FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to diesel fuel compositions having diesel fuel blending components, which when combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions, and improves engine efficiency, of the diesel combustion engine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Current and future vehicle regulations demand significant reduction of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Criteria emissions include nitric oxides (NO _X ), particulates (particulate matter - PM, particle number - PN), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbons (HC). Reducing nitric oxides (NO _X ) and particulates pose a major challenge due to trade-off between the two. Furthermore, a strong need exists to meet the near zero criteria emission levels expected to be imposed by future regulations.

[0003] Vehicle regulations also aim to significantly reduce GHG emissions (mainly CO2) in the near future. In the long run, simultaneous reduction of criteria emissions and GHG emissions will be a bigger challenge for diesel engine heavy duty vehicles.

[0004] Diesel fuel compositions have become more important as diesel engine vehicles are subject to increasingly stringent criteria emissions standards. Diesel and other diesel fuel products appropriate for the transport sector may evolve as the needs of future diesel engines change. Development and deployment of low emission diesel fuels and complimentary diesel engine and aftertreatment hardware optimization can provide options to meet GHG emissions as well as criteria emissions reduction targets. To take advantage of these potential benefits, these diesel fuels must be compatible with the existing diesel fleet and comply with current diesel fuel standards.

[0005] Thus, there is a need for low emission diesel fuels, diesel fuel blending components, and diesel fuel additives which can improve and reduce tailpipe emissions from in-use and new vehicles having diesel combustion engines. In particular, there is a need for diesel fuels which improve and reduce tailpipe emissions, and importantly are compatible with the existing diesel fleet and comply with current diesel fuel standards. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with this disclosure, drop-in fuel formulations for diesel engine heavy duty applications are provided. A drop-in fuel solution is defined as an alternate fuel that is compatible with the existing engine hardware and does not require major changes in the engine, fuel system, and fuel distribution network.

[0007] This disclosure relates in part to diesel fuel compositions having diesel fuel blending components, which when combusted in a heavy duty diesel combustion engine, reduces criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions, and improves engine efficiency, of the heavy duty diesel combustion engine.

[0008] This disclosure relates in part to drop-in fuel formulations for diesel engine heavy duty applications, that can meet established diesel specifications including, for example, established diesel specifications in the United States (ASTM D970) and Europe (EN590). In one aspect of this disclosure, these drop-in formulations have a maximum of 99 v%v of dibutoxymethane (DBM) blended with diesel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, and combinations of these fuels. In another aspect of this disclosure, these drop-in formulations are mixtures having a maximum of 99 v%v of dibutoxymethane (DBM) mixed with at least one of a maximum of 67 v%v of methyldecanoate (MD), or a maximum of 64 v%v of isoamylether (Isame), or a maximum of 50 v%v oxymethylene ether mixture (OME3-5), and the mixture blended with diesel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, and combinations of these fuels. The presence of DBM, or mixtures of DBM with at least one of MD, Isame and OME3-5, results in diesel fuel formulations having higher oxygen content, higher cetane number, and lower aromatic content than conventional diesel. These improvements in the diesel fuel formulation, after combustion in a diesel engine, results in the reduction of NOx, CO2, particulate emissions, and improvement in the gross indicated thermal efficiency.

[0009] This disclosure also relates in part to other drop-in fuel formulations for diesel engine heavy duty applications, that meet established diesel specifications including, for example, established diesel specifications in Europe (EN590). In one aspect of this disclosure, these drop-in formulations have a maximum of 66 v%v of iso-amylether (Isame) blended with diesel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, and combinations of these fuels. In another aspect of this disclosure, these drop-in formulations are mixtures having a maximum of 66v%v of iso-amylether (Isame) mixed with at least one of a maximum of 99 v%v of dibutoxymethane (DBM), or a maximum of 34 v%v of methyldecanoate (MD), or a maximum of 54 v%v oxymethylene ether mixture (OME3-5), and the mixture blended with diesel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, and combinations of these fuels. The presence of Isame, or mixtures of Isame with at least one of MD, DBM and OME3-5, results in diesel fuel formulations having higher oxygen content, higher cetane number, and lower aromatic content than conventional diesel. These improvements in the diesel fuel formulation, after combustion in a diesel engine, results in the reduction of NOx, CO2, particulate emissions, and improvement in the gross indicated thermal efficiency.

[0010] This disclosure relates in part to a diesel fuel composition comprising: (i) a diesel fuel; and (ii) a diesel fuel blending component comprising one or more acetals, wherein the one or more acetals are represented by the formula 1

C ₄ H -O-C-O-CA ■ 2 wherein Ri and R2 are the same or different and are hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms. A preferred acetal is a C9 acetal, namely dibutoxymethane (DBM). The diesel fuel blending component is blended with the diesel fuel to form the diesel fuel composition. The diesel fuel composition, when combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component(s).

[0011] This disclosure also relates in part to a method for reducing one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine. The method comprises introducing a diesel fuel composition into a fuel supply for the diesel combustion engine, and combusting the diesel fuel composition in the diesel combustion engine. The diesel fuel composition comprises a diesel fuel blended with a diesel fuel blending component. The diesel fuel blending component comprises one or more acetals, wherein the one or more acetals are represented by the formula wherein Ri and R2 are the same or different and are hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms. A preferred acetal is a C9 acetal, namely dibutoxymethane (DBM). The diesel fuel composition, when combusted in the diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component. [0012] This disclosure further relates to a diesel fuel blending component comprising one or more acetals, wherein the one or more acetals are represented by the wherein Ri and R2 are the same or different and are hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms. A preferred acetal is a C9 acetal, namely dibutoxymethane (DBM). The diesel fuel blending component, when blended with a diesel fuel to form a blended diesel fuel, and when the blended diesel fuel is combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0013] This disclosure relates in part to a diesel fuel composition comprising: (i) a diesel fuel; and (ii) a diesel fuel blending component comprising one or more C8-C12 ethers, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers are represented by the formula wherein R3 and R4 are the same or different and are an alkyl group having from about 4 to about 6 carbon atoms. A preferred C8-C12 ether is a CIO ether, namely isoamyl ether. The diesel fuel blending component is blended with the diesel fuel to form the diesel fuel composition. The diesel fuel composition, when combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0014] This disclosure also relates in part to a method for reducing one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine. The method comprises: introducing a diesel fuel composition into a fuel supply for the diesel combustion engine, and combusting the diesel fuel composition in the diesel combustion engine. The diesel fuel composition comprises a diesel fuel blended with a diesel fuel blending component. The diesel fuel blending component comprises one or more C8-C12 ethers, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers are represented by the formula

R ₃ - Q - R ₄ wherein R3 and R4 are the same or different and are an alkyl group having from about 4 to about 6 carbon atoms. A preferred C8-C12 ether is a CIO ether, namely isoamyl ether. The diesel fuel composition, when combusted in the diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component. [0015] This disclosure further relates in part to a diesel fuel blending component comprising one or more C8-C12 ethers, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers are represented by the formula

R ₃ - 0 - R. wherein R3 and R4 are the same or different and are an alkyl group having from about 4 to about 6 carbon atoms. A preferred C8-C12 ether is a CIO ether, namely isoamyl ether. The diesel fuel blending component, when blended with a diesel fuel to form a blended diesel fuel, and when the blended diesel fuel is combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0016] It has been found that, in accordance with this disclosure, diesel fuel compositions having a specific diesel fuel blending component (i.e., a C9 acetal namely dibutoxymethane (DBM) or a CIO ether namely isoamyl ether (Isame)), when combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component (i.e., the C9 acetal namely dibutoxymethane (DBM) or the CIO ether namely isoamyl ether (Isame)).

[0017] Also, it has been found that, in accordance with this disclosure, diesel fuel compositions having a specific diesel fuel blending component (i.e., a C9 acetal namely dibutoxymethane (DBM) or a CIO ether namely isoamyl ether (Isame)), have a higher oxygen content, a higher cetane number, and a lower aromatic content, than otherwise identical diesel fuel compositions without the diesel fuel blending component (i.e., the C9 acetal namely dibutoxymethane (DBM) or the CIO ether namely isoamyl ether (Isame)).

[0018] Further, it has been found that, in accordance with this disclosure, diesel fuel compositions having a specific diesel fuel blending component (i.e., a C9 acetal namely dibutoxymethane (DBM) or a CIO ether namely isoamyl ether (Isame)), when combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of NOx emissions, CO2 emissions, and particulate (PM and PN) emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of NOx emissions, CO2 emissions, and particulate (PM and PN) emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component (i.e., the C9 acetal namely dibutoxymethane (DBM) or the CIO ether namely isoamyl ether (Isame)).

[0019] These and other features and attributes of the disclosed methods and systems and their advantageous applications and/or uses will be apparent from the detailed description of which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a comparison of key fuel properties of blended diesel fuels of this disclosure with baseline conventional fossil diesel (ULSD), in accordance with the Examples.

[0021] Fig. 2 shows test conditions of the Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP), which was operated using diesel fuels having drop-in diesel fuel blending components at different operating conditions to investigate the effect of diesel fuel on criteria emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, and engine performance, in accordance with the Examples. In Fig. 2, test points 1-4 include low load condition and low intake air temperature, test points 5-8 include high load condition and low intake air temperature, and test points 9- 12 include low load condition and high intake air temperature.

[0022] Fig. 3 shows percentage change in criteria emissions, and gross indicated thermal efficiency for diesel fuel formulations of this disclosure, as compared to baseline diesel fuel (ULSD), when drop-in fuel formulations were tested at low load condition and low intake air temperature (test points 1-4 in Fig. 2), in accordance with the Examples.

[0023] Fig. 4 shows percentage change in criteria emissions, and gross indicated thermal efficiency for diesel fuel formulations of this disclosure, as compared to baseline diesel fuel (ULSD), when drop-in fuel formulations were tested at low load condition and high intake air temperature (test points 8-12 in Fig. 2), in accordance with the Examples.

