JPH0247519B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

The present invention relates to fuel for internal combustion engines. As the global oil supply decreases, there is a strong need to find a substitute for gasoline, which is a petroleum-based fuel. For example, a mixed fuel of gasoline and ethyl alcohol is often called "gasol"
This fuel, commonly known as gasohol, is widely used because it reduces the amount of gasoline needed to run internal combustion engines. However, this gasol contains a large amount (90%) of gasoline. It would of course be desirable to find an alternative fuel to gasoline that does not use any substances derived from petroleum, and the use of ethanol alone as an engine fuel is being explored; In addition to being a grain used as a grain, it has many other drawbacks. However, if the efficiency of ethanol were improved, its use would of course become more attractive. It is also highly desirable to use coal as a fuel for automobiles and other vehicles. One method that has been suggested for the use of coal as a fuel for internal combustion engines involves the conversion of coal to methanol. The methanol thus obtained is added to gasoline to obtain a fuel similar to gasol. As a gasoline additive (volume expander), methanol performs a similar function to ethanol, but problems arise when methanol is added to gasoline. That is, if moisture, even a small amount, enters the vehicle tank, the methanol-gasoline mixture will separate, and the methanol and water will settle to the bottom of the tank and enter the engine, causing it to shut down. The use of methanol alone as a fuel has also been proposed, and by making slight improvements to the engine, such as increasing the engine's compression ratio and installing a heating system for low-temperature starting, it is possible for cars to run on methanol alone. However, methanol produces only about half as many calories per gallon as regular gasoline. The combustion heat of gasoline and methanol is shown below. Gasoline: 10.5 kcal/g Methanol: 4.7 kcal/g From the above, the factory price of methanol produced at a coal-to-methanol conversion plant must be viewed at approximately 55-65% of the retail price of gasoline. I understand. Unless the combustion characteristics of methanol are improved even slightly, methanol cannot be substituted for gasoline at its current price. However, it would be highly desirable to improve the combustion properties of methanol and, as a result, to economically use methanol as a gasoline replacement fuel. It should be noted that in addition to synthetically producing methanol from coal, methanol can also be produced from agricultural and forestry wastes such as wood chips, food waste, plants and fertilizers. According to the present invention, the properties of methanol, ethanol or other lower alcohols used as fuel for internal combustion engines are significantly improved by the additive alkyl peroxide. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fuel based on methanol, ethanol or other lower alcohols which can be used as a partial or complete substitute for gasoline as a fuel for internal combustion engines. First, the present invention will be described from a broad and comprehensive perspective. In broad and general terms, the present invention relates to fuel compositions for internal combustion engines, the fuel compositions containing methanol, ethanol or other lower alcohols and additives. This fuel composition may be used as is as a typical gasoline engine fuel, or may be mixed with gasoline in any ratio for use in the engine. The additive is an alkyl peroxide, and preferred alkyl peroxides have the general formula (wherein R ₁ to R ₆ are lower alkyl groups). The most preferred additive is the formula It is di-t-butyl peroxide shown by
general formula t-alkyl hydroperoxides having the formula (wherein R ₁ to _{R 6} are lower alkyl groups) are also used. Preferred t-alkyl hydroperoxides have the formula It is t-butyl hydroperoxide with In accordance with the present invention, a suitable mixture of peroxide and methanol provides a fuel composition that burns approximately twice as efficiently as methanol alone and provides approximately the same miles per gallon as gasoline.
However, this fuel composition has combustion characteristics that cause autoignition and associated knocking in conventional gasoline engines. Of course, this problem can be overcome by engine design changes, but attempts to overcome this problem in current engines have shown that adding a certain amount of water and isopropanol to the fuel composition can prevent auto-ignition or knocking. It has been found that a fuel can be obtained which can replace conventional petroleum-based fuels without causing any generation of gas, and which can also be mixed with petroleum-based fuels as a volume expander. Furthermore, this isopropanol also reduces the problems associated with water-methanol mixtures. In tests with methanol, peroxide additives were shown to improve the performance of ethanol alone and gasol. The desired fuel composition of the present invention thus comprises a mixture of methanol and/or ethanol and peroxide, but may also contain other additives to improve the overall properties and performance of the fuel. The use of peroxides as fuel additives has been suggested, e.g. Buerk
U.S. Patent No.
