WO2025008645A1

WO2025008645A1 - Methods and uses relating to the combustion of gasoline fuel compositions in a direct injection spark ignition engine

Info

Publication number: WO2025008645A1
Application number: PCT/GB2024/051773
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Knight; Nigel Broom
Original assignee: Innospec Ltd
Current assignee: Innospec Ltd
Priority date: 2023-07-06
Filing date: 2024-07-05
Publication date: 2025-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 2026-01-06
Also published as: GB2633457A; GB202409823D0

Abstract

A method of agglomerating nanoparticles in the exhaust stream from the combustion of a gasoline fuel composition in a direct injection spark ignition engine, the method comprising adding to the gasoline fuel composition as an agglomeration additive one or more quaternary ammonium compounds.

Description

METHODS AND USES RELATING TO THE COMBUSTION OF GASOLINE FUEL COMPOSITIONS IN A DIRECT INJECTION SPARK IGNITION ENGINE

The present invention relates to the use of additives in fuel compositions, and especially for use in spark ignition engines. In particularthe invention provides compositions which address issues relating to the emission of nanoparticles from direct injection spark injection engines.

With over a hundred years of development the spark ignition (SI) engine has become a highly tuned piece of engineering. Engine designers have developed high performance engines which include injection systems where the fuel is injected directly into the cylinder. Such engines are alternatively known as direct injection spark ignition (DISI), direct injection gasoline (DIG), gasoline direct injection (GDI), etc.

It is common to include catalytic converters in the exhaust system of a direct injection gasoline engine. These typically include three way catalytic converters which reduce the concentrations of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and NO_X species released into the atmosphere. However, unlike in diesel engines where diesel particulate filters are commonly fitted in the exhaust system, the emission of particulates from direct injection gasoline engines has not been routinely monitored.

Nevertheless the emission of particulates from direct injection spark ignition engines is a serious problem. There is increasing evidence that the emission of nanoparticles in particular represents a significant risk to human health and an environmental hazard. Whilst it is desirable to reduce the overall emission of particulate matters from exhaust systems, it is especially important to reduce the concentration of nanoparticles emitted. Nanoparticles pose a particular problem because not only are they more harmful than larger particles, they are also more difficult to trap as they may pass through a filter.

The present inventors have surprisingly found that the addition of certain additives into a fuel can lead to the agglomeration of nanoparticles to form larger particles that may be more easily captured by a filter.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of agglomerating nanoparticles in the exhaust stream from the combustion of a gasoline fuel composition in a direct injection spark ignition engine; the method comprising adding to the gasoline fuel composition as an agglomeration additive one or more quaternary ammonium compounds.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of one or more quaternary ammonium compounds as an agglomeration additive in a gasoline fuel composition to agglomerate nanoparticles in the exhaust stream from the combustion of the fuel composition gasoline in a direct injection spark ignition engine.

Preferred features of the first and second aspects of the invention will now be described. Any feature of any aspect may be combined with any feature of any other aspect as appropriate.

The present invention relates to a method and a use involving one or more quaternary ammonium compounds as a fuel additive. The additive may be referred to herein as “the additive of the present invention”, or as “the agglomeration additive”.

The agglomeration additive may comprise a single quaternary ammonium compound. In some embodiments mixtures containing more than one quaternary ammonium compound may be used. Thus the present invention may involve the use of one quaternary ammonium compound, or a mixture of two or more quaternary ammonium compounds. Unless otherwise specified, references herein to “an additive” or “an agglomeration additive” of the invention or “the additive” or “the agglomeration additive” include embodiments in which mixtures of two or more quaternary ammonium compounds are used.

The or each quaternary ammonium compound is suitably the reaction product of a nitrogencontaining species having at least one tertiary amine group and a quaternising agent.

The nitrogen-containing species having at least one tertiary amine group may be selected from any compound including a tertiary amine functional group.

Suitably the nitrogen-containing species having at least one tertiary amine group may be selected from:

(i) the reaction product of a hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent and a compound having at least one tertiary amine group and a primary amine, secondary amine or alcohol group;

(ii) a Mannich reaction product comprising a tertiary amine group;

(iii) a polyalkylene substituted amine having at least one tertiary amine group;

(iv) a tertiary amine of formula R⁵R⁶R⁷N, wherein each of R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ is independently an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl group;

(v) a cyclic tertiary amine; and (vi) a polyetheramine compound.

The nitrogen-containing species having at least one tertiary amine group is reacted with a quaternising agent. Any suitable quaternising agent may be used.

In some embodiments the nitrogen-containing species having at least one tertiary amine group is (i) the reaction product of a hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent and a compound comprising at least one tertiary amine group and a primary amine, secondary amine or alcohol group.

By the reaction product of a hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent and a compound comprising at least one tertiary amine group and a primary amine, secondary amine or alcohol group we mean to refer to an amide, ester or imide which forms on reaction of the acylating agent with the primary amine, secondary amine or alcohol group.

The hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent is suitably a monocarboxylic acid, a dicarboxylic acid, a polycarboxylic or a reactive equivalent thereof. A reactive equivalent thereof is a functional group that reacts in the same way, for example an acid chloride; or, in the case of a dicarboxylic acid, an anhydride.

For avoidance of doubt, the compound comprising at least one tertiary amine group and a primary amine, secondary amine or alcohol group is a compound that contains at least one tertiary amine group and additionally at least one group selected from a primary amine group, secondary amine group or alcohol group within its molecular structure.

This acylating agent reacts with the primary amine, secondary amine or alcohol group of the compound comprising such a group and at least one tertiary amine group to form an ester, amide or imide compound which reaction product also includes at least one tertiary amine group and is thus able to react with the quaternising agent.

As the skilled person will appreciate reaction of the hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent with a compound comprising a primary amine may provide an amide, or in the case of a dicarboxylic acid or anhydride, an imide or an amide may be formed, depending on the reaction conditions.

Reaction of the hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent with a compound comprising a secondary amine will provide an amide in the reaction product and reaction of the hydrocarbyl- substituted acylating agent with a compound comprising an alcohol functional group will produce an ester. The skilled person will appreciate that the tertiary amino group does not react with the hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent. Rather is the alcohol, primary amine or secondary amine group which reacts with the hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent and the tertiary amino group is present in the reaction product.

Suitable hydrocarbyl substituted acylating agents for use herein include fatty acids, i.e. compounds of formula RCOOH in which R is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 6 to 36 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 30 carbon atoms or 12 to 24 carbon atoms. One preferred fatty acid is oleic acid.

The hydrocarbyl substituted acylating agent may be based on a hydrocarbyl substituted mono- di- or polycarboxylic acid or a reactive equivalent thereof. In some preferred embodiments the hydrocarbyl substituted acylating agent is a hydrocarbyl substituted succinic acid compound, for example a hydrocarbyl substituted succinic acid or succinic anhydride.

The hydrocarbyl substituent preferably comprises at least 10, more preferably at least 12, for example 30 or 50 carbon atoms. It may comprise up to about 200 carbon atoms. Preferably the hydrocarbyl substituent has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of between 170 to 2800, for example from 250 to 1500, preferably from 450 to 1500 and more preferably 450 to 1100. An Mn of 700 to 1300 is especially preferred.

The hydrocarbyl based substituents may be made from homo- or interpolymers (e.g. copolymers, terpolymers) of mono- and di-olefins having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, for example ethylene, propylene, but-1-ene, isobutene, butadiene, isoprene, 1 -hexene, 1 -octene, etc. Preferably these olefins are 1 -monoolefins. The hydrocarbyl substituent may also be derived from the halogenated (e.g. chlorinated or brominated) analogs of such homo- or interpolymers. Alternatively the substituent may be made from other sources, for example monomeric high molecular weight alkenes (e.g. 1-tetra-contene) and chlorinated analogs and hydrochlorinated analogs thereof, aliphatic petroleum fractions, for example paraffin waxes and cracked and chlorinated analogs and hydrochlorinated analogs thereof, white oils, synthetic alkenes for example produced by the Ziegler-Natta process (e.g. poly(ethylene) greases) and other sources known to those skilled in the art. Any unsaturation in the substituent may if desired be reduced or eliminated by hydrogenation according to procedures known in the art.

In some preferred embodiments component (i) comprises the reaction product of a hydrocarbyl- substituted succinic acid derivative and an alcohol or amine also including a tertiary amine group.

As used herein, the term "hydrocarbyl substituent" or "hydrocarbyl group" is used in its ordinary sense, which is well-known to those skilled in the art. Specifically, it refers to a group having a carbon atom directly attached to the remainder of the molecule and having predominantly hydrocarbon character. Examples of hydrocarbyl groups include:

(i) hydrocarbon groups, that is, aliphatic (which may be saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, e.g., alkyl or alkenyl), alicyclic (e.g., cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl) substituents, and aromatic-, aliphatic-, and alicyclic-substituted aromatic substituents, as well as cyclic substituents wherein the ring is completed through another portion of the molecule (e.g., two substituents together form a ring);

(ii) substituted hydrocarbon groups, that is, substituents containing non-hydrocarbon groups which, in the context of this invention, do not alter the predominantly hydrocarbon nature of the substituent (e.g., halo (e.g. chloro, fluoro or bromo), hydroxy, alkoxy (e.g. Ci to C4 alkoxy), keto, acyl, cyano, mercapto, amino, amido, nitro, nitroso, sulfoxy, nitryl and carboxy);

(iii) hetero substituents, that is, substituents which, while having a predominantly hydrocarbon character, in the context of this invention, contain other than carbon in a ring or chain otherwise composed of carbon atoms. Heteroatoms include sulphur, oxygen, nitrogen, and encompass substituents as pyridyl, furyl, thienyl and imidazolyl. In general, no more than two, preferably no more than one, non-hydrocarbon substituent will be present for every ten carbon atoms in the hydrocarbyl group; typically, there will be no non-hydrocarbon substituents in the hydrocarbyl group.

In this specification, unless otherwise stated references to optionally substituted alkyl groups may include aryl-substituted alkyl groups and references to optionally-substituted aryl groups may include alkyl-substituted or alkenyl-substituted aryl groups.

Preferred hydrocarbyl-based substituents are poly-(isobutene)s. Such compounds are known in the art. Thus in some especially preferred embodiments the hydrocarbyl substituted acylating agent is a polyisobutenyl substituted succinic acid or succinic anhydride.

Polyisobutenyl substituted succinic anhydrides are especially preferred.

The preparation of polyisobutenyl substituted succinic anhydrides (PIBSA) is documented in the art. Suitable processes include thermally reacting polyisobutenes with maleic anhydride (see for example US-A-3,361 ,673 and US-A-3, 018,250), or reacting a halogenated, in particular a chlorinated, polyisobutene (PIB) with maleic anhydride (see for example US-A-3, 172,892). Alternatively, the polyisobutenyl succinic anhydride can be prepared by mixing the polyolefin with maleic anhydride and passing chlorine through the mixture (see for example GB-A- 949,981). Conventional polyisobutenes and so-called "highly-reactive" polyisobutenes are suitable for use in the invention. Highly reactive polyisobutenes in this context are defined as polyisobutenes wherein at least 50%, preferably 70% or more, of the terminal olefinic double bonds are of the vinylidene type as described in EP0565285. Particularly preferred polyisobutenes are those having more than 80 mol% and up to 100% of terminal vinylidene groups such as those described in EP1344785.