[0024] Fig. 5 shows percentage change in criteria emissions, and gross indicated thermal efficiency for diesel fuel formulations of this disclosure, as compared to baseline diesel fuel (ULSD), when drop-in fuel formulations were tested at high load condition and low intake air temperature (test points 5-8 in Fig. 2), in accordance with the Examples.

[0025] Fig. 6 graphically shows the effect of diesel fuel formulations of this disclosure on NO _X , CO2, and PM emissions at injection timings of (a) 9.5 BTDC, test point 1 in Fig. 2, and (b) 6.5 BTDC test point 2 in Fig. 2, low load, low intake air temperature (40°C), EGR -24.5 %, in accordance with the Examples.

[0026] Fig. 7 graphically shows the effect of diesel fuel formulations of this disclosure on NO _X , CO2, and PM emissions at injection timings of (a) 6.5 BTDC, test point 3 in Fig. 2, and (b) 9.5 BTDC, test point 4 in Fig. 2, low load, low intake air temperature (40°C), EGR -19.5 %, in accordance with the Examples.

[0027] Fig. 8 graphically shows the effect of diesel fuel formulations of this disclosure on PN23, and PN10 nm emissions at different injection timings, and EGR levels at constant speed, low load conditions (a) test point 1 in Fig. 2, injection timing 9.5 BTDC, EGR~24.5%, (b) test point 2 in Fig. 2, injection timing 6.5 BTDC, EGR~24.5%, (c) test point 3 in Fig. 2, injection timing 6.5 BTDC, EGR~19.5%, (d) test point 4 in Fig. 2, injection timing 9.5 BTDC, EGR~19.5%, in accordance with the Examples. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] As used herein, the term “diesel fuel(s)” include, but is not limited to, fossil diesel, petroleum diesel, synthetic diesel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, hydrogenated oils and fats, dimethyl ether (DME), and blends of the diesel fuels. This disclosure is not intended to be limited to any particular type of diesel fuel.

[0029] As used herein, the term “greenhouse gas emissions” refers to compounds or components of vehicular exhaust or exhaust from other diesel combustion engine emissions which include, but are not limited to, carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane.

[0030] As used herein, the term “criteria emissions” refers to compounds or components of vehicular exhaust or exhaust from other diesel combustion engine emissions which include, but are not limited to, carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), nitrogen oxides (NOx), ozone (03), particulate matter (PM), particle number (PN), total hydrocarbons (THC) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).

[0031] As used herein, the term “heavy duty vehicle(s)” refers to vehicles of GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of above 8,500 lbs.

[0032] As used herein the term “diesel combustion engine” refers to diesel engines, including heavy duty diesel engines, that generate motive power by the burning of diesel with air inside the engine, the hot gases produced being used to drive a piston or do other work as they expand. Such diesel engines include but are not limited to vehicle diesel engines including, but not limited to, automotive, marine and aviation engines.

[0033] As used herein, the term “low load” refers to an operating condition when the diesel combustion engine is running at low speeds, typically in the range of 800-1300 rpm and at torque 30-40 % of the full load the engine can withstand.

[0034] Diesel combustion engines can typically be characterized as a compression ignition engine. In compression ignition, a mixture of air and fuel is provided into a cylinder which is compressed. When a sufficient amount of compression occurs, the mixture of air and fuel combusts. This combustion occurs without the need to introduce a separate spark to ignite the air/fuel mixture. A fuel for a compression ignition engine can be characterized based on a cetane number, which is a measure of how quickly a fuel will ignite. Conventional compression ignition engines can use diesel boiling range compositions as fuels. Diesel Fuels

[0035] Illustrative diesel fuels useful in this disclosure include, for example, fossil diesel, petroleum diesel, synthetic diesel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, hydrogenated oils and fats, dimethyl ether (DME), and the like.

[0036] Petroleum diesel or fossil diesel is produced from the fractional distillation of crude oil at a temperature between 200°C and 350°C and at atmospheric pressure, resulting in a mixture of carbon chains that typically contain between about 9 about 25 carbon atoms per molecule.

[0037] Synthetic diesel is produced from any carbonaceous material, including biomass, biogas, natural gas, coal and others. The raw material is gasified into synthesis gas, which after purification is converted by the Fischer-Tropsch process to a synthetic fuel. The process is typically referred to as biomass-to-liquid (BTL), gas-to-liquid (GTL) or coal- to-liquid (CTL) depending on the raw material used. Paraffinic synthetic diesel generally has a near-zero content of sulfur and very low aromatics content, reducing unregulated emissions of toxic hydrocarbons, nitrous oxides, and particulate matter (PM). E-diesel is a synthetic diesel fuel created from carbon dioxide, water, and electricity with a process powered by renewable energy sources to create a liquid energy carrier which is refined to generate e-diesel.

[0038] Acetals can be made as an e-fuel or syn fuel where they are made from captured CO2 and renewable electricity derived hydrogen (e.g., via water electrolysis or via steam reforming with a carbon capture step). See, for example, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2019, 58, 14, 5567-5578 and https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acs.iecr.8b05577 describing the production of oxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OME3-5) from hydrogen and carbon dioxide. See also the life cycle assessment of OME3-5 synfuel production from this study at DOI: https://doi.org/! 0.1039/C9SE00658C.

[0039] Molecules such as dibutoxymethane can be made via trans acetalization reaction of OME where the larger alcohol such as ethanol and 1 -butanol can be bio-sourced through fermentative pathways, leading to production of low emission fuel. See, for example, Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2021, 5, 4311 and https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2021/se/dlse00631 b describing the synthesis of tailored oxymethylene ether (OME) fuels via transacetalization reactions.

[0040] Biodiesel is obtained from vegetable oil or animal fats (biolipids) which are mainly fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), and transesterified with methanol. Biodiesel can be produced from many types of oils, the most common being rapeseed oil (rapeseed methyl ester, RME) in Europe and soybean oil (soy methyl ester, SME) in the U.S. Methanol can also be replaced with ethanol for the transesterification process, which results in the production of ethyl esters. The transesterification processes use catalysts, such as sodium or potassium hydroxide, to convert vegetable oil and methanol into biodiesel and the undesirable byproducts glycerine and water, which need to be removed from the fuel along with methanol traces. Biodiesel can be used pure in engines where the manufacturer approves such use, but it is more often used as a mixture.

[0041] Biodiesel useful in this disclosure can be derived from biological sources such as vegetable, animal, fish, and/or algae. For the purposes of this disclosure, vegetable fats/oils refer generally to any plant based material, and can include fat/oils derived from a source such as plants of the genus Jatropha. Generally, the biological sources can include vegetable fats/oils, animal fats/oils, fish oils, pyrolysis oils, and algae lipids/oils, and in some embodiments can specifically include one or more type of lipid compounds. Lipid compounds are typically biological compounds that are insoluble in water, but soluble in nonpolar (or fat) solvents. Non-limiting examples of such solvents include alcohols, ethers, chloroform, alkyl acetates, benzene, and combinations thereof.

[0042] Major classes of lipids include, but are not necessarily limited to, fatty acids, glycerol-derived lipids (including fats, oils and phospholipids), sphingosine-derived lipids (including ceramides, cerebrosides, gangliosides, and sphingomyelins), steroids and their derivatives, terpenes and their derivatives, fat-soluble vitamins, certain aromatic compounds, and long-chain alcohols and waxes.

[0043] In living organisms, lipids generally serve as the basis for cell membranes and as a form of fuel storage. Lipids can also be found conjugated with proteins or carbohydrates, such as in the form of lipoproteins and lipopolysaccharides.

[0044] Examples of vegetable oils that can be used in accordance with this disclosure include, but are not limited to rapeseed (canola) oil, soybean oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, peanut oil, linseed oil, tall oil, corn oil, castor oil, jatropha oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, flaxseed oil, camelina oil, safflower oil, babassu oil, tallow oil, and rice bran oil. [0045] Vegetable oils as referred to herein can also include processed vegetable oil material. Non-limiting examples of processed vegetable oil material include fatty acids and fatty acid alkyl esters. Alkyl esters typically include C1-C5 alkyl esters. One or more of methyl, ethyl, and propyl esters are preferred. [0046] Examples of animal fats that can be used in accordance with the disclosure include, but are not limited to, beef fat (tallow), hog fat (lard), turkey fat, fish fat/oil, and chicken fat. The animal fats can be obtained from any suitable source including restaurants and meat production facilities.

[0047] Animal fats as referred to herein also include processed animal fat material. Non-limiting examples of processed animal fat material include fatty acids and fatty acid alkyl esters. Alkyl esters typically include C1-C alkyl esters. One or more of methyl, ethyl, and propyl esters are preferred.

[0048] Algae oils or lipids are typically contained in algae in the form of membrane components, storage products, and metabolites. Certain algal strains, particularly microalgae such as diatoms and cyanobacteria, contain proportionally high levels of lipids. Algal sources for the algae oils can contain varying amounts, e.g., from 2 wt % to 40 wt % of lipids, based on total weight of the biomass itself.

[0049] Algal sources for algae oils include, but are not limited to, unicellular and multicellular algae. Examples of such algae include a rhodophyte, chiorophyte, heterokontophyte, tribophyte, glaucophyte, chlorarachniophyte, euglenoid, haptophyte, cryptomonad, dinoflagellum, phytoplankton, and the like, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, algae can be of the classes Chlorophyceae and/or Haptophyta. Specific species can include, but are not limited to, Neochloris oleoabundans, Scenedesmus dimorphus, Euglena gracilis, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Pleurochrysis carterae, Prymnesium parvum, Tetraselmis chui, and Chlanmydomonas reinhardtii.