No. 1766501 discloses the general addition of peroxides to improve the combustion efficiency of gasoline. Barusch's U.S. Pat. No. 3,108,864 for Engine Starting Fluid contains a large amount of dimethyl peroxide as a starting primer for gasoline engines under semi-frozen conditions. It is described that it is used in combination with ether. U.S. Patent No. 2011,297 to Moser for ``Method for Preparing Motor Fuels'' and U.S. Patent No. 2092322 for ``Process for Preparing Organic Peroxides'' to Moser; Moser No. 2107059 for Motor Fuel Compositions; Badertscher et al. No. 2174680 for Diesel Fuel; Moser No. 2107059 for Motor Fuel Compositions; No. 2,240,145, issued to ``Motor Fuel Compositions,'' and 2,891,851, issued to Bailey et al., ``Fuels for Internal Combustion Engines,'' use peroxide as an additive in diesel fuel. This is disclosed. Mingle Jr., US Pat. It discloses that it adds. Mayerhoffer et al.'s U.S. Pat. No. 3,869,262 for Fuels and Additives for Producing the Same is one of numerous patents disclosing the use of isopropanol in gasoline. The specifications are listed. According to the present invention, the fuel composition preferably contains about 1.5-6% peroxide, with the remainder being substantially methanol. Throughout this specification, % indicates volume % at room temperature unless otherwise specified. Other additives may be added to the composition. The fuel composition of the present invention may be used as it is or may be mixed with gasoline in any proportion. Some or all of the methanol may be replaced with ethanol to obtain an improved fuel. In order to confirm the effects of the present invention, the following tests were conducted using a 1973 Lincoln Continental. A series of experiments revealed that mixing peroxide with methanol in a predetermined ratio and making small adjustments in the vaporizer solved the problems encountered with methanol-gasoline mixtures. 1 Mileage (miles/gal) Di-t-alkyl peroxide (specifically di-t-butyl peroxide) and methanol were blended. Although a mixture of 10% peroxide and 90% methanol was very effective, a mixture of 15% peroxide and 85% methanol was found to be a more optimal ratio. The viscosity of this mixture was higher than gasoline, necessitating changing the size of Lincoln's carburetor jet from 61 thousandths to 69 thousandths. With a jet of this size, the peroxide-containing mixture flows freely through the vaporizer. This maneuver was the only modification made to Lincoln in all experiments. August 12, 1979 The Lincoln adopted as a car model is Regularer 89.
I traveled 120.8 miles using 10.3 gallons of octane gas. In other words, the mileage per gallon was 11.73 miles. August 30, 1979 104.5 in 9 gallons using a 50/50 blend of 85% methanol and 15% peroxide and regular 89 octane gasoline.
ran miles. In other words, the mileage per gallon was 11.61 miles. The above two tests were conducted under identical conditions and showed that the fuel mixture of the present invention had approximately the same mileage as gasoline. 2 Separation of mixture from water September 21, 1979 A mixture of 85% methanol and 15% peroxide
50-50 blend with 93 octane unleaded gasoline 1
If you add 3 ounces of water to a gallon, the water will reduce the mixture by 2
Separated into layers. Unexpectedly, peroxide remained with methanol and water despite being soluble in gasoline. The mixture, separated, was added to a test tank on the Lincoln, and the Lincoln, taken out on the road, ran flawlessly with the separated mixture. The Lincoln ran flawlessly on a methanol-peroxide water mixture without gasoline. 3. Low-temperature starting When di-t-butyl peroxide is added to methanol, a low-temperature motor starts more easily than when using methanol alone. This test was conducted in Florida, which has a mild climate, so it is only for reference. 4 Exhaust The exhaust gas from Lincoln was tested on September 21, 1979, and the following results were obtained. The current government standards (at idling speed) are hydrocarbons below 400P.PM and carbon monoxide 2%.
It is as follows. 85% methanol - 15% peroxide mixture Hydrocarbons 60P.PM Carbon monoxide 0.1% Texaco unleaded 87 octane gasoline (comparison product) Hydrocarbons 250P.PM Carbon monoxide 10% Amoco unleaded Hi-Test 93 octane gasoline (comparison product) Carbonized Hydrogen 180P.PM Carbon monoxide 7% Amoco unleaded Hi-Test 93 octane gasoline and 50-50 mixture of 85% methanol and 15% peroxide
Mixture Hydrocarbon 100P.PM Carbon Monoxide 2.6% Numerous tests were conducted using the Lincoln and no notable differences were observed in the gasket or hose. Although di-t-alkyl peroxides are the most stable of the commercially available organic peroxides, there has been concern about the long-term stability of methanol-peroxide mixtures. methanol
85%-di-t-butyl peroxide 15% mixture 1
Gallons were blended in tin containers on May 17, 1977 and stored until September 22, 1979. They then put it in Lincoln's test tank and measured the mileage, and it showed almost the same mileage with the same amount as the newly blended mixture. Same day, September 1979
On the 22nd, the same amount of methanol alone gave only 1/2 the mileage of the stock mixture and the new mixture. The invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples. Experiments 18 (B) and 18 (C) Di-t-butyl peroxide (hereinafter sometimes referred to as DTBP) and methanol in volume ratio
By mixing 15/85, mileage (miles/gallon = mpg) increased by 61% compared to when methanol was burned alone.