The person skilled in the art will appreciate that in the preparation of PIBSAs from the reaction of PIBwith maleic acid (MA), a mixture of products will result. Typically reaction mixtures include some unreacted PIB, some PIBSA from the reaction of PIB with one MA (monomaleated PIBSA) and some PIBSA from the reaction of PIB with two MA (bismaleated PIBSA). The fraction of bismaleated product as a proportion of the total PIBSA product may be referred to as the bismaleation level (BML). Suitable PIBSAs for use in preparing additive (i) may have a BML of up to 90%, suitably up to 70%, for example 1 to 50% or 2 to 30%.

Other preferred hydrocarbyl groups include those having an internal olefin for example as described in the applicant’s published application W02007/015080.

An internal olefin as used herein means any olefin containing predominantly a non-alpha double bond, that is a beta or higher olefin. Preferably such materials are substantially completely beta or higher olefins, for example containing less than 10% by weight alpha olefin, more preferably less than 5% by weight or less than 2% by weight. Typical internal olefins include Neodene 1518 IO available from Shell.

Internal olefins are sometimes known as isomerised olefins and can be prepared from alpha olefins by a process of isomerisation known in the art, or are available from other sources. The fact that they are also known as internal olefins reflects that they do not necessarily have to be prepared by isomerisation.

In some preferred embodiments the additive of the present invention comprises the quaternised reaction product of an alcohol or amine including a tertiary amino group and an optionally substituted succinic acid or anhydride thereof of formula (A1) or (A2):

wherein R¹ is an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group. Preferably R¹ is an optionally substituted alkyl or alkenyl group.

R¹ may be substituted with one or more groups selected from halo (e.g. chloro, fluoro or bromo), nitro, hydroxy, mercapto, sulfoxy, amino, nitryl, acyl, carboxy, alkyl (e.g. Ci to C4 alkyl), alkoxyl (e.g. Ci to C4 alkoxy), amido, keto, sulfoxy and cyano.

Preferably R¹ is an unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group. The substituted succinic acid or anhydrides may suitably be prepared by reacting maleic anhydride with an alkene.

In some preferred embodiments R¹ has a number average molecularweight of from 100 to 5000, preferably from 300 to 4000, suitably from 450 to 2500, for example from 450 to 2000 or from 450 to 1500.

In especially preferred embodiments the additive of the present invention comprises a quaternary ammonium compound prepared from the reaction product of a hydrocarbyl substituted succinic acid or an anhydride thereof substituted with a polyisobutenyl group having a number average molecular weight of 450 to 1500 and an alcohol or amine which further includes a tertiary amino group.

In some embodiments the substituted succinic acid or anhydride thereof may comprise a mixture of compounds including groups R¹ of different lengths. In such embodiments any reference to the molecular weight of the group R¹ relates to the number average molecular weight of all of that group for all compounds in the composition.

In preferred embodiments R¹ is a polyisobutenyl group, preferably having a number average molecular weight of from 100 to 5000, preferably from 200 to 2400, suitably from 450 to 1500.

In some embodiments R¹ is an optionally substituted Ci to C500 alkyl or alkenyl group, for example a Cs to C40 alkyl or alkenyl group, suitably Cw to C36 alkyl or alkenyl group. In some embodiments the additive of the present invention comprises a quaternary ammonium compound prepared from the reaction product of a succinic acid or anhydride having a C10 to C30, preferably a C20 to C24 alkyl or alkenyl group and an amine or alcohol which further includes a tertiary amino group.

Preferred hydrocarbyl substituted acylating agents for use herein are polyisobutenyl substituted succinic anhydrides or PIBSAs. Especially preferred PIBSAs are those having a PIB molecular weight (Mn) of from 300 to 2800, preferably from 450 to 2300, more preferably from 500 to 1300.

The hydrocarbyl substituted succinic acid derived acylating agent is suitably prepared by reacting maleic anhydride with an alkene, for example a polyisobutene. The product obtained (such as a PIBSA) still includes a double bond. The maleic anhydride is present in the resultant molecule as a succinic acid moiety. This initial product is a monomaleated PIBSA.

The monomaleated PIBSA may have the structure (A) or (B):

The double bond in the monomaleated product can react with a further molecule of maleic anhydride to form a bismaleated PIBSA having the structure (C) or (D):

Thus it is possible to provide a hydrocarbyl group which is substituted with more than one succinic acid moiety.

The skilled person will appreciate that the hydrocarbyl substituted succinic acid derived acylating agents used in the invention typically comprise mixtures of compounds, for example mixtures of monomaleated and bismaleated PIBSAs. The PIBSAs may be defined in terms of their level of bismaleation.

One way in which this may be determined is by calculating the average number of succinic acid moieties per molecule of acylating agent.

A monomaleated PIBSA has one succinic acid moiety per module.

A bismaleated PIBSA has two succinic acid moieties per molecule.

A mixture comprising monomaleated PIBSA and bismaleated PIBSA in a 1 :1 molar ratio would comprise an average of 1 .5 succinic acid moieties per molecule of PIBSA.

The average number of succinic acid moieties per molecule of acylating agent is sometimes referred to in the art as “P value”.

Suitably the or each quaternary ammonium compound is prepared from a hydrocarbyl substituted succinic acid derived acylating agent comprising on average from 1 to 2 succinic acid moieties per molecule.

In some preferred embodiments the present invention may involve the use of quaternary ammonium compounds derived from hydrocarbyl substituted acylating agents which include an average of at least 1 .2 succinic acid moieties per molecule.

As the skilled person will appreciate, a single molecule cannot have 1 .2 succinic acid moieties. What is meant by at least 1 .2 succinic acid moieties is the mean number of succinic acid moieties per molecule of acylating agent as the sum of all the succinic acid moieties present in a sample divided by the total number of molecules of acylating agent having one or more succinic acid moieties present in the sample.

Preferably the hydrocarbyl substituted succinic acid derived acylating agent comprises on average at least 1 .21 succinic acid moieties per molecule, more preferably at least 1 .22 succinic acid moieties per molecule. In some embodiments the hydrocarbyl substituted succinic acid derived acylating agent may comprise at least 1 .23 or at least 1 .24 succinic acid moieties per molecule.

In some embodiments the hydrocarbyl substituted succinic acid derived acylating agent may comprise at least 1 .25, at least 1 .26 or at least 1 .27 succinic acid moieties per molecule.

In some embodiments the hydrocarbyl substituted succinic acid derived acylating agent may comprise at least 1 .28, at least 1 .29 or at least 1 .30 succinic acid moieties per molecule.

By succinic acid moiety we mean to include residues of succinic acid present in diacid or anhydride form.

The hydrocarbyl substituted acylating agent is reacted with a compound able to react with said acylating agent and which includes a tertiary amine group. The tertiary amine group is quaternised to provide the quaternary ammonium compound.

Examples of suitable compounds able to react with the hydrocarbyl substituted succinic acid derived acylating agent and which include a tertiary amine group can include but are not limited to: N,N-dimethylaminopropylamine, N,N-diethylaminopropylamine, N,N-dimethylamino ethylamine. The nitrogen or oxygen containing compounds capable of condensing with the acylating agent and further having a tertiary amino group can further include amino alkyl substituted heterocyclic compounds such as 1-(3-aminopropyl)imidazole and 4-(3- aminopropyl)morpholine, 1-(2-aminoethyl)piperidine, 3,3-diamino-N-methyldipropylamine, and 3'3-aminobis(N,N-dimethylpropylamine). Other types of nitrogen or oxygen containing compounds capable of condensing with the acylating agent and having a tertiary amino group include alkanolamines including but not limited to triethanolamine, trimethanolamine, N,N- dimethylaminopropanol, N,N-dimethylaminoethanol, N,N-diethylaminopropanol, N,N- diethylaminoethanol, N,N-diethylaminobutanol, N,N,N-tris(hydroxyethyl)amine, N,N,N- tris(hydroxymethyl)amine, N,N,N-tris(aminoethyl)amine, N,N-dibutylaminopropylamine and N,N,N'-trimethyl-N'-hydroxyethyl-bisaminoethylether; N,N-bis(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N- isopropanolamine ; N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N,N-diisopropanolamine; N'-(3- (dimethylamino)propyl)-N,N-dimethyl 1 ,3-propanediamine; 2-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)ethanol, N,N,N'-trimethylaminoethylethanolamine and 3-(2-(dimethylamino)ethoxy) propylamine.

Preferred nitrogen-containing species having at least one tertiary amino group of types (i) are formed by the reaction of a hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent and an amine of formula (B1) or (B2):

wherein R¹ is a Ci to C36 alkyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl group; R² and R³ are the same or different alkyl groups having from 1 to 36 carbon atoms; X is an alkylene group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; n is from 0 to 20; m is from 1 to 5; and R⁴ is hydrogen or a Ci to C36 alkyl group.

To form the quaternary ammonium compounds used in of the present invention a quaternising agent may be reacted with a compound formed by the reaction of a hydrocarbyl substituted acylating agent and an amine of formula (B1) or (B2).

When a compound of formula (B1) is used, R⁴ is preferably hydrogen or a Ci to Cw alkyl group, preferably a Ci to Cw alkyl group, more preferably a Ci to Ce alkyl group. When R⁴ is alkyl it may be straight chained or branched. It may be substituted for example with a hydroxy or alkoxy substituent. Preferably R⁴ is not a substituted alkyl group. More preferably R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and isomers thereof. Most preferably R⁴ is hydrogen.

When a compound of formula (B2) is used, each R⁴ is preferably hydrogen or a Ci to Ce alkyl group. More preferably each R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and isomers thereof. Most preferably each R⁴ is hydrogen or methyl.

When a compound of formula (B2) is used, m is preferably 2 or 3, most preferably 2; n is preferably from 0 to 15, preferably 0 to 10, more preferably from 0 to 5. Most preferably n is 0 and the compound of formula (B2) is an alcohol.

In some preferred embodiments the hydrocarbyl substituted acylating agent is reacted with a diamine compound of formula (B1).

R² and R³ are the same or different alkyl, alkenyl or aryl groups having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms. In some embodiments R² and R³ may be joined together to form a ring structure, for example a piperidine or imidazole moiety. R² and R³ may be branched alkyl or alkenyl groups. Each may be substituted, for example with a hydroxy or alkoxy substituent. R² and R³ may each independently be a Ci to Cw alkyl group, preferably a Ci to C10 alkyl group. R² and R³ may independently be methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, or an isomer of any of these. Preferably R² and R³ is each independently Ci to C4 alkyl. Preferably R² is methyl. Preferably R³ is methyl.

X is a bond or alkylene group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. In preferred embodiments when X is an alkylene group this group may be straight chained or branched. The alkylene group may include a cyclic structure therein. It may be optionally substituted, for example with a hydroxy or alkoxy substituent. In some embodiments the alkylene group may be optionally interrupted with one or more heteroatoms, for example O, NH or N-alkyl.

