US1692176A - Motor fuel and process of making same - Google Patents

Description

Patented Nov. 20, 1928.

LESTER KIRSCHBRAUN,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MOTOR FUEL AND PROCESS OF MAKING SAME.

No Drawing. Application filed November 19, 1919, Serial No 339,161. Renewed Kay 12, 1928.

This invention relates to improvements in motor fuels and process of making same and refers more particularly to a product and process of making same which consists primarily of an emulsion of a volatile hydrocarbon such as gasoline or kerosene and water.

It is Well known to those skilled in the art that the addition of a certain percentage of water to gasoline tends to reduce carbon in the cylinders and makesa more satisfactory explosion. Difficulty, however, has been experienced in properly dispersing the water in the gasoline. 'Mechanical devices for introducing the water into the carburetor, for example, have been tried but with relatively little success. If, however, the water could be sufiiciently and evenly dispersed through the gasoline, a relatively large amount of water could be used advantageously.

It is, of course, also necessary that a relatively permanent emulsion be formed between the gasoline and the Water. It is also desirable that the water should become volatile in the carburetor uniformly with the gasoline. I r

In order to make an emulsion between the gasoline and water, nan emulsifying agent should be used, which emulsifyin agent should be both volatile and COIIlfillStlblBQ Such an emulsifying agent might, for example, be a mixture of phenol and ammonia. Another emulsifying agent that might be used is naphthenic acid, preferably used with ammonia. The amount of 'water may be varied within relatively large limits, from a few per cent to as high as might perhaps be used. Th1s emulsion might be formed as follows:

The emulsifying.- agent and a small percent' of phenol are dissolved in the gasoline. To this is added water which has been made slightly ammoniacal. The percentage ofwater added will vary as above stated.' The above ingredients should be thoroughly mixed until a satisfactory emulsion has been formed in which the water is in the dispersed phase and the gasoline in the continuous phase.

In order to prepare the emulsion in such a manner as to make it most adaptable for the homogenizing operation and in order to produce it in themost permanent form, it is necessary to cause thewater particles to assume the most minute state possible.

After the above mixture has been formed, it may then be forced through a homo enizer under very high pressure. ThlS operation will tend to make the emulsion permanent, and also cause it to; volatilize in the carburetor in such a manner that a uniform proportion of water and hydrocarbon vapor will be continuously introduced into the combustion chamber. It is, of course, necessary to maintain the proportions of water and gasoline such that,

at all times, there will not be so much moisture present as to preclude the production of an explosive mixture. Upon the explosion of the gasoline, the water of course will form steam:

It may be possible in certain cases to dis- I 'pense with the homogenizing operation.

I have mentioned above certain emulsifying agents but of course, there may be others. It. is to be noted, of course, that the emulsifying agent should be volatile, andmust be of such a nature so as not to leave a substance which is gumm which may injure the carburetor or cylinders.

In making a hydrocarbon emulsion with naphthenic acid as an emulsifying agent, 50 c. c. of naphthenic acid are added to 50 c. c. of gasoline or similar light distillates. This mixture is thoroughly agitated until the naphthenic acid is dissolved as much as possible 'in the oil. Water which is slightly ammon'iacal is added, preferably from a dropping funnel or a burrette in small proportions, not to exceed 5 c. c. at a time, and slower as the emulsion thickens. During the addition of the water, the mixture of naphthenic acid and hydrocarbon oil is vigorously stirred and kept agitated to disperse the water through the mass. As the emulsion thickens, the amount of water added is continuously decreased, as it is es sential that the water be thoroughly incorporated, and not be in a free state in the emulsion.

This procedure is continued until the proper percentage of water has been incorporated in the emulsion. When the emulsion has been made, it may be thinned back, or cut back with the light hydrocarbon oil, such as that used in the original mixture, or with other oils in which the emulsion is miscible.

Extreme care must be used in adding the water as an ,execess of water at any time ma produce a reversal of the phases of the emu the dispersed or'the internal ph sion. In order to', out back the emulsion.

with oil, it is essential that thejgatetbe in e A more satisfactory emulsion can be made by homogenizing the emulsion produced, thus eifecting a finer-dispersion of the Water particles than can be produced by the mechanical mixing I claim as my-invention:

1. A fuel for internal combustion engines consisting of'a homogenized emulsified mixture of a volatile hydrocarbon oil having substantially the-characteristics of gasoline,

water and an or 'tui'e as an ,emulsi ed agent, the Water being inithe dispersed" tinuous p ase. I

2. A fuel for internal combustion engines, consistin of an emulsified mixture of a volatile ydrocarbon tiallythe characteristics of gasoline, Water and an organic acid ammonia mixture as an emulsifying agent, the water being in the dispersed phase and the oil in the continuous phase.

' LESTER KIBSQHBRAUN.

anic acid ammonia mi'xoil having substam.

15 base and the oil in the cen--