Patent Description:
While processing and transporting the liquid hydrocarbon fuels, the continuous contact and friction of hydrocarbon molecules with the container surfaces generate static charge. Sometime, the said static charge can produce spark and thus, cause disastrous accidents. The hydrocarbon fuel conductivity is an important property as it prevents creation of static charge during rapid movement like transportation and processing. Similarly, lubricity is also considered as an important property of the hydrocarbon fuels as lubricity prevents wear-related damages.

Further, due to environmental concerns, the hydrocarbon fuels such as diesel are hydrotreated to reduce Sulfur and Nitrogen content resulting in fuels such as Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD). Further, the reduced Sulfur and Nitrogen content affects the electrical conductivity of diesel. At the same time, the Euro VI standard specification for minimum diesel conductivity is set at <NUM> pS/m which is considered safe for transportation and operations purposes. Thus, to improve the electrical conductivity the antistatic additives are added in the said Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD).

Similarly, the hydrotreatment of diesel also impacts the lubricity negatively and external additives are added to restore the lubricity. Some of such known additives are discussed hereinbelow.

<CIT> discloses a fuel composition exhibiting improved anti-static properties, comprising a liquid fuel which contains less than <NUM> parts per million by weight sulfur; <NUM> to <NUM> ppm of a hydrecarbyl monoamine or hydrocarbyl-substituted poly(alkylenieamine); and <NUM> to <NUM> ppm of at least one fatty acid containing <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, or an ester thereof.

<CIT> discloses a lubricity additive for low sulfur fuels. The said lubricity additive is a mixture of an amine having at least one alicyclic group and a monocarboxylic acid having up to <NUM> carbon atoms. Specifically, the said lubricity additive includes a liquid mixture of about <NUM> to about <NUM> weight percent of N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine and one or more unsaturated monocarboxylic acid(s) selected from the group consisting of oleic acid, and tall oil fatty acid. The liquid mixture is substantially free of an amide reaction product between the N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine and the one or more unsaturated monocarboxylic acid(s). Further, the said liquid mixture exhibits a depressed cloud point temperature of about <NUM>° C. or below relative to a cloud point temperature of the one or more monocarboxylic acid(s).

<CIT> discloses a lubricity additive for fuels. The said additive comprising a lubricity additive mixture of (i) at least one neutral lubricity additive prepared by reacting a hydrocarbyl-substituted succinic anhydride with ammonia, wherein, the hydrocarbyl substituent includes <NUM> to <NUM> carbons and (ii) at least one linear monocarboxylic acid or salt thereof having a carbon chain of <NUM> to <NUM> carbons. Wherein, the linear monocarboxylic acid or salt thereof being saturated, unsaturated, or including mixtures thereof.

<CIT> relates to sulphonated amides and sulphonated amine soaps of higher fatty acids, more particularly to substantially anhydrous and inorganic salt-free sulphonated amides andsulphonated amine soaps of higher- fatty acids.

<CIT> relates to to gasoline fuel compositions, and more particularly to gasoline fuel compositions that have reduced engine stalling tendencies at cool, humid atmospheric conditions.

However, these additive formulations often comprise of individual molecular components that independently improve either or both conductivity and lubricity but none that can do both through a single molecular species. Furthermore, such additives should also resolve the frequent issue of loss of conductivity over longer periods due to stability, precipitation, and absorption related phenomenon.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a hydrocarbon fuel additive composition which improves the lubricity as well as the conductivity of the Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD).

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a process for preparing the hydrocarbon fuel additive composition which improves both the lubricity as well as the conductivity of Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD).

The present invention discloses a hydrocarbon fuel additive composition which gives dual functionality of improving the conductivity as well as lubricity of a hydrotreated diesel fuel. Further, the hydrocarbon fuel additive composition enhances the lubricity and the antistatic properties of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD).

The dual functional groups of the polyethyleneamine salt(s) of sulphonyl oleic acid acts as conductivity and lubricity improver.

Further, the presence of carboxylic acid on the polyethyleneamine salt structure significantly improves the solubility in the presence of a cosolvent system consisting of sulphonyl oleic acid and dioxane.

