Compositions as an additive to create clear stable solutions and microemulsions with combustible liquid fuel to improve combustion

Abstract

The present invention relates to an additive composition for a combustible fuel to utilize readily available and renewable resources and to produce improved combustion and reduced smoke and particulate production of the combusted fuel, which additive composition comprises: a. one or more water-soluble alcohols selected from the group consisting of alcohols having from between about 1 and 6 carbon atoms, in an anhydrous state or as a 0.5-36% aqueous solution, and one or more of the following: b. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of clear, liquid saturated or unsaturated, straight- or branched-chain alcohols having from between about 6 and 18 carbon atoms; c. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated straight- or branched- long-chain alcohols having between about 12 and 18 carbon atoms, where the ethylene oxide add-on is less than 5 moles; d. a fatty acid of the structure R—(C═O)—OH, wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl having from about 10 to 24 carbon atoms, with e. a source of nitrogen in an anhydrous state or as an aqueous solution selected from the group consisting of the ammonia, hydrazine, alkyl hydrazine, dialkyl hydrazine, urea, ethanolamine, monoalkyl ethanolamine, dialkyl ethanolamine wherein alkyl is independently selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl wherein trialkylamines are excluded; wherein components a to e when combined with mixing with said combustible fuel form a clear stable microemulsion having a viscosity similar to a liquid fossil fuel; and wherein said additive composition excludes glycerine, polyethylene, polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylenes, aromatic organic compounds, sulfur, sulfur compounds, metals, metal compounds, compounds of phenanthrene. Speeifically, compositions of ethanol, methanol, iso-propanol, octanol, 2-ethyl-hexanol, linoleic acid, oleic acid, ammonia, and water are preferred to produce minimum smoke, particulates, and noxious gases upon combustion.

1 . An additive composition for a combustible fuel, which is also used as a fuel composition, to utilize readily available and renewable resources, to improve liquid combustible fuel properties, reduce undesirable elements such as sulphur, aromatic hydrocarbons, and glycerine from the content of the fuel, produce improved combustion, and to reduce visible smoke, particulates and other noxious emissions production of the combusted fuel, which additive or fuel composition comprises: 
 a. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols:    (i) having between about 1 and 2 carbon atoms, selected from the group consisting of methanol and ethanol in an anhydrous state or as a 0.5-36% aqueous solution by volume; or    (ii) having between about 3 and 5 carbon atoms, selected from the group consisting of propanol, iso-propanol, butanol, and pentanol by volume or combinations of (a)(i) and a(ii); and    optionally one or more of the following:    b. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of:    (i) straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated alcohols, which are clear and liquid at room temperature, and having between about 6 and 12 carbon atoms, or    (ii) straight- or branched-chain, saturated or unsaturated long-chain fatty alcohols, which are solid at room temperature, having from between about 13 and 18 carbon atoms, or combinations of (b)(i) and (b)(ii);    c. one or more ethoxylated alcohols selected from the group consisting of alcohols having between 6 and 18 carbon atoms, where the ethylene oxide add-on is less than 5 moles (units);    d. a fatty acid of the structure R—(C═O)—OH, wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl having between about 10 to 24 carbon atoms, with    e. a source of nitrogen in an anhydrous state or as an aqueous solution selected from the group consisting of the ammonia, hydrazine, alkyl hydrazine, dialkyl hydrazine, urea, ethanolamine, monoalkyl ethanolamine, and dialkyl ethanolamine wherein alkyl is independently selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl, wherein trialkylamines are excluded;    wherein components a and one or more of b, c, d, and e, when combined with mixing with combustible fuel form a clear, stable microemulsion having a viscosity similar to that of the liquid combustible fuel, and where the ratio of combustible fuel: additive ranges from about 99:1 to 0:100 by volume;    wherein said additive/fuel composition excludes ethylene glycol, glycerine, polyethylene, polypropylene, aromatic organic compounds, sulfur, sulfur compounds, metals, metal compounds, compounds of phenanthrene, and emulsifiers of the general formula:                          wherein R 1  and R 4  each independently is a saturated or unsaturated, straight-chain or branched hydrocarbon aliphatic radical each of 4 to 24 carbon atoms (e.g., alkyl or alkenyl) or R 4  is alkylphenyl of 1 to 18 carbon atoms in the optionally branched alkyl chain or H; R 2 , R 3  and R 5  each independently represent a methyl group or H, n plus m is an integer from 1 to 20; z is an integer from 0 to 15; and X is —COO(—) or —OCH 2 COO(—), wherein, substituents R 2 , R 3  and R 5  are the same or different in different monomer units of each chain, and optionally other organic diacids are excluded.    
   
