Fuels for Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition Combustion Engine

Abstract

The present invention provides a fuel capable of controlling the combustion reaction during homogeneous charge compression auto-ignition combustion to improve the engine thermal efficiency. The fuel satisfies specified characteristic requirements relating to: (1) the total content of C5 to C10 normal paraffins; (2) the total content of C6 to C11 aromatic hydrocarbons; (3) the content of olefinic hydrocarbons; (4) the content of oxygenates; (5) the research octane number; (6) the initial boiling point and end point in distillation characteristics; (7) the averaged maximum pressure rise rate of the fuel over continuous 400 cycles; and (8) the averaged IMEP of the fuel over continuous 400 cycles.

1 . A fuel for a homogeneous charge compression auto-ignition combustion engine satisfying all of the following characteristic requirements (1) to (6) and the following requirement (7) or (8):
 (1) the total content of C5 to C10 normal paraffins is 25 percent by volume or more, and 70 percent by volume or less;   (2) the total content of C6 to C11 aromatic hydrocarbons is 30 percent by volume or more, and 75 percent by volume or less;   (3) the content of olefinic hydrocarbons is 20 percent by volume or less;   (4) the content of oxygenates is 5 percent by mass or less in terms of oxygen;   (5) the research octane number is 70 or greater, and less than 92;   (6) the initial boiling point and end point in distillation characteristics are 30° C. or higher and 220° C. or lower, respectively;   (7) the averaged maximum pressure rise rate of the fuel over continuous 400 cycles is smaller by 15 percent or more, comparing with that of a primary reference fuel (PRF) which exhibits the same indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) and crank angle of 50% burn of high temperature heat release combustion (HTHR CA50) as the fuel under the same engine operating conditions such as compression ratio of the engine, engine speed, boost pressure, temperature in the intake manifold, air flow rate, intake-exhaust valve timing, EGR rate and fuel injection initiation timing; and   (8) the averaged IMEP of the fuel over continuous 400 cycles is increased by 20 percent or more, comparing with that of a primary reference fuel (PRF) with the same research octane number as the fuel, the IMEPs of the fuel and PRF being measured at the same maximum pressure rise rate under the same engine operating conditions such as compression ratio of the engine, engine speed, boost pressure, temperature in the intake manifold, air flow rate, intake-exhaust valve timing, EGR rate and fuel injection initiation timing.   
   
   
       2 . The fuel for a homogeneous charge compression auto-ignition combustion engine according to  claim 1 , wherein the sulfur content of the fuel is 10 ppm by mass or less. 
   
   
       3 . The fuel for a homogeneous charge compression auto-ignition combustion engine according to  claim 1 , comprising oxygenates selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, normalpropyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, normalbutyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, dimethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl-tert-butyl ether (ETBE), tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME), tert-amyl ethyl ether, fatty acid methyl ester, and fatty acid ethyl ester. 
   
   
       4 . The fuel for a homogeneous charge compression auto-ignition combustion engine according to  claim 1 , wherein the fuel is also applicable to the following types of engines selected from the group consisting of HCCI-SI gasoline engines (SI: spark ignition), HCCI-CI diesel engines (CI: compression ignition), and electric motored hybrid engines with HCCI, HCCI-SI and HCCI-DI engines.