Composition

Abstract

The present invention provides a fuel composition comprising: (a) a fuel; and (b) a polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid; wherein the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises a mixture of diglycerol in an amount of 11.0 to 34.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; triglycerol in an amount of 9.5 to 24.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; tetraglycerol in an amount of 6.0 to 21.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; pentaglycerol in an amount of 3.5 to 19.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; hexaglycerol in an amount of 6.0 to 13.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; heptaglycerol in an amount of 5.0 to 13.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; octaglycerol in an amount of 3.0 to 12.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; nonaglycerol in an amount of 1.5 to 10.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; decaglycerol in an amount of 0.0 to 8.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; and unadecaglycerol in an amount of 0.0 to 7.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols.

1 . A fuel composition comprising:
 (a) a fuel; and   (b) a polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid;   wherein the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises a mixture of
 diglycerol in an amount of 11.0 to 34.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 triglycerol in an amount of 9.5 to 24.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 tetraglycerol in an amount of 6.0 to 21.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 pentaglycerol in an amount of 3.5 to 19.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 hexaglycerol in an amount of 6.0 to 13.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
   heptaglycerol in an amount of 5.0 to 13.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols;
 octaglycerol in an amount of 3.0 to 12.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 nonaglycerol in an amount of 1.5 to 10.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 decaglycerol in an amount of 0.0 to 8.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; and 
 unadecaglycerol in an amount of 0.0 to 7.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols. 
   
     
     
         2 . A fuel composition according to  claim 1  wherein the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises a mixture of
 diglycerol in an amount of 11.0 to 28.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 triglycerol in an amount of 9.5 to 24.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 tetraglycerol in an amount of 6.0 to 21.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 pentaglycerol in an amount of 3.5 to 19.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 hexaglycerol in an amount of 6.0 to 13.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 heptaglycerol in an amount of 5.0 to 13.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 octaglycerol in an amount of 4.0 to 12.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 nonaglycerol in an amount of 2.0 to 10.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 decaglycerol in an amount of 0.5 to 8.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; and 
 unadecaglycerol in an amount of 0.1 to 7.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols. 
 
     
     
         3 . A fuel composition according to  claim 1  wherein
 the diglycerol comprises acyclic diglycerol in an amount of 6.0 to 25.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic diglycerol in an amount of 5.0 to 13.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the triglycerol comprises acyclic triglycerol in an amount of 7.0 to 21.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic triglycerol in an amount of 2.5 to 9.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the tetraglycerol comprises acyclic tetraglycerol in an amount of 5.5 to 15.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic tetraglycerol in an amount of 0.5 to 8.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; and 
 the pentaglycerol comprises acyclic pentaglycerol in an amount of 3.0 to 11.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic pentaglycerol in an amount of 0.5 to 8.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols. 
 
     
     
         4 . A fuel composition according to  claim 2  wherein
 the diglycerol comprises acyclic diglycerol in an amount of 6.0 to 15.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic diglycerol in an amount of 5.0 to 13.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the triglycerol comprises acyclic triglycerol in an amount of 7.0 to 15.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic triglycerol in an amount of 2.5 to 9.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the tetraglycerol comprises acyclic tetraglycerol in an amount of 5.0 to 13.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic tetraglycerol in an amount of 1.0 to 8.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; and 
 the pentaglycerol comprises acyclic pentaglycerol in an amount of 3.0 to 11.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic pentaglycerol in an amount of 0.5 to 8.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols. 
 
     
     
         5 . A fuel composition according to  claim 1  wherein the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises a mixture of
 the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises diglycerol in an amount of 15.0 to 23.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises triglycerol in an amount of 13.5 to 20.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises tetraglycerol in an amount of 10.0 to 17.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises pentaglycerol in an amount of 8.0 to 14.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises hexaglycerol in an amount of 8.0 to 11.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises heptaglycerol in an amount of 7.5 to 11.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises octaglycerol in an amount of 6.5 to 10.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises nonaglycerol in an amount of 4.0 to 8.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises decaglycerol in an amount of 1.5 to 6.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; and 
 the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises unadecaglycerol in an amount of 0.5 to 5.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols. 
 