[0050] The biodiesel fuels usable in the present disclosure can include any of those which comprise primarily triglycerides and free fatty acids (FFAs). The triglycerides and FFAs typically contain aliphatic hydrocarbon chains in their structure having from 8 to 36 carbons, preferably from 10 to 26 carbons, for example from 14 to 22 carbons. Types of triglycerides can be determined according to their fatty acid constituents. The fatty acid constituents can be readily determined using Gas Chromatography (GC) analysis. This analysis involves extracting the fat or oil, saponifying (hydrolyzing) the fat or oil, preparing an alkyl (e.g., methyl) ester of the saponified fat or oil, and determining the type of (methyl) ester using GC analysis. In one embodiment, a majority (i.e., greater than 50%) of the triglyceride present in the lipid material can be comprised of C10 to C26, for example C12 to Cis, fatty acid constituents, based on total triglyceride present in the lipid material. Further, a triglyceride is a molecule having a structure substantially identical to the reaction product of glycerol and three fatty acids. Thus, although a triglyceride is described herein as being comprised of fatty acids, it should be understood that the fatty acid component does not necessarily contain a carboxylic acid hydrogen. Other types of feed that are derived from biological raw material components can include fatty acid esters, such as fatty acid alkyl esters (e.g., FAME and/or FAEE).

[0051] Biodiesel boiling range fuels typically have relatively low nitrogen and sulfur contents. For example, a biodiesel fuel can contain up to about 500 wppm nitrogen, for example up to about 300 wppm nitrogen or up to about 100 wppm nitrogen. Instead of nitrogen and/or sulfur, the primary heteroatom component in biocomponent feeds is oxygen. Biodiesel boiling range fuels, e.g., can include up to about 10 wt % oxygen, up to about 12 wt % oxygen, or up to about 14 wt % oxygen. Suitable biodiesel boiling range fuels, prior to hydrotreatment, can include at least about 5 wt % oxygen, for example at least about 8 wt % oxygen.

[0052] In an embodiment, the diesel fuel can include up to about 100% of a feedstock or fuel having a biological origin. This can be a hydrotreated vegetable oil feed, a hydrotreated fatty acid alkyl ester feed, or another type of hydrotreated biological feed. A hydrotreated biological feed can be a biological feed that has been previously hydroprocessed to reduce the oxygen content of the feed to about 500 wppm or less, for example to about 200 wppm or less or to about 100 wppm or less. Correspondingly, a biological feed can be hydrotreated to reduce the oxygen content of the feed, prior to other optional hydroprocessing, to about 500 wppm or less, for example to about 200 wppm or less or to about 100 wppm or less. Additionally or alternately, a biological feed can be blended with a mineral feed, so that the blended feed can be tailored to have an oxygen content of about 500 wppm or less, for example about 200 wppm or less or about 100 wppm or less. In embodiments where at least a portion of the feed is of a biological origin, that portion can be at least about 2 wt %, for example at least about 5 wt %, at least about 10 wt %, at least about 20 wt %, at least about 25 wt %, at least about 35 wt %, at least about 50 wt %, at least about 60 wt %, or at least about 75 wt %. Additionally or alternately, the biological portion can be about 75 wt % or less, for example about 60 wt % or less, about 50 wt % or less, about 35 wt % or less, about 25 wt % or less, about 20 wt % or less, about 10 wt % or less, or about 5 wt % or less.

[0053] Diesel fuels from hydrogenated oils and fats involves converting the triglycerides in vegetable oil and animal fats into alkanes by refining and hydrogenation. The produced fuel has many properties that are similar to synthetic diesel.

[0054] Dimtheyl ether (DME) is a synthetic, gaseous diesel fuel that results in clean combustion with very little soot and reduced NOx emissions. [0055] In certain embodiments, the diesel fuel blending component may be blended with diesel fuels including, but not limited to, any of the following, and any combination thereof: low sulfur diesel (sulfur content of less than 500 wppm), ultra low sulfur diesel (sulfur content <10 or <15 ppmw), hydrotreated straight run diesel, hydrotreated thermally cracked diesel, hydrotreated coker diesel, hydrocracker diesel, and gas-to-liquid diesel. Additionally, additives may be used to correct properties such as pour point, cold filter plugging point, lubricity, cetane, and/or stability.

[0056] In an embodiment, preferred diesel fuels useful in this disclosure include petroleum or fossil diesel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, regenerative diesel, synthetic diesel, and combinations thereof.

Diesel Fuel Blending Components

[0057] In one aspect, the disclosure provides a diesel fuel blending component which is capable of reducing criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions in diesel combustion engines. The diesel fuel blending component of this disclosure can be blended with diesel fuels to reduce the criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions in diesel combustion engines. When the diesel fuel blending component is blended with a diesel fuel to form a blended diesel fuel, and when the blended diesel fuel is combusted in a diesel combustion engine, one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine are reduced, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0058] In one aspect, the diesel fuel blending component comprises one or more acetals, in which the one or more acetals are represented by the formula wherein Ri and R2 are the same or different and are hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms. The diesel fuel blending component, when blended with a diesel fuel to form a blended diesel fuel, and when the blended diesel fuel is combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0059] The one or more acetals are preferably selected from dibutoxy methane (DBM), dibutoxy ethane (DBE), and dibutoxy propane (DBP).

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more acetals is dibutoxy methane (DBM) having the formula

[0061] The one or more acetals can include mixtures of two or more of dibutoxy methane (DBM), dibutoxy ethane (DBE), and dibutoxy propane (DBP), in any combination. [0062] The one or more acetals can also include mixtures of (i) one or more of dibutoxy methane (DBM), dibutoxy ethane (DBE), and dibutoxy propane (DBP), with (ii) one or more of methyldecanoate (MD), iso-amylether (Isame), and an oxymethylene ether mixture (OME3-5), in any combination.

[0063] The acetal (e.g., dibutoxymethane (DBM)) diesel fuel blending component is present in the blended diesel fuel in an amount from about 0.5% to about 99% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 75% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 60% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 50% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 30% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 25% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 10% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 5% by volume.

[0064] In an embodiment, the acetal (e.g., dibutoxymethane (DBM)) diesel fuel blending component is present in the blended diesel fuel in an amount from about 0.5% to about 99% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 75% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 30% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 25% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 20% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 15% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 10% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 5% by volume.

[0065] The mixtures of two or more of dibutoxy methane (DBM), dibutoxy ethane (DBE), and dibutoxy propane (DBP), in any combination, can be present in the blended diesel fuel in an amount from about 0.5% to about 99% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 75% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 60% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 50% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 30% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 25% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 10% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 5% by volume.

[0066] The mixtures of (i) one or more of dibutoxy methane (DBM), dibutoxy ethane (DBE), and dibutoxy propane (DBP), with (ii) one or more of methyldecanoate (MD), iso-amylether (Isame), and an oxymethylene ether mixture (OME3-5), in any combination, can be present in the blended diesel fuel in an amount from about 0.5% to about 99% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 75% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 60% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 50% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 30% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 25% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 10% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 5% by volume. [0067] Illustrative mixtures of acetal diesel fuel blending components useful in this disclosure are shown in Table A below. Table A also shows the estimated oxygen content for each mixture. As shown in Table A, the oxygen content for the mixtures ranges from 9.0 wt% to 39 wt%.

Table A

[0068] In another aspect, the diesel fuel blending component comprises one or more C8-C12 ethers, in which the one or more C8-C12 ethers are represented by the formula wherein R3 and R4 are the same or different and are an alkyl group having from about 4 to about 6 carbon atoms. The diesel fuel blending component, when blended with a diesel fuel to form a blended diesel fuel, and when the blended diesel fuel is combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0069] The one or more C8-C12 ethers are preferably selected from isoamyl ether (Isame), and similarly branched or linear C8-C12 ethers.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more C8-C12 ethers is isoamyl ether

[0071] The C8-C12 ethers can include mixtures of two or more of isoamyl ether (Isame), and similarly branched or linear C8-C12 ethers, in any combination.

[0072] The one or more C8-C12 ethers can also include mixtures of (i) one or more of isoamyl ether (Isame), and similarly branched or linear C8-C12 ethers, with (ii) one or more of methyldecanoate (MD), dibutoxymethane (DBM), and an oxymethylene ether mixture (OME3-5), in any combination.

[0073] The C8-C12 ether (e.g., isoamyl ether (Isame)) diesel fuel blending component is present in the blended diesel fuel in an amount from about 0.5% to about 60% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 55% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 50% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 25% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 10% by volume or an amount from about 0.5% to about 5% by volume.

[0074] In an embodiment, the C8-C12 ether (e.g., isoamyl ether (Isame)) diesel fuel blending component is present in the blended diesel fuel in an amount from about 0.5% to about 25% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 20% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 15% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 10% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 5% by volume.

[0075] The mixtures of two or more of isoamyl ether (Isame), and similarly branched or linear C8-C12 ethers, in any combination, can be present in the blended diesel fuel in an amount from about 0.5% to about 66% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 55% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 50% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 25% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 10% by volume or an amount from about 0.5% to about 5% by volume.

[0076] The mixtures of (i) one or more of isoamyl ether (Isame), and similarly branched or linear C8-C12 ethers, with (ii) one or more of methyldecanoate (MD), dibutoxymethane (DBM), and an oxymethylene ether mixture (OME3-5), in any combination, can be present in the blended diesel fuel in an amount from about 0.5% to about 66% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 55% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 50% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 25% by volume, or an amount from about 0.5% to about 10% by volume or an amount from about 0.5% to about 5% by volume.

[0077] Illustrative mixtures of C8-C12 ether diesel fuel blending components useful in this disclosure are shown in Table B below. Table B also shows the estimated oxygen content for each mixture. As shown in Table B, the oxygen content ranges from 5.0 wt% to 38 wt%.

Table B

[0078] Other diesel fuel blending components useful in this disclosure include, for example, esters (e.g., methyldecanoate (MD)), and ethers (e.g., oxymethylene ether mixtures (OME3-5)).