   
       2 . The additive composition of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols having between about 1 and 2 carbon atoms as defined herein in (a)(i), in an anhydrous state or as a 0.5-10% aqueous solution; and    b. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols having between about 3 and 5 carbon atoms as defined herein in (a)(ii),    wherein components a and b, when combined with mixing with the refined combustible fuel, form a clear stable solution or microemulsion having a viscosity similar to that of the liquid combustible fuel and where the ratio of combustible fuel: additive ranges from about 99:1 to 1:99 by volume.    
   
   
       3 . The additive composition of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a) one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols having between about 1 and 2 carbon atoms as defined herein in a(i) in an anhydrous state or as a 0.5-5% aqueous solution;    b) one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of alcohols, iso-propanol and butanol:    wherein components a and be, are present in a:b ratios from about 80:20 and 99:1 by volume wherein components a and b, when combined with mixing with the combustible fuel form a clear, stable microemulsion having a viscosity similar to that of the liquid combustible fuel, and where the ratio of combustible fuel; additive ranges from about 90:10 to 95:5 by volume.    
   
   
       4 . The additive composition of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols having between about 1 and 5 carbon atoms as defined herein in an anhydrous state or as a 0.5-20% aqueous solution;    b. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of clear, liquid saturated or unsaturated, straight- or branched-chain, alcohols having between about 6 and 12 carbon atoms, wherein components a and b, are present in a:b ratios ranging from about 3:1 and 1:3, wherein components a and b, when combined with mixing with combustible fuel form a clear, stable microemulsion having a viscosity similar to that of the liquid combustible fuel, and where the ratio of combustible fuel: additive ranges from about 99:1 to 1:99 by volume.    
   
   
       5 . The additive composition of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols having between about 1 and 5 carbon atoms as defined herein in an anhydrous state or as a 5% aqueous solution denatured with iso-propanol, butanol or combinations thereof;    b. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of clear, liquid saturated or unsaturated, straight- or branched-chain alcohols having from between about 6 and 12 carbon atoms;    wherein components a and b, are present in a:b ratios ranging from 3:1 and 1:1 by volume wherein components a and b, when combined with mixing with the combustible fuel form a clear, stable microemulsion having a viscosity similar to that of the liquid combustible fuel, and where the ratio of combustible fuel: additive ranges from about 80:20 to 99:1 by volume.    
   
   
       6 . The additive composition of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols having between about 1 and 5 carbon atoms as defined herein, in an anhydrous state or as a 0.5-20% aqueous solution; and    b. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting clear, liquid saturated or unsaturated, straight- or branched-chain alcohols having from between about 6 and 18 carbon atoms; and    c. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated alcohols having between about 6 and 18 carbon atoms, where the ethylene oxide add-on is less than 5 moles;    wherein components a, b, and c are present in a:b:c ratios ranging from about 4:1:1 and 1:4:4 by volume, wherein components a, b, and c when combined with mixing with the combustible fuel, form a clear, stable microemulsion having a viscosity similar to that of the liquid combustible fuel, and where the ratio of combustible fuel: additive ranges from about 99:1 to 1:99 by volume.    
   
