Patent ID: 7553342

Claim:
A conditioned single phase hydrocarbon-based fuel produced by incubating an unmodified hydrocarbon-based fuel with a semi-solid activator and water, said conditioned single phase hydrocarbon-based fuel having a water content detectable by Karl Fischer analysis which is less than or equal to the water content of the unmodified hydrocarbon-based fuel, an increased BTU content which is greater than the BTU content of the unmodified hydrocarbon-based fuel and said semi-solid activator lacking an alcohol component and comprising (i) at least 35% by weight of the unmodified hydrocarbon-based fuel; (ii) about 0.5% to about 20% by weight of a carboxylic acid component; (iii) about 0.5% to 20% by weight water; and (iv) at least 0.5% to 25% by weight of an amine component, said incubating comprising placing said semi-solid activator in contact with said unmodified hydrocarbon-based fuel and subsequently removing the semi-solid activator.