X is preferably an alkylene group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms, for example 2 to 6 carbon atoms or 2 to 5 carbon atoms. Most preferably X is an ethylene, propylene or butylene group, especially a propylene group.

Examples of compounds of formula (B1) suitable for use herein include 1-aminopiperidine, 1-(2- aminoethyl)piperidine, 1- (3-aminopropyl)-2-pipecoline, 1-methyl-(4-methylamino)piperidine, 4- (l-pyrrolidinyl)piperidine, 1-(2-aminoethyl)pyrrolidine, 2-(2-aminoethyl)-1- methylpyrrolidine, N,N-diethylethylenediamine, N,N-dimethylethylenediamine, N,N-dibutylethylenediamine, N,N- diethyl-l,3-diaminopropane, N,N-dimethyl-1 ,3-diaminopropane, N,N,N'- trimethylethylenediamine, N,N-dimethyl-N'-ethylethylenediamine, N,N-diethyl-N'- methylethylenediamine, N,N,N'- triethylethylenediamine, 3-dimethylaminopropylamine, 3- diethylaminopropylamine, 3-dibutylaminopropylamine, N,N,N'-trimethyl- 1 ,3- propanediamine, N,N,2,2-tetramethyl-l,3-propanediamine, 2-amino-5-diethylaminopentane, N,N,N',N'- tetraethyldiethylenetriamine, 3,3'-diamino-N-methyldipropylamine, 3,3'-iminobis(N,N- dimethylpropylamine), 1-(3-aminopropyl)imidazole and 4-(3-aminopropyl)morpholine, 1-(2- aminoethyl)piperidine, 3,3-diamino-N-methyldipropylamine, 3,3-aminobis(N,N- dimethyl propylamine), N'-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)-N,N-dimethyl 1 ,3-propanediamine, 3-(2- (dimethylamino)ethoxy)propylamine or combinations thereof.

In some preferred embodiments the compound of formula (B1) is selected from from N,N- dimethyl-1 ,3-diaminopropane, N,N-diethyl-1 ,3- diaminopropane, N,N-dimethylethylenediamine, N,N-diethylethylenediamine, N,N-dibutylethylenediamine, or combinations thereof.

An especially preferred compound of formula (B1) is dimethylaminopropylamine.

Examples of compounds of formula (B2) suitable for use herein include alkanolamines including but not limited to triethanolamine, N,N-dimethylaminopropanol, N,N-diethylaminopropanol, N,N- diethylaminobutanol, triisopropanolamine, 1-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperidine, 2-[2- (dimethylamine)ethoxy]-ethanol, N-ethyldiethanolamine, N-methyldiethanolamine, N- butyldiethanolamine, N,N-diethylaminoethanol, N,N-dimethyl amino- ethanol, 2-dimethylamino- 2-methyl-1 -propanol; trimethanolamine, N,N,N-tris(hydroxymethyl)amine, N,N,N- tris(aminoethyl)amine, N,N-bis(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N-isopropanolamine and N-(3- dimethylaminopropyl)-N,N-diisopropanolamine.

In some preferred embodiments the compound of formula (B2) is selected from N, N- dimethylaminopropanol, triisopropanolamine, 1-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperidine, 2-[2- (dimethylamine)ethoxy]-ethanol, N-ethyldiethanolamine, N-methyldiethanolamine, N- butyldiethanolamine, N,N-diethylaminoethanol, N,N-dimethylaminoethanol, 2-dimethylamino-2- methyl-1 -propanol, or combinations thereof.

An especially preferred compound of formula (B2) is dimethylaminopropanol.

Some preferred acylating agents for use in the preparation of the quaternary ammonium compounds used in the present invention are polyisobutene-substituted succinic acids or succinic anhydrides. When a compound of formula (B2) is reacted with a succinic acylating agent the resulting product is a succinic ester. When a succinic acylating agent is reacted with a compound of formula (B1) in which R⁴ is hydrogen the resulting product may be a succinimide or a succinamide. When a succinic acylating agent is reacted with a compound of formula (B1) in which R⁴ is not hydrogen the resulting product is an amide.

Thus in some embodiments component (i) may be the reaction product of a succinic acid derivative and an amine or alcohol which is an ester or an amide and which also includes a further unreacted carboxylic acid group. This further carboxylic acid functional group can react with another amine or alcohol when an excess is used to form a diester or the diamide.

For the avoidance of doubt, succinic esters include the monoester compounds having the general formula (C1) and the diester compounds having the general formula (C2); succinimides have the general formula (C3); and succinamides include the monoamide compounds having the general formula (C4) and the diamide compounds having have the general formula (C5):

It will be appreciated isomers of (C1) and (C4) may be formed in which the other carboxylic acid group is esterified/amidated.

The groups R’ shown in figures (C1) to (C5) include a tertiary amino group. This group may be quaternised by reaction with a quaternising agent. For compounds of formula (C2) or (C5) which include two tertiary amino groups, each of these may be reacted with a quaternising agent to provide a diquaternary ammonium compound including two cationic moieties. Compounds of this type to provide a diquaternary ammonium compound including two cationic moieties. Compounds of this type are described (for use as diesel detergents) in US9365787.

In some embodiments mixtures of compounds having formula (C1) and (C2) or mixtures containing compounds (C3) and/or (C4) and/or (C5) may be used.

In preferred embodiments a succinic acid derivative is reacted with an amine (also including a tertiary amine group) under conditions to form a succinimide.

In some embodiments the acid/anhydride and the alcohol/amine are reacted in a molar ratio of from 10:1 to 1 :10, preferably from 5:1 to 1 :5, more preferably from 2:1 to 1 :2, for example from 1.5:1 to 1 :1.5.

Preferably the acid/anhydride and the alcohol/amine are reacted in an approximately 1 :1 molar ratio, for example from 1 .2:1 to1 :1 .2.

Suitably the agglomeration additive of the present invention comprises a quaternary ammonium compound prepared from the reaction product of an optionally substituted succinic acid or anhydride thereof, preferably a hydrocarbyl substituted succinic acid or anhydride thereof, and an alcohol or amine selected from dimethylaminopropanol, dimethylaminopropylamine, N,N- diethyl-1 ,3- diaminopropane, N,N-dimethylethylenediamine, N,N-diethylethylenediamine, N,N- dibutylethylenediamine, 3-(2-(dimethylamino)ethoxy)proylamine or combinations thereof. In some especially preferred embodiments the agglomeration additives of the present invention comprise quaternary ammonium compounds prepared from tertiary amines (i) wherein the tertiary amine is prepared from an amine which includes a tertiary amino group (for example dimethylamino propylamine) and a polyisobutylene-substituted succinic anhydride. The number average molecular weight of the polyisobutylene substituent is preferably from 450 to 1300, more preferably from 900 to 1100.

The agglomeration additives of the present invention comprising compounds derived from tertiary amines (i) may be prepared by any suitable method. Such methods will be known to the person skilled in the art and are exemplified herein. Typically the quaternary ammonium compounds will be prepared by heating the quaternising agent and a compound prepared by the reaction of a hydrocarbyl substituted acylating agent with an amine of formula (B1) or (B2) in an approximate 1 :1 molar ratio, optionally in the presence of a solvent. The resulting crude reaction mixture may be added directly to a gasoline fuel, optionally following removal of solvent. Any by-products or residual starting materials still present in the mixture have not been found to cause any detriment to the performance of the additive. Thus the present invention may provide a gasoline fuel composition comprising the reaction product of a quaternising agent and the reaction product of a hydrocarbyl substituted acylating agent and an amine formula (B1) or (B2).

In some embodiments the quaternary ammonium compounds for use in the present invention are the quaternised reaction product of a fatty acid (for example oleic acid) and a compound of formula (B1) or (B2) (for example dimethylaminopropyl amine).

In some embodiments the nitrogen-containing species having at least one tertiary amine group may be (ii) a Mannich reaction product including a tertiary amine. The preparation of quaternary ammonium compounds formed from nitrogen-containing species including component (ii) is described in US2008/0052985.

The Mannich reaction product having a tertiary amine group is prepared from the reaction of a hydrocarbyl-substituted phenol, an aldehyde and an amine.

The hydrocarbyl substituent of the hydrocarbyl substituted phenol can have 6 to 400 carbon atoms, suitably 30 to 180 carbon atoms, for example 10 or 40 to 110 carbon atoms. This hydrocarbyl substituent can be derived from an olefin or a polyolefin. Useful olefins include alpha-olefins, such as 1 -decene, which are commercially available.

The polyolefins which can form the hydrocarbyl substituent can be prepared by polymerizing olefin monomers by well known polymerization methods and are also commercially available. Some preferred polyolefins include polyisobutylenes having a number average molecular weight of 400 to 3000, in another instance of 400 to 2500, and in a further instance of 400 or 450 to 1500.

The hydrocarbyl-substituted phenol can be prepared by alkylating a phenol with an olefin or polyolefin described above, such as, a polyisobutylene or polypropylene, using well-known alkylation methods.

In some embodiments the phenol may include a lower molecular weight alkyl substituent for example a phenol which carries one or more alkyl chains having a total of less 28 carbon atoms, preferably less than 24 carbon atoms, more preferably less than 20 carbon atoms, preferably less than 18 carbon atoms, preferably less than 16 carbon atoms and most preferably less than 14 carbon atoms.

A monoalkyl phenol may be preferred, suitably having from 4 to 20 carbons atoms, preferably 6 to 18, more preferably 8 to 16, especially 10 to 14 carbon atoms, for example a phenol having a C12 alkyl substituent.

The aldehyde used to form the Mannich reaction product can have 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and is generally formaldehyde or a reactive equivalent thereof such as formalin or paraformaldehyde.

The amine used to form the Mannich reaction product can be a monoamine or a polyamine.

Examples of monoamines include but are not limited to ethylamine, dimethylamine, diethylamine, n-butylamine, dibutylamine, allylamine, isobutylamine, cocoamine, stearylamine, laurylamine, methyllaurylamine, oleylamine, N-methyl-octylamine, dodecylamine, diethanolamine, morpholine, and octadecylamine.

Suitable polyamines may be selected from any compound including two or more amine groups. Suitable polyamines include polyalkylene polyamines, for example in which the alkylene component has 1 to 6, preferably 1 to 4, most preferably 2 to 3 carbon atoms. Preferred polyamines are polyethylene polyamines.

The polyamine has 2 to 15 nitrogen atoms, preferably 2 to 10 nitrogen atoms, more preferably 2 to 8 nitrogen atoms.

In especially preferred embodiments the amine used to form the Mannich reaction product comprises a diamine. Suitably it includes a primary or secondary amine which takes part in the Mannich reaction and in addition a tertiary amine. In preferred embodiments component (ii) comprises the product directly obtained from a Mannich reaction and comprising a tertiary amine. For example the amine may comprise a single primary or secondary amine which when reacted in the Mannich reaction forms a tertiary amine which is capable of being quaternised. Alternatively the amine may comprise a primary or secondary amine capable of taking part in the Mannich reaction and also a tertiary amine capable of being quaternised. However component (ii) may comprise a compound which has been obtained from a Mannich reaction and subsequently reacted to form a tertiary amine, for example a Mannich reaction may yield a secondary amine which is then alkylated to a tertiary amine.

