A method of forming a solid fuel. The method comprises passivating a fuel material comprising a metalloid. Passivating the fuel material comprises combining the fuel material, a solvent, and an isocyanate passivation agent to form a solution, and passivating exposed surfaces of the fuel material with the isocyanate passivation agent to form a passivated fuel material. The method further comprises combining the passivated fuel material with at least one binder to form a mixture, and combining a curing agent with the mixture to form a solid fuel. Related solid fuels, solid fuel ramjet engines, and methods of passivating boron and forming a solid fuel ramjet engine are also disclosed.

An olefin-carboxylic acid copolymer, containing at least one free carboxylic acid side group, or a nitrogen compound quaternized with epoxide in the presence of an olefin-carboxylic acid copolymer, containing at least one free carboxylic acid side group, can be used as a fuel additive or lubricant additive. Processes can be used for preparing additives of this kind and fuels and lubricants additized therewith, such as a detergent additive. These additives, fuels, and lubricants can be used for reduction or prevention of deposits in injection systems of direct injection diesel engines, especially in common rail injection systems; for reduction of fuel consumption of direct injection diesel engines, especially of diesel engines with common rail injection systems; and for minimization of power loss in direct injection diesel engines, especially in diesel engines with common rail injection systems. The additives can also be used for gasoline fuels, especially for operation of DISI engines.

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 use of tetrahydrobenzoxazines I ##STR00001##
where R.sup.1 is a hydrocarbyl radical and R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are each independently hydrogen atoms, hydroxyl groups or hydrocarbyl radicals, and where R.sup.2 to R.sup.5 may also form a second and a third tetrahydrooxazine ring, with the proviso that at least one of the substituents has from 4 to 3000 carbon atoms and the remaining substituents, when they are hydrocarbyl radicals, each have from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, as stabilizers for stabilizing inanimate organic material, especially turbine fuels, against the action of light, oxygen and heat.

Embodiments of the invention provide a method of inhibiting precipitation of biodiesel fuel components. The method includes providing a biodiesel fuel composition; providing a copolymer comprising at least first and second polymer units, said first polymer units derived from a carboxylic acid anhydride and said second polymer units derived from an olefin; and blending said copolymer with the biodiesel fuel to form a treated fuel composition. Alternatively, instead of the copolymer, a dialkylene glycol additive can be provided. Embodiments of the invention provide a method of reducing the cold soak filter blocking tendency of a biodiesel fuel composition.

A method of preparing a fuel composition includes placing coal having a heat content between about 3,000 BTU/lb and about 9,000 BTU/lb and a moisture content between about 20 wt % and about 60 wt % in a vessel. The coal is exposed to heat and a pressure less than atmospheric pressure within the vessel, thereby reducing the coal, such that an average primary particle size of the coal is less than 1 millimeter. A binder is introduced to the vessel, such that the coal combines with the binder to yield a mixture. The mixture is shaped to yield a fuel composition.

Use of a viscosity increasing component in a diesel fuel composition, for the purpose of improving the fuel economy of an engine into which the fuel composition is or is intended to be introduced, or of a vehicle powered by such an engine, wherein the viscosity increasing component is a viscosity index (VI) improving additive, wherein the VI improving additive comprises a linear block copolymer, which contains one or more monomer blocks selected from ethylene, propylene, butylene, butadiene, isoprene and styrene monomers and wherein the VI improving additive is used at a concentration of from 0.001% w/w to 0.05% w/w.

A fuel composition that provides a renewable biofuel energy source for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and improving air quality by reducing the amount of carbon monoxide released into the air during combustion. The fuel composition includes an energy crop comprising: a solid granular component being suspended in a liquid non-petroleum plant based fuel. The liquid fuel containing the granular component is efficacious in releasing copious quantities of vapor for burning. The vapor provides a more complete and efficient burn. The fuel composition further comprises an oxidizing agent for removing a plurality of electrons from the granular component during combustion, and/or an additive that imparts a change in the physical properties of the fuel composition.

The present invention generally relates to methods and hydrate inhibitor compositions for inhibiting the formation of hydrates in a fluid comprising gas and water. More specifically, the method comprises contacting a hydrate inhibitor composition to a fluid. The hydrate inhibitor composition comprises a nonpolar solvent; a polar solvent; and a polymer, an oligomer, a dendrimer, or an acid or salt thereof.

The present invention generally relates to methods and hydrate inhibitor compositions for inhibiting the formation of hydrates in a fluid comprising gas and water. More specifically, the method comprises contacting a hydrate inhibitor composition to a fluid. The hydrate inhibitor composition comprises a nonpolar solvent; a polar solvent; and a polymer, an oligomer, a dendrimer, or an acid or salt thereof.