:3, the amount of diesel fuel is in the range of about 34% to about 99%, and the surfactant system is present in an amount effective for said composition to exist as a thermodynamically stable microemulsion at a predetermined temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
120 words
A hybrid fuel composition comprising: (a) No. 2 diesel fuel; (b) ethanol; (c) water; and (d) a surfactant system comprising the reaction product of N,N-dimethylethanolamine and a soybean acid fraction in a molar ratio of approximately 1:1; wherein, on a volmetric basis, the amount of water is in the range of 0.1% to about 6%, the amount of ethanol is in the range of about 0.4 to about 42%, the ratio of ethanol:water is in the range of 19:1 to 7:3, the amount of diesel fuel is in the range of about 34% to about 99%, and the surfactant system is present in an amount effective for said composition to exist as a thermodynamically stable microemulsion at a predetermined temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A hybrid fuel composition as described in claim 5 wherein the ratio of ethanol:water is about 19:1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A hybrid fuel composition as described in claim 5 wherein the amount of diesel fuel is in the range of 65% to 99%.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A hybrid fuel composition as described in claim 5 wherein said soybean acid fraction comprises less than about 5% saturated fatty acids, the amount of water is in the range of 0.1 to about 4%, and the amount of ethanol is in the range of about 0.4 to about 20%.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A hybrid fuel composition as described in claim 8 wherein the ratio of ethanol:water is about 19:1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A hybrid fuel composition as described in claim 8 wherein the amount of diesel fuel is in the range of 65% to 99%.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-05-29 | 1987-11-28 | 1988-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-29 | 1991-11-28 | 1992-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-29 | 1995-11-28 | 1996-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |