Alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition

Abstract

The present invention relates to an “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition” having as a main feature the capacity of totally or partially substituting traditional fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, in conventional internal combustion engines. In addition, the “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition” can be used for the total or partial substitution of burning oils.

1 . An “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition” characterized by: its capacity of being used in internal combustion engines designed for diesel or gasoline, without requiring the engine modification; in its pure form or mixed with diesel, burning oils or gasoline, in a defined proportion according to the amount and kind of the fuel to be replaced; with similar efficiency than the obtained with the replaced fuel; producing a lower amount of fuel emissions and carbon dioxide than conventional fuels; and wherein its components can be obtained from vegetal matter or biomass, allowing to avoid the use of petroleum based products. The “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition” comprises the following three components: (A) dimethoxymethane, that can be replaced, totally or partially, with one or more of the less preferred compounds, capable of improving combustion speed, such as di-tert-butyl peroxide, ethyl nitrate, triethylene glycol dinitrate, meta-nitrobenzoctadecylamide and other compounds, such as the ones used for reducing cetane number in diesel; (B) propylene glycol monoalkyl ether and/or butylene glycol monoalkyl ether, which can be replaced, totally or partially, with one or more of the following, less preferred, compounds: propoxyalcohol and/or butoxyalcohol wherein said alcohol contains from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, polioxipropylene glycol monoalkyl ether or polioxibutylene glycol monoalkyl ether; and (C) one or more alcohols containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.  
   
   
       2 . An “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition” according to  claim 1 , wherein said component (A) is dimethoxymethane, said component (B) is propylene glycol monomethyl ether or butylene glycol monomethyl ether, or a mixture thereof, in any proportion; and (C) is ethanol or methanol, or a mixture thereof, in any proportion; and wherein the preferred although not exclusive ranges, to combine the three components, are: component (A) from 9.00 to 83.00% v/v of said “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition”; component (B) from 3.00 to 30.00% v/v of said “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition”; and component (C) from 81.00 to 7.00% v/v of said “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition”. With such components and proportions, the “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition” is characterized by: the possibility of being prepared exclusively with components obtained from vegetal matter or biomass, allowing to avoid the use of petroleum based products; reducing contaminants production and showing a better performance.  
   
   
       3 . An “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition”, according to the claims  1  and  2 , characterized by its ability to be used as a minor component, as an additive or as a fuel, in a mixture with gasoline or with one or more of the individual components of gasoline, in gasoline engines. To allow said characteristic to be showed, the combined proportions of components (B) and (C) represent at least 18.00% v/v of said “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition”; and (B), represents at least 10.00% v/v of said composition.  
   
   
       4 . An “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition” according to the claims  1  and  2 , characterized its ability to be used as a fuel to completely replace gasoline, as the major component in a mixture with gasoline or with one or more of the individual components of gasoline, in gasoline engines. To allow said characteristic to be showed, the preferred combined proportions of said components (B) and (C) represent at least 29.00% v/v of said “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition”; and (B), represents at least 14.00% v/v of said composition.  
   
   
       5 . An “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition” according to the claims  1  and  2 , characterized its ability to be used as a minor component, as an additive or as a fuel, in a mixture with diesel or burning oils, in diesel or burning oils engines. To allow said characteristic to be showed, the preferred combined proportions of said components (A) and (B) represent at least 27.00% v/v of said “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition”; and (B), represents at least 10.00% v/v of said composition.  
   
   
       6 . An “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition” according to the claims  1  and  2 , characterized its ability to be used as a fuel to completely replace diesel or burning oils, as the major component in a mixture with diesel or burning oils, in diesel or burning oils engines. To allow said characteristic to be showed, the preferred combined proportions of said components (A) and (B) represent at least 33.00% v/v of said “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition”; and (B), represents at least 14.00% v/v of said composition.  
   
