FUEL

Abstract

An improved fuel, particularly an improved transport fuel composition is provided. Alternate fuels to traditional oil derived petrol and diesel have been considered particularly for transport purposes. However, there are limitations that have prevented their widespread use. A fuel composition is provided for use in an internal combustion engine comprising an organic carrier fuel having a particulate additive dispersed therein, the particulate additive being a lubricant.

Claims

1. A fuel composition for use in an internal combustion engine comprising an organic carrier fuel having a particulate additive dispersed therein, the particulate additive comprising a lubricant.

2. The fuel composition according to claim 1 wherein the organic carrier comprises or includes alcohol.

3. The fuel composition according to claim 1 wherein the organic carrier fuel comprises or includes an ether selected from Dimethyl Ether (DME) and/or Methyl Tert-butyl Ether and/or biodiesel and/or pyrolysis oil.

4. The fuel composition according to claim 1 wherein the particulate additive comprises a graphitic carbon material.

5. The fuel composition according to claim 1 wherein the particulate additive has a high graphitic carbon content.

6. The fuel composition according to claim 4 wherein the particulate additive comprises carbon char, and wherein the carbon char may comprise biochar.

7. The fuel composition according to claim 1 wherein the particulate additive is dispersed through the organic carrier fuel, and the organic carrier fuel is stored for use in liquid form.

8. The fuel composition according to claim 1 wherein the particulate additive comprises individual particles having a maximum dimension of less than 20 microns.

9. The fuel composition according to claim 8 wherein the maximum particle size dimension is less than 1 micron, and optionally less than 0.1 micron, and optionally less than 0.01 micron.

10. The fuel composition according to claim 1 wherein the particulate additive is present in the organic carrier fuel in the range of 0.1 to 2 wt/%, and more preferably in the range of 0.5 to 1 wt/%.

11. A method of manufacturing a fuel composition for use in an internal combustion ignition engine comprising the steps of combining an organic carrier fuel with a particulate additive such that the particulate additive is dispersed in the organic carrier fuel.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the organic carrier fuel is provided in a vessel, and the particulate additive is injected into the vessel.

13. The method according to claim 11 wherein the organic carrier fuel is in liquid form when combining with the particulate additive.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of pressurised fuel composition according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provided in a fuel tank.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of the process for manufacturing a fuel composition according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The organic carrier fuel can be produced by well-known techniques depending on the particular carrier fuel to be utilised. For example, the production of DME may be made by known techniques such as the two step process of methanol production from syngas or organic materials, followed by dehydration, or alternatively in a one stage process that completes methanol synthesis and dehydration in the same process step.

[0034] According to FIG. 1 there is a schematic presentation of fuel composition, which may be DME, pressurised into liquid form schematically showing the particulate additive dispersed through the liquid DME. Shown in FIG. 1 is a schematic exemplary fuel tank 2 having a fuel line 4. Provided in the fuel tank 2 is a fuel composition according to an exemplary embodiment comprising an organic carrier fuel 6 which may comprise a single or combination of alcohols such as bioethanol or methanol suitable for spark ignition engines. Alternatively the organic carrier fuel may comprise DME and/or MTBE. Biodiesel is another suitable organic carrier fuel. Dispersed through the organic carrier fuel 6 is a particulate additive 8 comprising a graphitic carbon material. The maximum dimension of the particulate additive is less than 20 microns and is provided within the organic carrier fuel in the range of 0.1 to 2 wt/%. A typical range may be further defined as between 0.5 to lwt/%.

[0035] In one embodiment, pyrolysis oil (which is commonly the end product of waste plastic and tyre pyrolysis) can include a particulate additive, preferably biochar, which has the beneficial effect of reducing the total acid number of the oil thereby reducing potential corrosive effect.

[0036] In use the fuel composition is drawn from the tank 2 such that the fuel drawn is in liquid form meaning that the particulate additive is uniformly drawn and fed into the engine. This ensures that there is minimal variation in the fuel composition. In the event that fuel is drawn from the head space in the form of fuel vapour, a more volatile component is selectively drawn from the head space rather than the less volatile component of the fuel composition.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 2, in step 1 an organic carrier fuel is provided in a vessel. In the event the organic carrier fuel is DME for example it is maintained pressurised and in liquid form. In step 2, the desired weight of the particulate additive is measured dependent upon the desired weight percentage for the fuel composition and in step 3 is injected accordingly. The particulate additive may be pumped or otherwise pressure injected into the vessel.

[0038] Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated to the skilled addressee that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.