A method for marking a petroleum hydrocarbon or a liquid biologically derived fuel; said method comprising adding to said petroleum hydrocarbon or liquid biologically derived fuel at least one compound that is a R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8—substituted dibenzofuran, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 independently are hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy, aryl or aryloxy; provided that R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 collectively have at least two carbon atoms; wherein each compound having formula (I) is present at a level from 0.01 ppm to 20 ppm.

The use, as markers of petroleum products, crude oils, biofuels or lubricants, of rare earth complexes or one of the constituents thereof chosen from rare earth ligands or salts, being capable of forming a rare earth complex after the addition of a developing solution. Preferably, the rare earth complex can be detected by time-resolved fluorescence. Also, a marking method and a method for detecting a rare earth complex as a marker of petroleum products, crude oils, biofuels or lubricants.

A fuel composition for a spark-ignition internal combustion engine comprises an additive having a chemical structure comprising a 6-membered aromatic ring sharing two adjacent aromatic carbon atoms with a 6- or 7-membered saturated heterocyclic ring, the 6- or 7-membered saturated heterocyclic ring comprising a nitrogen atom directly bonded to one of the shared carbon atoms to form a secondary amine and an atom selected from oxygen or nitrogen directly bonded to the other shared carbon atom, the remaining atoms in the 6- or 7-membered heterocyclic ring being carbon. The additive increases the octane number of the fuel, thereby improving the auto-ignition characteristics of the fuel.

A fuel composition for a spark-ignition internal combustion engine comprises an additive having a chemical structure comprising a 6-membered aromatic ring sharing two adjacent aromatic carbon atoms with a 6- or 7-membered saturated heterocyclic ring, the 6- or 7-membered saturated heterocyclic ring comprising a nitrogen atom directly bonded to one of the shared carbon atoms to form a secondary amine and an atom selected from oxygen or nitrogen directly bonded to the other shared carbon atom, the remaining atoms in the 6- or 7-membered heterocyclic ring being carbon. The additive increases the octane number of the fuel, thereby improving the auto-ignition characteristics of the fuel.

A droplet formation for fuels is disclosed. The droplet formation for fuels includes an amphiphile. The droplet formation for fuels further includes at least one of an extensional viscosity modifier and a viscosity modifier. The droplet formation for fuels further includes a hydrophilic portion. The droplet formation for fuels further includes a hydrophobic portion. The droplet, including the hydrophilic portion and the hydrophobic portion, includes characteristics selected for beneficial combustion properties. The selected characteristics include flash point, autoignition temperature, density, viscosity, miscibility, size, combustion temperature, organic properties, inorganic properties, zwitterionic properties, micelle properties, and particulate properties.

A droplet formation for fuels is disclosed. The droplet formation for fuels includes an amphiphile. The droplet formation for fuels further includes at least one of an extensional viscosity modifier and a viscosity modifier. The droplet formation for fuels further includes a hydrophilic portion. The droplet formation for fuels further includes a hydrophobic portion. The droplet, including the hydrophilic portion and the hydrophobic portion, includes characteristics selected for beneficial combustion properties. The selected characteristics include flash point, autoignition temperature, density, viscosity, miscibility, size, combustion temperature, organic properties, inorganic properties, zwitterionic properties, micelle properties, and particulate properties.

The invention relates to a fuel processor component for a propylene glycol fuel processor, comprising at least one housing (G) having at least two inlets (E1, E2) and two outlets (A1, A2), wherein there is a multitude of first plates (P1) having a first side (S1) and a second side (S2) and second plates (P2) having a third side (S3) and a fourth side (S4) arranged as a stack in the housing (G), wherein the stacked first and second plates (P1, P2) form at least first cavities (H1) and second cavities (H2), wherein the first inlet (E1) has fluid connection to the first outlet (A1) via first cavities (H1) and the second inlet (E2) has fluid connection to the second outlet (A2) via second cavities (H2). The invention further relates to a propylene glycol fuel processor.

A method for detection of an adulterated diesel fuel in a sample is disclosed. The method includes contacting a sample with a molecular probe, the molecular probe having a photoluminescence which is environmentally sensitive; collecting the photoluminescence from the molecular probe; and determining whether the photoluminescence is indicative of adulterated diesel fuel. A test strip for the detection of adulterated diesel fuel in a sample is disclosed, comprising a molecular probe embedded in a substrate and/or immobilized to the substrate, the molecular probe having a photoluminescence which is environmentally sensitive to adulterated diesel fuel. The method and test strips are designed to be robust, portable, and within the capabilities of untrained personnel.

A system for growing and harvesting algae biomass includes a photo-bioreactor suitable for algae growth in water and a filter unit in fluid communication with the photo-bioreactor. An algae slurry, when at least partially contained within the photo-bioreactor, generates hydrostatic fluid pressure that exclusively drives the algae slurry to the filter unit and discharges a permeate.

A system for growing and harvesting algae biomass includes a photo-bioreactor suitable for algae growth in water and a filter unit in fluid communication with the photo-bioreactor. An algae slurry, when at least partially contained within the photo-bioreactor, generates hydrostatic fluid pressure that exclusively drives the algae slurry to the filter unit and discharges a permeate.