In some embodiments the nitrogen-containing species comprising at least one tertiary amine group is (iii) a polyalkylene substituted amine having at least one tertiary amine group.

The preparation of quaternary ammonium compounds in which the nitrogen-containing species includes component (iii) is described for example in US2008/0113890.

The polyalkene-substituted amines having at least one tertiary amino group of the present invention may be derived from an olefin polymer and an amine, for example ammonia, momoamines, polyamines or mixtures thereof. They may be prepared by a variety of methods such as those described and referred to in US2008/01 13890.

Suitable preparation methods include, but are not limited to: reacting a halogenated olefin polymer with an amine; reacting a hydroformylated olefin with a polyamine and hydrogenating the reaction product; converting a polyalkene into the corresponding epoxide and converting the epoxide into the polyalkene substituted amine by reductive animation; and hydrogenation of a P-aminonitrile.

The olefin monomers from which the olefin polymers are derived include polymerizable olefin monomers characterised by the presence of one or more ethy lenically unsaturated groups for example ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, isobutene, 1-octene, 1 ,3-butadiene and isoprene.

The olefin monomers are usually polymerizable terminal olefins. However, polymerizable internal olefin monomers can also be used to form the polyalkenes.

Examples of terminal and internal olefin monomers, which can be used to prepare the polyalkenes according to conventional, well-known polymerization techniques include: ethylene; propylene; butenes, including 1-butene, 2-butene and isobutylene; 1 -pentene; 1 -hexene; 1- heptene; 1-octene; 1 -nonene; 1 -decene; 2-pentene; propylene-tetramer; diisobutylene; isobutylene trimer; 1 ,2-butadiene; 1 ,3-butadiene; 1 ,2-pentadiene; 1 ,3-pentadiene; 1 ,4- pentadiene; isoprene; 1 ,5-hexadiene; 2-methyl-5-propyl-1 -hexene; 3-pentene; 4-octene; and 3, 3-dimethyl-1 -pentene.

Suitably the polyalkene substituent of the polyalkene-substituted amine is derived from a polyisobutylene.

The amines that can be used to make the polyalkene-substituted amine include ammonia, monoamines, polyamines, or mixtures thereof, including mixtures of different monoamines, mixtures of different polyamines, and mixtures of monoamines and polyamines (which include diamines). The amines include aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic and carbocylic amines.

The monomers and polyamines suitably include at least one primary or secondary amine group.

Suitable monoamines are generally substituted with a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to about 50 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 30 carbon atoms. Saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals are particularly preferred.

Examples of suitable monoamines include methylamine, ethylamine, diethylamine, 2- ethylhexylamine, di-(2-ethylhexyl)amine, n-butylamine, di-n-butylamine, allylamine, isobutylamine, cocoamine, stearylamine, laurylamine, methyllaurylamine and oleylamine.

Aromatic monoamines include those monoamines wherein a carbon atom of the aromatic ring structure is attached directly to the amine nitrogen. Examples of aromatic monoamines include aniline, di(para-methylphenyl)amine, naphthylamine, and N-(n-butyl)aniline.

Examples of aliphatic substituted, cycloaliphatic-substituted, and heterocyclic-substituted aromatic monoamines include: para-dodecylaniline, cyclohexyl-substituted naphthylamine, and thienyl-substituted aniline respectively.

Hydroxy amines are also included in the class of useful monoamines. Examples of hydroxylsubstituted monoamines include ethanolamine, di-3-propanolamine, 4-hydroxybutylamine; diethanolamine, and N-methyl-2-hydroxypropylamine.

The amine of the polyalkene-substituted amine can be a polyamine. The polyamine may be aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic or aromatic.

Examples of suitable polyamines include alkylene polyamines, hydroxy containing polyamines, arylpolyamines, and heterocyclic polyamines. Ethylene polyamines, are especially useful for reasons of cost and effectiveness. Suitable ethylene polyamines are described in relation to the first aspect.

Suitable hydroxy containing polyamines include hydroxyalkyl alkylene polyamines having one or more hydroxyalkyl substituents on the nitrogen atoms and can be prepared by reacting alkylenepolyamines with one or more alkylene oxides. Examples of suitable hydroxyalkylsubstituted polyamines include: N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylene diamine, N,N-bis(2- hydroxyethyl)ethylene diamine, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl) piperazine, monohydroxypropl-substituted diethylene triamine, dihydroxypropyl-substituted tetraethylene pentamine, propyl and N-(3- hydroxybutyl)tetramethylene diamine.

Suitable arylpolyamines are analogous to the aromatic monoamines mentioned above except for the presence within their structure of another amino nitrogen. Some examples of arylpolyamines include N,N’-di-n-butyl-para-phenylene diamine and bis-(para- aminophenyl) methane.

Suitable heterocyclic mono- and polyamines will be known to the person skilled in the art. Specific examples of such heterocyclic amines include N-aminopropylmorpholine, N- aminoethylpiperazine, and N,N’-diaminoethylpiperazine. Hydroxy heterocyclic polyamines may also be used for example N-(2-hydroxyethyl)cyclohexylamine, 3-hydroxycyclopentylamine, parahydroxy-aniline and N-hydroxyethylpiperazine.

Examples of polyalkene-substituted amines can include: poly(propylene)amine, poly(butene)amine, N,N-dimethylpolyisobutyleneamine; N-polybutenemorpholine, N- poly(butene)ethylenediamine, N-poly(propylene) trimethylenediamine, N- poly(butene)diethylenetriamine, N’,N’-poly(butene)tetraethylenepentamine, and N,N-dimethyl- N’poly(propylene)-1 ,3 propylenediamine.

The number average molecular weight of the polyalkene-substituted amines can range from 500 to 5000, or from 500 to 3000, for example from 1000 to 1500.

In some embodiments the nitrogen-containing species having at least one tertiary amine group is (iv) a tertiary amine of formula R⁵R⁶R⁷N, wherein each of R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ is independently an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl group.

In some embodiments of the present invention the tertiary amine of formula R⁵R⁶R⁷N may be a small compound of low complexity and low molecular weight. In some embodiments the tertiary amine may be a complex molecule and/or a molecule of high molecular weight which includes a tertiary amine group. The tertiary amine compounds of formula R⁵R⁶R⁷N preferably do not include any primary or secondary amine groups. In some embodiments they may be derived from compounds including these groups but preferably these have been subsequently reacted to form additional tertiary amine species. The tertiary amine compound formula R⁵R⁶R⁷N may contain more than one tertiary amine group. However tertiary amine compounds including primary or secondary amine groups are within the scope of the invention provided these groups do not prevent quaternisation of the tertiary amine species.

Tertiary amines (iv) for use herein are preferably compounds of formula R⁵R⁶R⁷N, wherein each of R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ is independently an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl or alkaryl group.

R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ may be the same or different. In some preferred embodiments R⁵ and R⁶ are the same and R⁷ is different.

Preferably each of R⁵ and R⁶ is independently an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl or alkaryl group having from 1 to 50 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to 30 carbon atoms.

Each of R⁵ and R⁶ may be optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from halo (especially chloro and fluoro), hydroxy, alkoxy, keto, acyl, cyano, mercapto, alkylmercapto, dialkylamino, nitro, nitroso, and sulphoxy. The alkyl groups of these substituents may be further substituted.

Preferably each of R⁵ and R⁶ is independently an optionally substituted alkyl or alkenyl group. Preferably each of R⁵ and R⁶ is independently an optionally substituted alkyl group. In some embodiments each of R⁵ and R⁶ is independently an optionally substituted alkyl or alkenyl group having from 1 to 50 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, suitably from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, suitably from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, for example from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

In some preferred embodiments R⁵ is an optionally substituted alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably having from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Preferably R⁵ is an alkyl group. It may be a substituted alkyl group, for example a hydroxy substituted alkyl group. Preferably R⁵ is an unsubstituted alkyl group. The alkyl chain may be straight-chained or branched. Preferably R⁵ is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl, including isomers thereof. Most preferably R⁵ is methyl. In some preferred embodiments R⁶ is an optionally substituted alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably having from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Preferably R⁶ is an alkyl group. It may be a substituted alkyl group, for example a hydroxy substituted alkyl group. Preferably R⁶ is an unsubstituted alkyl group. The alkyl chain may be straight-chained or branched. Preferably R⁶ is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl, including isomers thereof. Most preferably R⁶ is methyl.

In some embodiments R⁷ is an optionally substituted alkyl or alkenyl group having from 1 to 50 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, suitably from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, suitably from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, for example from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Suitable substituents include halo (especially chloro and fluoro), hydroxy, alkoxy, keto, acyl, cyano, mercapto, alkylmercapto, amino, alkylamino, nitro, nitroso, sulphoxy, amido, alkyamido, imido and alkylimido. The alkyl groups of these substituents may be further substituted.

In some embodiments R⁷ is an optionally substituted alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably having from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Suitably R⁷ is an optionally substituted alkyl group. Preferably R⁷ is a substituted alkyl group. Preferred substituents include alkoxy and hydroxyl groups.

In some preferred embodiments R⁷ is a hydroxyl-substituted alkyl group. The alkyl chain may be straight-chained or branched. Most preferably R⁷ is a hydroxyethyl group.

Suitable tertiary amine compounds of formula R⁵R⁶R⁷N include simple alkylamino and hydroxyalkylamino compounds; trialkylamino compounds having a high molecular weight substituent; Mannich reaction products including a tertiary amine and substituted acylated amines or alcohols including a tertiary amine.

Simple alkylamino and hydroxyalkyl amino compounds are preferably compounds of formula R⁵R⁶R⁷N, wherein each of R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ is an alkyl group or a hydroxyalkyl group. Each of R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ may be the same or different. In some embodiments each of R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ is independently selected from an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group having 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms, for example 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Each of R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ may be independently selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, hydroxybutyl, hydroxypentyl and hydroxyhexyl. The amine of formula R⁵R⁶R⁷N may be a trialkylamine, a dialkylhydroxyalkylamine, a dihydroxyalkylalkylamine or a trihydroxyalkylamine. There are many different compounds of this type and these will be known to the person skilled in the art. In some embodiments one ortwo of the groups R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ is a short chain alkyl group having 1 to 6, preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms and the other one or two groups is a longer chain alkyl or group having 6 to 30, preferably 10 to 24 carbon atoms.

In some embodiments each of R⁵ and R⁶ is Ci to C4 alkyl, preferably methyl and R⁷ is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 6 to 36, preferably 10 to 30, for example 12 to 24 carbon atoms.

Compounds of this type include, for example, dimethyloctadecylamine and hexadecyl dimethyl amine.

In order to provide a quaternary ammonium compound, the hexadecyl dimethyl amine may be quaternised by reaction with propylene oxide (for example 1 to 3 molar equivalent of propylene oxide) and polyisobutylene succinic acid (for example 1 molar equivalent of polyisobutylene succinic acid).

