Fuel formulations
A diesel fuel formulation with improved lubricity is provided containing (i) a fatty alcohol ester, (ii) an acid-based lubricity additive and (iii) an additional diesel fuel component. The ester (i) has the formula R1-C(O)—O—R2, in which R1 is for example either hydrogen or methyl and R2 is for example a C6 to C14 alkyl group.
1. A diesel fuel formulation comprising a plurality of diesel fuel components comprising (i) a fatty alcohol ester in an amount of 0.5% v/v or greater, (ii) an acid-based lubricity additive and (iii) an additional diesel fuel component.
2. The formulation of claim 1 wherein the fatty alcohol ester (i) has the formula R1-C(O)—O—R2, wherein R1 is either hydrogen or a C1 to C4 alkyl group derived from an acid and R2 is a C6 to C14 alkyl or alkenyl group derived from a fatty alcohol.
3. The formulation of claim 2 wherein R1 is methyl.
4. The formulation of claim 2 wherein R2 is a C6 to C14 alkyl group.
5. The formulation of claim 3 wherein R2 is a C6 to C14 alkyl group.
6. The formulation of claim 4 wherein R2 is a C6 to C12 alkyl group.
7. The formulation of claim 5 wherein R2 is a C8 to C12 alkyl group.
8. The formulation of claim 7 wherein the acid-based lubricity additive comprises a C16 to C20 organic acid.
9. The formulation of claim 1 wherein the fatty alcohol ester is present in an amount up to 55% v/v.
10. The formulation of claim 1 wherein the acid-based lubricity additive is present in an amount of 30 ppmv or greater up to 1000 ppmv.
11. The formulation of claim 1 wherein the acid-based lubricity additive is present in an amount of 30 ppmv or greater up to 1000 ppmv.
12. A process for the preparation of a diesel fuel formulation comprising blending together a plurality of diesel fuel components comprising (i) a fatty alcohol ester in an amount of 0.5% v/v or greater, (ii) an acid-based lubricity additive and (iii) an additional diesel fuel component.
13. A method of operating an internal combustion engine, and/or a vehicle which is driven by an internal combustion engine comprising introducing into a combustion chamber of the engine a diesel fuel formulation of claim 1 .
14. A method of operating an internal combustion engine, and/or a vehicle which is driven by an internal combustion engine comprising introducing into a combustion chamber of the engine a diesel fuel formulation of claim 7 .
15. The process of claim 12 further comprising further blending with one or more diesel fuel additives.
16. The process of claim 12 wherein the fatty alcohol ester (i) has the formula R1-C(O)—O—R2, wherein R1 is either hydrogen or a C1 to C4 alkyl group derived from an acid and R2 is a C6 to C14 alkyl or alkenyl group derived from a fatty alcohol.
17. The process of claim 12 wherein the acid-based lubricity additive comprises a C16 to C20 organic acid.
18. The process of claim 12 wherein the acid-based lubricity additive is present in an amount of 30 ppmv or greater up to 1000 ppmv.
19. The formulation of claim 1 wherein the fatty alcohol ester is present in an amount of 1% v/v or greater.
20. The process of claim 12 wherein the fatty alcohol ester is present in an amount of 1% v/v or greater.
21. The formulation of claim 1 wherein the fatty alcohol ester is present in an amount of 2% v/v or greater.
22. The process of claim 12 wherein the fatty alcohol ester is present in an amount of 2% v/v or greater.