Fuel compositions comprising tetramethylcyclohexane
A fuel composition comprises at least a tetramethylcyclohexane having a quaternary carbon atom in the cyclohexane ring and optionally, a fuel component. The tetramethylcyclohexane can be used as a fuel component or as a fuel additive in the fuel composition. The fuel composition may further comprise a conventional fuel component selected from a diesel fuel, jet fuel, kerosene or gasoline. Methods of making and using the fuel composition are also disclosed.
1. A fuel composition comprising a petroleum-based fuel component, an aromatic compound and at least one tetramethylcyclohexane having a quaternary carbon atom in the cyclohexane ring, wherein the amount of the tetramethylcyclohexane is:
or a combination thereof, and the aromatic compound is:
and wherein the amount of the tetramethycylohexane is at least about 1 wt. %, and the amount of the aromatic compound is from about 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. %, based on the total weight of the fuel composition.
2. The fuel composition of claim 1 , wherein the amount of the tetramethylcyclohexane is at least about 5 wt. %, based on the total weight of the fuel composition.
3. The fuel composition of claim 1 , wherein the tetramethylcyclohexane is
or at least one stereoisomer thereof.
4. The fuel composition of claim 1 , wherein the tetramethylcyclohexane is
or at least one stereoisomer thereof.
5. The fuel composition of claim 1 , wherein the petroleum-based fuel component is gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene or a combination thereof.
6. The fuel composition of claim 1 , wherein the amount of the petroleum-based fuel component is at least about 40 wt. % and the amount of the tetramethylcyclohexane is from about 5 wt. % to about 50 wt. %, based on the total weight of the fuel composition.
7. The fuel composition of claim 1 comprising:
or at least one stereoisomer thereof;
or at least one stereoisomer thereof;
or at least one stereoisomer thereof; and
or at least one stereoisomer thereof, wherein the total amount of (a) and (b) is from about 1 wt. % to about 99 wt. %, and the total amount of (c) and (d) is from about 0.5 wt. % to about 50 wt. %, based on the total weight of (a)-(d).
8. The fuel composition of claim 7 further comprising:
or at least one stereoisomer thereof; and
or at least one stereoisomer thereof; wherein the amount of (e) is from 0 wt. % to about 50 wt. %, and the amount of (g) is from about 0.1 wt. % to about 30 wt. %, based on the total weight of (a)-(e), the aromatic compound and (g).
9. The fuel composition of claim 8 , wherein the total amount of (a) and (b) is from about 50 wt. % to about 99 wt. %, based on the total weight of (a)-(e), the aromatic compound and (g).
10. The fuel composition of claim 1 , having a Reid vapor pressure from about 7.0 psi to about 15.0 psi.
11. The fuel composition of claim 10 , wherein the fuel composition is an RBOB or a CARBOB.
12. The fuel composition of claim 11 , further comprising ethanol.
13. A method of making a fuel composition comprising the step of contacting pinene with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to form at least one tetramethyleyclohexane having a quaternary carbon atom in the cyclohexane ring; and mixing the tetramethylcyclohexane with a petroleum-based fuel component and an aromatic compound to make the fuel composition, wherein the tetramethylcyclohexane is:
or a combination thereof, and the aromatic compound is:
and wherein the amount of the tetramethylcyclohexane is at least about 1 wt.%, and the amount of the aromatic compound is from about 0.1 wt.% to about 20 wt.%, based on the total weight of the fuel composition.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the pinene is α-pinene, β- pinene or a combination thereof.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the hydrogenation catalyst comprises a ruthenium catalyst.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the fuel component is a petroleum-based fuel component.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the fuel composition has a Reid vapor pressure from about 7.0 psi to 15.0 psi.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the fuel composition is an RBOB or a CARBOB.
19. 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 used to power the internal combustion engine, wherein the fuel composition comprises a petroleum-based fuel component, an aromatic compound and at least one tetramethylcyclohexane having a quaternary carbon atom in the cyclohexane ring, wherein the tetramethylcyclohexane is:
or a combination thereof, and the aromatic compound is:
and wherein the amount of the tetramethylcyclohexane is at least about 1 wt.%, and the amount of the aromatic compound is from about 0.1 wt.% to about 20 wt.%, based on the total weight of the fuel composition.
20. The vehicle of claim 19 , wherein the internal combustion engine is a gasoline engine.