For example in some embodiments R⁵ is Ci to C4 alkyl, preferably methyl and each R⁶ and R⁷ is an alkyl or alkenyl having 6 to 36, preferably 8 to 30, for example 10 to 24 carbon atoms.

Compounds of this type include, for example, N,N-dimethylhexadecyl amine, N-methyl-N,N- ditallowamine and dicocomethyl amine.

Especially preferred tertiary amine compounds of formula R⁵R⁶R⁷N include N,N-dimethyl ethanolamine, N,N-dimethylhexadecyl amine, dimethyloctadecylamine and N-methyl N-N- ditallowamine.

In some embodiments the nitrogen-containing species having at least one tertiary amine group is (v) a cyclic tertiary amine.

Suitable cyclic amines have the formula (D1):

wherein R⁶ an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl or alkaryl group, and R⁹ together with N forms a heterocycle.

Preferably heterocycle has less than 12 carbon atoms. Preferably R⁶ has less than 8 carbon atoms.

Preferably R⁶ is an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

R⁶ may be optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from halo (especially chloro and fluoro), hydroxy, alkoxy, keto, acyl, cyano, mercapto, alkylmercapto, dialkylamino, nitro, nitroso, and sulphoxy. The alkyl groups of these substituents may be further substituted.

Preferably R⁶ is an optionally substituted alkyl or alkenyl group. Preferably R⁶ is an optionally substituted alkyl group. Preferably R⁶ is an optionally substituted alkyl or alkenyl group having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, suitably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to 2 carbon atoms.

Preferably R⁶ is an optionally substituted alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably having from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Preferably R⁶ is an alkyl group. It may be a substituted alkyl group, for example a hydroxy substituted alkyl group. Preferably R⁶ is an unsubstituted alkyl group or a hydroxy alkyl group. More Preferably R⁶ is an unsubstituted alkyl group. The alkyl chain may be straight-chained or branched. Preferably R⁶ is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl, including isomers thereof. Most preferably R⁶ is methyl.

In some embodiments R¹⁰, R¹¹ and N together form an aromatic ring and the cyclic amine may have the structure (D2):

In such embodiments the total number of carbon atoms in groups R¹⁰ and R¹¹ is preferably less than 19. R⁹ together with N may form an aliphatic heterocyclic group or an aromatic heterocyclic group. Thus they form a heterocyclic ring. There may be one or more further heteroatoms in the ring. Suitably the ring may include one or more further atoms selected from N, O and S.

The heterocyclic group formed by R⁹ and N may be substituted or unsubstituted; i.e. there may be one or more substituents bonded to atoms that form the ring. Suitable substituents include halo (especially chloro and fluro); hydroxy, alkoxy, keto, acyl, cyano, mercapto, alkylmercapto, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, dialkylamino, alkylamino, nitro, nitroso, and sulphoxy. The alkyl, alkenyl and aryl groups of these substituents may be further substituted.

The heterocyclic group may be substituted with a further cyclic group i.e. it may be part of a bicyclic heterocyclic group.

In some preferred embodiments the heterocyclic group formed by N and R⁹ is not substituted.

Preferably the group formed by R⁹ and N is a heterocyclic group having from 3 to 12 atoms in the ring. The atoms in the ring include carbon atoms and other atoms. Preferably the heterocyclic ring includes 3 to 10 atoms, preferably 4 to 8, more preferably 5 to 7 atoms.

In some preferred embodiments the heterocyclic group contains only carbon and nitrogen atoms within the ring.

The heterocyclic group formed by R⁹ and N may be aliphatic or aromatic.

In some preferred embodiments R⁹ and N together form an aliphatic or aromatic heterocycle having 5 to 7 atoms in the ring.

Suitable aliphatic heterocyclic groups include those based on pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine and piperazine.

Suitable aliphatic heterocyclic groups include unsaturated heterocycles that are not aromatic, i.e. they may contain one or more double bonds, for example those based on dihydropyrrole.

Suitable aromatic heterocyclic groups including those based on pyrrole, pyridine, imidazole, pyrimidine, isoxzole, quinolone, oxazole, and pyrazole.

In especially preferred embodiments R⁹ and N together form an imidazole moiety or a pyrrolidine moiety. Suitably R⁹ contains 3 to 11 carbon atoms (and optional heteroatoms with the ring), preferably 3 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 3 to 9 carbon atoms, suitably 3 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably 3 to 7 carbon atoms, more preferably 3 to 6 carbon atoms, for example 3 to 5 or 3 to 4 carbon atoms.

Preferably R⁹ contains less than 8 carbon atoms.

The compound of formula (D1) or (D2) is a cyclic tertiary amine. By this we mean to refer to an amine group in which the nitrogen atom is part of a heterocyclic ring and is preferably further bonded to another group.

Suitably the compound of formula (D1) or (D2) is a cyclic tertiary amine having less than 18 carbon atoms. Preferably it has less than 16 carbon atoms, suitably less than 14 carbon atoms, preferably less than 12 carbon atoms, for example less than 10 carbon atoms, less than 8 carbon atoms or less than 6 carbon atoms.

Suitably the cyclic amine compound is a compound of formula (D1) and is an N-substituted heterocyclic amine. Preferably it is an N-alkyl heterocyclic amine having 5 to 7 atoms in the heterocyclic ring.

In some preferred embodiments the tertiary amine is an N-methyl cyclic amine wherein the heterocyclic ring moiety may include one or more further heteroatoms such as O, N or S and may be aliphatic or non-aromatic.

There are many different compounds of this type and these will be known to the person skilled in the art.

Some suitable cyclic amines for use herein are based on N-alkyl heterocycles, for example N- methyl heterocycles, selected from pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine, piperazine, pyrrole, imidazole and dihydropyrrole.

Other suitable amines include those based on the above in which the heterocyclic ring includes one or more further alkyl, alkenyl or aryl substituents, provided the total number of carbon atoms in the tertiary amine is less than 19. For example compounds which include one, two or three methyl groups bonded to carbon atoms within the heterocyclic ring are within the scope of the invention. Some suitable cyclic amines for use herein include those based on heterocycles in which R¹⁰, R¹¹ and N together form an aromatic ring, for example those based on piperidine, pyrimidine, isoxazole and oxazole.

Other suitable amines include those based on the above in which the heterocyclic ring includes one or more further alkyl, alkenyl or aryl substituents, provided the total number of carbon atoms in the tertiary amine is less than 19.

Tertiary amine compounds including primary or secondary amine groups are within the scope of the invention provided these groups do not prevent quaternisation of the tertiary amine species.

The cyclic tertiary amine compounds preferably do not include any free primary or secondary amine groups. The tertiary amine compound of formula R⁹==NR⁶ may contain more than one tertiary amine group.

Some preferred cyclic amine compounds include 1 -methyl pyrrolidine, 1 -methylimidazole, 1 ,2- dimethyl-1 H-imidazole, pyridine and mixtures and isomers thereof. 8-hydroxyquinoline could also be used.

Especially preferred tertiary amine compounds include methyl pyrrolidine and methyl imidazole.

In some embodiments the nitrogen-containing species having at least one tertiary amine group is (vi) a polyetheramine compound.

Some preferred polyetheramine compounds are polyoxyalkylene amines.

In some preferred embodiments the polyetheramine compound has the general formula (D3):

wherein R¹² is H or a hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms; R¹³ and R¹⁴ are each independently hydrogen or lower alkyl having from about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms and each R¹³ and R¹⁴ is independently selected in each --O — CHR¹³ -CHR¹⁴ -- unit; and x is an integer of from 1 to 100, preferably 5 to 50; A is NR¹⁵R¹⁶, NR¹⁷NR¹⁵R¹⁶, OR¹⁷NR¹⁵R¹⁶, OCONR¹⁵R¹⁶or a polyamine moiety having about 2 to about 12 nitrogen atoms, about 4 to about 40 carbon atoms and including at least one tertiary amine group; wherein each of R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ is independently an alkyl group having about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms in each alkyl group, and R¹⁷ is an alkylene group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

In a preferred embodiment R¹² is H or a C1-C30 alkyl preferably a C4-C20 alkyl.

In another preferred embodiment R¹² is an alkylphenyl group, wherein the alkyl group has from about 1 to about 24 carbon atoms.

Preferably, one of R¹³ and R¹⁴ is lower alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and the other is hydrogen. More preferably, one of R¹³ and R¹⁴ is methyl or ethyl, and the other is hydrogen.

Preferably each of R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ is an alkyl group having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms in each alkyl group, preferably about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, more preferably about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms. Suitably R¹⁷ is an alkyl group having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms in each alkyl group, preferably about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, more preferably about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms.

In some embodiments A is a polyamine moiety comprising a tertiary amine group and having from about 2 to about 12 nitrogen atoms and from about 4 to about 40 carbon atoms.

In some embodiments, the compound of formula (D3) may be derived by alkoxylation of an N,N- dialkyl hydroxyalkylamine such as N,N dimethyl aminoethanol or N,N-dimethylamino propanol. In other embodiments the compound of formula D4 may be derived by alkoxylation of a C1-C30 alcohol preferably a C4-C20 alcohol followed by amination with ammonia further followed by alkylation of the amine. Such processes are described in US2013225463.

Other preferred features of the polyetheramine compound are also described in US2013225463.

In especially preferred embodiments, the agglomeration additive of the present invention comprises quaternary ammonium compounds prepared by the reaction of a quaternising agent and (i) the reaction product of a hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent and a compound comprising at least one tertiary amine group and a primary amine, secondary amine or alcohol group. The quaternary ammonium compounds used in the present invention are prepared by the reaction of a nitrogen-containing species having at least one tertiary amine group and a quaternising agent.

Any compound capable of reacting with the tertiary amine group to form a quaternary ammonium cation may be used as the quaternising agent.

In some embodiments following reaction with a quaternising agent an ion exchange reaction may be carried out to provide a quaternary ammonium compound having a different anion.

The quaternary ammonium compounds used in the present invention may be prepared by reaction of a tertiary amine with a quaternising agent selected from an ester of a carboxylic acid, epoxides optionally in combination with an acid, dialkyl sulfates, benzyl halides, hydrocarbyl substituted carbonates, alkyl halides, alkyl sulfonates, sulfones, hydrocarbyl substituted phosphates, hydrocarbyl substituted borates, alkyl nitrites, alkyl nitrates, hydroxides, N-oxides or mixtures thereof.

In fuel applications it is often desirable to reduce the levels of halogen-, sulfur-, and phosphorus- containing species. Thus if a quaternising agent containing such an element is used it may be advantageous to carry out a subsequent reaction to exchange the counterion. For example a quarternary ammonium compound formed by reaction with an alkyl halide could be subsequently reacted with sodium hydroxide and the sodium halide salt removed by filtration.

The quaternising agent can include halides, such as chloride, iodide or bromide; hydroxides; sulphonates; bisulphites, alkyl sulphates, such as dimethyl sulphate; sulphones; phosphates; C1-12 alkylphosphates; di C1-12 alkylphosphates; borates; C1-12 alkylborates; nitrites; nitrates; carbonates; bicarbonates; alkanoates; O,O-di C1-12 alkyldithiophosphates; or mixtures thereof.