5.96mpg, inventive mixture 9.60mpg). Experiments 16 and 18 (H) These two experimental data are
It is shown that the mileage of gasoline diluted with a 45/5 mixture with DTBP to make it 50% is approximately 91% of the mileage obtained with gasoline alone. Experiments 17 (B) and 18 (C) These data suggest that as the mixing ratio of methanol and DTBP increases to 80/20 and 75/25, the mileage may be improved compared to the 85/15 mixture. are doing.

【table】

[Table] In addition to the above tests conducted on real cars, early tests were conducted on small motors. Details of these tests are provided below. Motor: Kohler model K91, cast iron, air-cooled, 4-stroke, 2-bore
3/8", stroke 2", displacement 8.86 cubic inches, spark plug gear setting 0.025", breaker point gear 0.020",
Horsepower 4HP engine is equipped with a handbrake (along with an incomplete spring balance gauge). The slot was set to about 4000 rpm without any load. All mixtures were operated as close to 2500 rpm as possible using the handbrake to slow the motor. Experiment No. 1: Five ounces of Texaco unleaded gasoline with a reported octane rating of approximately 91 was used. speed
2500 rpm, 3 lb brake pressure, time 12 1/3
It was hot in minutes. Experiment No. 2: 4 1/2 ounces of methanol and g-t-
A mixture of 1/2 oz of butyl peroxide was used. The speed was 2700 rpm, the brakes were 3 pounds, and the time was 14 minutes. Experiment No. 3: 4 1/2 ounces of methanol and g-t-
A mixture of 3/4 oz of butyl peroxide was used. Speed 2700rpm, brake 3lb, time 15
It was hot in 1/4 minute. Experiment No. 4: A mixture of 4 1/2 ounces of methanol and 1/2 ounce of cumene hydroperoxide was used.
Speed 2700rpm, brake 3lb, time 17 3/4
(The exhaust gas had an unpleasant sweet odor). Experiment No. 5: A mixture of 4 3/4 ounces of the mixture from Experiment No. 2 and 1/4 ounce of water was used. Speed was 2000 rpm, brakes were 3 lbs.
mixture). Experiment No. 6: Using 5 ounces of methanol while making the throttle adjustment of Experiment No. 5. speed
It was 2600 rpm, 3 lb brakes, and took 10 3/4 minutes. The following experiment was performed with the throttle opened more and approximately
This is the result of driving at high speed using the brakes to reach a speed of 3200 rpm. Experiment No. 10: Standard strength 190 grain alcohol 4 1/2
A mixture of 1/2 oz. and 1/2 oz. di-t-butyl peroxide was used. Speed 3200rpm, brake 3
It was 1/2 pound, time 7 1/2 minutes. Experiment No. 12: 5 ounces of Texaco unleaded gasoline was used. Speed 3200rpm, brake 9lb, time 6
(Blue smoke was visible to the naked eye). Experiment No. 13: 5 ounces of methanol was used. The throttle was opened almost to its maximum to obtain almost the same speed with high brake pressure. The speed was 3000 rpm, the brakes were 7 1/2 pounds, and the time was 5 minutes. General Motor's Chevrolet Citation
Recent tests have shown that the mileage (miles per gallon) using a di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP)-methanol mixture is
Dramatically improved when DTBP was 1.5-6% by volume,
It was also found that DTBP is effective even at negligible doses. As is clear from the figure
When DTBP is 1%, methanol mileage increases to about 2 miles/gal, and when DTBP is 1.5-6%
It increased to about 6-7 miles/gal. In the figure, X is the result obtained from actual measurements on the Chevrolet Citation (increase in mileage)
, and O is the value obtained by multiplying the result obtained for the Lincoln (increase in mileage) by 2, and this value almost coincided with the extrapolated value for the Chevrolet Citation. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or characteristics. Therefore, the above-mentioned specific examples illustrate the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these specific examples. The technical matters described in the claims and modifications included in the scope of equivalents thereof are also included in the present invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The diagram shows di-t-butyl peroxide (DTBP)
2 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount added (volume %) and the increase in mileage (miles/gallon) of a car.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A fuel for an internal combustion engine, comprising a lower alcohol and an amount of t-alkyl peroxide effective to improve the combustion efficiency of the lower alcohol. 2. The fuel of claim 1, comprising isopropanol as an additive to reduce auto-ignition and knocking, problems associated with water-methanol mixtures. 3 gasoline, a lower alcohol, and an effective amount of t to improve the combustion efficiency of the lower alcohol.
- an additive containing an alkyl peroxide. 4. The fuel of claim 3, comprising isopropanol as an additive to reduce the problems associated with water-methanol mixtures, auto-ignition and knocking.