   
       7 . An “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition”, according to  claim 1  and  2 , characterized by showing a better performance when used as a minor component, as an additive or as a fuel, in a mixture with gasoline or with one or more of the individual components of gasoline, in gasoline engines. To allow said characteristic to be showed, the preferred combined proportions of components (B) and (C) represent at least 18.00% v/v of said “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition”; and (B), represents at least 10.00% v/v of said composition; and the components are present in the following composition ranges: 
 A) From about 14.00 to about 29.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 5.00 to about 20.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 81.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    B) From about 12.00 to about 35.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 7.00 to about 14.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 81.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    C) From about 9.00 to about 19.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 10.00 to about 30.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 51.00 to about 81.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    D) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 3.00 to about 20.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 14.00 to about 37.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    E) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 5.00 to about 14.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 12.00 to about 43.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    F) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 10.00 to about 30.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 7.00 to about 27.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    G) From about 35.00 to about 43.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 6.00 to about 22.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 43.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    
   
   
       8 . An “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition” according to the claims  1  and  2 , characterized by showing a better performance when used as a fuel to completely replace gasoline, or as the major component in a mixture with gasoline or with one or more of the individual components of gasoline, in gasoline engines. To allow said characteristic to be showed, the preferred combined proportions of said components (B) and (C) represent at least 29.00% v/v of said “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition”; and (B), represents at least 14.00% v/v of said composition; and the components are present in the following composition ranges: 
 A) From about 14.00 to about 29.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 5.00 to about 20.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 81.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    B) From about 12.00 to about 35.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 7.00 to about 14.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 81.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    C) From about 9.00 to about 19.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 10.00 to about 30.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 51.00 to about 81.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    D) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 3.00 to about 20.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 14.00 to about 37.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    E) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 5.00 to about 14.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 12.00 to about 43.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    F) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 10.00 to about 30.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 7.00 to about 27.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    G) From about 35.00 to about 43.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 6.00 to about 22.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 43.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    
   
   
       9 . An “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition” according to the claims  1  and  2 , characterized by showing a better performance when used as a minor component, as an additive or as a fuel, in a mixture with diesel or burning oils, in internal combustion engines for diesel or burning oils. To allow said characteristic to be showed, the preferred combined proportions of said components (A) and (B) represent at least 27.00% v/v of said “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition”; and (B), represents at least 10.00% v/v of said composition; and the components are present in the following composition ranges: 
 A) From about 14.00 to about 29.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 5.00 to about 20.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 81.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    B) From about 12.00 to about 35.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 7.00 to about 14.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 81.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    C) From about 9.00 to about 19.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 10.00 to about 30.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 51.00 to about 81.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    D) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 3.00 to about 20.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 14.00 to about 37.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    E) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 5.00 to about 14.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 12.00 to about 43.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    F) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 10.00 to about 30.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 7.00 to about 27.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    G) From about 35.00 to about 43.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 6.00 to about 22.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 43.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    
   
   
       10 . An “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition” according to the claims  1  and  2 , characterized by showing a better performance when used as a fuel to completely replace diesel or burning oils, as the major component in a mixture with diesel or burning oils, in diesel or burning oils engines. To allow said characteristic to be showed, the preferred combined proportions of said components (A) and (B) represent at least 33.00% v/v of said “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition”; and (B), represents at least 14.00% v/v of said composition; and the components are present in the following composition ranges: 
 A) From about 14.00 to about 29.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 5.00 to about 20.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 81.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    B) From about 12.00 to about 35.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 7.00 to about 14.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 81.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    C) From about 9.00 to about 19.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 10.00 to about 30.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 51.00 to about 81.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    D) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 3.00 to about 20.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 14.00 to about 37.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    E) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 5.00 to about 14.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 12.00 to about 43.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    F) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 10.00 to about 30.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 7.00 to about 27.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    G) From about 35.00 to about 43.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 6.00 to about 22.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 43.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    
   
   
       11 . An “alcohol based biofuel composition” according to  claims 2  to  10 , characterized by allowing to be used as a fuel or as and additive in engines manufactured or modified to function with alcohols and/or fuels with high alcohol content.  
   