Preferably the quaternising agent is selected from esters of a carboxylic acid, dialkyl sulfates, benzyl halides, hydrocarbyl substituted carbonates, hydrocarbyl substituted epoxides optionally in combination with an acid, alkyl halides, alkyl sulfonates, sulfones, hydrocarbyl substituted phosphates, hydrocarbyl substituted borates, alkyl nitrites, alkyl nitrates, hydroxides, N-oxides, chloroacetic acid or salts thereof, or mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment the quaternising agent may be derived from dialkyl sulphates such as dimethyl sulphate, N-oxides, sulphones such as propane and butane sulphone; alkyl, acyl or aralkyl halides such as methyl and ethyl chloride, bromide or iodide or benzyl chloride, and a hydrocarbyl (or alkyl) substituted carbonates. If the quaternising agent is benzyl chloride, the aromatic ring is optionally further substituted with alkyl or alkenyl groups. The hydrocarbyl (or alkyl) groups of the hydrocarbyl substituted carbonates may contain 1 to 50, 1 to 20, 1 to 10 or 1 to 5 carbon atoms per group. In one embodiment the hydrocarbyl substituted carbonates contain two hydrocarbyl groups that may be the same or different. Examples of suitable hydrocarbyl substituted carbonates include dimethyl or diethyl carbonate.

Preferred quaternising agents for use herein are esters of a carboxylic acid or an epoxide, optionally in combination with an acid.

In one preferred embodiment the quaternising agent is an ester of formula R¹⁸COOR¹⁹.

In such embodiments R¹⁹ is a Ci to C7 alkyl group and R¹⁸COO is preferably the residue of a carboxylic acid selected from a substituted aromatic carboxylic acid, an a-hydroxycarboxylic acid and a polycarboxylic acid.

Preferred ester quaternising agents are compounds of formula (E):

in which R¹⁸ is an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl or alkylaryl group which may comprise a further carboxy derived functional group; and R¹⁹ is a Ci to C22 alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl group.

The compound of formula (E) is suitably an ester of a carboxylic acid capable of reacting with a tertiary amine to form a quaternary ammonium compound.

Suitable quaternising agents include esters of carboxylic acids having a pKa of 3.5 or less.

The compound of formula (E) is preferably an ester of a carboxylic acid selected from a substituted aromatic carboxylic acid, an a-hydroxycarboxylic acid and a polycarboxylic acid.

In some preferred embodiments the compound of formula (E) is an ester of a substituted aromatic carboxylic acid and thus R¹⁸ is a substituted aryl group.

In such embodiments R¹⁸ is suitably a substituted aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably a phenyl or naphthyl group, most preferably a phenyl group. R¹⁸ is suitably substituted with one or more groups selected from carboalkoxy, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, SR²⁰ or NR²¹R²². Each of R²¹ and R²² may be hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl or carboalkoxy groups. Preferably each of R²¹ and R²² is hydrogen or an optionally substituted Ci to C22 alkyl group, preferably hydrogen or a Ci to C alkyl group, preferably hydrogen or a Ci to C10 alkyl group, more preferably hydrogen or a Ci to C4 alkyl group. Preferably R²¹ is hydrogen and R²² is hydrogen or a Ci to C4 alkyl group. Most preferably R²¹ and R²² are both hydrogen. Preferably R¹⁸ is an aryl group substituted with one or more groups selected from hydroxyl, carboalkoxy, nitro, cyano and NH2. R¹⁸ may be a poly-substituted aryl group, for example trihydroxyphenyl. Preferably R¹⁸ is a mono-substituted aryl group. Preferably R¹⁸ is an ortho substituted aryl group. Suitably R¹⁸ is substituted with a group selected from OH, NH2, NO2 or COOMe. Preferably R¹⁸ is substituted with an OH or NH2 group. Suitably R¹⁸ is a hydroxy substituted aryl group. Most preferably R¹⁸ is a 2-hydroxyphenyl group.

Preferably R¹⁹ is an alkyl or alkaryl group. R¹⁹ may be a Ci to C alkyl group, preferably a Ci to Cw alkyl group, suitably a Ci to Cs alkyl group. R¹⁹ may be Ci to C alkaryl group, preferably a Ci to Cw alkaryl group, suitably a Ci to Cs alkaryl group. R¹⁹ may be methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, benzyl or an isomer thereof. Preferably R¹⁹ is benzyl or methyl. Most preferably R¹⁹ is methyl.

Some especially preferred compounds of formula (E) are esters of salicylic acid such as benzyl salicylate, methyl salicylate, ethyl salicylate, n and /-propyl salicylate, and butyl salicylate.

An especially preferred compound of formula (E) is methyl salicylate.

In some embodiments the compound of formula (E) is an ester of an a-hydroxycarboxylic acid. In such embodiments R¹⁸ is R²³CR²⁴OH and the compound of formula (E) has the structure:

OH

R²³— C - COOR¹⁹

R I24 wherein R²³ and R²⁴ are the same or different and each is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl or aryl. Compounds of this type suitable for use herein are described in EP1254889.

Examples of compounds of formula (E) in which R¹⁸COO is the residue of an a- hydroxycarboxylic acid include methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, pentyl-, hexyl-, benzyl-, phenyl-, and allyl esters of 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid; methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, pentyl-, hexyl-, benzyl- , phenyl-, and allyl esters of 2-hydroxy-2-methylbutyric acid; methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, pentyl-, hexyl-, benzyl-, phenyl-, and allyl esters of 2-hydroxy-2-ethylbutyric acid; methyl-, ethyl- , propyl-, butyl-, pentyl-, hexyl-, benzyl-, phenyl-, and allyl esters of lactic acid; and methyl-, ethyl- , propyl-, butyl-, pentyl-, hexyl-, allyl-, benzyl-, and phenyl esters of glycolic acid. Of the above, a preferred compound is methyl 2-hydroxyisobutyrate.

In some embodiments the compound of formula (E) is an ester of a polycarboxylic acid. In this definition we mean to include dicarboxylic acids and carboxylic acids having more than 2 acidic moieties.

In such embodiments R¹⁸ includes a carboxy derived functional group. This is preferably present in the form of an ester, that is the one or more further acid groups present in the group R¹⁸ are in esterified form. Preferred esters are Ci to C4 alkyl esters.

Compound (E) may be selected from the diester of oxalic acid, the diester of phthalic acid, the diester of maleic acid, the diester of malonic acid or the diester of citric acid. One especially preferred compound of formula (E) is dimethyl oxalate.

In preferred embodiments the compound of formula (E) is an ester of a carboxylic acid having a pK_a of less than 3.5. In such embodiments in which the compound includes more than one acid group, we mean to refer to the first dissociation constant.

Compound (E) may be selected from an ester of a carboxylic acid selected from one or more of oxalic acid, phthalic acid, salicylic acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, citric acid, nitrobenzoic acid, aminobenzoic acid and 2, 4, 6-trihydroxybenzoic acid.

Suitably the compound of formula (E) may be selected from dimethyl oxalate, methyl 2- nitrobenzoate, dimethylphthalate, dimethyltartrate and methyl salicylate

Preferred compounds of formula (E) include dimethyl oxalate, methyl 2-nitrobenzoate and methyl salicylate.

Most preferred ester quaternising agents are dimethyl oxalate and methyl salicylate.

In some preferred embodiments the quaternising agent is an epoxide, optionally in combination with an acid.

Any suitable epoxide compound may be used. Suitable epoxide compounds are those of formula:

wherein each of R²⁵, R²⁶, R²⁷, R²⁸ is independently selected from hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group, provided at least one of R²⁵, R²⁶, R²⁷ and R²⁸ is hydrogen.

Preferably at least two of R²⁵, R²⁶, R²⁷ and R²⁸ are hydrogen. Most preferably three of R²⁵, R²⁶, R²⁷ and R²⁸ are hydrogen, of R²⁵, R²⁶, R²⁷ and R²⁸ may be all hydrogen.

In the structure above and the definitions which follow R²⁵ and R²⁶ are interchangeable and thus when these groups are different either enantiomer or diastereomer may be used as component (b).

In the structure above and the definitions which follow R²⁷ and R²⁸ are interchangeable and thus when these groups are different either enantiomer or diastereomer may be used as component (b).

Preferably R²⁵ is hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl group. R²⁵ may suitably be selected from hydrogen and phenyl. Most preferably R²⁵ is hydrogen.

Preferably R²⁶ is hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl group. Most preferably R²⁶ is hydrogen.

Preferably R²⁷ is hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl group. Most preferably R²⁷ is hydrogen.

Preferably R²⁸ is hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl group.

In some preferred embodiments R²⁸ is an optionally substituted aryl group. For example R²⁸ may be phenyl.

In some preferred embodiments R²⁸ is an optionally substituted alkyl or alkenyl group. R²⁸ may be an alkyl group, for example an unsubstituted alkyl group. R²⁸ may be an alkyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, suitably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, for example from 1 to 8 or from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

In some embodiments R²⁸ is hydrogen. In some embodiments R²⁸ is the moiety CH2OR²⁹ or CH2OCOR³⁰ wherein each of R²⁹ and R³⁰ may be an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl group.

R²⁹ is preferably an optionally substituted alkyl or aryl group, preferably having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, suitably from 1 to 12 carbon atoms. When R²⁹ is an alkyl group it may be straight-chained or branched. In some embodiments it is branched. R²⁹ may be an optionally substituted phenyl group.

In one embodiment R²⁹ is a 2-methyl phenyl group. In another embodiment R²⁹ is CH₂C(CH2CH3)CH2CH2CH2CH₃.

R³⁰ may be an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl group.

R³⁰ is preferably an optionally substituted alkyl or aryl group, preferably having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, suitably from 1 to 12 carbon atoms. When R³⁰ is an alkyl group it may be straight-chained or branched. In some preferred embodiments it is branched. R³⁰ may be an optionally substituted phenyl group.

In one embodiment R³⁰ is C(CH₃)R2 wherein each R is an alkyl group. The R groups may be the same or different.

Preferably R³⁰ is an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms. In some embodiments R³⁰ may include an oxygen atom in the carbon chain, i.e. R³⁰ may include an ether functional group.

Suitable epoxide compounds for use herein as quaternising agents include ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, pentylene oxide, hexylene oxide, heptylene oxide, dodecylene oxide, alkyl glycidyl ethers, for example 2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether or isopropyl glycidyl ether, alkyl glycidyl esters styrene oxide, stilbene oxide and other C2 to C30 hydrocarbyl groups.

Some preferred epoxide compounds for use herein as quaternising agents include styrene oxide, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, stilbene oxide, dodecylene oxide 2- ethylhexyl glycidyl ether and isopropyl glycidyl ether. Styrene oxide, butylene oxide, 2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether and propylene oxide are especially preferred.

