Fuel composition

A composition useful, inter alia, as a fuel, is based on ethyl alcohol denatured with methylisobutyl alcohol and kerosene, which is mixed with xylenes and isopropyl alcohol. The xylenes and isopropyl alcohol act with the denaturizing agents to raise the flash point above that of ethyl alcohol alone and also to mask the odor and color the flame, thus making the composition safer for use as a charcoal lighter or as a fuel for e.g. patio lamps.

The present invention relates to compositions, which can be used for 
lighting charcoal grills and trash fires, as fuel in patio torches, 
lanterns and liquid fueled stoves and heaters and for other purposes as 
described below. 
It is known that alcohol constitutes an excellent base for a charcoal fires 
lighter, since it burns without creating smoke or noxious fumes and has 
good ignition capacity. Its drawback, however, is its high flammability, 
which can lead to a risk of injury by burning, or even explosion, if it is 
poured on hot, but not apparently burning, charcoal. In some cases, 
flashback through the air to a container held in the user's hand can 
occur. 
Initially, these problems caused the avoidance of alcohol as the base for 
lighter compositions and the use, instead, of paraffin-based compositions. 
These, however, suffered from the drawback that paraffin burns with a 
dirty, smelly flame, which is particularly undesirable in the case of 
domestic uses, such as backyard barbecues. 
An alternative solution, suggested for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,801,292 
and 4,238,201, is to confine the liquid alcohol, as it burns, within a 
solid or semi-solid mass so as to reduce the risk of explosion, or large 
flames. These compositions are, however, relatively expensive and less 
convenient to use than liquid fuels. 
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide an alcohol based 
composition for fire lighting, which avoids the dangers and disadvantages 
described above. 
It is a further object to provide such as composition which burns without 
unpleasant odors, yet with visible indication of its combustion. 
It is yet a further object to provide such a composition in which the flash 
point has been raised above the 55.degree. F. level of ethyl alcohol to 
reduce the risk of explosion. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, the present invention provides a composition comprising ethyl 
alcohol denatured, preferably by the addition of a ketone such as methyl 
isobutyl ketone, and kerosene, and mixed with xylenes and isopropyl 
alcohol. Xylenes is a mixture of the three different isomers of xylene, 
ortho-, para- and metaxylene. The ketone and kerosene act primarily as 
denaturants, but may be added in quantities in excess of those required 
for that purpose alone, so as to raise the flash point of the mixture, 
change its odor and add color to the flame with which it burns. The 
xylenes and isopropyl alcohol serve to raise the flash point, to mask the 
odor and to make the flame more visible. The preferred range of the 
constituents of the composition are as follows: 
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Parts by Volume 
Percent 
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Ethyl alcohol 1,000 79.37-87.72 
Methyl isobutyl ketone 
60-90 5.26-7.14 
Kerosene 20-50 1.75-3.97 
Xylenes 30-60 2.63-4.76 
Isopropyl alcohol 
30-60 2.63-4.76 
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The xylenes could be replaced by a mixture of toluene and methyl alcohol. 
The denaturing agent could be gasoline, or deodorized kerosene. Acetone 
could also be added to mask the smell of alcohol. 
To prepare the composition, it has been found preferable to mix together 
all the constituents set out above with the exception of the ethyl alcohol 
and to add this pre-mixed composition to ethyl alcohol. This ensures that 
solution of the components in the alcohol occurs expeditiously. 
Compositions embodying the invention can be treated to form a paste-like 
mass suitable for use as a sterno-like solid fuel. In addition to their 
use as a fuel, compositions embodying the invention can be used to clean 
paint brushes for varnish, lacquer or oil based paints.

Two examples of specific compositions embodying the invention will now be 
described. 
EXAMPLE I 
The following constituents in the following proportions are mixed; all the 
constituents other than the ethyl alcohol being initially premixed and the 
premixture then added to the ethyl alcohol. 
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Constituent Parts by Volume 
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Ethyl alcohol 1000 
(at least 90%/180 proof) 
Methyl isobutyl ketone 
80 
Xylenes 40 
Kerosene 30 
Isopropyl alcohol 
60 
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EXAMPLE II 
This is prepared exactly as for Example I, but the composition is as 
follows: 
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Constituent Parts by Volume 
______________________________________ 
Ethyl alcohol 1000 
(at least 90%/180 proof) 
Methyl isobutyl ketone 
80 
Xylenes 50 
Kerosene 50 
Isopropyl alcohol 
50 
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The composition of Example II burns with a more pronounced yellow flame 
than that of Example I.