Diesel Fuel Compositions

[0079] In one aspect, the disclosure provides diesel fuel compositions which are capable of reducing criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions in diesel combustion engines. The diesel fuel compositions have a diesel fuel blending component that is blended with the diesel fuel to reduce the criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions in diesel combustion engine. When the blended diesel fuel is combusted in a diesel combustion engine, one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine are reduced, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0080] In one aspect, the diesel fuel composition comprises: (i) a diesel fuel; and (ii) a diesel fuel blending component comprising one or more acetals, wherein the one or more acetals are represented by the formula wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and are hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms. The diesel fuel blending component is blended with the diesel fuel to form the diesel fuel composition. The diesel fuel composition, when combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0081] In another aspect, the diesel fuel composition comprises: (i) a diesel fuel; and (ii) a diesel fuel blending component comprising one or more C8-C12 ethers, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers are represented by the formula

R ₃ - 0 - F wherein R3 and R4 are the same or different and are an alkyl group having from about 4 to about 6 carbon atoms. The diesel fuel blending component is blended with the diesel fuel to form the diesel fuel composition. The diesel fuel composition, when combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0082] The diesel fuel can be present in the diesel fuel composition in an amount from about 0.5% and about 66% by volume, or from about 0.5% and about 65% by volume, or from about 0.5% and about 70% by volume, or from about 0.5% and about 75% by volume, or from about 0.5% and about 80% by volume, or greater.

[0083] In one aspect, the criteria emissions are particulates including particle number (PN) and particulate matter (PM), nitric oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and combinations thereof, and the greenhouse gas emissions are carbon dioxide (CO2), and combinations thereof.

[0084] The diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure have a higher oxygen content, a higher cetane number, and a lower aromatic content, than an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0085] The diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure, when combusted in the diesel combustion engine, reduce one or more of NOx emissions, CO2 emissions, and particulate (PM and PN) emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of NOx emissions, CO2 emissions, and particulate (PM and PN) emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0086] In an embodiment, at low load condition and low intake temperature of DEETP, when criteria emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure in the diesel combustion engine are NOx emissions, the NOx (ISNOx) emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 20%, or by about 0.1% to about 17.5%, or by about 0.1% to about 15%, as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0087] Also, in an embodiment, at low load condition and low intake temperature of DEETP, when greenhouse gas emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure in the diesel combustion engine are CO2 emissions, the CO2 (ISCO2) emissions are reduced by about 1% to about 10%, or by about 1% to about 8%, or by about 1% to about 6%, as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0088] Further, in an embodiment, at low load condition and low intake temperature of DEETP, when criteria emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure in the diesel combustion engine are particulate (PM and PN) emissions, the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 1% to about 80%, or by about 5% to about 75%, or by about 10% to about 70%, as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0089] The diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure have a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 2%, or by about 0.1% to about 1.5%, or by about 0.1% to about 1.25%, as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake temperature of DEETP.

[0090] Tn an embodiment, at low load condition and high intake temperature of DEETP, when criteria emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure in the diesel combustion engine are NOx emissions, the NOx (ISNOx) emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 10%, or by about 0.2% to about 10%, or by about 0.25% to about 10%, as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0091] Also, in an embodiment, at low load condition and high intake temperature of DEETP, when greenhouse gas emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure in the diesel combustion engine are CO2 emissions, the CO2 (ISCO2) emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 8%, or by about 0.5% to about 8%, or by about 1% to about 8%, as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0092] Further, in an embodiment, at low load condition and high intake temperature of DEETP, when criteria emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure in the diesel combustion engine are particulate (PM and PN) emissions, the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 10% to about 90%, or by about 15% to about 90%, or by about 20% to about 90%, as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0093] The diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure have a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 3%, or by about 0.5% to about 3%, or by about 1% to about 3%, as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake temperature of DEETP.

[0094] In an embodiment, at high load condition and low intake temperature of DEETP, when criteria emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure in the diesel combustion engine are NOx emissions, the NOx (ISNOx) emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 15%, or by about 0.5% to about 15%, or by about 2% to about 12%, as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0095] Also, in an embodiment, at high load condition and low intake temperature of DEETP, when greenhouse gas emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure in the diesel combustion engine are CO2 emissions, the CO2 (ISCO2) emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 8%, or by about 0.1% to about 7%, or by about 0.1% to about 6%, as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0096] Further, in an embodiment, at high load condition and low intake temperature of DEETP, when criteria emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure in the diesel combustion engine are particulate (PM and PN) emissions, the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 1% to about 80%, or by about 5% to about 80%, or by about 10% to about 80%, as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0097] The diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure have a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 2%, or by about 0.1% to about 1.75%, or by about 0.1% to about 1.5%, as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake temperature of DEETP.

[0098] The diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure have an oxygen content from about from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt%, or from about 0.5 wt% to about 25 wt%, or from about 0.5 wt% to about 10 wt%, or from about 0.5 wt% to about 5 wt%. The diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure have an oxygen content that is increased by about 4900% to about 499900%, or by about 4900% to about 249900%, or by about 4900% to about 99900%, as compared to an oxygen content of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0099] The diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure have a cetane number from about 50 to about 98, or from about 50 to about 80, or from about 50 to about 70. The diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure have a cetane number that is increased by about 13% to about 122%, or by about 13% to about 81%, or by about 13% to about 58.3%, as compared to a cetane number of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0100] The diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure have an aromatic content from about 0.1 wt% to about 15 wt%, or from about 0.2 wt% to about 12 wt%, or from about 0.5 wt% to about 12 wt%, or from about 1 wt% to about 12 wt%. The diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure have an aromatic content that is reduced by about 99.6% to about 43.7%, or by about 99.2% to about 55%, or by about 96.2% to about 55%, as compared to an aromatic content of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0101] The diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure, when combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduce one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, as determined by Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP), or as determined under low load condition and low intake air temperature of the DEETP, or as determined under high load condition and low intake air temperature of the DEETP, or as determined under low load condition and high intake air temperature of the DEETP. The DEETP is described here in below.

[0102] The diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure are useful in automotive, marine and aviation applications.

[0103] The diesel fuel compositions of this disclosure can be prepared by blending at least one diesel fuel blending component with a diesel fuel using methods known in the art. [0104] The following are preferred embodiments of this disclosure.

[0105] Embodiment 1. A diesel fuel blending component comprising one or more acetals, wherein the one or more acetals are represented by the formula wherein Ri and FT are the same or different and are hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms; and wherein the diesel fuel blending component, when blended with a diesel fuel to form a blended diesel fuel, and when the blended diesel fuel is combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0106] Embodiment 2. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 1, wherein the one or more acetals are selected from the group consisting of dibutoxy methane (DBM), dibutoxy ethane (DBE), and dibutoxy propane (DBP).

[0107] Embodiment 3. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment

1, wherein the one or more acetals is dibutoxy methane (DBM) having the formula

[0108] Embodiment 4. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment

1, wherein the one or more acetals are selected from mixtures of two or more of dibutoxy methane (DBM), dibutoxy ethane (DBE), and dibutoxy propane (DBP), in any combination. [0109] Embodiment 5. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 1, wherein the one or more acetals are selected from mixtures of (i) one or more of dibutoxy methane (DBM), dibutoxy ethane (DBE), and dibutoxy propane (DBP), with (ii) one or more of methyldecanoate (MD), iso-amylether (Isame), and an oxymethylene ether mixture (OME3-5), in any combination.

[0110] Embodiment 6. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 1, wherein the diesel fuel is selected from the group consisting of conventional fossil diesel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, regenerative diesel, synthetic diesel, and combinations thereof. [0111] Embodiment 7. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 1, wherein the blended diesel fuel is suitable for use in automotive, marine and aviation applications.

[0112] Embodiment 8. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 1, which is present in the blended diesel fuel in an amount from about 0.5% to about 99% by volume.

[0113] Embodiment 9. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 1, which is present in the blended diesel fuel in an amount from about 0.5% to about 20% by volume.

[0114] Embodiment 10. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 1, wherein the criteria emissions are particulates including particle number (PN) and particulate matter (PM), nitric oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and combinations thereof.

[0115] Embodiment 11. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment

1, wherein the greenhouse gas emissions are carbon dioxide (CO2).

[0116] Embodiment 12. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment

1, wherein the blended diesel fuel has a higher oxygen content, a higher cetane number, and a lower aromatic content, than an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0117] Embodiment 13. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 1, which when blended with a diesel fuel to form a blended diesel fuel, and when the blended diesel fuel is combusted in the diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of NOx emissions, CO2 emissions, and particulate (PM and PN) emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of NOx emissions, CO2 emissions, and particulate (PM and PN) emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0118] Embodiment 14. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 1, wherein criteria emissions resulting from combustion of the blended diesel fuel in the diesel combustion engine are NOx emissions; wherein the NOx emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 20% as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the NOx emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 10% as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the NOx emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 15% as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0119] Embodiment 15. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 1, wherein greenhouse gas emissions resulting from combustion of the blended diesel fuel in the diesel combustion engine are CO2 emissions; wherein the CO2 emissions are reduced by about 1 % to about 10% as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the CO2 emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 8% as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the CO2 emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 8% as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0120] Embodiment 16. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 1, wherein criteria emissions resulting from combustion of the blended diesel fuel in the diesel combustion engine are particulate (PM and PN) emissions; wherein the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 1% to about 80% as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 10% to about 90% as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 1% to about 80% as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0121] Embodiment 17. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 1, wherein the blended diesel fuel has a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 2% as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the blended diesel fuel has a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 3% as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the blended diesel fuel has a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 2% as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0122] Embodiment 18. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 1, wherein the blended diesel fuel has an oxygen content from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt%, and wherein the oxygen content of the blended diesel fuel is increased by about 4900% to about 499900% as compared to an oxygen content of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0123] Embodiment 19. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 1, wherein the blended diesel fuel has a cetane number from about 50 to about 98, and wherein the cetane number of the blended diesel fuel is increased by about 13% to about 122% as compared to a cetane number of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0124] Embodiment 20. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 1, wherein the blended diesel fuel has an aromatic content from about 0.1 wt% to about 15 wt%, and wherein the aromatic content of the blended diesel fuel is reduced by about 99.6% to about 43.7% as compared to an aromatic content of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0125] Embodiment 21. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 1, which when blended with a diesel fuel to form a blended diesel fuel, and when the blended diesel fuel is combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, as determined by Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0126] Embodiment 22. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 21, which reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, when blended with a diesel fuel and the blended diesel fuel combusted in a diesel combustion engine, as determined under low load condition and low intake air temperature of the Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0127] Embodiment 23. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 21, which reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, when blended with a diesel fuel and the blended diesel fuel combusted in a diesel combustion engine, as determined under high load condition and low intake air temperature of the Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0128] Embodiment 24. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 21, which reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, when blended with a diesel fuel and the blended diesel fuel combusted in a diesel combustion engine, as determined under low load condition and high intake air temperature of the Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0129] Embodiment 25. A diesel fuel composition comprising: (i) a diesel fuel; and (ii) a diesel fuel blending component comprising one or more acetals, wherein the one or more acetals are represented by the formula 1 C ₄ H -O-C-O-C 1 ₄ H _q Ri wherein Ri and R2 are the same or different and are hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms; wherein the diesel fuel blending component is blended with the diesel fuel to form the diesel fuel composition; and wherein the diesel fuel composition, when combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0130] Embodiment 26. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, wherein the diesel fuel is selected from the group consisting of conventional fossil diesel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, regenerative diesel, synthetic diesel, and combinations thereof. [0131] Embodiment 27. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, wherein the one or more acetals are selected from the group consisting of dibutoxy methane (DBM), dibutoxy ethane (DBE), and dibutoxy propane (DBP).

