Jet fuel compositions and methods of making and using same
View Patent ↗Provided herein are, among other things, jet fuel compositions and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the fuel compositions comprise at least a fuel component readily and efficiently produced, at least in part, from a microorganism. In certain embodiments, the fuel compositions provided herein comprise a high concentration of at least a bioengineered fuel component. In further embodiments, the fuel compositions provided herein comprise limonane.
1. A fuel composition comprising or obtainable from a mixture comprising:
(a) limonane;
(b) a petroleum-based fuel;
(c) a fuel additive; and
(d) p-cymene,
wherein the amount of the limonane compound is at least about 11 vol. %, the amount of the petroleum-based fuel is at least about 5 vol. %, and the amount of the p-cymene is from about 1 vol. % to about 25 vol. %, all amounts based on the total volume of the fuel composition, and wherein the fuel composition has a flash point equal to or greater than 38° C.
2. A jet fuel composition comprising:
(a) limonane;
(b) a petroleum-based fuel;
(c) a jet fuel additive; and
(d) p-cymene,
wherein the amount of the limonane compound is at least about 11 vol. %, the amount of the petroleum-based fuel is at least about 5 vol. %, and the amount of the p-cymene is from about 1 vol. % to about 25 vol. %, all amounts based on the total volume of the jet fuel composition, and wherein the fuel composition has a density from about 750 kg/m 3 to about 850 kg/m 3 at 15° C., a flash point equal to or greater than 38° C.
3. The fuel compositions of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the limonane is
or a combination thereof.
4. The fuel compositions of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the amount of the limonane is from about 11 vol. % to about 15 vol. %, based on the total volume of the fuel composition.
5. The fuel compositions of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the amount of the limonane is from about 15 vol. % to about 80 vol. %, based on the total volume of the fuel composition.
6. The fuel compositions of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the amount of the limonane is from about 20 vol. % to about 75 vol. %, based on the total volume of the fuel composition.
7. The fuel compositions of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the amount of the limonane is from about 25 vol. % to about 75 vol. %, based on the total volume of the fuel composition.
8. The fuel composition of claim 1 , wherein the amount of the p-cymene is at most about 25 vol. %, based on the total volume of the fuel composition.
9. The fuel composition of claim 1 , wherein the petroleum-based fuel is kerosene.
10. The fuel composition of claim 1 , wherein the fuel composition has a density from about 750 kg/m 3 to about 850 kg/m 3 at 15° C.
11. The fuel composition of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the petroleum-based fuel is Jet A, Jet A-1 or Jet B.
12. The fuel composition of claim 11 , wherein the fuel composition meets the ASTM D 1655 specification for Jet A.
13. The fuel composition of claim 11 , wherein the fuel composition meets the ASTM D 1655 specification for Jet A-1.
14. The fuel composition of claim 11 , wherein the fuel composition meets the ASTM D 1655 specification for Jet B.
15. The jet fuel composition of claim 2 , wherein the fuel additive is at least one additive selected from the group consisting of an oxygenate, an antioxidant, a thermal stability improver, a stabilizer, a cold flow improver, a combustion improver, an anti-foam, an anti-haze additive, a corrosion inhibitor, a lubricity improver, an icing inhibitor, an injector cleanliness additive, a smoke suppressant, a drag reducing additive, a metal deactivator, a dispersant, a detergent, a de-emulsifier, a dye, a marker, a static dissipater, a biocide, and combinations thereof.
16. A method of making a fuel composition comprising:
(a) contacting an isoprenoid starting material with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to form a limonane and p-cymene; and
(b) mixing the limonane and p-cymene with a petroleum-based fuel to make the fuel composition;
wherein the amount of the limonane compound is at least about 11 vol. %, the amount of the petroleum-based fuel is at least about 5 vol. %, and the amount of the p-cymene is from about 1 vol. % to about 25 vol. %, all amounts based on the total volume of the fuel composition, and wherein the fuel composition has a flash point equal to or greater than 38° C.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the isoprenoid starting material is limonene, β-phellandrene, γ-terpinene, terpinolene, or a combination thereof.
18. A method of making a fuel composition from a simple sugar comprising:
(a) contacting a cell capable of making an isoprenoid starting material with the simple sugar under conditions suitable for making the isoprenoid starting material;
(b) converting the isoprenoid starting material to limonane; and
(c) mixing the limonane with a petroleum-based fuel to make the fuel composition,
wherein the amount of the limonane compound is at least about 11 vol. % and the amount of the petroleum-based fuel is at least about 5 vol. %, both amounts based on the total volume of the fuel composition, and wherein the fuel composition has a flash point equal to or greater than 38° C.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the isoprenoid starting material is limonene, β-phellandrene, γ-terpinene, terpinolene, or a combination thereof.
20. A fuel composition made by the method of either of any of claims 16 - 19 .
21. A vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, a fuel tank connected to the internal combustion engine, and a fuel composition in the fuel tank, wherein the fuel composition is the fuel composition of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the amount of the limonane compound is at least about 11 vol. %, the amount of the petroleum-based fuel is at least about 5 vol. %, and the amount of the p-cymene is from about 1 vol. % to about 25 vol. %, all amounts based on the total volume of the fuel composition, and wherein the fuel composition has a flash point equal to or greater than 38° C., and wherein the fuel composition is used to power the internal combustion engine.
22. A method of powering an engine comprising the step of combusting the fuel composition of claim 1 or 2 in the engine.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the engine is a jet engine.
24. The fuel composition of claim 1 , wherein the total amount of aromatic compounds in the fuel composition is from about 15% to about 35% by weight or volume, based on the total weight or volume of the fuel composition.
25. The fuel composition of claim 2 , wherein the total amount of aromatic compounds in the fuel composition is from about 15% to about 35% by weight or volume, based on the total weight or volume of the fuel composition.
26. The method of claim 16 , wherein the total amount of aromatic compounds in the fuel composition is from about 15% to about 35% by weight or volume, based on the total weight or volume of the fuel composition.