Further, the said hydrocarbon fuel additive composition comprises sulphonyl oleic acid, dioxane and the said polyethyleneamine salt(s) of sulphonyl oleic acid. Wherein, the said polyethyleneamine salt(s) of sulphonyl oleic acid includes a sulphonyl oleic acid and at least one polyethyleneamine.

The sulphonyl oleic acid is selected from one of (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid, (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid or a combination thereof. The said at least one polyethyleneamine is selected from but not limited to triethylenetetramine (TETA), diethylenetriamine (DETA), pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, tetraethylenepentamine, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-triazacyclononane, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-Tris(aminomethyl)ethane, or cyclen.

Furthermore, the said hydrocarbon fuel additive composition has long-term stability and solubility in Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD).

The present invention also discloses a process for preparing the said hydrocarbon fuel additive composition having dual functionality. The first step includes preparing at least one polyethyleneamine salt of sulphonyl oleic acid by mixing sulphonyl oleic acid with at least one polyethyleneamine. Wherein, the sulphonyl oleic acid is in a range of <NUM>-<NUM>% by volume and at least one polyethyleneamine is in a range of <NUM>-<NUM>% by volume. The fuel additive composition is then prepared by mixing (i) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of a sulphonyl oleic acid; (ii) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of dioxane and (iii) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of polyethyleneamine salt of a sulphonyl oleic acid.

The final fuel composition is then prepared by contacting the aforementioned additive composition with Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel (ULSD), wherein the said fuel additive concentration in the ULSD is in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> ppm.

To further clarify advantages and aspects of the invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawing(s). It is appreciated that the drawing(s) of the present invention depicts only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope.

For promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the specific embodiments of the present invention further illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory of the present disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the present disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated composition, and such further applications of the principles of the present disclosure as illustrated herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinarily skilled in the art to which this present disclosure belongs. The methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The present invention discloses a hydrocarbon fuel additive composition which improves both the lubricity as well as the conductivity of Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel fuels. The polyethyleneamine salt(s) of a sulphonyl carboxylic acid as disclosed is a single molecular species.

The hydrocarbon fuel additive composition as disclosed in the present invention comprises the said polyethyleneamine salt(s) of the sulphonyl oleic acid. The said polyethyleneamine salt(s) of sulphonyl oleic acid simultaneously acts as a conductivity and lubricity improver through the dual functional groups.

In an embodiment, the present invention discloses a hydrocarbon fuel additive composition which shows dual functionality of improving the conductivity as well as lubricity of a hydrotreated diesel fuel. Specifically, the said composition is used for enhancing the lubricity and the antistatic properties of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD).

The said composition comprises sulphonyl oleic acid, dioxane and polyethyleneamine salt(s) of sulphonyl oleic acid. The said polyethyleneamine salt(s) of sulphonyl oleic acid is made up of sulphonyl oleic acid and at least one polyethyleneamine. The sulphonyl oleic acid is selected from one of (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid, (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid or a combination thereof. The said at least one polyethyleneamine is one of but not limited to triethylenetetramine (TETA), diethylenetriamine (DETA) pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, tetraethylenepentamine, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-triazacyclononane, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-Tris(aminomethyl)ethane, or cyclen. The sulphonyl oleic acid is selected from one of (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid or (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid.

The presence of carboxylic acid on the molecular backbone of the said polyethyleneamine salt increases both lubricity and conductivity. Furthermore, it also ensures significantly improved solubility in the presence of a cosolvent system consisting of sulphonyl oleic acid and dioxane, thus, improving long-term stability of the additive in diesel.

The present invention provides a hydrocarbon fuel additive composition containing (i) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of a sulphonyl oleic acid; (ii) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of dioxane; (iii) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of polyethylene amine salt of sulphonyl oleic acid.

The present invention also discloses a process for preparing a hydrocarbon fuel additive composition having dual functionality. The first step includes preparing at least one polyethyleneamine salt of sulphonyl oleic acid by mixing sulphonyl oleic acid with at least one polyethyleneamine. Wherein, the sulphonyl oleic acid is in a range of <NUM>-<NUM>% by volume and at least one polyethyleneamine is in a range of <NUM>-<NUM>% by volume. The final hydrocarbon fuel additive composition is then prepared by mixing (i) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of a sulphonyl oleic acid; (ii) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of dioxane and (iii) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of polyethyleneamine salt of sulphonyl oleic acid.

