| Alkyl ethanolamine and biocide combination for hydrocarbon based fuels -> Monitor Keywords |
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  Alkyl ethanolamine and biocide combination for hydrocarbon based fuelsRelated Patent Categories: Fuel And Related Compositions, Liquid Fuels (excluding Fuels That Are Exclusively Mixtures Of Liquid Hydrocarbons), Emulsion Fuel (e.g., Water-gasoline Emulsions, Etc.)Alkyl ethanolamine and biocide combination for hydrocarbon based fuels description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060005464, Alkyl ethanolamine and biocide combination for hydrocarbon based fuels. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/886,866 filed Jul. 8, 2004. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to additives for systems of hydrocarbon fuels containing water. More particularly, the present invention relates to biocidal treatments for water-hydrocarbon based fuel emulsions and hydrocarbon based fuels, such as diesel or biodiesel systems containing water. The treatment comprises at least one biocidal alkyl ethanolamine agent or a combination of a biocidal agent and at least one alkyl ethanolamine. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The performance of hydrocarbon based fuels such as diesel fuels, gasoline and kerosene can be favorably modified by the addition of performance enhancing additives such as water (emulsified fuel), emulsifiers, biocides, pH modifiers, detergents, etc. Two areas of current commercial interest are the formulation of emulsified diesel fuel and the use of plant derived diesel fuel alternatives known as biodiesel. In diesel engines, the high temperatures reached during combustion may increase the tendency for the production of nitrogen oxides (NO.sub.x) and sulfur oxides (SO.sub.x). [0004] Nitrogen oxides are formed via the reaction of atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen in the combustion chamber and, to a far lesser extent, from oxidation of organic nitrogen species in the fuel. The rates at which various NO.sub.x type species form are related to combustion temperature, and it has been found that a small reduction in flame temperature can result in a large reduction in the production of nitrogen oxides. [0005] One approach to lowering flame temperature is to inject water into the combustion chamber. This method allows for existing fuels to be used as is, but it requires costly and complicated changes in engine design. As an alternative, one may use fuels that comprise an emulsion of both water and traditional petrodiesel (derived from a petroleum refining process) and/or biodiesel fuel (derived from transesterification of plant or animal derived triglycerides). One problem that exists in such water-hydrocarbon based fuel emulsions is the growth of microorganisms that utilize the mostly hydrocarbon based fuel as a nutrient. Such microorganisms or microbes will tend to grow in the water phase, but they can also become dispersed in the hydrocarbon fuel phase leading to degradation of the hydrocarbon fuel. In the case of biodiesel, microorganisms can grow in the pure fuel with just the traces of water naturally present as a contaminant (typical water specification for biodiesel is 50 ppm). All such contamination or degradation can cause sludge formation that clogs fuel filters and other engine components. [0006] In addition to the growth of microorganisms or microbes in water-hydrocarbon based fuel emulsions and/or biodiesel type fuels, similar problems arise in other water-hydrocarbon based fuel interface situations. For example, hydrocarbon based fuels are frequently exposed to a layer of water in large storage and/or transportation vessels. The interface between the water and hydrocarbon product becomes a breeding ground for microorganisms and microbes. [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,883,345 disclosed the use of a bactericidal agent such as an alkyl pyridinium or picolinium halide to inhibit microorganism related sludge in fuel oils. [0008] UK patent number 1,325,913 discloses the use of a condensation product of an aliphatic aldehyde such as formaldehyde and a primary or secondary alkanolamine such as diethanolamine to control microorganisms in hydrocarbon fuels. [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,566 discloses a method for producing a highly stable aqueous fuel emulsion. The fuel emulsion can include corrosion inhibitors including alkanolamines for pH control as well as biocides. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] US Patent Application Publication number U.S. 2003/0162845 A1 discloses the use of de-activatable biocides in hydrocarbonaceous products. [0011] The present invention relates to a treatment for water-hydrocarbon based fuel system, which provides in part, biocidal control. More particularly, the present invention relates to the addition of a combination of a biocide and at least one alkyl ethanolamine to a water-hydrocarbon based fuel system to inhibit microbiological activity. In hydrocarbon based fuel systems, contact with water either intentionally or through contamination can result in undesirable biological activity. The microbiological activity can result in degradation of the fuel, sludge formation, undesirable odor generation, etc. The use of biocidal agents in such systems is known. The present inventors have discovered that the addition of a combination of a biocidal agent and at least one alkyl ethanolamine to such systems results in unexpected increased