Alcohols as lubricity additives for distillate fuels

• US 6,017,372 A
• Filed: 03/26/1998
• Issued: 01/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Inventors: Cook, Bruce R., Wittenbrink, Robert J., Berlowitz, Paul J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Jerry D.
• Application Number:
  US09/048,803
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 44/451, 44/452
• US Class Current: 44/451
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 1/1824 mono-hydroxy
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 10/02 for reducing smoke development
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 10/08 for improving lubricity; for reducing wear

Abstract

Small amounts of primary, linear alcohols can be added to distillate fuels to improve the fuel'"'"'s lubricity properties; particularly when the fuel has low or minimal lubricity.

Claims

1. A process for improving the lubricity of distillate fuels heavier than gasoline the fuel being derived from a non shifting Fischer-Tropsch process or from a hydrotreated fuel and having 500 ppm or less sulfur comprising adding to the fuel at least about 0.1 wt % and less than 5 wt % of C₇ + primary, linear alcohols.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the sulfur content of the fuel is less than 50 ppm by wt.

3. The process of claim 2 wherein the fuel is a diesel fuel and has a lubricity by the BOCLE test of less than 50% of a high referenced value.

4. The process of claim 2 wherein the fuel is a jet fuel and has a lubricity by the BOCLE test of less than 25% of a high reference value.

5. The process of claim 3 wherein the alcohol is a C₉ +.

6. The process of claim 3 wherein the lubricity is less than 35%.

7. The process of claim 1 wherein the alcohol is a C₉ +.

8. The process of claim 7 wherein the fuel comprises a fraction boiling in the range 160-370°

C.

9. The process of claim 1 wherein the fuel contains only trace amounts of oxygen.

10. The process of claim 1 wherein the alcohol additive is essentially devoid of carboxylic acid functionality.

11. The process of claim 1 wherein the alcohol additive is essentially free of methanol.