Typically epoxide quaternising agents are used in combination with an acid. However in embodiments in which the nitrogen-containing species having at least one tertiary amine group includes (i) the reaction product of a substituted succinic acid which is an ester or an amide and which also includes a further unreacted carboxylic acid group, an additional acid may be omitted and the hydrocarbyl epoxide may be used alone as the quaternising agent. It is believed that formation of the quaternary ammonium compound is promoted by protonation by the carboxylic acid group also present in the molecule.

In such embodiments in which a further acid is not used, the quaternary ammonium compound is suitably prepared in a protic solvent. Suitable protic solvents include water, alcohols (including polyhydric alcohols) and mixtures thereof. Preferred protic solvents have a dielectric constant of greater than 9.

In preferred embodiments the epoxide quaternising agent is used in combination with an acid. Any suitable acid may be used. In preferred embodiments the acid is an organic acid, preferably a carboxylic acid. Suitable carboxylic acids include monocarboxylic acids and polycarboxylic acids. Preferably the acid is a monocarboxylic acid or a dicarboxylic acid.

For the avoidance of doubt the acid suitably activates the epoxide and forms the anionic counterion of the quaternary ammonium compound. In some embodiments a subsequent ion exchange reaction may be carried out but this is not preferred.

Any compound which includes a carboxylic acid functional group may be used. In some embodiments the acid may be a very small simple molecule. Examples of suitable small simple acids include formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid.

In some embodiments the acid may be a simple fatty acid compound. However the acid may also be a more complex molecule including additional acid functional groups.

Suitable fatty acids include caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, behenic acid, lignoceric acid, cerotic acid, myristoleic acid, palmitoleic acid, sapienic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, vaccenic acid, linoleic acid, linoelaidic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, erucic acid, undecylenic acid and docosahexenoic acid.

Suitable complex acids include optionally substituted phthalic acids and succinic acid derivatives.

Some preferred species of this type are hydrocarbyl substituted phthalic acid or succinic acid derivatives. Hydrocarbyl substituted succinic acid derivatives are especially preferred. In one embodiment the hydrocarbyl group is preferably a polyisobutenyl group, preferably having a molecular weight of from 100 to 5000, preferably from 300 to 4000, suitably from 450 to 2500, for example from 450 to 2000 or from 450 to 1500.

In one embodiment the hydrocarbyl group is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 10 to 26 carbon atoms, more preferably 12 to 24 carbon atoms, suitably 16 to 20 carbon atoms, for example 18 carbon atoms.

In one embodiment the hydrocarbyl group is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 6 to 50 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 40 carbon atoms, more preferably 18 to 36 carbon atoms, suitably 24 to 36 carbon atoms, for example 30 carbon atoms.

The succinic acid derivative may be polyisobutylene succinic acid (for example which may be used with an epoxide quaternising agent such as propylene oxide). The polyisobutylene succinic acid may form a salt via one or both of its acid groups. When only one of its acid groups is used to form a salt it may maintain a free acid group.

In embodiments in which the acid has more than one acid functional group the further groups may be present as the free acid or the ester. Where there is more than one free acid group there may be an equivalent number of cations. For example in some embodiments the quaternary ammonium compound may comprise a dicarboxylate dianion and two quaternary ammonium ions. Compounds of this type are described in EP3024913.

Some preferred epoxide quaternising agents for use herein include styrene oxide, butylene oxide, propylene oxide or 2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether in combination with a monocarboxylic acid, suitably acetic acid.

Some preferred epoxide quaternising agents for use herein include styrene oxide, butylene oxide, propylene oxide or 2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether in combination with a polycarboxylic acid, suitably a polyisobutenyl substituted succinic acid.

In some preferred embodiments the quaternising agent is selected from an ester of a carboxylic acid, a quaternising agent optionally in combination with an acid and chloroacetic acid or a salt thereof.

In some preferred embodiments the agglomeration additive of the present invention comprises a quaternary ammonium compound which is the reaction product of a tertiary amine of a tertiary amine of formula R⁵R⁶R⁷N, wherein each of R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ is independently an optionally substituted alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 40 carbon atoms; an epoxide; and a monocarboxylic acid or a dicarboxylic acid.

In some embodiments the agglomeration additive of the present invention comprises a quaternary ammonium compound which is the reaction product of a tertiary amine of a tertiary amine of formula R⁵R⁶R⁷N, wherein each of R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ is an alkyl group or a hydroxyalkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; an epoxide; and a monocarboxylic acid or a dicarboxylic acid.

In some embodiments the agglomeration additive of the present invention comprise a quaternary ammonium compound which is the reaction product of a tertiary amine of a tertiary amine of formula R⁵R⁶R⁷N, wherein one or two of the groups R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ is a short chain alkyl group having 1 to 6, preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms and the other one or two groups is a longer chain alkyl or group having 6 to 30, preferably 10 to 24 carbon atoms; an epoxide; and a monocarboxylic acid or a dicarboxylic acid.

In some embodiments the agglomeration additive of the present invention comprises a quaternary ammonium compound which is the reaction product of a tertiary amine; an epoxide, preferably propylene oxide; and an optionally substituted succinic acid, preferably a polyisobutenyl substituted succinic acid wherein the tertiary amine has the formula R⁵R⁶R⁷N, wherein one or two of the groups R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ is a short chain alkyl group having 1 to 6, preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms and the other one or two groups is a longer chain alkyl or group having 6 to 30, preferably 10 to 24 carbon atoms.

Preferred agglomeration additives for use in the present invention include at least one quaternary ammonium compound which is the reaction product of:

(x) the reaction product of a hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent and a compound having at least one tertiary amine group and a primary amine, secondary amine or alcohol group; and

(y) a quaternising agent selected from: an ester of a carboxylic acid; and an epoxide, optionally in combination with an acid.

(x) the reaction product of a hydrocarbyl-substituted succinic acid derived acylating agent including an average of at least 1 .2 succinic acid moieties per molecule and a compound having at least one tertiary amine group and a primary amine, secondary amine or alcohol group; and

(y) a quaternising agent selected from: an ester of a carboxylic acid; and an epoxide, optionally in combination with an acid. More preferred agglomeration additives for use in the present invention include at least one quaternary ammonium compound which is the reaction product of:

(x) a polyisobutenyl substituted succinic acid or anhydride thereof and an amine or alcohol which further includes a tertiary amine group; and

(y) a quaternising agent selected from an ester of a carboxylic acid selected from one or more of oxalic acid, phthalic acid, salicylic acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, citric acid, nitrobenzoic acid, aminobenzoic acid and 2, 4, 6-trihydroxybenzoic acid; and an epoxide selected from one or more of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, pentylene oxide, hexylene oxide, heptylene oxide, isopropyl glycidyl ether, styrene oxide, stilbene oxide and other C2 to C30 hydrocarbyl groups, optionally in combination with an acid.

Some especially preferred agglomeration additives for use in the present invention include at least one quaternary ammonium compound which is the reaction product of:

(x) a polyisobutenyl substituted succinic acid or anhydride thereof having a PIB molecular weight of 170 to 2800, preferably 450 to 1500 and an amine or alcohol selected from dimethylaminopropanol, dimethylaminopropylamine, N,N-diethyl-1 ,3- diaminopropane, N,N- dimethylethylenediamine, N,N-diethylethylenediamine, N,N-dibutylethylenediamine, or combinations thereof; and

(y) a quaternising agent selected from dimethyl oxalate, methyl 2-nitrobenzoate, dimethylphthalate, dimethyltartrate, methyl salicylate; and an epoxide selected from styrene oxide, 2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, 2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether, stilbene oxide and isopropyl glycidyl ether, in combination with an acid.

(x) a polyisobutenyl substituted succinic acid or anhydride thereof having a PIB molecular weight of 170 to 2800, preferably 450 to 1500 and an amine or alcohol selected from dimethylaminopropanol and dimethylaminopropylamine; and

(y) a quaternising agent selected from dimethyl oxalate; methyl salicylate; and an epoxide selected from styrene oxide, propylene oxide and butylene oxide, in combination with an acid.

(x) a polyisobutenyl substituted succinic acid or anhydride thereof having a PIB molecular weight of 170 to 2800, preferably 450 to 1500 and including an average of at least 1.2 succinic acid moieties per molecule, and an amine or alcohol selected from dimethylaminopropanol and dimethylaminopropylamine; and (y) a quaternising agent selected from dimethyl oxalate; methyl salicylate; and an epoxide selected from styrene oxide, propylene oxide and butylene oxide, in combination with an acid.

In some embodiments the agglomeration additives may comprise the quaternised reaction product of a fatty acid (for example oleic acid) and dimethylaminopropyl amine. For example the agglomeration additive may comprise the reaction product of oleic acid or a reactive equivalent thereof and dimethylaminopropyl amine quaternised by reaction with chloroacetic acid or a salt thereof.

In some embodiments the agglomeration additives may comprise at least one quaternary ammonium compound which is the reaction product of dimethylhexadecylamine, propylene oxide and a polyisobutenyl substituted succinic acid. In preferred embodiments the succinic acid has a polyisobutenyl substituent with a number average molecular weight of 450 to 1500.

The present invention relates to uses of a gasoline fuel composition.

By the term "gasoline", it is meant a liquid fuel for use with spark ignition engines (typically or preferably containing primarily or only C4-C12 hydrocarbons) and satisfying international gasoline specifications, such as ASTM D-439 and EN228. The term includes blends of distillate hydrocarbon fuels with oxygenated components such as alcohols or ethers for example methanol, ethanol, butanol, methyl t-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl t-butyl ether (ETBE), as well as the distillate fuels themselves.

The present inventors have surprisingly found that even very low concentrations of the quaternary ammonium compound can provide a significant agglomeration of nanoparticles emitted from a direct injection spark ignition engine.

Suitably the agglomeration additive is present in the gasoline fuel composition in an amount of less than 300 ppm, suitably less than 100 ppm, preferably less than 50 ppm, preferably less than 30 ppm. In some embodiments the agglomeration additive is present in the gasoline fuel composition in an amount of less than 20 ppm, preferably less than 15 ppm, preferably less than 10 ppm, for example less than 8 ppm or even less than 5 ppm.

Suitably the agglomeration additive is present in the gasoline fuel composition in an amount of from 0.1 to 100 ppm, preferably 0.5 to 50 ppm, preferably 1 to 25 ppm or 1 to 10 ppm.

In this specification any reference to ppm is to parts per million by weight. The gasoline fuel compositions used in the present invention may comprise as an agglomeration additive a mixture of two or more quaternary ammonium compounds. In such embodiments the above amounts refer to the total amounts of all such compounds present in the composition.

The skilled person will appreciate that commercial sources of additive may be provided with a diluent or carrier. All amounts mentioned herein relate to the amount of active quaternary ammonium compound.

The agglomeration additive comprises one or more quaternary ammonium compounds.

The amounts of agglomeration additive referred to herein refer to the total amount of active quaternary ammonium compounds present in the composition. The amounts referred to herein do not include any diluent or carrier and do not include any unreacted starting materials or byproducts. Such components may however be present in the additive composition dosed into a fuel. The crude reaction mixture following the quaternisation reaction may be used as an additive without purification but the amounts referred to herein relate to the active quaternary ammonium compound or compounds.