   
       12 . An “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition”, according to  claims 1  to  10 , characterized by: 
 It works when mixed with the fuel component “alkoxy-terminal polyoxymethylenes mixtures” with boiling points in a range from 40 to 188 Celsius degrees for the substitution of gasoline and with boiling points from 40 to 350 Celsius degrees for the substitution of diesel.    It releases propylene oxide and/or butylene oxide in a precise moment before the combustion process, generating a maximal pressure near the expansion cycle start. Said propylene oxide and/or butylene oxide are produced from component (B), which when compressed at high temperature at the end of the compression cycle, experiences thermal decomposition and releases propylene oxide and/or butylene oxide. In addition to being produced, they burn and help to burn the remaining fuel, and also induce a rapid volumetric expansion of the gas that reduces the available space for the combustion of the remaining fuel. Such reduction of the available space for the combustion of the remaining fuel, produces some effects in the engine that are similar to increasing the compression ratio. Furthermore, when the flame propagation speed is increased there is a reduction in the needs for lowering the ignition temperature of the alcohol and for having a distillation curve similar to the obtained with commercially available hydrocarbons. Finally, very high combustion efficiency is obtained with low energy content alcohols.    It acts as a low cost co-solvent that remains in a single phase when the alcohol content is present as the water/alcohol azeotropic mixture. Such single-phase stability is maintained in mixtures with hydrocarbons, even when such mixtures with hydrocarbons are exposed to high ambient moisture, cold weather and limited water filtrations.    It produces a colder flame when compared to conventional fuels, it is water-extinguishable, therefore reducing accident risks in vehicles catching fire and allows the manufacturers to build safer engines.    It reduces the corrosivity level and produces lubrication properties, when it contains additives such as meta-nitrobenzoctadecylamide, nitrobenzoctadecylamide and benzoctadecylamide in a range from about 0.10 to about 6.00% v/v of said “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition” or from 2.00 to about 4.00% v/v of the alcohol present in said “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition”.    
   
   
       13 . An “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition” prepared according to claims  7  and  8 , characterized by: 
 It generates a lower amount of contaminants and carbon dioxide than conventional fuels and at a competitive price. The generated amount of carbon dioxide is similar to the amount collected during the photosynthesis of the raw materials used for preparing the components, contributing to prevent global warming.    It allows low energy content alcohols to be competitive on a “liter to liter” basis with high energy content fuels, permitting that conventional gasoline engines could be used without requiring changes in the engines components and that the fuel tank could be filled, totally, partially, and alternating with gasoline.    It allows engines to operate at lower temperature and to function at lower compression ratio than conventional fuels, allowing the manufacturers to use more economic, lighter and lower cost materials, with a better weight-to-power ratio and with a lower capacity cooling system.    It has a larger octane number than gasoline, even when being in a mixture with gasoline and said gasoline is the main component of the mixture.    It allows obtaining outstanding combustion efficiency when mixed with gasoline, when said gasoline is present in a range from 50.00 to 92.00%.    It acts as a gasoline additive when used as a minor component in a mixture with gasoline.    It acts as the main fuel, without using gasoline or gasoline individual components or, in mixtures wherein gasoline and/or the individual components of gasoline are present as minor components or as an additive.    
   
   
       14 . An “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition” prepared according to claims  9  and  10 , characterized by: 
 It generates a lower amount of contaminants and carbon dioxide than conventional fuels and at a competitive price. The generated amount of carbon dioxide is similar the amount collected during the photosynthesis of the raw materials used for preparing the components, contributing to prevent global warming.    It allows low energy content alcohols to be competitive on a “liter to liter” basis with high energy content fuels, permitting that conventional diesel or burning oils engines could be used without requiring changes in the engines components and that the fuel tank could be filled, totally, partially, and alternating with diesel or burning oil.    It allows to operate engines at lower temperature and to function at lower compression ratio than conventional fuels, allowing the manufacturers to use more economic, lighter and lower cost materials, with a better weight-to-power ratio and with a lower capacity cooling system.    It has a lower opacity than diesel, even if they are present in a mixture with diesel where diesel is the main component.    It does not substantially affect the cetane number of diesel, when mixed in a proportion wherein diesel is the main component.    It allows obtaining outstanding combustion efficiency when mixed with diesel or burning oil, when said diesel or burning oil is present in a range from 50.00 to 92.00%.    It acts as a diesel or burning oil additive when used as a minor component in a mixture with diesel.    It acts as the main fuel, without using diesel and/or burning oils or, in mixtures wherein diesel and/or burning oils of gasoline are present as minor components or as an additive.    
   
