Fuel compositions

Abstract

A fuel composition containing a gas oil base fuel and a C 4-8 alkyl levulinate. The alkyl levulinate is selected for the purpose of ensuring a phase separation temperature of said fuel composition below a predetermined level.

1 . A fuel composition comprising a gas oil base fuel and an alkyl levulinate, said alkyl levulinate is a C 4-8  alkyl levulinate.  
     
     
         2 . The fuel composition of  claim 1  wherein said alkyl levulinate is selected from C 4-8  alkyl levulinates effective to produce a phase separation temperature of said fuel composition below a predetermined level.  
     
     
         3 . The fuel composition of  claim 2  wherein said level is −10° C.  
     
     
         4 . The fuel composition of  claim 2  wherein said level is −20° C.  
     
     
         5 . The fuel composition of  claim 2  wherein said level is −30° C.  
     
     
         6 . The fuel composition of  claim 1  wherein said alkyl levulinate is selected from C 4-6  alkyl levulinates.  
     
     
         7 . The fuel composition of  claim 6  wherein the alkyl levulinate is selected from the group consisting of n-butyl levulinate, n-pentyl levulinate, 2-hexyl levulinate, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The fuel composition of  claim 6  wherein said alkyl levulinate is selected from C 4-8  alkyl levulinates effective to produce a phase separation temperature of said fuel composition below a predetermined level.  
     
     
         9 . The fuel composition of  claim 8  wherein said level is −10° C.  
     
     
         10 . The fuel composition of  claim 8  wherein said level is −20° C.  
     
     
         11 . The fuel composition of  claim 8  wherein said level is −30° C.  
     
     
         12 . A method of reducing the phase separation temperature of a fuel composition comprising a gas oil base fuel and ethyl levulinate, which method comprises replacing at least partially said ethyl levulinate with a C 4-8  alkyl levulinate.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  which comprises reducing the phase separation temperature below a predetermined level of −10° C.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said level is −20° C.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said level is 30° C.  
     
     
         16 . A method of operating a compression ignition engine and/or a vehicle which is powered by such an engine comprising introducing into a combustion chamber of the engine a fuel composition of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         17 . A method of operating a compression ignition engine and/or a vehicle which is powered by such an engine comprising introducing into a combustion chamber of the engine a fuel composition of  claim 3 .  
     
     
         18 . A method of operating a compression ignition engine and/or a vehicle which is powered by such an engine comprising introducing into a combustion chamber of the engine a fuel composition of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         19 . A method of operating a heating appliance provided with a burner comprising supplying to said burner a fuel composition of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         20 . A method of operating a heating appliance provided with a burner comprising supplying to said burner a fuel composition of  claim 3 .  
     
     
         21 . A method of operating a heating appliance provided with a burner comprising supplying to said burner a fuel composition of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         22 . A process for the preparation of a fuel composition comprising blending a gas oil base fuel and a C 4-8  alkyl levulinate.  
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 22  wherein the alkyl levulinate is selected from C 4-6  alkyl levulinates.  
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 23  wherein the alkyl levulinate is selected from the group consisting of n-butyl levulinate, n-pentyl levulinate, 2-hexyl levulinate and mixtures thereof.