[0132] Embodiment 28. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, wherein the one or more acetals is dibutoxy methane (DBM) having the formula

[0133] Embodiment 29. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, wherein the one or more acetals are selected from mixtures of two or more of dibutoxy methane (DBM), dibutoxy ethane (DBE), and dibutoxy propane (DBP), in any combination. [0134] Embodiment 30. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, wherein the one or more acetals are selected from mixtures of (i) one or more of dibutoxy methane (DBM), dibutoxy ethane (DBE), and dibutoxy propane (DBP), with (ii) one or more of methyldecanoate (MD), iso-amylether (Isame), and an oxymethylene ether mixture (OME3-5), in any combination.

[0135] Embodiment 31. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, wherein the diesel fuel is present in the diesel fuel composition in an amount from about 1% and about 99.5% by volume.

[0136] Embodiment 32. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, wherein the diesel fuel is present in the diesel fuel composition in an amount from about 1% and about 80% by volume.

[0137] Embodiment 33. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, wherein the diesel fuel blending component is present in the diesel fuel composition in an amount from about 0.5% and about 99% by volume.

[0138] Embodiment 34. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, wherein the diesel fuel blending component is present in the diesel fuel composition in an amount from about 0.5% and about 20% by volume.

[0139] Embodiment 35. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, wherein the criteria emissions are particulates including particle number (PN) and particulate matter (PM), nitric oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and combinations thereof.

[0140] Embodiment 36. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, wherein the greenhouse gas emissions are carbon dioxide (CO2).

[0141] Embodiment 37. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, which has a higher oxygen content, a higher cetane number, and a lower aromatic content, than an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0142] Embodiment 38. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, which when combusted in the diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of NOx emissions, CO2 emissions, and particulate (PM and PN) emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of NOx emissions, CO2 emissions, and particulate (PM and PN) emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0143] Embodiment 39. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, wherein criteria emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel composition in the diesel combustion engine are NOx emissions; wherein the NOx emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 20% as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the NOx emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 10% as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the NOx emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 15% as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0144] Embodiment 40. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, wherein greenhouse gas emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel composition in the diesel combustion engine are CO2 emissions; wherein the CO2 emissions are reduced by about 1 % to about 10% as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the CO2 emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 8% as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the CO2 emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 8% as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0145] Embodiment 41. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, wherein criteria emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel composition in the diesel combustion engine are particulate (PM and PN) emissions; wherein the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 1% to about 80% as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 10% to about 90% as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 1% to about 80% as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0146] Embodiment 42. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, wherein the diesel fuel composition has a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 2% as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the blended diesel fuel has a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 3% as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the blended diesel fuel has a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 2% as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0147] Embodiment 43. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, which has an oxygen content from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt%, and wherein the oxygen content of the diesel fuel composition is increased by about 4900% to about 499900% as compared to an oxygen content of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0148] Embodiment 44. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, which has a cetane number from about 50 to about 98, and wherein the cetane number of the diesel fuel composition is increased by about 13% to about 122% as compared to a cetane number of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0149] Embodiment 45. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, which has an aromatic content from about 0.1 wt% to about 15 wt%, and wherein the aromatic content of the diesel fuel composition is reduced by about 99.6% to about 43.7% as compared to an aromatic content of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component. [0150] Embodiment 46. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, which when combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, as determined by Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0151] Embodiment 47. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 46, which reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, when combusted in a diesel combustion engine, as determined under low load condition and low intake air temperature of the Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0152] Embodiment 48. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 46, which reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, when combusted in a diesel combustion engine, as determined under high load condition and low intake air temperature of the Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0153] Embodiment 49. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 46, which reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, when combusted in a diesel combustion engine, as determined under low load condition and high intake air temperature of the Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0154] Embodiment 50. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 25, which is suitable for use in automotive, marine and aviation applications.

[0155] Embodiment 51. A method for reducing one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, said method comprising: introducing a diesel fuel composition into a fuel supply for the diesel combustion engine, and combusting the diesel fuel composition in the diesel combustion engine; wherein the diesel fuel composition comprises a diesel fuel blended with a diesel fuel blending component; wherein the diesel fuel blending component comprises one or more acetals, wherein the one or more acetals are represented by the formula wherein Ri and R2 are the same or different and are hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms; and wherein the diesel fuel composition, when combusted in the diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0156] Embodiment 52. The method of embodiment 51, wherein the diesel fuel is selected from the group consisting of conventional fossil diesel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, regenerative diesel, synthetic diesel, and combinations thereof.

[0157] Embodiment 53. The method of embodiment 51, wherein the one or more acetals are selected from the group consisting of dibutoxy methane (DBM), di butoxy ethane (DBE), and dibutoxy propane (DBP).

[0158] Embodiment 54. The method of embodiment 51, wherein the one or more acetals is dibutoxy methane (DBM) having the formula

[0159] Embodiment 55. The method of embodiment 51, wherein the one or more acetals are selected from mixtures of two or more of dibutoxy methane (DBM), dibutoxy ethane (DBE), and dibutoxy propane (DBP), in any combination.

[0160] Embodiment 56. The method of embodiment 51, wherein the one or more acetals are selected from mixtures of (i) one or more of dibutoxy methane (DBM), dibutoxy ethane (DBE), and dibutoxy propane (DBP), with (ii) one or more of methyldecanoate (MD), iso-amylether (Isame), and an oxymethylene ether mixture (OME3- 5), in any combination.

[0161] Embodiment 57. The method of embodiment 51, wherein the diesel fuel is present in the diesel fuel composition in an amount from about 1% and about 99.5% by volume.

[0162] Embodiment 58. The method of embodiment 51, wherein the diesel fuel is present in the diesel fuel composition in an amount from about 05% and about 80% by volume.

[0163] Embodiment 59. The method of embodiment 51, wherein the diesel fuel blending component is present in the diesel fuel composition in an amount from about 0.5% and about 99% by volume.

[0164] Embodiment 60. The method of embodiment 51, wherein the diesel fuel blending component is present in the diesel fuel composition in an amount from about 0.5% and about 20% by volume.

[0165] Embodiment 61. The method of embodiment 51, wherein the criteria emissions are particulates including particle number (PN) and particulate matter (PM), nitric oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and combinations thereof.

[0166] Embodiment 62. The method of embodiment 51, wherein the greenhouse gas emissions are carbon dioxide (CO2).

[0167] Embodiment 63. The method of embodiment 51, wherein the diesel fuel composition has a higher oxygen content, a higher cetane number, and a lower aromatic content, than an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0168] Embodiment 64. The method of embodiment 51, wherein the diesel fuel composition when combusted in the diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of NOx emissions, CO2 emissions, and particulate (PM and PN) emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of NOx emissions, CO2 emissions, and particulate (PM and PN) emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0169] Embodiment 65. The method of embodiment 51, wherein criteria emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel composition in the diesel combustion engine are NOx emissions; wherein the NOx emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 20% as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the NOx emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 10% as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the NOx emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 15% as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0170] Embodiment 66. The method of embodiment 51, wherein greenhouse gas emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel composition in the diesel combustion engine are CO2 emissions; wherein the CO2 emissions are reduced by about 1% to about 10% as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the CO2 emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 8% as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the CO2 emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 8% as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0171] Embodiment 67. The method of embodiment 51, wherein criteria emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel composition in the diesel combustion engine are particulate (PM and PN) emissions; wherein the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 1% to about 80% as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 10% to about 90% as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 1% to about 80% as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0172] Embodiment 68. The method of embodiment 51, wherein the diesel fuel composition has a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 2% as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the blended diesel fuel has a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 3% as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the blended diesel fuel has a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 2% as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0173] Embodiment 69. The method of embodiment 51, wherein the diesel fuel composition has an oxygen content from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt%, and wherein the oxygen content of the diesel fuel composition is increased by about 4900% to about 499900% as compared to an oxygen content of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0174] Embodiment 70. The method of embodiment 51, wherein the diesel fuel composition has a cetane number from about 50 to about 98, and wherein the cetane number of the diesel fuel composition is increased by about 13% to about 122% as compared to a cetane number of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0175] Embodiment 71. The method of embodiment 51 , wherein the diesel fuel composition has an aromatic content from about 0.1 wt% to about 15 wt%, and wherein the aromatic content of the diesel fuel composition is reduced by about 99.6% to about 43.7% as compared to an aromatic content of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0176] Embodiment 72. The method of embodiment 51, wherein the diesel fuel composition when combusted in the diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, as determined by Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0177] Embodiment 73. The method of embodiment 72, wherein the diesel fuel composition reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, when combusted in the diesel combustion engine, as determined under low load condition and low intake air temperature of the Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0178] Embodiment 74. The method of embodiment 72, wherein the diesel fuel composition reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, when combusted in the diesel combustion engine, as determined under high load condition and low intake air temperature of the Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0179] Embodiment 75. The method of embodiment 72, wherein the diesel fuel composition reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, when combusted in the diesel combustion engine, as determined under low load condition and high intake air temperature of the Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0180] Embodiment 76. The method of embodiment 51, wherein the diesel fuel composition is suitable for use in automotive, marine and aviation applications.

