Composition for cleaning combustion engine systems.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Examples of the disclosure relate to compositions for cleaning combustion engine systems, and particularly for cleaning combustion engine systems used to power vehicles and other devices.

BACKGROUND

Combustion engine systems are commonly used to power vehicles and other machines. In some examples, a combustion engine system comprises a fuel storage system, an internal combustion engine, a fuel injection system for introduction of fuel into the engine, a catalytic converter and an exhaust system.

Over time, deposits build up on these components which reduces performance of, and increases emissions from, the combustion engine system. Compositions are known which reduce or remove such deposits.

It is desirable to provide improved cleaning compositions for combustion engine systems.

All proportions referred to in this specification are indicated as % by volume of the total composition, unless indicated otherwise.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a composition for cleaning a combustion engine system, wherein the composition comprises: at least one hydrocarbon; at least one oxygen donor; and at least one emulsifier. The composition may comprise 40 to 85 % by volume of the at least one hydrocarbon, or preferably may comprise 45 to 80 % by volume of the at least one hydrocarbon, or more preferably may comprise 50 to 80 % by volume of the at least one hydrocarbon, or most preferably may comprise 70 to 80 % by volume of the at least one hydrocarbon.

The composition may comprise 10 to 55 % by volume of the at least one oxygen donor, or preferably may comprise 15 to 50 % by volume of the at least one oxygen donor, or more preferably may comprise 15 to 45 % by volume of the at least one oxygen donor, or most preferably may comprise 15 to 25 % by volume of the at least one oxygen donor.

The composition may comprise 1 to 15 % by volume of the at least one emulsifier, or preferably may comprise 2 to 10 % by volume of the at least one emulsifier, or most preferably may comprise 3 to 8 % by volume of the at least one emulsifier.

The at least one hydrocarbon may be selected from the group comprising: kerosene, odourless kerosene, mineral or process oils, naphthenic process oil, white spirits, hydrodesulphurized heavy naphtha (petroleum), solvent-refined heavy naphtha (petroleum), hydrotreated heavy naphtha (petroleum), hydrocarbons Cg-Cn isoalkanes, hydrocarbons C10-C12, isoalkanes, and hydrocarbons C11-C12, isoalkanes, an aromatic hydrocarbon such as C10 aromatic hydrocarbon blend, xylene, toluene and mesitylene.

Alternatively, the at least one hydrocarbon may be selected from the group comprising: kerosene, odourless kerosene, mineral or process oils, naphthenic process oil, white spirits, hydrodesulphurized heavy naphtha (petroleum), solvent- refined heavy naphtha (petroleum), hydrotreated heavy naphtha (petroleum), hydrocarbons C9-C11 isoalkanes, hydrocarbons C10-C12, isoalkanes, and hydrocarbons C11-C12, isoalkanes, and an aromatic hydrocarbon such as C10 aromatic hydrocarbon blend. Alternatively, the at least one hydrocarbon may be selected from the group comprising: kerosene, odourless kerosene, mineral or process oils, naphthenic process oil, white spirits, hydrodesulphurized heavy naphtha (petroleum), solvent- refined heavy naphtha (petroleum), hydrotreated heavy naphtha (petroleum), hydrocarbons Cg-Cn isoalkanes, hydrocarbons C10-C12, isoalkanes, and hydrocarbons C11-C12, isoalkanes, and an aromatic hydrocarbon such as xylene, toluene and mesitylene.

Alternatively, the at least one hydrocarbon may be selected from the group comprising: kerosene, odourless kerosene, mineral or process oils, naphthenic process oil, white spirits, hydrodesulphurized heavy naphtha (petroleum), solvent- refined heavy naphtha (petroleum), hydrotreated heavy naphtha (petroleum), hydrocarbons C9-C11 isoalkanes, hydrocarbons C10-C12, isoalkanes, and hydrocarbons C11-C12, isoalkanes.