biocidal activity. The combination of the present invention can allow a reduction in the amount of biocide necessary to achieve a given level of control. The alkyl ethanolamine, in addition to enhancing the activity of the biocide, also can provide pH control for the system. Such pH control can reduce possible corrosion problems. The favorable impact of the amine is particularly important in the plant-derived fuels known generically as biodiesel. [0012] The biocidal agent-alkyl ethanolamine treatment of the present invention can be employed in combination with conventional additives for hydrocarbon fuel systems containing water such as water-hydrocarbon emulsion systems and/or non-emulsion fuels containing or contaminated with small amounts of water. Conventional additives can include emulsifiers, detergents, pH adjusting agents, etc. The treatment of the present invention can be employed in systems containing hydrocarbon based fuels such as diesel fuel, gasoline, kerosene, heating oils, etc. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0013] Formulated hydrocarbon fuels in general and emulsified hydrocarbon fuels in particular are prone to degradation via microbiological contamination or attack. In hydrocarbon fuel systems where water is present, microorganism growth can occur at the water-hydrocarbon interface. The microorganism can degrade the quality of the hydrocarbon, cause undesirable odors and cause sludge formation. The treatment of such systems with biocidal control agents is known. The present inventors discovered that the efficacy of biocidal agents in such systems could be enhanced through the addition of alkyl ethanolamines. As used herein, biocide or biocidal agent refers to any substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, molds, slimes, fungi and the like. [0014] In hydrocarbon fuel systems where water is present as a contaminant, the water or aqueous phase can comprise between 0.01% and 25% by weight of the system. Such water contamination can result from condensation in large storage or transportation vessels. In addition, such contamination can result from non-exclusive use of storage tanks. In addition to water-hydrocarbon fuel systems resulting from contamination, such systems may be formed intentionally. For example, the formation of water-diesel fuel emulsions to control NO.sub.x and SO.sub.x emissions is known. The use of additives including biocides in such systems is known. [0015] The present inventors have discovered that the combination of an alkyl ethanolamine and a biocide in such systems significantly enhances the efficacy of the biocide. The use of the combination of the present invention allows for a decrease in the amount of biocide needed to provide a desired level of control, or an increase in the level of biocidal control without an increase in the amount of biocide employed. [0016] The alkyl ethanolamines of the present invention are of the formula: R.sub.XNH.sub.Z(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH).sub.Y wherein R is C.sub.3 to C.sub.18 alkyl or isoalkyl group, X and Y are 1 or 2, Z is 0 or 1, X+Y is not greater than 3, when X or Y is 2 than Z is 0 and when X is 2 the R groups are the same or different C.sub.3 to C.sub.18 alkyl or isoalkyl groups. Preferred alkyl ethanolamines include butyl diethanolamine, Butylaminoethanol, dibutylaminoethanol and diisopropylaminoethanol. The alkylamine ethoxylate can be added to water-hydrocarbon based fuel systems at treatment concentrations from about 100 to 8000 parts per million (ppm) and preferably at treatment concentrations of from about 1000 to 5000 ppm. [0017] The alkyl ethanolamine is added to a water-hydrocarbon based fuel system in combination with a biocide. The biological control agent can include triazines, thiazolinones, halogenated compounds, thiocyanates, carbamates, pyrithiones, quaternary ammonium compounds, aldehydes, heterocyclic compounds, soluble metal ions and reactive alkylating agents. A preferred biocide is a 78.5% 1,3,5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine solution in water available as GROTAN.RTM. from Troy Chemicals. Other suitable biocides may comprise benzoisothiazolone such as Proxel DB20, a 20% suspension of benzoisothiazolone available from Avecia, and the like. The biocide can be added in concentrations from about 100 to over 2000 ppm. However, to minimize potential adverse environmental impact, it is preferred to use lower levels of biocide. In the combination of the present invention, biocide concentrations of from about 100 ppm to about 1500 ppm have been found to be effective. In cases wherein the biological challenge is minimal, the alkyl ethanolamines of the present invention may be used as the sole biological control agent. [0018] The biocide-alkyl ethanolamine combination of the present invention, in addition to providing enhanced biocidal control also will provide pH control in water-hydrocarbon based fuel systems. The alkyl ethanolamine component of the present invention can provide pH control that inhibits corrosion in hydrocarbon based fuel systems containing water. The treatment combination of the present invention can be employed in concert with other system additives such as emulsifiers, detergents, pH adjusting agents, etc. [0019] The present invention will be further described by the following non-limiting examples. EXAMPLES Continue reading about Alkyl ethanolamine and biocide combination for hydrocarbon based fuels... 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