[0181] Embodiment 77. A diesel fuel blending component comprising one or more C8-C12 ethers, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers are represented by the formula

R ₃ - 0 - F wherein R3 and R4 are the same or different and are an alkyl group having from about 4 to about 6 carbon atoms; and wherein the diesel fuel blending component, when blended with a diesel fuel to form a blended diesel fuel, and when the blended diesel fuel is combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0182] Embodiment 78. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 77, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers are selected from the group consisting of isoamyl ether (Isame), and similarly branched or linear C8-C12 ethers.

[0183] Embodiment 79. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 77, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers is isoamyl ether having the formula

[0184] Embodiment 80. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 77, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers are selected from mixtures of two or more of isoamyl ether (Isame), and similarly branched or linear C8-C12 ethers, in any combination. [0185] Embodiment 81. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 77, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers are selected from mixtures of (i) one or more of isoamyl ether (Isame), and similarly branched or linear C8-C12 ethers, with (ii) one or more of methyldecanoate (MD), dibutoxymethane (DBM), and an oxymethylene ether mixture (OME3-5), in any combination.

[0186] Embodiment 82. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 77, wherein the diesel fuel is selected from the group consisting of conventional fossil diesel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, regenerative diesel, synthetic diesel, and combinations thereof. [0187] Embodiment 83. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 77, wherein the blended diesel fuel is suitable for use in automotive, marine and aviation applications.

[0188] Embodiment 84. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 77, which is present in the blended diesel fuel in an amount from about 0.5% and about 66% by volume.

[0189] Embodiment 85. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 77, which is present in the blended diesel fuel in an amount from about 0.5% and about 20% by volume.

[0190] Embodiment 86. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 77, wherein the criteria emissions are particulates including particle number (PN) and particulate matter (PM), nitric oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and combinations thereof.

[0191] Embodiment 87. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment

77, wherein the greenhouse gas emissions are carbon dioxide (CO2).

[0192] Embodiment 88. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment

77, wherein the blended diesel fuel has a higher oxygen content, a higher cetane number, and a lower aromatic content, than an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0193] Embodiment 89. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 77, which when blended with a diesel fuel to form a blended diesel fuel, and when the blended diesel fuel is combusted in the diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of NOx emissions, CO2 emissions, and particulate (PM and PN) emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of NOx emissions, CO2 emissions, and particulate (PM and PN) emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0194] Embodiment 90. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 77, wherein criteria emissions resulting from combustion of the blended diesel fuel in the diesel combustion engine are NOx emissions; wherein the NOx emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 20% as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the NOx emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 10% as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the NOx emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 15% as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0195] Embodiment 91. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 77, wherein greenhouse gas emissions resulting from combustion of the blended diesel fuel in the diesel combustion engine are CO2 emissions; wherein the CO2 emissions are reduced by about 1 % to about 10% as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the CO2 emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 8% as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the CO2 emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 8% as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0196] Embodiment 92. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 77, wherein criteria emissions resulting from combustion of the blended diesel fuel in the diesel combustion engine are particulate (PM and PN) emissions; wherein the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 1% to about 80% as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 10% to about 90% as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 1% to about 80% as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0197] Embodiment 93. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 77, wherein the blended diesel fuel has a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 2% as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the blended diesel fuel has a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 3% as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the blended diesel fuel has a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 2% as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0198] Embodiment 94. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 77, wherein the blended diesel fuel has an oxygen content from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt%, and wherein the oxygen content of the blended diesel fuel is increased by about 4900% to about 499900% as compared to an oxygen content of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0199] Embodiment 95. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 77, wherein the blended diesel fuel has a cetane number from about 50 to about 98, and wherein the cetane number of the blended diesel fuel is increased by about 13% to about 122% as compared to a cetane number of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0200] Embodiment 96. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 77, wherein the blended diesel fuel has an aromatic content from about 0.1 wt% to about 15 wt%, and wherein the aromatic content of the blended diesel fuel is reduced by about 99.6% to about 43.7% as compared to an aromatic content of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0201] Embodiment 97. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 77, which when blended with a diesel fuel to form a blended diesel fuel, and when the blended diesel fuel is combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, as determined by Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0202] Embodiment 98. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 97, which reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, when blended with a diesel fuel and the blended diesel fuel combusted in a diesel combustion engine, as determined under low load condition and low intake air temperature of the Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0203] Embodiment 99. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 97, which reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, when blended with a diesel fuel and the blended diesel fuel combusted in a diesel combustion engine, as determined under high load condition and low intake air temperature of the Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0204] Embodiment 100. The diesel fuel blending component of embodiment 97, which reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, when blended with a diesel fuel and the blended diesel fuel combusted in a diesel combustion engine, as determined under low load condition and high intake air temperature of the Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0205] Embodiment 101. A diesel fuel composition comprising: (i) a diesel fuel; and (ii) a diesel fuel blending component comprising one or more C8-C12 ethers, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers are represented by the formula

R ₃ - 0 - Fl wherein R3 and R4 are the same or different and are an alkyl group having from about 4 to about 6 carbon atoms; wherein the diesel fuel blending component is blended with the diesel fuel to form the diesel fuel composition; and wherein the diesel fuel composition, when combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0206] Embodiment 102. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, wherein the diesel fuel is selected from the group consisting of conventional fossil diesel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, regenerative diesel, synthetic diesel, and combinations thereof. [0207] Embodiment 103. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers are selected from the group consisting of isoamyl ether (Isame), and similarly branched or linear C8-C12 ethers.

[0208] Embodiment 104. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers is isoamyl ether (Isame) having the formula

[0209] Embodiment 105. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers are selected from mixtures of two or more of isoamyl ether (Isame), and similarly branched or linear C8-C12 ethers, in any combination. [0210] Embodiment 106. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers are selected from mixtures of (i) one or more of isoamyl ether (Isame), and similarly branched or linear C8-C12 ethers, with (ii) one or more of methyldecanoate (MD), dibutoxymethane (DBM), and an oxymethylene ether mixture (OME3-5), in any combination.

[0211] Embodiment 107. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, wherein the diesel fuel is present in the diesel fuel composition in an amount from about 34% and about 99.5% by volume.

[0212] Embodiment 108. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, wherein the diesel fuel is present in the diesel fuel composition in an amount from about 34% and about 99.5% by volume.

[0213] Embodiment 109. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, wherein the diesel fuel blending component is present in the diesel fuel composition in an amount from about 0.5% and about 66% by volume.

[0214] Embodiment 110. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, wherein the diesel fuel blending component is present in the diesel fuel composition in an amount from about 0.5% and about 20% by volume.

[0215] Embodiment 111. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, wherein the criteria emissions are particulates including particle number (PN) and particulate matter (PM), nitric oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and combinations thereof.

[0216] Embodiment 112. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, wherein the greenhouse gas emissions are carbon dioxide (CO2).

[0217] Embodiment 113. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, which has a higher oxygen content, a higher cetane number, and a lower aromatic content, than an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0218] Embodiment 114. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, which when combusted in the diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of NOx emissions, CO2 emissions, and particulate (PM and PN) emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of NOx emissions, CO2 emissions, and particulate (PM and PN) emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0219] Embodiment 115. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, wherein criteria emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel composition in the diesel combustion engine are NOx emissions; wherein the NOx emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 20% as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the NOx emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 10% as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the NOx emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 15% as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0220] Embodiment 116. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, wherein greenhouse gas emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel composition in the diesel combustion engine are CO2 emissions; wherein the CO2 emissions are reduced by about 1 % to about 10% as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the CO2 emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 8% as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the CO2 emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 8% as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0221] Embodiment 117. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, wherein criteria emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel composition in the diesel combustion engine are particulate (PM and PN) emissions; wherein the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 1% to about 80% as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 10% to about 90% as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 1% to about 80% as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0222] Embodiment 118. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, wherein the diesel fuel composition has a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 2% as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the blended diesel fuel has a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 3% as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the blended diesel fuel has a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 2% as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0223] Embodiment 119. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, which has an oxygen content from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt%, and wherein the oxygen content of the diesel fuel composition is increased by about 4900% to about 499900% as compared to an oxygen content of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0224] Embodiment 120. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, which has a cetane number from about 50 to about 98, and wherein the cetane number of the diesel fuel composition is increased by about 13% to about 122% as compared to a cetane number of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0225] Embodiment 121. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, which has an aromatic content from about 0.1 wt% to about 15 wt%, and wherein the aromatic content of the diesel fuel composition is reduced by about 99.6% to about 43.7% as compared to an aromatic content of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0226] Embodiment 122. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, which when combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, as determined by Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0227] Embodiment 123. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 122, which reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, when combusted in a diesel combustion engine, as determined under low load condition and low intake air temperature of the Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0228] Embodiment 124. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 122, which reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, when combusted in a diesel combustion engine, as determined under high load condition and low intake air temperature of the Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0229] Embodiment 125. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 122, which reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, when combusted in a diesel combustion engine, as determined under low load condition and high intake air temperature of the Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0230] Embodiment 126. The diesel fuel composition of embodiment 101, which is suitable for use in automotive, marine and aviation applications.