The at least one oxygen donor may be selected from the group comprising: dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, cyclopentanone, 1-butoxy-2-propanol, 3- octanone, 2-butoxyethan-1-ol, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, 1-phenylethan- 1-one, diethyl butanedioate, 2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethanol, 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy) ethanol, and 2-(2-butoxyethoxy) ethanol, benzyl alcohol, 2-methylbutan-1-ol, 2- ethylbutan-1-ol, and 2-ethyl hexanol, methoxy propanol (1-methoxy-2-propanol), 2- methylpropan-2-ol, methanol, propan-2-ol, ethanol, acetone, 2-methylbutan-2-ol, propan-1 -ol, butan-2-ol, 2methylpropan-1-ol, pentan-2-ol, 3-methyl-2-butanol, butan-

1-ol, 2,2-dimethylpropan-1-ol, 2-methoxyethanol, pentan-3-ol, 1-ethoxy-2-propanol, 3-methylbutan-1-ol, 2-ethoxyethanol, pentan-1-ol, and 2-methylbutan-1-ol, butyl acetate, n-butyl acetate (butyl ethanoate),pentan-2-one, 2-methyl-3-pentanone, 3- methyl-2-pentanone, 4-methylpentan-2-one, hexan-3-one, 2-methyl-3-hexanone, hexan-2-one, 4-methyl-3-hexanone, hexan-2-one, 4-methylpent-3-en-2-one, heptan-

2-one, 3-hydroxybutanone, 1-methoxy-2-propanyl acetate, 4-hydroxy-4-methylpent- 2-one, 1-hydroxypropan-2-one, cyclopentanone and 1-phenylethan-1-one.

Alternatively, the at least one oxygen donor may be selected from the group comprising: dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, cyclopentanone, 1-butoxy-2- propanol, 3-octanone, 2-butoxyethan-1-ol, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, 1- phenylethan-1-one, diethyl butanedioate, 2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethanol, 2-(2- ethoxyethoxy) ethanol, and 2-(2-butoxyethoxy) ethanol, benzyl alcohol, 2- methylbutan-1-ol, 2-ethylbutan-1-ol, and 2-ethyl hexanol.

Alternatively, the at least one oxygen donor may be selected from the group comprising: methoxy propanol (1-methoxy-2-propanol), 2-methylpropan-2-ol, methanol, propan-2-ol, ethanol, acetone, 2-methylbutan-2-ol, propan-1 -ol, butan-2-ol, 2methylpropan-1-ol, pentan-2-ol, 3-methyl-2-butanol, butan-1-ol, 2,2-dimethylpropan- 1 -ol, 2-methoxyethanol, pentan-3-ol, 1-ethoxy-2-propanol, 3-methylbutan-1-ol, 2- ethoxyethanol, pentan-1-ol, and 2-methylbutan-1-ol, butyl acetate, n-butyl acetate (butyl ethanoate),pentan-2-one, 2-methyl-3-pentanone, 3-methyl-2-pentanone, 4- methylpentan-2-one, hexan-3-one, 2-methyl-3-hexanone, hexan-2-one, 4-methyl-3- hexanone, hexan-2-one, 4-methylpent-3-en-2-one, heptan-2-one, 3- hydroxybutanone, 1-methoxy-2-propanyl acetate, 4-hydroxy-4-methylpent-2-one, 1- hydroxypropan-2-one, cyclopentanone and 1-phenylethan-1-one.

Alternatively, the at least one oxygen donor may be selected from the group comprising: dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, cyclopentanone, 1-butoxy-2- propanol, 3-octanone, 2-butoxyethan-1-ol, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, 1- phenylethan-1-one, diethyl butanedioate, 2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethanol, 2-(2- ethoxyethoxy) ethanol, and 2-(2-butoxyethoxy) ethanol.

Alternatively, the at least one oxygen donor may be selected from the group comprising: benzyl alcohol, 2-methylbutan-1-ol, 2-ethylbutan-1-ol, and 2-ethyl hexanol.