The present invention also discloses a method for enhancing lubricity and conductivity of a hydrocarbon fuel, wherein, the method comprising, mixing the hydrocarbon fuel additive composition claimed in claim <NUM>-<NUM> with the said hydrocarbon fuel to obtain a hydrocarbon fuel composition with enhanced lubricity and conductivity.

Specifically, the fuel composition is then prepared by contacting the aforementioned additive composition with Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel (ULSD), wherein the additive concentration in the ULSD is in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> ppm. Wherein, the Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel having sulfur content in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> ppm.

The sulphonyl oleic acid as used herein is selected from at least one of (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid, (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid or a combination thereof.

The said at least one polyethyleneamine is one of but not limited to triethylenetetramine (TETA), diethylenetriamine (DETA) pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, tetraethylenepentamine, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-triazacyclononane, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-Tris(aminomethyl)ethane, or cyclen.

Further, the said polyethyleneamine salt of sulphonyl oleic acid is prepared by mixing (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid with triethylenetetramine (TETA). Wherein, the said (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid is <NUM>% by volume and triethylenetetramine (TETA) is <NUM>% by volume. The final hydrocarbon fuel additive composition is then prepared by mixing (i) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid; (ii) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of dioxane and (iii) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of triethylenetetramine salt of (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid. The fuel composition is then prepared by contacting the aforementioned additive composition with Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel (ULSD), wherein the additive concentration in the ULSD is in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> ppm.

Further, the said polyethyleneamine salt of sulphonyl oleic acid is prepared by mixing (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid with diethylenetriamine (DETA). Wherein, the said (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid is <NUM>% by volume and diethylenetriamine (DETA) is <NUM>% by volume. The final hydrocarbon fuel additive composition is then prepared by mixing (i) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid; (ii) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of dioxane and (iii) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of diethylenetriamine salt of (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid. The fuel composition is then prepared by contacting the aforementioned additive composition with Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel (ULSD), wherein the additive concentration in the ULSD is in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> ppm.

Furthermore, the said polyethyleneamine salt of sulphonyl oleic acid is prepared by mixing (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid with diethylenetriamine (DETA). Wherein, the said (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid is <NUM>% by volume and diethylenetriamine (DETA) is <NUM>% by volume. The final hydrocarbon fuel additive composition is then prepared by mixing (i) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid; (ii) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of dioxane and (iii) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of diethylenetriamine salt of (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid. The fuel composition is then prepared by contacting the aforementioned additive composition with Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel (ULSD), wherein the additive concentration in the ULSD is in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> ppm.

Examples of preparation of test samples for conductivity and lubricity measurements are provided hereinbelow.

In an exemplary embodiment, <NUM> of triethylenetetramine (TETA) and <NUM> of (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid both are mixed with each other to form solid Salt-<NUM>. Further, <NUM> of the said Salt-<NUM> and <NUM>µL of dioxane are then dissolved in <NUM> of (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid to form the standard solution. <NUM>µL of the above standard solution is diluted in <NUM> Litre of hydrotreated diesel to form the test solution (Sr. <NUM> in Table <NUM>).

In another exemplary embodiment, <NUM> of diethylenetriamine (DETA) and <NUM> of (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid are mixed with each other to form solid Salt-<NUM>. Further, <NUM> of the said Salt-<NUM> and <NUM>µL of dioxane are then dissolved in <NUM> of (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid to form the standard solution. <NUM>µL of the above standard solution is diluted in <NUM> Litre of hydrotreated diesel to form the test solution (Sr. <NUM> in Table <NUM>).

In another exemplary embodiment, <NUM> of triethylenetetramine (TETA) and <NUM> of (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid both are mixed with each other to form solid Salt-<NUM>. Further, <NUM> of the said Salt-<NUM> and <NUM>µL of dioxane are then dissolved in <NUM> of (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid to form the standard solution. <NUM>µL of the above standard solution is diluted in <NUM> Litre of hydrotreated diesel to form the test solution (Sr. <NUM> in Table <NUM>).

Conductivity measurements of the above test samples are carried out as per ASTM D2624. The synergistic effects of antistatic additive on lubricity are established through High Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR) measurements as per ASTM D6079.

