Compositions for use in internal-combustion engines and methods of forming and using such compositions

Abstract

A fuel composition for use in internal-combustion engines has a lower grade fuel component, and a microemulsion. The microemulsion includes at least one of hydrous component, renewable component, and polar component being present in an amount effective for forming the fuel composition. The fuel composition may enhance lubricity, corrosion, and water stability without the use of other additives and inhibitors.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A fuel composition for use in internal-combustion engines, the fuel composition comprising:
 a lower grade fuel component;   a microemulsion comprising at least one of a hydrous component, a renewable component, and a polar component being present in an amount effective for forming the fuel composition; and   wherein the fuel composition enhances lubricity, corrosion, and water stability without the use of other additives and inhibitors.   
     
     
         2 . The fuel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the microemulsion is blended with lower grade diesel, water component, a cetane enhancer, an alcohol component to form the fuel composition. 
     
     
         3 . The fuel composition of  claim 2 , wherein the lower grade fuel is diesel which is at least one of a straight run diesel or an unadditized diesel. 
     
     
         4 . The fuel composition of  claim 3 , wherein the microemulsion volumes which are blended with the lower grade diesel component is at least one of 5%, 6%, and 12%. 
     
     
         5 . The fuel composition of  claim 4 , wherein the fuel composition comprises increased concentration of renewable contents. 
     
     
         6 . The fuel composition of  claim 5 , wherein the fuel composition is formed such that it reduces carbon intensity in the internal combustion engines. 
     
     
         7 . The fuel composition of  claim 6 , wherein the fuel composition dilutes contents of aromatics, sulfur, phosphorus, and other contaminants. 
     
     
         8 . The fuel composition of  claim 7 , wherein the fuel composition reduces emissions of NOx, particulate matter, and other criteria pollutants. 
     
     
         9 . The fuel composition of  claim 8 , wherein the fuel composition allows a flashpoint to stay below 38 C for microemulsion concentrations greater than 1% but the flashpoint increases for microemulsion concentrations that are below 1%. 
     
     
         10 . The fuel composition of  claim 9 , wherein the fuel composition forms spontaneously upon blending, and maintains clarity at low temperatures, upon freeze-thawing, and for prolonged periods. 
     
     
         11 . The fuel composition of  claim 10 , wherein the fuel composition is biodiesel. 
     
     
         12 . A method of formulating a fuel composition for use in internal-combustion engines, the method comprising:
 providing a fuel; and   forming the fuel composition by adding to the fuel, a microemulsion comprising at least one of hydrous component, renewable component, and polar component being present in an amount effective for forming the fuel composition; and   wherein the fuel composition enhances lubricity, corrosion, and water stability without the use of other additives and inhibitors.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising assessing the quality of the microemulsion. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the quality is assessed by analyzing at least one of an oxidative stability and contaminants in the microemulsion. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising optimizing the microemulsion volumes to be blended with different quality of the diesel. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the diesel is at least one of a straight run diesel or an unadditized diesel. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the microemulsion volumes which are blended with the lower grade diesel component is at least one of 5%, 6%, and 12%. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the microemulsion is blended with lower grade diesel, a water component, a cetane enhancer, an alcohol component to form the fuel composition. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the fuel composition is formed such that it reduces carbon intensity in the internal combustion engines. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the fuel composition dilutes contents of aromatics, sulfur, phosphorus, and other contaminants. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the fuel composition reduces emissions of NOx, particulate matter, and other criteria pollutants. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the fuel composition allows a flashpoint to stay below 38 C for microemulsion concentrations greater than 1% but flashpoint increases for microemulsion concentrations that are below 1%. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the fuel composition forms spontaneously upon blending, and maintains clarity at low temperatures, upon freeze-thawing, and for prolonged periods.