Alternatively, the at least one oxygen donor may be selected from the group comprising: methoxy propanol (1-methoxy-2-propanol), 2-methylpropan-2-ol, methanol, propan-2-ol, ethanol, acetone, 2-methylbutan-2-ol, propan-1 -ol, butan-2-ol, 2methylpropan-1-ol, pentan-2-ol, 3-methyl-2-butanol, butan-1-ol, 2,2-dimethylpropan- 1 -ol, 2-methoxyethanol, pentan-3-ol, 1-ethoxy-2-propanol, 3-methylbutan-1-ol, 2- ethoxyethanol, pentan-1-ol, and 2-methylbutan-1-ol.

Alternatively, the at least one oxygen donor may be selected from the group comprising: butyl acetate, n-butyl acetate (butyl ethanoate),pentan-2-one, 2-methyl- 3-pentanone, 3-methyl-2-pentanone, 4-methylpentan-2-one, hexan-3-one, 2-methyl- 3-hexanone, hexan-2-one, 4-methyl-3-hexanone, hexan-2-one, 4-methylpent-3-en-2- one, heptan-2-one, 3-hydroxybutanone, 1-methoxy-2-propanyl acetate, 4-hydroxy-4- methylpent-2-one, 1-hydroxypropan-2-one, cyclopentanone and 1-phenylethan-1- one.

The at least one emulsifier may comprise a surfactant, which may comprise an anionic surfactant or a nonionic surfactant. The anionic surfactant may comprise a sulphonate. The sulphonate may comprise isopropyl amine dodecylbenzene sulphonate. The nonionic surfactant may comprise polysorbate 80.

In some examples, the at least one hydrocarbon may comprise kerosene or odourless kerosene and a process oil. The process oil may comprise naphthenic process oil. In some examples, the at least one oxygen donor may comprise dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether. In other examples, the at least one oxygen donor may comprise propan-2-ol.

Possibly, in some examples the at least one hydrocarbon comprises naphthenic process oil and kerosene or odourless kerosene, and the at least one oxygen donor comprises dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether. Alternatively, possibly in some examples the at least one hydrocarbon consists of naphthenic process oil and kerosene or odourless kerosene, and the at least one oxygen donor consists of dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether. The composition may comprise 30 to 55 % by volume naphthenic process oil, 20 to 45 % by volume kerosene or odourless kerosene, 10 to 30 % by volume dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, and 1 to 15 % by volume emulsifier. The composition may preferably comprise 40 to 50 % by volume naphthenic process oil, 25 to 35 % by volume kerosene or odourless kerosene, 15 to 25 % by volume dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, and 3 to 8 % by volume emulsifier. The composition may most preferably comprise 45 % by volume naphthenic process oil, 30 % by volume kerosene or odourless kerosene, 20 % by volume dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, and 5 % by volume emulsifier.

Alternatively, possibly the at least one hydrocarbon comprises naphthenic process oil and kerosene or odourless kerosene, and the at least one oxygen donor comprises propan-2-ol. Alternatively, possibly the at least one hydrocarbon consists of naphthenic process oil and kerosene or odourless kerosene, and the at least one oxygen donor consists of propan-2-ol. The composition may comprise 30 to 55 % by volume naphthenic process oil, 20 to 45 % by volume kerosene or odourless kerosene, 10 to 30 % by volume propan-2-ol, and 1 to 15 % by volume emulsifier. The composition may preferably comprise 40 to 50 % by volume naphthenic process oil, 25 to 35 % by volume kerosene or odourless kerosene, 15 to 25 % by volume propan-2-ol, and 3 to 8 % by volume emulsifier. The composition may most preferably comprise 45 % by volume naphthenic process oil, 30 % by volume kerosene or odourless kerosene, 20 % by volume propan-2-ol, and 5 % by volume emulsifier.