   
       15 . A method for the formulation of the “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition”, characterized by allowing that the three components described in  claim 2 , when combined in defined proportions, form a composition capable to replace, totally or partially, conventional fuels in engines manufactured or modified to function with gasoline, gasoline components, diesel or burning oils. The suggested formulations to replace each of said fuel is the following: 
 When used as additive or fuel, as a minor component in a mixture with gasoline or with one or more of the individual components of gasoline, in gasoline engines, the formulation method must consider the following: the preferred combined proportions of components (B) and (C) represent at least 18.00% v/v of said “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition”; and (B), represents at least 10.00% v/v of said composition; and the components are present in the following composition ranges:    A) From about 14.00 to about 29.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 5.00 to about 20.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 81.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    B) From about 12.00 to about 35.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 7.00 to about 14.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 81.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    C) From about 9.00 to about 19.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 10.00 to about 30.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 51.00 to about 81.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    D) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 3.00 to about 20.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 14.00 to about 37.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    E) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 5.00 to about 14.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 12.00 to about 43.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    F) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 10.00 to about 30.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 7.00 to about 27.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    G) From about 35.00 to about 43.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 6.00 to about 22.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 43.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of component (C). 
 When used as a fuel to completely replace gasoline, as the major component in a mixture with gasoline or with one or more of the individual components of gasoline, in gasoline engines, the formulation method must consider the following: the preferred combined proportions of said components (B) and (C) represent at least 29.00% v/v of said “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition”; and (B), represents at least 14.00% v/v of said composition; and the components are present in the following composition ranges:  
   A) From about 14.00 to about 29.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 5.00 to about 20.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 81.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    B) From about 12.00 to about 35.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 7.00 to about 14.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 81.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    C) From about 9.00 to about 19.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 10.00 to about 30.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 51.00 to about 81.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    D) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 3.00 to about 20.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 14.00 to about 37.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    E) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 5.00 to about 14.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 12.00 to about 43.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    F) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 10.00 to about 30.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 7.00 to about 27.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    G) From about 35.00 to about 43.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 6.00 to about 22.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 43.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of component (C). 
 When used as an additive or fuel, as a minor component in a mixture with diesel or burning oils, in internal combustion engines for diesel or burning oils, the formulation method must consider the following: the preferred combined proportions of said components (A) and (B) represent at least 27.00% v/v of said “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition”; and (B), represents at least 10.00% v/v of said composition; and the components are present in the following composition ranges:  
   A) From about 14.00 to about 29.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 5.00 to about 20.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 81.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    B) From about 12.00 to about 35.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 7.00 to about 14.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 81.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    C) From about 9.00 to about 19.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 10.00 to about 30.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 51.00 to about 81.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    D) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 3.00 to about 20.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 14.00 to about 37.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    E) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 5.00 to about 14.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 12.00 to about 43.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    F) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 10.00 to about 30.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 7.00 to about 27.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    G) From about 35.00 to about 43.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 6.00 to about 22.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 43.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of component (C). 
 When used as a fuel to completely replace diesel or burning oils, as the major component in a mixture with diesel or burning oils, in diesel or burning oils engines, the formulation method must consider the following: the preferred combined proportions of said components (A) and (B) represent at least 33.00% v/v of said “alcohol based fuel and/or biofuel composition”; and (B), represents at least 14.00% v/v of said composition; and the components are present in the following composition ranges:  
   A) From about 14.00 to about 29.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 5.00 to about 20.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 81.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    B) From about 12.00 to about 35.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 7.00 to about 14.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 81.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    C) From about 9.00 to about 19.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 10.00 to about 30.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 51.00 to about 81.00% of the volume consists of said component (C).    D) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 3.00 to about 20.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 14.00 to about 37.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    E) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 5.00 to about 14.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 12.00 to about 43.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    F) From about 43.00 to about 83.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 10.00 to about 30.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 7.00 to about 27.00% of the volume consists of component (C).    G) From about 35.00 to about 43.00% of the volume consists of said component (A), from about 6.00 to about 22.00% of the volume consists of said component (B) and from about 43.00 to about 51.00% of the volume consists of component (C).