Fuel and engine oil composition and its use

Abstract

A composition is provided that contains a major amount of a hydrocarbon base fluid having a viscosity of up to 600 cST at 40 ° C. and (b) a minor amount of a micronized cellulose acetate butyrate having a particle size distribution on average of less than 30 microns. The compositions reduce and control the friction coefficient and anti-wear film of hydrocarbon base fluids.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising: (a) a major amount of a hydrocarbon base fluid having a viscosity of up to 600 cST at 40° C. and (b) a minor amount of a micronized cellulose acetate butyrate having a butyrate content in the range of 20 to 60 wt %, based on hydroxyl equivalent of the polymer and a number average molecular weight in the range from about 5,000 to about 50,000, and a particle size distribution on average of less than 30 microns. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the amount of the micronized cellulose acetate butyrate is in the range of about 0.05 wt % to about 5 wt %, based on the composition. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein the micronized cellulose acetate butyrate has a particle size distribution on average of 25 microns or less. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein the micronized cellulose acetate butyrate have a butyrate content in the range of 30 to 55 wt %, based on hydroxyl equivalent of the polymer. 
     
     
         5 . A fuel composition comprising (a) a major amount of a hydrocarbon base fluid having a viscosity of up to 600 cST at 40° C. and (b) a minor amount of a micronized cellulose acetate butyrate having a butyrate content in the range of 20 to 60 wt %, based on hydroxyl equivalent of the polymer and a number average molecular weight in the range from about 5,000 to about 50,000, and a particle size distribution on average of less than 30 microns. 
     
     
         6 . The fuel composition of  claim 5  wherein the amount of micronized cellulose acetate butyrate is in the range of 0.05 wt % to 1 wt % based on the fuel composition. 
     
     
         7 . The fuel composition of  claim 6  wherein the micronized cellulose acetate butyrate has a particle size distribution on average of 25 microns or less. 
     
     
         8 . The fuel composition of  claim 5  wherein the micronized cellulose acetate butyrate have a butyrate content in the range of 30 to 55 wt %, based on hydroxyl equivalent of the polymer. 
     
     
         9 . The fuel composition of  claim 6  is a gasoline composition further comprising at least one gasoline additive. 
     
     
         10 . The fuel composition of  claim 6  is a diesel composition further comprising at least one diesel additive. 
     
     
         11 . A method for reducing friction coefficient in an internal combustion engine, which comprises burning in said engine a fuel composition of  claim 6 . 
     
     
         12 . A lubricating oil composition comprising (a) a major amount of mineral and/or synthetic base oil having a viscosity of up to 600 cST at 40° C. and (b) a minor amount of a micronized cellulose acetate butyrate having a butyrate content in the range of 20 to 60 wt %, based on hydroxyl equivalent of the polymer and a number average molecular weight in the range from about 5,000 to about 50,000, and a particle size distribution on average of less than 30 microns. 
     
     
         13 . The lubricating oil composition of  claim 12  wherein the amount of micronized cellulose acetate butyrate is in the range of 0.05 wt % to 1 wt % based on the fuel composition. 
     
     
         14 . The lubricating oil composition of  claim 12  wherein the kinematic viscosity is in the range of 1 to 600 cSt at 40° C. 
     
     
         15 . The lubricating oil composition of  claim 13  wherein the micronized cellulose acetate butyrate has a particle size distribution on average of 25 microns or less. 
     
     
         16 . The lubricating oil composition of  claim 14  wherein the micronized cellulose acetate butyrate have a butyrate content in the range of 30 to 55 wt %, based on hydroxyl equivalent of the polymer. 
     
     
         17 . The lubricating oil composition of  claim 12  further comprising at least one lubricant additive. 
     
     
         18 . A process for preparing a hydrocarbon fluid blend comprising: (a) providing a micronized cellulose acetate butyrate having a butyrate content in the range of 20 to 60 wt %, based on hydroxyl equivalent of the polymer and a number average molecular weight in the range from about 5,000 to about 50,000 having a particle size distribution of greater than 30 microns, in a polar organic solvent in a polymer to solvent ratio of 1:1 to 1:10 to provide a polymer-containing solution; (b) subjecting said polymer to molecular segmentation to produce a micronized polymer having a particle size distribution of less than 30 microns.; and (c) blending the micronized polymer with a hydrocarbon fluid to produce a solubilized and/or dispersed hydrocarbon fluid blend. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the micronized polymer has a particle size distribution of 25 microns or less. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the molecular segmentation is by spray drying. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the molecular segmentation is by microfluidization. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the solvent is removed from the micronized polymer. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the polymer is subjected to molecular segmentation to produce a micronized polymer having a particle size distribution of less than 15 microns. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19  the micronized cellulose acetate butyrate have a butyrate content in the range of 30 to 55 wt %, based on hydroxyl equivalent of the polymer. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the polar organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of dichloromethane and ethanol. 
     
     
         26 . A micronized polymer of a cellulose acetate butyrate having a butyrate content in the range of 20 to 60 wt %, based on hydroxyl equivalent of the polymer and a number average molecular weight in the range from about 5,000 to about 50,000, and a particle size distribution on average of less than 30 microns. 
     
     
         27 . The micronized polymer of  claim 26  wherein the micronized polymer has a particle size distribution of 25 microns or less. 
     
     
         28 . The micronized polymer of  claim 27  have a butyrate content in the range of 30 to 55 wt %, based on hydroxyl equivalent of the polymer. 
     
     
         29 . The micronized polymer of  claim 26  wherein the hydroxyl content of the cellulose acetate butyrate is less than 10 wt % , based on the entire polymer. 
     
     
         30 . The micronized polymer of  claim 29  wherein the hydroxyl content of the cellulose acetate butyrate is less than 5 wt %, based on the entire polymer.