   
       7 . The additive composition of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols having between about 1 and 5 carbon atoms as defined herein in an anhydrous state or as a 0.5-20% aqueous solution;    b. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of clear, liquid saturated or unsaturated, straight- or branched-chain alcohols having from between about 6 and 12 carbon atoms;    c. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated alcohols having between about 12 and 16 carbon atoms, where the ethylene oxide add-on is less than 5 moles;    wherein components a, b, and c are present in a:b:c ratios ranging from about 4:1:1 and 1:4:4 by volume, and more preferably between about 4:1:1 and 4:2:1 by volume wherein components a, b, and c when combined with mixing with combustible fuel, form a clear, stable microemulsion having a viscosity similar to that of the liquid fossil fuel, and where the ratio of combustible fuel:additive ranges from between about 80:20 and 99:1 by volume.    
   
   
       8 . The additive composition of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols having between about 1 and 5 carbon atoms as defined herein in an anhydrous state or as a 0.5 to 20% aqueous solution; and    b. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of alcohols having between about 6 and 18 carbon atoms, ethoxylated where the ethylene oxide add-on is less than 5 moles;    wherein components a and b are present in a:b ratios ranging from between 3:1 and 1:2 by volume, wherein components a and b when combined with mixing with the combustible fuel form a clear, stable microemulsion having a viscosity similar to that of the liquid combustible fuel, and where the ratio of combustible fuel: additive ranges from about 99:1 to 1:99 by volume.    
   
   
       9 . The additive composition of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols having between about 1 and 5 carbon atoms as defined herein in an anhydrous state or as a 0.5-20% aqueous solution or combinations thereof;    b. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of alcohols having between about 6 and 12 carbon atoms ethoxylated where the ethylene oxide add-on 3 moles;    wherein components a and b are present in a:b ratios ranging from 3:1 and 1:2 by volume, and more preferably between about 3:1 and 2:1 by volume, wherein components a and b when combined with mixing with the combustible fuel form a clear, stable microemulsion having a viscosity similar to that of the liquid combustible fuel, and where the ratio of combustible fuel: additive ranges from about 65:35 to 99:1.    
   
   
       10 . The additive composition of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols having between about 1 and 5 carbon atoms as defined herein in an anhydrous state or as a 0.5-20% aqueous solution or combinations thereof;    b. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of clear, liquid saturated or unsaturated, straight- or branched-chain alcohols having from between about 6 and 12 carbon atoms, and    c. a fatty acid of the structure R—(C═O)—OH, wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl having from about 10 to 24 carbon atoms;    d. a source of nitrogen in an anhydrous state or as an aqueous solution selected from the group consisting of the ammonia, hydrazine, alkyl hydrazine, dialkyl hydrazine, urea, ethanolamine, monoalkyl ethanolamine, and dialkyl ethanolamine wherein alkyl is independently selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or iso-propyl, wherein trialkylamines are excluded; sufficient to neutralize between about 40 to 85 percent of the fatty acid of subpart c;    wherein components a, b, and c are present in a:b:c ratios ranging from about 4:1:1 and 1:4:4; by volume, wherein components a, b, c and d when combined with mixing with said combustible fuel form a clear, stable microemulsion having a viscosity similar to that of the liquid combustible fuel, and where the ratio of combustible fuel: additive ranges from about 80:20 and 99:1 by volume.    
   
   
       11 . The additive composition of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols having between about 1 and 5 carbon atoms as defined herein in an anhydrous state or as a 0.5-36% aqueous solution; and    b. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of alcohols having between 6 and 18 carbon atoms, ethoxylated where the ethylene oxide add-on is 3 moles; and    c. a fatty acid of the structure R—(C═O)—OH, wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl having from about 10 to 24 carbon atoms; and    d. a source of nitrogen in an anhydrous state or as an aqueous solution selected from the group consisting of the ammonia, hydrazine, alkyl hydrazine, dialkyl hydrazine, urea, ethanolamine, monoalkyl ethanolamine, and dialkyl ethanolamine wherein alkyl is independently selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl, wherein trialkylamines are excluded,    wherein components a, b, and c are present in a:b:c ratios ranging from about 5:1:1 and 1:4:4 by volume; wherein components a, b, c, and d when combined with mixing with the combustible fuel, form a clear, stable microemulsion having a viscosity similar to that of the liquid combustible fuel, and where the ratio of combustible fuel: additive ranges from about 99:1 to 1:99 by volume.    
   
