Liquid fuel compositions

Abstract

The present invention provides a liquid fuel composition comprising:—a base fuel suitable for use in an internal combustion engine wherein the base fuel comprises oxygenated hydrocarbons; and—one or more polyetheramines having formula (I): wherein R is an —NR 1 2 group where R 1 is independently selected from hydrogen and a C 1 -C 6 hydrocarbyl group, n is in the range of from 6 to 37, m is in the range of from 12 to 74 and p is 0 or 1. The liquid fuel composition provides improved engine cleanliness, improved lubricity and improved fuel economy benefits.

1 . A liquid fuel composition comprising:
 (a) a base fuel suitable for use in an internal combustion engine wherein the base fuel comprises oxygenated hydrocarbons; and   (b) one or more polyetheramines having formula (I):   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R is an —NR 1   2  group where R 1  is independently selected from hydrogen and a C 1 -C 6  hydrocarbyl group, n is in the range of from 6 to 37, m is in the range of from 12 to 74 and p is 1. 
       
     
     
         2 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the oxygenated hydrocarbons are alcohols. 
     
     
         3 . The fuel composition of  claim 2 , wherein the alcohols are selected from the group consisting of ethanol, methanol, propanol, 2-propanol, butanol, 2-butanol, iso-butanol, tert-butanol, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The fuel composition of  claim 3 , wherein the alcohol is ethanol. 
     
     
         5 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the base fuel comprises at most 100% by volume of oxygenated hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         6 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the base fuel comprises at most 85% by volume of oxygenated hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         7 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the base fuel further comprises gasoline. 
     
     
         8 . The fuel composition of  claim 7 , wherein the base fuel comprises at least 15% by volume of gasoline. 
     
     
         9 . The fuel composition of  claim 1  further comprising a detergent. 
     
     
         10 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the one or more polyetheramines present in the liquid fuel composition is in the range of from 10 ppmw to 1000 ppmw, based on the overall weight of the liquid fuel composition. 
     
     
         11 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein R 1  is independently selected from a C 1 -C 4  alkyl group. 
     
     
         12 . A method of operating an internal combustion engine comprising (a) introducing into a combustion chamber of the engine a liquid fuel composition of  claim 1 ; and (b) operating said fuelled internal combustion engine. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 11  wherein the terminal amine group is —N(CH 2 CH 3 ) 2 . 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the terminal amine group is —NHCH 2 CH 3 .