The capacity of a crude oil to solvate and/or disperse asphaltenes is increased by providing a crude oil which includes an additive comprising (i) a poly(butylenyl)bezene sulphonic acid; or, (ii) a poly(propylenyl)benzene sulphonic acid; or, (iii) a combination of a poly(butylenyl)bezene sulphonic acid and a poly(propylenyl)benzene sulphonic acid.

The capacity of a crude oil to solvate and/or disperse asphaltenes is increased by providing a crude oil which includes an additive comprising (i) a poly(butylenyl)bezene sulphonic acid; or, (ii) a poly(propylenyl)benzene sulphonic acid; or, (iii) a combination of a poly(butylenyl)bezene sulphonic acid and a poly(propylenyl)benzene sulphonic acid.

A quaternary ammonium compound of formula (I): wherein R.sup.0, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is each independently an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group, X is a linking group, R.sup.4 is an optionally substituted alkylene group, R.sup.5 is hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group, and n is 0 or a positive integer, provided that n is not 0 when R.sup.5 is hydrogen. ##STR00001##

A quaternary ammonium compound of formula (I): wherein R.sup.0, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is each independently an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group, X is a linking group, R.sup.4 is an optionally substituted alkylene group, R.sup.5 is hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group, and n is 0 or a positive integer, provided that n is not 0 when R.sup.5 is hydrogen. ##STR00001##

Described herein are associative polymers capable of controlling a physical and/or chemical property of non-polar compositions and related compositions, methods and systems. Associative polymers herein described have a non-polar backbone and functional groups presented at ends of the non-polar backbone, with a number of the functional groups presented at the ends of the non-polar backbone formed by associative functional groups capable of undergoing an associative interaction with another associative functional group with an association constant (k) such that the strength of each associative interaction is less than the strength of a covalent bond between atoms and in particular less than the strength of a covalent bond between backbone atoms.

Described herein are associative polymers capable of controlling a physical and/or chemical property of non-polar compositions and related compositions, methods and systems. Associative polymers herein described have a non-polar backbone and functional groups presented at ends of the non-polar backbone, with a number of the functional groups presented at the ends of the non-polar backbone formed by associative functional groups capable of undergoing an associative interaction with another associative functional group with an association constant (k) such that the strength of each associative interaction is less than the strength of a covalent bond between atoms and in particular less than the strength of a covalent bond between backbone atoms.

A nanostructure includes a plurality of substantially spherically curved carbon layers having diameters in a range of 1 nanometer to 1000 nanometers and a plurality of halogen atoms attached to an outer convex side of the carbon layers. A composition of matter includes a liquid fuel and an additive including at least one liquid and a plurality of carbon nano-onions. A method of fabricating an additive for liquid fuel includes creating a carbon-based material using a plasma in an environment including at least one hydrocarbon gas and/or at least one liquid containing hydrocarbons, organometallic metal-complex, and/or element-organic compounds, evaporating organic material from the carbon-based material, halogenating the carbon-based material, and extracting carbon nano-onions from the halogenated carbon-based material.

A fuel additive for fuel formulations comprising calcium sulfonates in an amount effective to limit or eliminate valve seat recession in engines utilizing such fuel formulations. The fuel additive may also include a detergent, particularly in an amount to enhance the VSR limiting effect of the calcium sulfonates. Also included are fuel formulations containing calcium sulfonates in a concentration effective to limit vale seat recession in engines utilizing the fuel formulations. Methods for treating VSR in piston engines are also provided.

A quaternary ammonium compound of formula (I): (I) wherein R.sup.0, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is each independently an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group, X is a linking group, R.sup.4 is an optionally substituted alkylene group, R5 is hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group, and n is 0 or a positive integer, provided that n is not 0 when R5 is hydrogen. ##STR00001##

A quaternary ammonium compound of formula (I): (I) wherein R.sup.0, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is each independently an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group, X is a linking group, R.sup.4 is an optionally substituted alkylene group, R5 is hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group, and n is 0 or a positive integer, provided that n is not 0 when R5 is hydrogen. ##STR00001##