Spark ignition fuel mixture and method of making the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a spark ignition fuel mixture, comprising: a) diethyl ether with a content from 33.3 to 50 vol % of the mixture; b) ethanol with a content of at least 27 vol % of the mixture; and c) water with a content of at least 6 vol % of the mixture and not exceeding the ethanol content; wherein the mixture remains in a form of homogeneous liquid at −40° C. The present invention also provides a method of making or handling the spark ignition fuel mixture.

1 . A spark ignition fuel mixture, comprising:
 a) diethyl ether with a content from 33.3 to 50 vol % of the mixture;   b) ethanol with a content of at least 27 vol % of the mixture; and   c) water with a content of at least 6 vol % of the mixture and not exceeding the ethanol content;   wherein the mixture remains in a form of homogeneous liquid at −40° C.   
     
     
         2 . The spark ignition fuel mixture of  claim 1 , wherein the diethyl ether content is smaller than or equal to 68 minus 0.52 times the ethanol content in vol % of the mixture; and wherein the mixture has a Reid vapor pressure (RVP) of less than 5 psi. 
     
     
         3 . The spark ignition fuel mixture of  claim 1 , wherein the diethyl ether content is larger than or equal to 47.3 minus 0.23 times the ethanol content in vol % of the mixture; and wherein the mixture enables a cold-start at −30° C. 
     
     
         4 . The spark ignition fuel mixture of  claim 1 , further comprising lubricants, antioxidants and/or denaturants. 
     
     
         5 . A method of making the spark ignition fuel mixture of  claim 1 , comprising:
 forming a mixture of diethyl ether, ethanol, and water in pre-determined relative amounts such that the mixture forms a homogeneous liquid.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the forming step comprises dehydrating an initial volume of a hydrous ethanol reactant using a catalyst to form an intermediate product consisting of diethyl ether and water. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the forming step further comprises mixing the intermediate product and an additional volume of the hydrous ethanol reactant such that the pre-determined relative amounts are obtained. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the dehydrating step dehydrates ethanol in the initial volume of the hydrous ethanol reactant such that the-predetermined relative amounts are obtained. 
     
     
         9 . A method of handling the spark ignition fuel mixture of  claim 1 , comprising:
 providing the spark ignition fuel mixture, wherein the spark ignition fuel mixture remains in a form of homogeneous liquid and no step of removing a portion of the water is performed before the fuel mixture is used as a fuel.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the providing step comprises providing an initial volume of hydrous ethanol and is devoid of removing a portion of water from the hydrous ethanol.