Fuel and Lubricant Additives and Methods for Improving Fuel Economy and Vehicle Emissions

Abstract

An additive includes a calcium source, a suspension agent, a castor oil, and optionally a castor supplement/replacement. In many embodiments, polyalphaolefin is included. The preferred suspension agents are fatty acid esters, triglycerides or other, with a pour point/melt point from about 5 degrees C. to about 50 degrees C. Suspension agents of particular interest are: 1) polymerized ester(s) of ricinoleic acid (polymerized ester(s) of 12-Hydroxy Oleic Acid), 2) polymerized ester(s) of 12-Hydroxy Stearic Acid, 3) waxy esters of ricinoleic acid, 4) palm oil, 5) palm-olein, 6) coconut oil, and 7) jojoba oil. The waxy esters may result from polymerization of shorter carboxylic acid monomers. The additive may be used in fuels to improve combustion engine performance in terms of efficiency and emissions. Polyalphaolefin may be important, especially in additive formulations for diesel fuels, for NOx reduction. The additive may be used in lubricants that improve performance of both ferrous and non-ferrous metal components of engines, guns, or other machinery. The additive also may be used in cutting fluids for machining and fabrication. Used in conjunction with other additives, embodiments of the invention may be used to lower pour points in oils, esters and other similar products.

1 . An additive for fuels and lubricants for improving combustion engine emissions and fuel mileage and improving lubricity, the additive comprising:
 a calcium-containing component;   a castor oil; and   a suspension agent;   wherein said suspension agent is a fatty acid ester with a melt point between 5-50 degrees C.   
   
   
       2 . An additive as in  claim 1 , further comprising a castor supplement/partial replacement components selected from the group consisting of: sulfated castor oil, soy methyl ester, canola oil, and pour point depressant. 
   
   
       3 . An additive as in  claim 1 , further comprising polyalphaolefin as a fourth component. 
   
   
       4 . An additive as in  claim 1 , wherein said calcium source is selected from the group consisting of: calcium sulfonate, overbased calcium sulfonate, and calcium carbonate. 
   
   
       5 . As additive as in  claim 1 , wherein said suspension agent is selected from the group consisting of: fatty acid esters, triglycerides fatty acid esters, waxy esters of ricinoleic acid, palm oil, palm-olein, coconut oil, and jojoba oil. 
   
   
       6 . An additive for fuels and lubricants for improving combustion engine emissions and fuel mileage and improving lubricity, the additive comprising:
 10-50 LV % calcium-containing component;   10-60 LV % castor oil and castor supplements component selected from the group consisting of castor oil, sulfated castor oil, soy methyl ester, canola oil, and pour point depressant; and   1-25 LV % suspension agent, wherein said suspension agent is a fatty acid ester with a melt point between 5-50 degrees C.   
   
   
       7 . An additive as in  claim 6 , further comprising polyalphaolefin as a fourth component. 
   
   
       8 . An additive as in  claim 6 , wherein said calcium-containing component is selected from the group consisting of: calcium sulfonate, overbased calcium sulfonate, and calcium carbonate. 
   
   
       9 . An additive as in  claim 6 , wherein said suspension agent is selected from the group consisting of: fatty acid esters, triglycerides fatty acid esters, waxy esters of ricinoleic acid, palm oil, palm-olein, coconut oil, and jojoba oil. 
   
   
       10 . An additive as in  claim 6 , wherein said calcium-containing component is 30-50 LV % of the additive, said castor oil and castor supplements component is 40-60 LV % of the additive, and said suspension agent is 1-4 LV % of the additive. 
   
   
       11 . An additive for fuels and lubricants for improving combustion engine emissions and fuel mileage and improving lubricity, the additive comprising:
 10-50 LV % calcium-containing component;   15-75 LV % polyalpholefin;   10-60 LV % castor oil component and supplements selected from the group consisting of castor oil, sulfated castor oil, soy methyl ester, canola oil, and pour point depressant; and   1-20 LV % suspension agent, wherein said suspension agent is a fatty acid ester with a melt point between 5-50 degrees C.   
   
   
       12 . An additive as in  claim 11 , wherein said calcium-containing component is selected from the group consisting of: calcium sulfonate, overbased calcium sulfonate, and calcium carbonate. 
   
   
       13 . As additive as in  claim 11 , wherein said suspension agent is selected from the group consisting of: fatty acid esters, triglycerides fatty acid esters, waxy esters of ricinoleic acid, palm oil, palm-olein, coconut oil, and jojoba oil. 
   
   
       14 . An additive as in  claim 11 , wherein said calcium-containing component is 30-50 LV % of the additive, said polyalpholefin is 15-30 LV % of the additive, said castor oil and castor supplements components is 30-50 LV % of the additive, and said suspension agent is 1-4 LV % of the additive. 
   
