Method for production of cetane-index improvement additive for diesel oil

Abstract

A method is presented for production of a cetane-index improvement additive for diesel oil produced from biodiesel from castor bean oil. Said method employs nitration at the site of the hydroxyl functionality already forming part of the natural molecular chemical structure of the fatty acid ester generated in the production of biodiesel obtained from castor bean oil. The present method is advantageous through having a lower number of processing stages, lower rate of undesired nitration of unsaturations, lower consumption of nitrating mixture, reduction in the level of attachment of NO 2 to the molecules of the additive and consequent reduction in undesirable environmental impacts caused by NO x , and utilising a raw material from a renewable source. The present cetane improvement additive may be employed as an additive to diesel oil of mineral origin, biodiesel, or synergetic mixtures thereof in any proportion.

1 . METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF CETANE IMPROVEMENT ADDITIVE FOR DIESEL OIL characterised by comprising nitration of a naturally-hydroxylated fatty acid deriving from a triglyceride of vegetable origin already possessing a hydroxyl functionality in its natural molecular chemical structure. 
   
   
       2 . METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF CETANE IMPROVEMENT ADDITIVE FOR DIESEL OIL according to  claim 1  characterised by such triglyceride of vegetable origin already possessing a hydroxyl functionality in its natural molecular chemical structure being castor bean oil. 
   
   
       3 . METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF CETANE IMPROVEMENT ADDITIVE FOR DIESEL OIL according to  claim 1  characterised by such naturally-hydroxylated fatty ester being castor bean biodiesel. 
   
   
       4 . METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF CETANE IMPROVEMENT ADDITIVE FOR DIESEL OIL according to  claim 1  characterised by such nitration of said naturally-hydroxylated ester occurring directly at the site of such hydroxyl functionality. 
   
   
       5 . METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF CETANE IMPROVEMENT ADDITIVE FOR DIESEL OIL according to  claim 4  characterised by the reaction temperature of such nitration of said naturally-hydroxylated ester lying in a range from 0° to 50° C., preferably in a range from 0° to 15° C. 
   
   
       6 . METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF CETANE IMPROVEMENT ADDITIVE FOR DIESEL OIL according to  claim 4  characterised by the reaction time of such nitration of said naturally-hydroxylated ester being from 1 to 60 minutes, preferably from 40 to 60 minutes.