[0231] Embodiment 127. A method for reducing one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, said method comprising: introducing a diesel fuel composition into a fuel supply for the diesel combustion engine, and combusting the diesel fuel composition in the diesel combustion engine; wherein the diesel fuel composition comprises a diesel fuel blended with a diesel fuel blending component; wherein the diesel fuel blending component comprises one or more C8-C12 ethers, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers are represented by the formula R ₃ - 0 - R4 wherein R3 and R4 are the same or different and are an alkyl group having from about 4 to about 6 carbon atoms; and wherein the diesel fuel composition, when combusted in the diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0232] Embodiment 128. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the diesel fuel is selected from the group consisting of conventional fossil diesel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, regenerative diesel, synthetic diesel, and combinations thereof.

[0233] Embodiment 129. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers are selected from the group consisting of isoamyl ether (Isame), and similarly branched or linear C8-C12 ethers.

[0234] Embodiment 130. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers is isoamyl ether (Isame) having the formula

[0235] Embodiment 131. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers are selected from mixtures of two or more of isoamyl ether (Isame), and similarly branched or linear C8-C12 ethers in any combination.

[0236] Embodiment 132. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers are selected from mixtures of (i) one or more of isoamyl ether (Isame), and similarly branched or linear C8-C12 ethers, with (ii) one or more of methyldecanoate (MD), dibutoxymethane (DBM), and an oxymethylene ether mixture (OME3-5), in any combination.

[0237] Embodiment 133. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the diesel fuel is present in the diesel fuel composition in an amount from about 0.5% and about 66% by volume.

[0238] Embodiment 134. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the diesel fuel is present in the diesel fuel composition in an amount from about 34% and about 99.5% by volume.

[0239] Embodiment 135. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the diesel fuel blending component is present in the diesel fuel composition in an amount from about 0.5% and about 40% by volume.

[0240] Embodiment 136. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the diesel fuel blending component is present in the diesel fuel composition in an amount from about 0.5% and about 20% by volume.

[0241] Embodiment 137. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the criteria emissions are particulates including particle number (PN) and particulate matter (PM), nitric oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and combinations thereof.

[0242] Embodiment 138. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the greenhouse gas emissions are carbon dioxide (CO2).

[0243] Embodiment 139. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the diesel fuel composition has a higher oxygen content, a higher cetane number, and a lower aromatic content, than an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0244] Embodiment 140. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the diesel fuel composition when combusted in the diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of NOx emissions, CO2 emissions, and particulate (PM and PN) emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of NOx emissions, CO2 emissions, and particulate (PM and PN) emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0245] Embodiment 141. The method of embodiment 127, wherein criteria emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel composition in the diesel combustion engine are NOx emissions; wherein the NOx emissions are reduced by about 0.1 % to about 20% as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the NOx emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 10% as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the NOx emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 15% as compared to NOx emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0246] Embodiment 142. The method of embodiment 127, wherein greenhouse gas emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel composition in the diesel combustion engine are CO2 emissions; wherein the CO2 emissions are reduced by about 1% to about 10% as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the CO2 emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 8% as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the CO2 emissions are reduced by about 0.1% to about 8% as compared to CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0247] Embodiment 143. The method of embodiment 127, wherein criteria emissions resulting from combustion of the diesel fuel composition in the diesel combustion engine are particulate (PM and PN) emissions; wherein the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 1% to about 80% as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 10% to about 90% as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the particulate (PM and PN) emissions are reduced by about 1% to about 80% as compared to particulate (PM and PN) emissions resulting from combustion in a diesel combustion engine of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP. [0248] Embodiment 144. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the diesel fuel composition has a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 2% as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and low intake air temperature according to Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP); wherein the blended diesel fuel has a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 3% as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at low load condition and high intake air temperature according to DEETP; or wherein the blended diesel fuel has a gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) that is increased by about 0.1% to about 2% as compared to gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) of an otherwise identical diesel fuel without the diesel fuel blending component, at high load condition and low intake air temperature according to DEETP.

[0249] Embodiment 145. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the diesel fuel composition has an oxygen content from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt%, and wherein the oxygen content of the diesel fuel composition is increased by about 4900% to about 499900% as compared to an oxygen content of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0250] Embodiment 146. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the diesel fuel composition has a cetane number from about 50 to about 98, and wherein the cetane number of the diesel fuel composition is increased by about 13% to about 122% as compared to a cetane number of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0251] Embodiment 147. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the diesel fuel composition has an aromatic content from about 0.1 wt% to about 1 wt%, and wherein the aromatic content of the diesel fuel composition is reduced by about 99.6% to about 43.7% as compared to an aromatic content of an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0252] Embodiment 148. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the diesel fuel composition when combusted in the diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, as determined by Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0253] Embodiment 149. The method of embodiment 148, wherein the diesel fuel composition reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, when combusted in the diesel combustion engine, as determined under low load condition and low intake air temperature of the Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0254] Embodiment 150. The method of embodiment 148, wherein the diesel fuel composition reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, when combusted in the diesel combustion engine, as determined under high load condition and low intake air temperature of the Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0255] Embodiment 151. The method of embodiment 148, wherein the diesel fuel composition reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, when combusted in the diesel combustion engine, as determined under low load condition and high intake air temperature of the Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP).

[0256] Embodiment 152. The method of embodiment 127, wherein the diesel fuel composition is suitable for use in automotive, marine and aviation applications.

[0257] Additional features of the present methodologies are described in the following non-limiting examples.

Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP)

[0258] A 13 L heavy duty diesel combustion engine, compression ratio (CR) 17:1 is operated using diesel fuels having the drop-in diesel fuel blending components of this disclosure at different operating conditions, details of which are provided in Fig. 2.

During the test, criteria emissions and gross indicated thermal efficiency are measured at different test points (Test points 1-12 in Fig. 2). These test points include low, high load conditions with variation in exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) levels, fuel injection timings, and intake air temperature during the engine operation. Test points 1-4 in Fig. 2 include low load condition and low intake air temperature. Test points 5-8 in Fig. 2 include high load condition and low intake air temperature. Test points 9-12 in Fig. 2 include low load condition and high intake air temperature. The operating conditions are chosen to investigate the effect of diesel fuel on the criteria emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, and engine performance. The engine is operated under same conditions using conventional fossil diesel, which is the baseline fuel in this test procedure.

[0259] Fuel formulations were prepared comprised of 60-95 v%v of diesel, blends of diesel with renewable diesel or/and biodiesel, and a maximum of 10 v%v dibutoxymethane (DBM). Fuel formulations were also prepared having up to 10 v%v of methyldecanoate (MD), or 10 v%v of iso-amylether (Isame), or 5 v%v oxymethylene ether mixture (OME3.5), blended with diesel, biodiesel or renewable diesel. The presence of these components in the diesel fuel formulation modifies the key fuel properties that improves the diesel combustion quality leading to the reduction of criteria emissions, and improvement of engine performance. Fig. 1 compares the key fuel properties of the diesel fuel formulations with baseline conventional fossil diesel (ULSD). As shown in Fig. 1, the diesel fuel formulations have higher cetane number, higher oxygen content, and lower aromatics, as compared to conventional fossil diesel (ULSD), not having any of these components.

[0260] The examples were conducted using the Diesel Combustion Engine Emissions Test Procedure (DEETP). The DEETP is operated using diesel fuels having drop-in diesel fuel blending components of this disclosure at different operating conditions, details of which are provided in Fig. 2.

[0261] Figs. 3 and 4 consolidate the effect of prepared fuel formulations on the indicated specific NOx (ISNOx), indicated specific CO2 (ISCO2), particulates (PN10, 23 nm, PM), and gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) for low load conditions. Figs. 3 and 4 show the change in emissions in percentages with reference to baseline conventional fossil diesel (ULSD). DBM significantly reduces criteria and particulate emissions at low load conditions. At low load, low intake air condition (Fig. 3), DBM reduces ISNOx in the order of 2.8 %, whereas the order of reduction is 8.5% when intake air temperature is raised from 40°C to 90°C (Fig. 4). DBM reduces particulates in the range of 28 to 56% at low load, whereas at high load the reduction is in the order of 20 %. Overall, fuel formulations with DBM show significant reduction of criteria emissions and particulate emissions in different operating conditions.

[0262] Fig. 3 shows percentage change in criteria emissions, and gross indicated thermal efficiency for diesel fuel formulations of this disclosure, as compared to baseline diesel fuel (ULSD), when drop-in fuel formulations were tested at low load condition and low intake air temperature (test points 1-4 in Fig. 2). In particular, Fig. 3 shows fuel formulations containing 10 v%v isoamylether, or 10 v%v methyldecanoate, that reduce ISNOx emissions in range of 0.1 to 7.4% at low load, low intake air temperature operating condition (test points 1-4 in Fig. 2). Fuel formulation with 10 v%v isoamylether reduces ISNOx in the order of 7% (Fig. 8b), and thus provides the best benefit of reducing ISNOx emissions at low load, low intake air temperature conditions at exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)~24.5%.

[0263] Figs. 6 and 7 compare the percentage change in ISCO2, indicated specific nitric oxides (ISNOx), and indicated specific particulate mass (ISPM) for the specified fuel formulations, and EN590DB7 with reference to conventional diesel (ULSD). At low load conditions, the fuel formulation having dibutoxymethane reduces indicated specific carbon dioxide (ISCO2) in the order of 6%. Other fuel formulations also show ISCO2 reduction benefits in the range of 3-5%. Similar ISCO2 reduction benefits (5-7 %) are observed, when the intake air temperature is increased from 40°C to 90°C as shown in Fig. 4. These fuel formulations provide benefit of simultaneously reducing both NO _X and CO2 emissions at low load operating conditions.