   
       12 . The additive composition of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols having between about 1 and 5 carbon atoms as defined herein in an anhydrous state or as a 0.5-20% aqueous solution or combinations thereof;    b. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated alcohols having between about 12 and 16 carbon atoms, where the ethylene oxide add-on is 3 moles;    c. a fatty acid of the structure R—(C═O)—OH, wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl having from about 10 to 24 carbon atoms;    d. a source of nitrogen in an anhydrous state or as an aqueous solution selected from the group consisting of the ammonia, hydrazine, alkyl hydrazine, dialkyl hydrazine, urea, ethanolamine, monoalkyl ethanolamine, and dialkyl ethanolamine wherein alkyl is independently selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl wherein trialkylamines are excluded, sufficient to neutralize between about 40 to 85 percent of the fatty acid of subpart c;    wherein components a, b, and c are present in a:b:c ratios ranging from about 4:1:1 and 1:4:4; and preferably between about 4:1:1 and 3:1:1 by volume, wherein components a, b, c, and d when combined with mixing with the combustible fuel form a clear, stable microemulsion having a viscosity similar to that of the liquid combustible fuel, and where the ratio of combustible fuel: additive ranges from about 80:20 to 99:1 by volume.    
   
   
       13 . The additive composition of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols having between about 1 and 5 carbon atoms as defined herein in an anhydrous state or as a 0.5-36% aqueous solution; and    b. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of saturated or unsaturated, straight- or branched-chain alcohols having from between about 6 and 18 carbon atoms; and    c. one or more ethoxylated alcohols selected from the group consisting of alcohols having between 6 and 18 carbon atoms, where the ethylene oxide add-on is less than 5 moles; and    d. a fatty acid of the structure R—(C═O)—OH, wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl having from about 10 to 24 carbon atoms; and    e. a source of nitrogen in an anhydrous state or as an aqueous solution selected from the group consisting of the ammonia, hydrazine, alkyl hydrazine, dialkyl hydrazine, urea, ethanolamine, monoalkyl ethanolamine, and dialkyl ethanolamine, wherein alkyl is independently selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl, wherein trialkylamines are excluded;    wherein components a, b, c, and d are present in a:b:c:d ratios ranging from about 6:1:1:1 and 1:4:4:4 by volume; wherein components a, b, c, d, and e when combined with mixing with the combustible fuel form a clear, stable microemulsion having a viscosity similar to that of the liquid combustible fuel, and where the ratio of combustible fuel: additive ranges from about 99:1 to 1:99 by volume.    
   
   
       14 . The additive composition of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols having between about 1 and 5 carbon atoms as defined herein, in an anhydrous state or 5 to 10% aqueous ethanol denatured with methanol, iso-propanol, butanol or combinations thereof;    b. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of clear, liquid saturated or unsaturated, straight- or branched-chain alcohols having from between about 6 and 12 carbon atoms;    c. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated alcohols having between about 12 and 16 carbon atoms, where the ethylene oxide add-on is less than 5 moles;    d. a fatty acid of the structure R—(C═O)—OH, wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl having from about 10 to 24 carbon atom; and preferably oleic acid and linoleic acid;    e. a source of nitrogen in an anhydrous state or as an aqueous solution selected from the group consisting of the ammonia, hydrazine, alkyl hydrazine, dialkyl hydrazine, urea, ethanolamine, monoalkyl ethanolamine, and dialkyl ethanolamine wherein alkyl is independently selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl, wherein trialkylamines are excluded, sufficient to neutralize between about 40 to 85 percent of the fatty acid of subpart c;    wherein components a, b, c, and d are present in a:b:c:d ratios ranging from about 6:1:1:1 and 1:4:4:4 by volume, wherein components a, b, c, d, and e when combined with mixing with the combustible fuel form a clear, stable microemulsion having a viscosity similar to that of the liquid combustible fuel, and where the ratio of combustible fuel:additive ranges from about 80:20 to 99:1 by volume.    
   