The experimental results and comparative data are listed in below tables to identify the advantages of the single molecular species and the hydrocarbon fuel additive composition thereof as disclosed in the present invention. Wherein, the said single molecular species shows dual functionality of improving the conductivity as well as lubricity of a hydrotreated diesel fuel. The single molecular species as disclosed herein is a unique polyethyleneamine salts of a sulphonyl carboxylic acid as herein represented Salt-<NUM>, Salt-<NUM>, and Salt-<NUM>.

The observations as made from above conductivity measurement data are presented hereinafter. The base diesel shows negligible conductivity in absence of any additive. Further, the above conductivity measurement data proves that Salt-<NUM>, Salt-<NUM>, and Salt-<NUM> significantly improves the conductivity of the base diesel.

Further, it is also observed that if the Salt-<NUM>, Salt-<NUM>, and Salt-<NUM> are directly dissolved into the base diesel then only negligible improvements are observed. Moreover, considerable improvement in diesel conductivity is only noticed when the said salts are diluted with either of the sulphonyl oleic acid and dioxane mixture before dissolving in diesel.

It is to be noted that the above-mentioned salts have poor solubility in diesel and are not soluble beyond <NUM> ppm, whereas the solubility increases significantly with sulphonyl oleic acid and dioxane.

Further, it is also noticed that the conductivity increases with increasing the salt concentration (Sr. <NUM>-<NUM> for Salt-<NUM>, Sr. <NUM>-<NUM> for Salt-<NUM> and Sr. <NUM>-<NUM> for Salt-<NUM> in Table <NUM>). It is also observed that both the sulphonyl oleic acids i.e. (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid, or (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid individually increases the conductivity of diesel to a moderate extent. However, there is no such effect provided by dioxane.

Similarly, lubricity measurement for Salt-<NUM>, Salt-<NUM> and Salt-<NUM> is also conducted, and lubricity measurement data is represented in below table <NUM>.

The observations as made from above lubricity measurement data shows that the dioxane does not have any independent impact on the lubricity of the diesel. It is also observed that at low concentration the above-mentioned salts have slight impact on the lubricity of the diesel.

Further, it is also observed that the lubricity improves with increasing concentration of both the sulphonyl oleic acid i.e. (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid (Sr. No <NUM>-<NUM> in Table <NUM>), or (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid (Sr. No <NUM>-<NUM> in Table <NUM>).

Moreover, it is also observed that the Salt-<NUM>, Salt-<NUM>, and Salt-<NUM> improves the diesel lubricity through positive synergistic effect in presence of sulphonyl oleic acids i.e. (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid, and/or (9Z)-<NUM>-sulfo-octadec-<NUM>-enoic acid.

It is very commonly experienced as well as documented in literature that hydrocarbon fuel additive conductivity reduces with time, presumably, because of opposite ions associating and neutralizing gradually.

Thus, it is important and necessary to profile the conductivity change over time. The results (as mentioned below in table <NUM>) clearly demonstrate the superior performance of the hydrocarbon fuel additive compositions as provided by the present invention.

Further, it is also noted that temperature critically impacts the conductivity of the hydrotreated diesel fuel. Thus, it is important and necessary to determine the impact of temperature on the conductivity of the hydrotreated diesel fuel having hydrocarbon fuel additive compositions as provided by the present invention.

Accordingly, in below table <NUM>, the effect of temperature is also probed in working temperature range of <NUM>-<NUM>. For the temperature variation studies, the same aged samples (<NUM> day old) are used.

To ensure that other critical properties of diesel are not affected, complete diesel property specification testing is performed.

From above Table-<NUM>, it can be concluded that no other diesel property has been impacted significantly by the addition of the hydrocarbon fuel additive composition(s) as provided by the present invention.

Claim 1:
A hydrocarbon fuel additive composition, wherein, the said composition comprises:
(i) sulphonyl oleic acid;
(ii) dioxane; and
(iii) polyethyleneamine salt of sulphonyl oleic acid;
wherein, the composition comprises: (i) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of sulphonyl oleic acid; (ii) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of dioxane; (iii) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of polyethyleneamine salt of sulphonyl oleic acid.