Alternatively, possibly the at least one hydrocarbon comprises C10 aromatic hydrocarbon blend and kerosene or odourless kerosene, and the at least one oxygen donor comprises benzyl alcohol and dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether. Alternatively, possibly the at least one hydrocarbon consists of C10 aromatic hydrocarbon blend and kerosene or odourless kerosene, and the at least one oxygen donor consists of benzyl alcohol and dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether

Alternatively, possibly the at least one hydrocarbon comprises xylene and kerosene or odourless kerosene, and the at least one oxygen donor comprises butyl acetate and methoxy propanol. Alternatively, possibly the at least one hydrocarbon consists of xylene and kerosene or odourless kerosene, and the at least one oxygen donor consists of butyl acetate and methoxy propanol

Alternatively, possibly the at least one hydrocarbon comprises xylene and kerosene or odourless kerosene (paraffin), and the at least one oxygen donor comprises at least one of propan-2-ol or propan-1 -ol, or acetone. Alternatively, possibly the at least one hydrocarbon consists of xylene and kerosene or odourless kerosene (paraffin), and the at least one oxygen donor consists of at least one of propan-2-ol or propan-1-ol, or acetone.

In some examples, the composition may have a flash point, measured according to ASTM D93, of at least 21 °C. The composition may have a flash point, measured according to ASTM D93, of at least 23°C, or may have a flash point, measured according to ASTM D93, of at least 30°C, or may have a flash point, measured according to ASTM D93, of about 30°C. In other examples, the composition may have a flash point, measured according to ASTM D93, of greater than 55°C. The composition may have a flash point, measured according to ASTM D93, of greater than 60°C, or may have a flash point, measured according to ASTM D93, of greater than 63°C, or may have a flash point, measured according to ASTM D93, of greater than 66°C, or may have a flash point, measured according to ASTM D93, of greater than 70°C.

The composition may comprise a biocide. The biocide may comprise Methylisothiazolinone. The biocide may comprise a mixture of Methylisothiazolinone and Chloromethylisothiazolinone. The composition may comprise 0.015 to 6 % by volume biocide, or may comprise 0.05 to 2 % by volume biocide, or may comprise 0.05 to 1 % by volume biocide.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a method of a cleaning combustion engine system, wherein the method comprises: passing a composition into an engine of the combustion engine system, wherein the composition comprises: at least one hydrocarbon; at least one oxygen donor; and at least one emulsifier.

In some examples, the composition may be passed directly into the engine. In other examples, the composition may be introduced into the fuel tank and be passed into the engine from the fuel tank.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there may be provided examples as claimed in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

For a better understanding of various examples that are useful for understanding the detailed description, reference will now be made by way of example only. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A composition for cleaning a combustion engine system is described, wherein the composition comprises a hydrocarbon, an oxygen donor, and an emulsifier.

Example compositions are provided below.

Example 1

The composition of example 1 above has a flash point, measured according to ASTM D93, of greater than 70°C. The composition of example 1 has a specific gravity of 0.875 to 0.895 g/cm ³ at 20°. Dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether is also referred to as di(propylene glycol) methyl ether.

Example 2

A process oil is a mineral oil with an initial boiling point above 180°C. In examples 1 and 2 above, the process oil is naphthenic process oil. Other example compositions may comprise a different process oil.

Example 3

The composition of example 3 has a flash point, measured according to ASTM D93, of greater than 63°C.

Example 4 The composition of example 4 has a flash point, measured according to ASTM D93, of about 30°C. Example 5

In example 5 above, odourless kerosene could be substituted for paraffin (i.e. kerosene). Propan-2-ol could be substituted for propan-1 -ol, or the composition could comprise a mixture of propan-2-ol and propan-1 -ol.

Example 6

The odourless kerosene used in examples of the disclosure is ‘hydrocarbons, C11-C13, isoalkanes, low aromatics’. In examples of the disclosure, the emulsifier may be a surfactant, such as an anionic surfactant or nonionic surfactant. The above examples 1 to 5 comprise isopropyl amine dodecylbenzene sulphonate, which is an anionic surfactant. Example 6 above comprises polysorbate 80, which is a nonionic surfactant. In other examples, the composition may comprise a different emulsifier.

In some examples, kerosene may be dearomatized. In other examples, kerosene may comprise aromatic structures. Odourless kerosene may be desulphurised. The flash point of kerosene is estimated to be over 62°C with no definitive upper limit, but generally likely to be no more than about 80°C. Kerosene may be a mixture of saturated hydrocarbons varying in carbon chain length from C7 to C18 (or in some examples from C12 to Cie). In some examples, the carbon chain is branched, or straight chained (aliphatic), or cyclic (cycloalkanes). In other examples, the carbon chain comprises aromatic structures, for example, benzene and derivatives thereof.