   
       15 . The additive composition of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols having between about 1 and 5 carbon atoms as defined herein in an anhydrous state or as a 0.5-36% aqueous solution; and one or more of the following:    b. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of clear, liquid saturated or unsaturated, straight- or branched-chain alcohols having from between about 6 and 18 carbon atoms;    c. one or more ethoxylated alcohols selected from the group consisting of alcohols having between 6 and 18 carbon atoms, where the ethylene oxide add-on is less than 5 moles;    d. a fatty acid of the structure R—(C═O)—OH, wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl having from about 10 to 24 carbon atoms with    e. a source of nitrogen in an anhydrous state or as an aqueous solution selected from the group consisting of the ammonia, hydrazine, alkyl hydrazine, dialkyl hydrazine, urea, ethanolamine, monoalkyl ethanolamine, and dialkyl ethanolamine wherein alkyl is independently selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl, wherein trialkylamines are excluded;    wherein components a and one or more of b, c, d, and e, when combined with mixing with the combustible fuel form a clear, stable microemulsion having a viscosity similar to the liquid combustible fuel, and where the ratio of combustible fuel: additive ranges from about 95:5 to 99:1 by volume.    
   
   
       16 . The additive composition of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols having between about 1 and 5 carbon atoms as defined herein in an anhydrous state or as a 0.5-36% aqueous solution; and one or more of the following:    b. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of clear, liquid saturated or unsaturated, straight- or branched-chain alcohols having from between about 6 and 18 carbon atoms, or between about 6 and 12 carbon atoms;    c. one or more ethoxylated alcohols selected from the group consisting of alcohols having between 6 and 18 carbon atoms, ethylene oxide add-on is less than 5 moles;    d. a fatty acid of the structure R—(C═O)—OH, wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl having from about 10 to 24 carbon atoms, with    e. a source of nitrogen in an anhydrous state or as an aqueous solution selected from the group consisting of the ammonia, hydrazine, alkyl hydrazine, dialkyl hydrazine, urea, ethanolamine, monoalkyl ethanolamine, and dialkyl ethanolamine wherein alkyl is independently selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl, wherein trialkylamines are excluded;    wherein components a and one or more of b, c, d, and e, when combined with mixing with the combustible fuel form a clear, stable microemulsion having a viscosity similar to the liquid combustible fuel, and where the ratio of combustible fuel: additive ranges from about 90:10 to 99:1 by volume.    
   
   
       17 . The additive composition of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols having between about 1 and 5 carbon atoms as defined herein in an anhydrous state or as a 0.5-36% aqueous solution, and one or more of the following:    b. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of clear, liquid saturated or unsaturated, straight- or branched-chain alcohols having from between about 6 and 18 carbon atoms;    c. one or more ethoxylated alcohols selected from the group consisting of alcohols having between 6 and 18 carbon atoms, where the ethylene oxide add-on is less than 5 moles;    d. a fatty acid of the structure R—(C═O)—OH, wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl having from about 10 to 24 carbon atoms, with    e. a source of nitrogen in an anhydrous state or as an aqueous solution selected from the group consisting of the ammonia, hydrazine, alkyl hydrazine, dialkyl hydrazine, urea, ethanolamine, monoalkyl ethanolamine, and dialkyl ethanolamine wherein alkyl is independently selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl wherein trialkylamines are excluded;    wherein components a and one or more of b, c, d and e, when combined with mixing with the combustible fuel form a clear, stable microemulsion having a viscosity similar to that of the liquid combustible fuel, and where the ratio of combustible fuel: additive ranges from about 80:20 to 99:1 by volume.    
   