     
     
         6 . A fuel composition according to  claim 5  wherein
 the diglycerol comprises acyclic diglycerol in an amount of 8.0 to 12.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic diglycerol in an amount of 7.5 to 11.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the triglycerol comprises acyclic triglycerol in an amount of 9.0 to 13.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic triglycerol in an amount of 4.5 to 7.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the tetraglycerol comprises acyclic tetraglycerol in an amount of 7.5 to 11.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic tetraglycerol in an amount of 2.5 to 6.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; and 
 the pentaglycerol comprises acyclic pentaglycerol in an amount of 5.0 to 9.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic pentaglycerol in an amount of 2.5 to 6.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols. 
 
     
     
         7 . A fuel composition according to  claim 1  wherein the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises a mixture of
 the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises diglycerol in an amount of 17.6 to 21.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises triglycerol in an amount of 15.9 to 18.1 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises tetraglycerol in an amount of 12.5 to 14.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises pentaglycerol in an amount of 10.5 to 12.2 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises hexaglycerol in an amount of 9.3 to 10.1 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises heptaglycerol in an amount of 8.6 to 9.9 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises octaglycerol in an amount of 7.3 to 8.9 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises nonaglycerol in an amount of 5.5 to 6.4 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises decaglycerol in an amount of 2.9 to 4.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; and 
 the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises unadecaglycerol in an amount of 1.8 to 3.7 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols. 
 
     
     
         8 . A fuel composition according to  claim 7  wherein
 the diglycerol comprises acyclic diglycerol in an amount of 9.1 to 11.4 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic diglycerol in an amount of 8.5 to 9.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the triglycerol comprises acyclic triglycerol in an amount of 10.0 to 11.8 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic triglycerol in an amount of 5.9 to 6.3 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the tetraglycerol comprises acyclic tetraglycerol in an amount of 8.4 to 9.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic tetraglycerol in an amount of 4.1 to 4.4 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; and 
 the pentaglycerol comprises acyclic pentaglycerol in an amount of 6.7 to 7.6 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic pentaglycerol in an amount of 3.8 to 4.6 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols. 
 
     
     
         9 . A fuel composition according to  claim 1  wherein in the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid
 the diglycerol comprises acyclic diglycerol in an amount of 9.0 to 24.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic diglycerol in an amount of 6.5 to 10.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the triglycerol comprises acyclic triglycerol in an amount of 9.0 to 20.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic triglycerol in an amount of 3.5 to 6.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the tetraglycerol comprises acyclic tetraglycerol in an amount of 8.0 to 13.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic tetraglycerol in an amount of 2.0 to 4.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; and 
 the pentaglycerol comprises acyclic pentaglycerol in an amount of 6.0 to 9.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic pentaglycerol in an amount of 2.0 to 5.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols. 
 
     
     
         10 . A fuel composition according to  claim 7  wherein in the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid
 the diglycerol comprises acyclic diglycerol in an amount of 20.0 to 26.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic diglycerol in an amount of 6.5 to 8.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the triglycerol comprises acyclic triglycerol in an amount of 18.0 to 21.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic triglycerol in an amount of 2.5 to 5.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 the tetraglycerol comprises acyclic tetraglycerol in an amount of 11.0 to 14.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic tetraglycerol in an amount of 1.5 to 4.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; and 
 the pentaglycerol comprises acyclic pentaglycerol in an amount of 6.5 to 9.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols, and cyclic pentaglycerol in an amount of 1.5 to 4.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols. 
 
     
     
         11 . A fuel composition according to  claim 1  wherein the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid has a hydroxyl value of from 880 to 1230 mg KOH/g. 
     
     
         12 . A fuel composition according to  claim 11  wherein the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid has a hydroxyl value of from 1130 to 1230 mg KOH/g. 
     
     
         13 . A fuel composition according to  claim 11  wherein the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid has a hydroxyl value of from 880 to 1060 mg KOH/g. 
     