   
       15 . A method of formulating and using an additive fuels, lubricants, pour point depressants, and cutting fluids, the method comprising:
 providing a calcium-containing component;   blending a suspension agent with said calcium-containing component to obtain a blend, wherein said suspension agent is selected from the group consisting of: fatty acid ester; fatty acid ester with a melt point between 5-50 degrees C.; triglycerides fatty acid esters, waxy esters of ricinoleic acid, palm oil, palm-olein, coconut oil, and jojoba oil; and after said blending, providing castor oil and mixing the castor oil into said blend.   
   
   
       16 . A method as in  claim 15 , further comprising adding a castor supplement/partial replacement component to said blend after said blending, the castor supplement/partial replacement component being selected from a group consisting of: sulfated castor oil, soy methyl ester, canola oil, and pour point depressant. 
   
   
       17 . A method as in  claim 15 , further comprising providing an effective amount of said additive in a gasoline fuel in a vehicle, wherein fuel mileage of the vehicle is increased. 
   
   
       18 . A method as in  claim 15 , further comprising providing an effective amount of said additive in a diesel fuel in a vehicle, wherein fuel mileage of the vehicle is increased. 
   
   
       19 . A method as in  claim 15 , further comprising placing an effective amount of said additive in a gasoline fuel for a combustion engine, whereby emissions of NOx hydrocarbons, CO, and CO 2  from the combustion engine are reduced. 
   
   
       20 . A method as in  claim 15 , further comprising placing an effective amount of said additive in a diesel fuel for a combustion engine, whereby emissions of NOx hydrocarbons, CO, and CO 2  from the combustion engine are reduced. 
   
   
       21 . A method as in  claim 20 , wherein the diesel fuel is petroleum diesel. 
   
   
       22 . A method as in  claim 20 , wherein the diesel fuel comprises biodiesel. 
   
   
       23 . A method as in  claim 20 , wherein the diesel fuel comprises ethanol. 
   
   
       24 . A method as in  claim 15 , further comprising adding polyalphaolefin to said blend after said blending. 
   
   
       25 . A method as in  claim 24 , further comprising placing an effective amount of said additive in a gasoline fuel for a combustion engine, whereby emissions of NOx hydrocarbons, CO, and CO 2  from the combustion engine are reduced. 
   
   
       26 . A method as in  claim 24 , further comprising placing an effective amount of said additive in a diesel fuel for a combustion engine, whereby emissions of NOx hydrocarbons, CO, and CO 2  from the combustion engine are reduced. 
   
   
       27 . A method as in  claim 15 , further comprising placing an effective amount of said additive in a cutting fluid, wherein friction is reduced in the cutting operation in which said cutting fluid is used. 
   
   
       28 . A method of suspending calcium in a combustion engine gasoline fuel, the method comprising:
 providing a calcium-containing component;   blending a suspension agent with said calcium-containing component to obtain a blend, wherein said suspension agent is selected from the group consisting of: fatty acid esters; fatty acid ester with a melt point between 5-50 degrees C.; triglycerides fatty acid esters, waxy esters of ricinoleic acid, palm oil, palm-olein, coconut oil, and jojoba oil;   at a time later than said blending, adding a castor oil component into said blend to obtain a mixture; and   at a time later than said adding said castor oil component to obtain said mixture, placing said mixture into gasoline fuel, whereby the calcium is suspended in the gasoline fuel.   
   
   
       29 . A method of suspending calcium as in  claim 28 , further adding polyalphaolefin to said blend at a time later than said blending and before said mixture is placed into the gasoline fuel. 
   
   
       30 . A method of suspending calcium in a combustion engine diesel fuel, the method comprising:
 providing a calcium-containing component;   blending a suspension agent with said calcium-containing component to obtain a blend, wherein said suspension agent is selected from the group consisting of: fatty acid esters; fatty acid ester with a melt point between 5-50 degrees C.; triglycerides fatty acid esters, waxy esters of ricinoleic acid, palm oil, palm-olein, coconut oil, and jojoba oil;   at a time later than said blending, adding a castor oil component into said blend to obtain a mixture; and   at a time later than adding said castor oil component to obtain said mixture, placing said mixture into diesel fuel, whereby the calcium is suspended in the diesel fuel.   
   
   
       31 . A method of suspending calcium as in  claim 30 , further adding polyalphaolefin to said blend at a time later than said blending and before said mixture is placed into the diesel fuel. 
   
   
       32 . A method as in  claim 30 , wherein said diesel comprises biodiesel. 
   
   
       33 . A method as in  claim 30 , wherein said diesel comprises ethanol.