Fuel compositions containing etheramine alkoxylates

Abstract: This invention concerns a fuel additive comprising an etheramine alkoxylate, and fuel compositions and additive concentrates made therefrom. The etheramine alkoxylate may be of formula: where R 1 is a straight or branched alkyl, or alkylaryl; R 2 is independently in each occurrence hydrogen or alkyl from 1 to 6 carbons; R 3 is independently in each occurrence hydrogen or alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbons; m averages from about 2 to about 20; and x and y each independently average from about 0 to 2, where x + y averages from about 1 to about 4.

Description: BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This invention concerns a fuel composition containing a petroleum fuel and a etheramine alkoxylate. Petroleum distillates have long been used as fuels for internal combustion engines. In recent years, research has been directed toward preparing fuel compositions containing additive which acts as a surface-active agent for improving fuel distribution to prevent poor driving performance due to the maldistribution of fuel-air mixture between the cylinders. New and useful fuel compositions having this kind of components are highly desirable. SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention is a novel fuel composition, which provides a solution to the problems, needs, and disadvantages described above. In a first respect, this invention is directed to the use of an etheramine alkoxylate of formula wherein R 1 is a straight or branched alkyl or alkylaryl; R 2 is independently in each occurrence hydrogen or alkyl from 1 to 6 carbons; R 3 is independently in each occurrence hydrogen or alkyl from 1 to 6 carbons; m averages from 2 to 20; and x and y each independently average from 0 to 2, where x + y averages from 1 to 4, as a fuel distribution improvement additive. In another respect the invention is directed to an etheramine alkoxylate of formula: wherein R 1 is an alkylaryl which is disubstituted with alkyl groups; R 2 is independently in each occurrence hydrogen or alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbons; R 3 is independently in each occurrence hydrogen or alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbons; m averages from 2 to 20; and x and y each independently average from 0 to 2, where x + y averages from 1 to 4. In a further respect, this invention is directed to an etheramine alkoxylate of formula: wherein R 1 is an alkylaryl; R 2 is independently in each occurrence hydrogen or alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbons; R 3 is independently in each occurrence alkyl of containing 1 or 2 carbons; m averages from 2 to 20; and x and y each independently average from 0 to 2, where x + y averages from 1 to 4. In another broad respect, this invention is a fuel composition comprising: a petroleum fuel and an etheramine alkoxylate as defined hereinabove. In yet another broad respect, this invention is a fuel additive concentrate comprising from about 10 parts to about 2000 parts etheramine alkoxylate, with a balance comprising a petroleum distillate fuel wherein the etheramine alkoxylate is as defined hereinabove. The compositions of this invention are useful as fuel additives and as fuel compositions for internal combustion engines and the like. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The starting materials for preparing the etheramine alkyloxylates of this invention may be an alkoxylated alcohol or phenol of the formula, R 1 -(OCH 2 CHR 2 ) m -OH, wherein R 1 , R 2 and m are as described herein. The starting materials may be prepared by known methods, such as by alkoxylation of alcohols and phenols with alkylene oxide in the presence of an alkoxylation catalyst such as NaOH or KOH. The alkoxylated alcohol or phenol is reacted with ammonia using known techniques, such as by reaction with ammonia in the presence of an amination catalyst to produce an etheramine. The amination step typically is conducted at a temperature in the range from about 100 to about 300 degrees Centigrade, preferably from about 190 to about 220 degrees Centigrade. The pressure is typically maintained in the range from about 3.45 to about 34.5 MPa (about 500 to about 5000 psi). One such amination procedure is described in U.S. Patent 5,616,811. The etheramine is next alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide using conventional techniques to produce etheramine alkoxylates. Representative examples of such alkylene oxides include ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, 1, 2-butylene oxide, 2, 3-butylene oxide or mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, the alkylene oxides are ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or mixture thereof. Ethylene oxide is the preferred alkylene oxide. The fuel compositions of this invention include an etheramine alkoxylate as described above in combination with a petroleum fuel. Representative examples of such petroleum distillate fuels include, but are not limited to, gasoline, diesel, and the like. The concentration of etheramine alkoxylate may vary depending on a wide variety of factors such as presence of detergents, dispersants, and other additives; and the like. Generally, the etheramine alkoxylate is present in an amount effective to provide fuel distribution properties of the composition. For example, the etheramine alkoxylate may be employed in a concentration of from 10 parts per million to 5000 parts