Odourless kerosene may be replaced with kerosene in example compositions. The terms kerosene and paraffin may be used interchangeably.

Xylene according to examples 4 and 5 of the disclosure may comprise a mixture of at least xylene, ethylbenzene (up to 20%) and toluene (up to 2%). Xylene may also comprise a mixture of xylene isomers, namely: 1,2-Dimethylbenzene (O- Xylene), 1,3-Dimethylbenzene (m-Xylene) and 1,4-Dimethylbenzene (p-Xylene). Alternatives to xylene comprise, for example, toluene or mesitylene. Mesitylene may comprise a mixture of isomers, namely: 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene (Mesitylene), 1,2,4- Trimethylbenzene (Pseudocumene), and 1,2,3-Trimethylbenzene (Hemimellitene).

To clean a combustion engine system, a composition according to examples of the disclosure is passed into an engine of the combustion engine system.

The combustion engine system may comprise a two or four stroke engine, and may be used, for example, to power vehicles such as cars or boats or other machines such as lawnmowers. In some examples, the composition is passed directly into the engine. In such examples, the fuel line to the engine is disconnected and the engine is connected to a means for passing the composition directly into the engine.

In other examples, the composition is introduced into the fuel tank and is passed into the engine from the fuel tank. In such examples, the fuel tank may already contain a quantity of fuel. The amount of composition added is predetermined by the quantity of fuel contained in the tank, and wherein the amount of composition added is in the range of 0.5 to 0.75 litres per 15 litres of fuel. The composition passes into the engine through the fuel injection system during normal operation of the combustion engine system.

From the engine, the combustion products of the composition pass through the catalytic converter and out through the exhaust system. It is understood that the composition generates an organic acid vapour on combustion in the engine, for example, which comprises a carboxylic acid vapour.

It has been found that compositions according to the disclosure used as described above improve performance of, and decrease emissions from, combustion engine systems.

Combustion engine systems are commonly used to power vehicles and other machines. In some examples, a combustion engine system comprises a fuel storage system, an internal combustion engine, a fuel injection system for introduction of fuel into the engine, a catalytic converter, and an exhaust system.

It is understood that compositions according to the disclosure improve performance of, and decrease emissions from, combustion engine systems by reducing or removing deposits from, for example, the fuel storage system, the internal combustion engine, the fuel injection system for introduction of fuel into the engine, the catalytic converter, and the exhaust system.

It is understood that a contributing factor in the removal or reduction of deposits from the catalytic converter and exhaust system is the action of the organic acid vapour which results from the combustion of the composition in the engine. Without being bound by theory, in examples of the disclosure the emulsifier removes at least some of the water present in a combustion engine system, for instance in the fuel storage tank, which may otherwise reduce the efficiency of the combustion engine system. Furthermore, since water provides a medium for microbial growth (for instance, fungal and/or bacterial growth) in a combustion engine system, removing at least some of the water reduces the amount of microbial growth in a combustion engine system.

The emulsifier may cause the formation of an emulsion, wherein water present is dispersed in the non-aqueous phase present in a combustion engine system. The non- aqueous phase present in a combustion engine system may comprise fuel (for example, petrol or diesel) and any additives. Such an emulsion may be of the type known as a water-in-oil emulsion, wherein water is the dispersed phase and the non- aqueous phase is the continuous phase.

There is thus described a composition and method with a number of advantages as detailed above.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not. The term “comprise” is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use “comprise” with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to “comprising only one...” or by using “consisting”.

In this brief description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term “example” or “for example” or “may” in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some of or all other examples. Thus “example”, “for example” or “may” refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class. It is therefore implicitly disclosed that features described with reference to one example but not with reference to another example, can where possible be used in that other example but does not necessarily have to be used in that other example.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon. l/we claim: