Liquid fuel compositions

Abstract

A liquid fuel composition containing (a) a gasoline base fuel suitable for use in an internal combustion engine; and (b) one or more organic sunscreen compounds. The liquid fuel composition of the present invention provides benefits in terms of improved acceleration and/or power output of an internal combustion engine fuelled by said fuel as well as an increase in flame speed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A liquid fuel composition comprising:
 (a) a gasoline base fuel suitable for use in an internal combustion engine; and   (b) one or more organic sunscreen compounds.   
     
     
         2 . The liquid fuel composition of  claim 1  wherein the one or more organic sunscreen compounds is selected from the group consisting of (i) alkyl β,β-diphenylacrylate and/or alpha-cyano-beta,beta-diphenylacrylate derivatives; (ii) salicylic derivatives; (iii) cinnamic derivatives; (iv) dibenzoylmethane derivatives; (v) camphor derivatives; (vi) benzophenone derivatives; (vii) p-aminobenzoic acid derivatives; and (viii) phenalkyl benzoate derivatives; and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid fuel composition of  claim 2  wherein the (i) alkyl β,β-diphenylacrylate and/or alpha-cyano-beta,beta-diphenylacrylate derivatives are selected from the group consisting of ethyl 2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl 2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The liquid fuel composition of  claim 2  wherein the (ii) salicylic derivatives are selected from the group consisting of ethylhexyl salicylate, triethanolamine salicylate, 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexylsalicylate, homomethyl salicylate, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid fuel composition of  claim 2  wherein the (iii) cinnamic derivatives are selected from the group consisting of octylmethoxy cinnamate, diethanolamine methoxycinnamate, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The liquid fuel composition of  claim 2  wherein the (iv) dibenzoylmethane derivatives are selected from the group consisting of butyl methoxy dibenzoylmethane, ethylhexyl methoxy dibenzoylmethane, isopropyl dibenzoylmethane, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The liquid fuel composition of  claim 2  wherein the (v) camphor derivatives are selected from 4-methylbenzylidene camphor. 
     
     
         8 . The liquid fuel composition of  claim 2  wherein the (vi) benzonphenone derivatives are selected from the group consisting of benzophenone-1, benzophenone-2, benzophenone-3, benzophenone-4, benzophenone-5, benzophenone-6, benzophenone-7, benzophenone-8, benzophenone-9, benzophenone-10, benzophenone-11, benzophenone-12, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The liquid fuel composition of  claim 2  wherein the (viii) phenalkyl benzoate derivatives are selected from phenethyl benzoate. 
     
     
         10 . The liquid fuel composition of  claim 1  wherein the total level of the one or more organic sunscreen compounds is in the range of from 10 ppmw to 2 wt %, by weight of the liquid fuel composition. 
     
     
         11 . An additive package suitable for use in a liquid fuel composition wherein the additive package comprises one or more organic sunscreen compounds. 
     
     
         12 . A method of improving the acceleration of an internal combustion engine, said method comprising fuelling the internal combustion engine containing a lubricant with a liquid fuel composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A method of improving the power output of an internal combustion engine, said method comprising fuelling the internal combustion engine containing a lubricant with a liquid fuel composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . A method of increasing the flame speed of an internal combustion engine, said method comprising fuelling the internal combustion engine containing a lubricant with a liquid fuel composition of  claim 1 .