per million. The etheramine alkoxylate may be formulated as a concentrate, using a petroleum distillate as the base stock. In gasoline fuels, other fuel additives may also be included such as antiknock agents such as methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl, tetramethyl, or tetraethyl lead, or other dispersants or detergents such as various substituted succinimides, amines, etc. The fuel compositions of this invention may be readily prepared by, for example, dispersing an etheramine alkoxylate in a selected petroleum distillate fuel as by adding the etheramine alkoxylate to a petroleum distillate and stirring or otherwise agitating the resulting solution to evenly disperse the etheramine alkoxylate in the composition. In this regard, any of the conventional methods of blending fuels may be employed. The following examples are illustrative of the invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the invention or claims thereof. Unless otherwise denoted, all percentages are by weight. In the examples mmol/g, '(meq/g)' means milliequivalents per gram. Also, an EPAL™ alcohol is an linear primary alcohol. Example 1: General Procedure for the Preparation of Etheramine Alkoxylate About 21.81 kg (48.04 lbs) of an aminated 3.0-mole ethylene oxide adduct of EPAL™ 1214 alcohol was charged into a reactor. The etheramine was dried to < 0.05% of water via nitrogen purge at 130°C. Ethylene oxide (10.96 lbs) was added at 140-150°C and maximum pressure of 345 kPa gauge (50 psig). The reactor was digested to less than 6.9 kPa gauge (1 psig) pressure drop in 60 minutes. The reactor was then purged for 15 minutes, and product was collected and analyzed. The analysis of this product which is hydrocarbon soluble is as follows: Total Amine, 1.961 mmol/g (meq/g); Tertiary Amine 1.942 mmol/g (meq/g). Example 2 The procedure of Example 1 was followed except that 24.89 kg (54.82 lbs) of an aminated 2.2-mole propylene oxide adduct of EPAL™ 1214 alcohol and 6.89 kg (15.18 lbs) of ethylene oxide were used. The analysis of this product which is hydrocarbon soluble is as follows: Total Amine, 2.356 mmol/g (meq/g); Tertiary Amine, 2.347 mmol/g (meq/g). Example 3 The procedure of Example 1 was followed except that 20.42 kg (44.98 lbs) of an aminated 3.0-mole propylene oxide adduct of EPAL™ 1618 alcohol and 0.19 kg (0.42 lbs) of ethylene oxide were used. The analysis of this product which is hydrocarbon soluble is as follows: Total Amine, 1.889 mmol/g (meq/g), Tertiary Amine, 1.872 mmol/g (meq/g). Example 4 The procedure of Example 1 was followed except that 22.95 kg (50.55 lbs) of aminated 3.0-mole ethylene oxide adduct of EPAL™ 1618 alcohol and 4.29 kg (9.45 lbs) of ethylene oxide were used. The analysis of this product which is hydrocarbon soluble is as follows: Total Amine, 1.706 mmol/g (meq/g); Tertiary Amine, 1.704 mmol/g (meq/g). The features disclosed in the foregoing description or in the claims may, both separately and in any combination thereof, be material for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims: Use of an etheramine alkoxylate of formula: wherein R 1 is a straight or branched alkylaryl; R 2 is independently in each occurrence hydrogen or alkyl from 1 to 6 carbons; R 3 is independently in each occurrence hydrogen or alkyl from 1 to 6 carbons; m averages from 2 to 20; and x and y each independently average from 0 to 2, where x + y averages from 1 to 4, as a fuel distribution improvement additive. The use of claim 1 wherein R 1 contains from 7 to 30 carbon atoms. The use of claim 1 wherein R 1 is disubstituted with alkyl groups. The use of claim 1 wherein R 2 contains 1 or 2 carbon atoms. The use of claim 1 wherein R 2 is hydrogen. The use of claim 1 wherein R 3 is hydrogen. The use of claim 1 wherein R 3 is alkyl containing 1 or 2 carbons. The use of claim 1 wherein x + y ranges from 1 to 3. An etheramine alkoxylate of formula: wherein R 1 is an alkylaryl which is disubstituted with alkyl groups; R 2 is independently in each occurrence hydrogen or alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbons; R 3 is independently in each occurrence hydrogen or alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbons; m averages from 2 to 20; and x and y each independently average from 0 to 2, where x + y averages from 1 to 4. An etheramine alkoxylate of formula: wherein R 1 is an alkylaryl; R 2 is independently in each occurrence hydrogen or alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbons; R 3 is independently in each occurrence alkyl containing 1 or 2 carbons; m averages from 2 to 20; and x and y each independently average from 0 to 2, where x + y averages from 1 to 4. A fuel composition, comprising: a petroleum fuel and an etheramine alkoxylate according to one of claims 9 to 10. The composition of claim 11 wherein the etheramine alkoxylate is present in an amount in the range from 10 parts per million to 5000 parts per million based on the total weight of the composition. A fuel additive concentrate comprising from 10 parts to 2000 parts etheramine alkoxylate according to one of claims 9 to 10, with a balance comprising a petroleum distillate fuel. The concentrate of claim 13 containing from 30 to 400 parts of etheramine alkoxylate.

Inventors: LARKIN JOHN M, RENKEN TERRY L, SU WEI-YANG, LARKIN, JOHN M., RENKEN, TERRY L., SU, WEI-YANG
Applicants: HUNTSMAN SPEC CHEM CORP, HUNTSMAN PETROCHEMICAL CORPORATION
Application year: 1998
Main classification: C10L1
IPC codes: C07C217, C10L1, C08G65