   
       18 . The additive composition of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols having between about 1 and 5 carbon atoms as defined herein in an anhydrous state or as a 0.5-36% aqueous solution; and one or more of the following:    b. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of clear, liquid saturated or unsaturated, straight- or branched-chain alcohols having from between about 6 and 18 carbon atoms;    c. one or more ethoxylated alcohols selected from the group consisting of alcohols having between 6 and 18 carbon atoms, where the ethylene oxide add-on is less than 5 moles;    d. a fatty acid of the structure R—(C═O)—OH, wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl having from about 10 to 24 carbon atoms with    e. a source of nitrogen in an anhydrous state or as an aqueous solution selected from the group consisting of the ammonia, hydrazine, alkyl hydrazine, dialkyl hydrazine, urea, ethanolamine, monoalkyl ethanolamine, and dialkyl ethanolamine wherein alkyl is independently selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl wherein trialkylamines are excluded;    wherein components a and one or more of b, c, d and e, when combined with mixing with the combustible fuel form a clear, stable microemulsion having a viscosity similar to that of the liquid combustible fuel, and where the ratio of combustible fuel: additive ranges from about 60:40 to 99:1 by volume.    
   
   
       19 . The additive composition of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols having between about 1 and 5 carbon atoms as defined herein in an anhydrous state or as a 0.5-36% aqueous solution; and one or more of the following:    b. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of clear, liquid saturated or unsaturated, straight- or branched-chain alcohols having from between about 6 and 18 carbon atoms;    c. one or more ethoxylated alcohols selected from the group consisting of alcohols having between 6 and 18 carbon atoms, where the ethylene oxide add-on is less than 5 moles;    d. a fatty acid of the structure R—(C═O)—OH, wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl having from about 10 to 24 carbon atoms, with    e. a source of nitrogen in an anhydrous state or as an aqueous solution selected from the group consisting of the ammonia, hydrazine, alkyl hydrazine, dialkyl hydrazine, urea, ethanolamine, monoalkyl ethanolamine, and dialkyl ethanolamine wherein alkyl is independently selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl, wherein trialkylamines are excluded;    wherein components a and one or more of b, c, d, and e, when combined with mixing with the combustible fuel form a clear, stable microemulsion having a viscosity similar to the liquid combustible fuel, and where the ratio of combustible fuel: additive ranges from about 50:50 to 99:1 by volume.    
   
   
       20 . The additive composition of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols having between about 1 and 5 carbon atoms as defined herein in an anhydrous state or as a 0.5-36% aqueous solution; and one or more of the following:    b. one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of clear, liquid saturated or unsaturated, straight- or branched-chain alcohols having from between about 6 and 18 carbon atoms;    c. one or more ethoxylated alcohols selected from the group consisting of alcohols having between 6 and 18 carbon atoms, where the ethylene oxide add-on is less than 5 moles;    d. a fatty acid of the structure R—(C═O)—OH, wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl having from about 10 to 24 carbon atoms, with    e. a source of nitrogen in an anhydrous state or as an aqueous solution selected from the group consisting of the ammonia, hydrazine, alkyl hydrazine, dialkyl hydrazine, urea, ethanolamine, monoalkyl ethanolamine, and dialkyl ethanolamine wherein alkyl is independently selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl wherein trialkylamines are excluded;    wherein components a and one or more of b, c, d and e, when combined with mixing with the combustible fuel form a clear, stable microemulsion having a viscosity similar to the liquid combustible fuel, and where the ratio of combustible fuel: additive ranges from about 1:99 to 50:50 by volume.    
   
   
       21 - 29 . (canceled)