Abstract:
Improved methods for producing colloidal dispersions of cerium-containing oxide nanoparticles in substantially non-polar solvents are disclosed. The cerium-containing oxide nanoparticles of an aqueous colloid are transferred to a substantially non-polar liquid comprising one or more amphiphilic materials, one or more low-polarity solvents, and, optionally, one or more glycol ether promoter materials. The transfer is achieved by mixing the aqueous and substantially non-polar materials, forming an emulsion, followed by a phase separation into a remnant polar solution phase and a substantially non-polar organic colloid phase. The organic colloid phase is then collected.
Abstract:
A fuel composition contains a liquid fuel and a specific amount of nano-sized zinc oxide particles and a surfactant that does not contain sulfur atoms. The nano-sized zinc oxide particles can be used to either improve combustion or increase catalytic chemical oxidation of fuel.
Abstract:
A method comprises providing a bio-based feedstock; contacting the bio-based feedstock with a solvent in a hydrolysis reaction to form an intermediate stream comprising carbohydrates; contacting the intermediate stream with an apr catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates, wherein a first portion of the oxygenated intermediates are recycled to form the solvent; and processing at least a second portion of the oxygenated intermediates to form a fuel blend.
Abstract:
Improved methods for producing colloidal dispersions of cerium-containing oxide nanoparticles in substantially non-polar solvents is disclosed. The cerium-containing oxide nanoparticles of an aqueous colloid are transferred to a substantially non-polar liquid comprising one or more amphiphilic materials, one or more low-polarity solvents, and, optionally, one or more glycol ether promoter materials. The transfer is achieved by mixing the aqueous and substantially non-polar materials, forming an emulsion, followed by a phase separation into a remnant polar solution phase and a substantially non-polar organic colloid phase. The organic colloid phase is then collected. The promoter functions to speed the transfer of nanoparticles to the low-polarity phase. The promoter accelerates the phase separation, and also provides improved colloidal stability of the final substantially non-polar colloidal dispersion. The glycol ether promoter reduces the temperature necessary to achieve the phase separation, while providing high extraction yield of nanoparticles into the low-polarity organic phase. In addition, use of particular amphiphilic materials, such as heptanoic acid or octanoic acid, enable efficient extractions at ambient temperatures without the use of a glycol ether promoter.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an oxygenate additive for an internal combustion engine fuel, comprising glycerol dimethyl ethers (GDMEs) and glycerol trimethyl ether (GTME); a fuel composition comprising the oxygenate additive; an improved process for methylation of glycerol with dimethyl sulfate to produce highly methylated glycerol ethers; and uses of ethers produced from the process for diesel fuel, for gasoline and for aviation turbine fuel, or as a green solvent or as an antifreezer.
Abstract:
A method of improving the combustion of a fuel by adding a catalyst or combustion enhancer at an extremely low concentration, preferably in the range of 1 part catalyst per 200 million parts fuel to 1 part catalyst per 6 trillion parts fuel. The catalyst or combustion enhancer may be selected from a wide range of soluble compounds. The method may comprise the steps of an initial mixing of the catalyst or enhancer with a suitable solvent and then subsequent dilution steps using solvents or fuel. Suitable solvents include water, MTBE, methylketone, methyisobutylketone, butanol, isopropyl alcohol and other hydrophilic/oleophilic compounds.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to catalysts, systems, and methods for producing products such as fuels and fuel additives from polyols. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of producing a fuel additive, including combining a polyol and a component selected from the group consisting of alcohols and organic acids to form a reaction mixture and contacting the reaction mixture with a metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than about 150 degrees Celsius. Other embodiments are also included herein.
Abstract:
A fuel composition contains a liquid fuel and a specific amount of nano-sized zinc oxide particles and a surfactant that does not contain sulfur atoms. The nano-sized zinc oxide particles can be used to either improve combustion or increase catalytic chemical oxidation of fuel.
Abstract:
Use of a composition comprising a base formulation of one or more alkyl esters of a C6-C16 carboxylic acid or mixtures thereof as a fuel composition is provided. The use of the fuel composition is specifically provided for use as a lamp fuel, a lighter fuel, and/or a fuel for cooking, heating or cooling. Specifically, use of a composition as a lamp fuel is provided, wherein the composition comprises by weight 35-45% C8 methyl esters, 25-35% C10 methyl esters, 15-25% C12 methyl esters, and/or 5-15% C14 methyl esters. Also provided is a method for producing a fuel composition comprising the steps of a) providing a vegetable oil, b) preparing alkyl esters of carboxylic acids comprised in said vegetable oil by esterification and/or transesterification, c) optionally isolating one or more of said alkyl esters of said carboxylic acids, wherein said alkyl esters of carboxylic acids comprised in said vegetable oil and/or said one or more isolated alkyl esters constitute said fuel composition.
Abstract:
The present invention provides hybrid diesel fuels and methods for manufacturing hybrid diesel fuels. In embodiments, fuel compositions comprise at least one petrochemical fuel, at least one biosynthetic oil and at least one stabilizer mixture. The percentage by volume of the petrochemical fuel can be greater than 0% and less than 100%, and the percentage by volume of the stabilizer mixture can be between about 0.001% and about 0.5%.