     
         14 . A fuel composition according to  claim 11  wherein the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid has a hydroxyl value of from 950 to 990. 
     
     
         15 . A fuel composition according to  claim 1  wherein the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid has a refractive index at 25° C. of from 1.4855 to 1.4935. 
     
     
         16 . A fuel composition according to  claim 1  wherein the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid has a refractive index at 50° C. of from 1.4895 to 1.4925. 
     
     
         17 . A fuel composition according to  claim 1  wherein the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid has a refractive index at 50° C. of from 1.4900 to 1.4920. 
     
     
         18 . A fuel composition according to  claim 1  wherein the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid has a viscosity of less than 700 mPa s at 20° C. 
     
     
         19 . A fuel composition according to  claim 1  wherein the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid has a viscosity of less than 200 mPa s at 20° C. 
     
     
         20 . A fuel composition according to  claim 1  wherein the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid is prepared by reacting a polyglycerol and a fatty acid triglyceride in a ratio of polyglycerol to fatty acid triglyceride of from 1:1 to 1:8. 
     
     
         21 . A fuel composition according to  claim 1  wherein the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid is present in an amount of no greater than 0.5 wt % based on the total fuel composition. 
     
     
         22 . A fuel composition according to  claim 1  wherein the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid is present in an amount of no greater than 0.25 wt % based on the total fuel composition. 
     
     
         23 . A fuel composition according to  claim 1  wherein the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid is present in an amount of no greater than 0.2 wt % based on the total fuel composition. 
     
     
         24 . A fuel composition according to  claim 1  wherein the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid is present in an amount of no greater than 0.1 wt % based on the total fuel composition. 
     
     
         25 . A fuel composition according to  claim 1  wherein the fuel is selected from diesel, heavy fuel oil, marine gasoil and kerosene. 
     
     
         26 . A fuel composition according to  claim 25  wherein the fuel is marine gasoil. 
     
     
         27 . A fuel composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the fuel composition further comprises water. 
     
     
         28 . A fuel composition according to  claim 27 , wherein the fuel composition further comprises water in an amount of from 10 to 70 wt. % based on the total fuel composition. 
     
     
         29 . A fuel composition according to  claim 27 , wherein the fuel composition further comprises water in an amount of from 30 to 60 wt. % based on the total fuel composition. 
     
     
         30 . A fuel composition according to  claim 27 , wherein the fuel composition further comprises water in an amount of from 33 to 50 wt. % based on the total fuel composition. 
     
     
         31 . A method for improving the stability of a fuel composition containing fuel and water, the method comprising mixing with the fuel and water,
 a polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid;   wherein the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises a mixture of
 diglycerol in an amount of 11.0 to 34.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 triglycerol in an amount of 9.5 to 24.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 tetraglycerol in an amount of 6.0 to 21.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 pentaglycerol in an amount of 3.5 to 19.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 hexaglycerol in an amount of 6.0 to 13.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 heptaglycerol in an amount of 5.0 to 13.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 octaglycerol in an amount of 3.0 to 12.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 nonaglycerol in an amount of 1.5 to 10.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 decaglycerol in an amount of 0.0 to 8.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; and 
 unadecaglycerol in an amount of 0.0 to 7.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols. 
   
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A kit for preparing a fuel composition, the kit comprising
 a polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid; wherein the polyglycerol composition used to form the polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid comprises a mixture of
 diglycerol in an amount of 11.0 to 34.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 triglycerol in an amount of 9.5 to 24.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 tetraglycerol in an amount of 6.0 to 21.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 pentaglycerol in an amount of 3.5 to 19.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 hexaglycerol in an amount of 6.0 to 13.5 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 heptaglycerol in an amount of 5.0 to 13.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 octaglycerol in an amount of 3.0 to 12.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 nonaglycerol in an amount of 1.5 to 10.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 decaglycerol in an amount of 0.0 to 8.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; 
 unadecaglycerol in an amount of 0.0 to 7.0 weight % based on the combined weight of the polyglycerols; and 
   instructions to prepare the fuel composition.   
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . (canceled)