[0264] Fig. 6a-b and Fig. 7a-b show that the specified drop-in fuel formulations provide particulate matter reduction benefits at different operating conditions. At low load, low intake air temperature, these fuels reduce indicated specific particulate matter (ISPM) in the range of 41- 68 % (Fig. 3) at exhaust gas recirculation levels of 19.5, 24.5%, and fuel injection timings of 6.5, 9.5 BTDC. Maximum ISPM reduction benefit was observed for the fuel formulation having of 5 v%v of OME3-5 (61-68%). Methyldecanoate and dibutoxymethane fuel formulations also show significant ISPM reduction (45-54 %) as compared to conventional diesel. The difference in molecular structure, oxygen content, and lower aromatic content contributes towards the variation in PM reduction benefits for different drop-in fuels. In particular, Fig. 6 graphically shows the effect of diesel fuel formulations of this disclosure on NO _X , CO2, and PM emissions at injection timings of (a) 9.5 BTDC, test point 1 in Fig. 2, and (b) 6.5 BTDC test point 2 in Fig. 2, low load, low intake air temperature (40°C), exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) -24.5 %. In particular, Fig. 7 graphically shows the effect of diesel fuel formulations of this disclosure on NO _X , CO2, and PM emissions at injection timings of (a) 6.5 BTDC, test point 3 in Fig. 2, and (b) 9.5 BTDC, test point 4 in Fig. 2, low load, low intake air temperature (40°C), EGR -19.5 %.

[0265] At high load operating conditions (Fig. 5, test points 5-8 in Fig. 2), specified fuel formulations having 10 v%v dibutoxymethane or 5 v%v of OME35, significantly reduces particulate matter emission in the range of 50 to 80 % as compared to conventional diesel. Increase in combustion temperature at high load seems to trigger the reactivity of these molecules leading to considerable particulate matter (PM) reduction benefits. In the context of PM reduction benefit, specified fuel formulations having 10 v%v of dibutoxymethane show highest reduction of particulate matter at low, and high load operating conditions. In particular, Fig. 5 shows percentage change in criteria emissions, and gross indicated thermal efficiency for diesel fuel formulations of this disclosure, as compared to baseline diesel fuel (ULSD), when drop-in fuel formulations were tested at high load condition and low intake air temperature (test points 5-8 in Fig. 2).

[0266] At low load, low intake air temperature (test points 1-4 in Fig. 2), specified fuel formulations having dibutoxymethane (DBM) reduce particulate number of size 10 nm and 23 nm in the range of 37 to 44% (Fig. 8a-d). When the intake air temperature is increased to 90°C at low load, the formulation having 10 v%v of methyldecanoate reduces Particulate number (lOnm) PN10 nm, Particulate number (23nm) PN23 nm in the range of 40 to 61 % (Fig. 4). The specified fuel formulation provides benefit of reducing particulate numbers at low load condition, which are becoming more critical in future vehicle regulations. At high load, the OME3-5 and DBM drop-in formulations provide an advantage of particulate number reduction in the range of 7-46 % (Fig. 5). The OME3-5 drop-in fuel formulation has the best PN reduction potential at low load. In particular, Fig. 8 graphically shows the effect of diesel fuel formulations of this disclosure on PN23, and PN10 nm emissions at different injection timings, and EGR levels at constant speed, low load conditions (a) test point 1 in Fig. 2, injection timing 9.5 BTDC, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)~24.5%, (b) test point 2 in Fig. 2, injection timing 6.5 BTDC, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)~24.5%, (c) test point 3 in Fig. 2, injection timing 6.5 BTDC, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)~19.5%, (d) test point 4 in Fig. 2, injection timing 9.5 BTDC, EGR- 19.5%.

[0267] The change in gross indicated thermal efficiency for specified fuel formulations with respect to diesel (baseline) at low load operating conditions is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Specified fuel formulations having of 10 v%v DBM, or 10 v%v isoamylether improve the gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) in the range of 0.9- 1.1 % (Fig. 3) at low load, low intake air temperature operating condition. Higher improvement in gITE is observed (0.9-2.5 %) when the intake air temperature is increased to 90°C at low load operating condition (Fig. 4). The specified drop-in fuel formulations having 5 v%v OME3-5, or 10 v%v methyldecanoate show highest increase in gITE. In particular, Fig. 4 shows percentage change in criteria emissions, and gross indicated thermal efficiency for diesel fuel formulations of this disclosure, as compared to baseline diesel fuel (ULSD), when drop-in fuel formulations were tested at low load condition and high intake air temperature (test points 8-12 in Fig. 2).

PCT and EP Clauses:

[0268] 1. A diesel fuel composition comprising: (i) a diesel fuel; and (ii) a diesel fuel blending component comprising one or more acetals, wherein the one or more acetals are represented by the formula wherein Ri and R2 are the same or different and are hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms; wherein the diesel fuel blending component is blended with the diesel fuel to form the diesel fuel composition; and wherein the diesel fuel composition, when combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0269] 2. The diesel fuel composition of clause 1, wherein the diesel fuel is selected from the group consisting of conventional fossil diesel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, regenerative diesel, synthetic diesel, and combinations thereof

[0270] 3. The diesel fuel composition of clause 1, wherein the one or more acetals are selected from the group consisting of dibutoxy methane (DBM), dibutoxy ethane (DBE), and dibutoxy propane (DBP).

[0271] 4. The diesel fuel composition of clause 1, wherein the one or more acetals is dibutoxy methane (DBM) having the formula

[0272] 5. The diesel fuel composition of clause 1, wherein the one or more acetals are selected from mixtures of two or more of dibutoxy methane (DBM), dibutoxy ethane (DBE), and dibutoxy propane (DBP), in any combination [0273] 6. The diesel fuel composition of clause 1, wherein the one or more acetals are selected from mixtures of (i) one or more of dibutoxy methane (DBM), dibutoxy ethane (DBE), and dibutoxy propane (DBP), with (ii) one or more of methyldecanoate (MD), iso-amylether (Isame), and an oxymethylene ether mixture (OME3-5), in any combination.

[0274] 7. The diesel fuel composition of clause 1, wherein the diesel fuel is present in the diesel fuel composition in an amount from about 1% and about 99.5 by volume, or in an amount from about 0.5% and about 80% by volume.

[0275] 8. A method for reducing one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, said method comprising: introducing a diesel fuel composition into a fuel supply for the diesel combustion engine, and combusting the diesel fuel composition in the diesel combustion engine; wherein the diesel fuel composition comprises a diesel fuel blended with a diesel fuel blending component; wherein the diesel fuel blending component comprises one or more acetals, wherein the one or more acetals are represented by the formula wherein Ri and R2 are the same or different and are hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms; and wherein the diesel fuel composition, when combusted in the diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0276] 9. A diesel fuel composition comprising: (i) a diesel fuel; and (ii) a diesel fuel blending component comprising one or more C8-C12 ethers, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers are represented by the formula wherein R3 and R ₄ are the same or different and are an alkyl group having from about 4 to about 6 carbon atoms; wherein the diesel fuel blending component is blended with the diesel fuel to form the diesel fuel composition; and wherein the diesel fuel composition, when combusted in a diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0277] 10. The diesel fuel composition of clause 9, wherein the diesel fuel is selected from the group consisting of conventional fossil diesel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, regenerative diesel, synthetic diesel, and combinations thereof.

[0278] 11. The diesel fuel composition of clause 9, wherein the one or more C8-

C12 ethers are selected from the group consisting of isoamyl ether (Isame), and similarly branched or linear C8-C12 ethers.

[0279] 12. The diesel fuel composition of clause 9, wherein the one or more C8-

C12 ethers is isoamyl ether (Isame) having the formula

The diesel fuel composition of claim 18, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers are selected from mixtures of two or more of isoamyl ether (Isame), and similarly branched or linear C8- C12 ethers, in any combination.

[0280] 13. The diesel fuel composition of clause 9, wherein the one or more C8-

C12 ethers are selected from mixtures of (i) one or more of isoamyl ether (Isame), and similarly branched or linear C8-C12 ethers, with (ii) one or more of methyldecanoate (MD), dibutoxymethane (DBM), and an oxymethylene ether mixture (OME3-5), in any combination.

[0281] 14. The diesel fuel composition of clause 9, wherein the diesel fuel is present in the diesel fuel composition in an amount from about 34% and about 99.5% by volume, or in an amount from about 80% and about 99.5% by volume.

[0282] 15. A method for reducing one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of a diesel combustion engine, said method comprising: introducing a diesel fuel composition into a fuel supply for the diesel combustion engine, and combusting the diesel fuel composition in the diesel combustion engine; wherein the diesel fuel composition comprises a diesel fuel blended with a diesel fuel blending component; wherein the diesel fuel blending component comprises one or more C8-C12 ethers, wherein the one or more C8-C12 ethers are represented by the formula

R ₃ - 0 - R. wherein R3 and R4 are the same or different and are an alkyl group having from about 4 to about 6 carbon atoms; and wherein the diesel fuel composition, when combusted in the diesel combustion engine, reduces one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions of the diesel combustion engine, as compared to one or more of criteria emissions and greenhouse gas emissions produced using an otherwise identical diesel fuel composition without the diesel fuel blending component.

[0283] All numerical values within the detailed description and the claims can modified by “about” or “approximately” the indicated value, taking into account experimental error and variations.

[0284] For the sake of brevity, only certain ranges are explicitly disclosed herein. However, ranges from any lower limit can be combined with any upper limit to recite a range not explicitly recited, as well as, ranges from any lower limit can be combined with any other lower limit to recite a range not explicitly recited, in the same way, ranges from any upper limit can be combined with any other upper limit to recite a range not explicitly recited.

[0285] Additionally, within a range includes every point or individual value between its end points even though not explicitly recited. Thus, every point or individual value can serve as its own lower or upper limit combined with any other point or individual value or any other lower or upper limit, to recite a range not explicitly recited.

[0286] Many alterations, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure and that when numerical lower limits and numerical upper limits are listed herein, ranges from any lower limit to any upper limit are contemplated.