The use of mixtures may arise due to the availability of starting materials or a particular mixture may be deliberately selected to use in order to achieve a benefit. For example a particular mixture may lead to improvements in handling, a general improvement in performance or a synergistic improvement in performance.

In some preferred embodiments, the agglomeration additives may be used without additional components. In other preferred embodiments, the agglomeration additive is used with one or more additional components selected from: a) carrier oils b) acylated nitrogen compounds which are the reaction product of a carboxylic acid- derived acylating agent and an amine c) hydrocarbyl-substituted amines wherein the hydrocarbyl substituent is substantially aliphatic and contains at least 8 carbon atoms d) Mannich base additives comprising nitrogen-containing condensates of a phenol, aldehyde and primary or secondary amine; and e) polyether amines.

Additional components of these types are well known to the skilled person. Suitable such additives are described, for example, in WO 2019/186125. Preferably the agglomeration additive and further additives (when present) is/are present in the fuel in the fuel storage tank which supplies the engine. Although they could be mixed into the fuel in the storage tank, preferably they are present in bulk fuel which is pumped into the storage tank.

The agglomeration additives may be added to gasoline fuel at any convenient place in the supply chain. For example, the agglomeration additives may be added to fuel at the refinery, at a distribution terminal or after the fuel has left the distribution terminal. If the agglomeration additive is added to the fuel after it has left the distribution terminal, this is termed an aftermarket application. Aftermarket applications include such circumstances as adding the additive to the fuel in the delivery tanker, directly to a customer’s bulk storage tank, or directly to the end user’s vehicle tank. Aftermarket applications may include supplying the fuel additive in small bottles suitable for direct addition to fuel storage tanks or vehicle tanks.

The present invention provides a method and use for agglomerating nanoparticles in the exhaust stream from the combustion of gasoline fuel compositions in direct injection spark ignition engines.

By agglomerating nanoparticles we mean to refer to the joining together of nanoparticles to form larger particles.

Nanoparticles are particles which have one or more dimensions of the order of 100 nm or less. The size of the nanoparticles may be measured by any suitable method. For example, any of the methods described in PAS 71 :2005 published by British Standards could be used. Preferred methods for the determination of particle size include TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy, when particles are made of a material that has high contrast with a carbon TEM grid), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy). If the particles show plasmon resonance then the size can also be determined from the peak in the UV-VIS spectrum. For larger particles having a size of order of magnitude of 10⁸ m or greater, light scattering can be used. In some embodiments the method and use of the present invention reduce the emission of nanoparticles having a particle size (as defined above) of between 5 nm and 100 nm, for example between 10 nm and 80 nm.

The emission of nanoparticles is a particular hazard. These particles are known to be most damaging to human health and the environment. Thus agglomerating nanoparticles to form larger particles provides particles which are less harmful and more easily captured by filters.

One preferred method by which particulate emissions may be measured is described in the examples. The size, number and distribution of emitted particulates is suitably measured using a Cambustion® DMS500 exhaust gas analyser, equipped with a Catalytic Stripping Accessory (CSA), by an electrical mobility detection method.

The method and use of the present invention suitably reduces the emission of nanoparticles from a direct injection spark ignition engine.

Preferably the method and use of the present invention reduce the emission of nanoparticles from a direct injection spark ignition engine by at least 50%. Preferably the method and use of the present invention reduce the emission of nanoparticles, preferably having a diameter of 1 to 100 nm from a direct injection spark ignition engine by at least one order of magnitude. Preferably there is at least a ten-fold reduction in the concentration of nanoparticles, preferably having a diameter of 1 to 100 nm emitted from the direct injection spark ignition engine.

In the method and use of the present invention nanoparticles agglomerate to form larger particulates. Thus the resultant particulates are larger in size but fewer in number.

Suitably the present invention reduces the total number of particulates emitted per unit volume of exhaust gas.

Suitably the present invention reduces the number of nanoparticles emitted per unit volume of exhaust gas.

As well as reducing the number of nanoparticles emitted and the total number of particulates emitted, the present invention preferably also reduces the total mass of all particulates emitted per unit volume of exhaust gas.

Suitably the present invention reduces the total mass and the total number of all particulates emitted per unit volume of exhaust gas.

A particular advantage of the present invention is that the emission of nanoparticles that are small enough to pass through exhaust filters is reduced.

The present invention agglomerates nanoparticles emitted from a direct injection spark ignition engine. In some embodiments the exhaust gases from the engine may be directed through a particulate filter. In such embodiments the present invention may advantageously increase the number of particulates in the exhaust stream which are captured by the filter.

Suitably the method and use of the present invention reduce the number of nanoparticles per unit volume which pass through the gasoline particulate filter. Thus the present invention may provide the use of one or more quaternary ammonium compounds as an agglomeration additive in a gasoline fuel composition to improve the performance of a particulate filter fitted to the exhaust of a direct injection spark ignition engine wherein the improvement in performance involves a reduction in the mass of particulates that pass through the filter on combustion of the gasoline fuel composition.

In some embodiments the present invention may provide a method of increasing the mass of particulates captured by a gasoline particulate filter fitted to the exhaust stream of a direct injection spark ignition engine combusting a gasoline fuel composition, the method comprising adding to the gasoline fuel composition an agglomeration additive comprising one or more quaternary ammonium compounds.

In some embodiments the present invention may provide a method of agglomerating nanoparticles in the exhaust stream from the combustion of a gasoline fuel composition in a direct injection spark ignition engine, the method comprising the steps of:

- preparing a gasoline fuel composition comprising as an agglomeration additive one or more quaternary ammonium compounds;

- combusting the gasoline fuel composition in a direct injection spark ignition engine; and

- measuring the size of particulates emitted from the exhaust of the engine during combustion of the gasoline fuel composition comprising the agglomeration additive.

In some embodiments the method may further comprise comparing the size distribution of particulates emitted from the exhaust of the engine during combustion of the gasoline fuel composition comprising the agglomeration additive with the size distribution of particulates emitted from the exhaust of the engine during combustion of the gasoline fuel composition without the agglomeration additive. The gasoline fuel composition without the agglomeration additive is suitably an otherwise identical fuel composition.

The present invention involves the agglomeration of nanoparticles in the exhaust stream from the combustion of a gasoline fuel in a direct injection spark ignition engine. Suitably agglomeration results in a shift in the size distribution of the particles emitted such that the average size of the particles is increased.

In some embodiments the present invention may provide a reduction in the number of particles having an average particle size of less than 100 nm emitted per unit volume of exhaust gas and an increase in the number of particles having an average particle size of greater than 100 nm emitted per unit volume of exhaust gas. Particle size is suitably measured according to the method used in the examples. In embodiments in which the exhaust stream from the direct injection spark ignition engine passes through a gasoline particulate filter, the method may involve measuring the size of particulates in the exhaust stream before and after it passes through the gasoline particulate filter.

Preferably the number of nanoparticles in the exhaust stream per unit volume before it passes through the gasoline particulate filter is reduced.

Preferably the mass of particulates which passes through the gasoline particulate filter is reduced.

In one especially preferred embodiment the present invention provides the use of from 1 to 20 ppm of an agglomeration additive comprising one or more quaternary ammonium compounds in a gasoline composition to agglomerate nanoparticles in the exhaust stream from the combustion of a gasoline fuel composition in a direct injection spark ignition engine wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is the quaternised reaction product of a hydrocarbyl substituted succinic acid derived acylating agent and a compound comprising at least one tertiary amine group and a primary amine, secondary amine or alcohol group wherein hydrocarbyl substituted acylating agent includes an average of at least 1.2 succinic acid moieties per molecule.

In one preferred embodiment the present invention provides the use of from 1 to 100 ppm, preferably 1 to 50 ppm of an agglomeration additive comprising one or more quaternary ammonium compounds in a gasoline composition to agglomerate nanoparticles in the exhaust stream from the combustion of a gasoline fuel composition in a direct injection spark ignition engine wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is the reaction product of dimethylhexadecylamine, propylene oxide and a polyisobutenyl substituted succinic acid.

In one preferred embodiment the present invention provides the use of from 1 to 100 ppm, preferably 1 to 50 ppm of an agglomeration additive comprising one or more quaternary ammonium compounds in a gasoline composition to agglomerate nanoparticles in the exhaust stream from the combustion of a gasoline fuel composition in a direct injection spark ignition engine wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is the reaction product of oleic acid or a reactive equivalent thereof and dimethylaminopropyl amine quaternised by reaction with chloroacetic acid or a salt thereof.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the following non-limiting examples. In the examples which follow the values given in parts per million (ppm) for treat rates denote active agent amount, not the amount of a formulation as added, and containing an active agent. All parts per million are by weight.

Example 1

Intermediate Additive A, the reaction product of a hydrocarbyl substituted acylating agent and a compound of formula (B1) was prepared as follows:

554.36g (0.467 moles) PIBSA (made from 1000 MW PIB and maleic anhydride) was charged to 1 litre vessel. The mixture was stirred and heated, under nitrogen to 120°C. 47.72g (0.467 moles) DMAPA was added over 1 hour and the mixture heated to 140°C for 3 hours, with concurrent removal of water using a Dean-Stark apparatus.

[Note: PIB herein means polyisobutene; PIBSA means polyisobutenyl-substituted succinic anhydride; DMAPA means dimethylaminopropylamine ]

Example 2

Additive B, an additive comprising a quaternary ammonium compound of the present invention was prepared as follows:

333.49g (0.262 moles) of Additive A mixed with 39.92 (0.262 moles) methyl salicylate under nitrogen. The mixture was stirred and heated to 140°C for 8 hours. The non-volatile content was adjusted to 60% w/w with Caromax 20. The product mixture of this reaction was used without further processing as additive B and contained the quaternary ammonium compound, together with any unreacted raw materials, other reaction products and solvent.

Example 3

Additive C, an additive comprising a quaternary ammonium compound of the present invention was prepared as follows:

700 g (0.7 mol) of polyisobutylene (M_n 1000) was charged to a nitrogen flushed, jacketed reactor fitted with an overhead stirrer. The starting material was heated to 120 °C with stirring and nitrogen inerting was repeated. The reaction temperature was increased to 190 °C and maleic anhydride (82.4g, 0.84 mol, 1.2 eq) was charged over 1 hour. After maintaining a temperature of 190 °C for a further 1 hour, the temperature was increased to 200 - 208 °C and held in this range for 8 hours. Vacuum (< 30 mbar) was then applied for 2.5 hrs, whilst maintaining the reaction temperature, which reduced the level of residual maleic anhydride to < 0.05 wt%. The reaction mass was cooled to < 80°C then discharged from the reactor. The resulting PIBSA was charged to a nitrogen flushed, jacketed reactor fitted with an overhead stirrer and heated to 120 °C. 3-(dimethylamino)propylamine (DMAPA) (1 eq relative to anhydride groups) was charged slowly, maintaining the reaction temperature between 120 - 130 °C. After stirring at 120 °C for a further 1 hr, the reaction temperature was increased to 140 °C and held for 3 hrs with concurrent distillation of water. Methyl salicylate (2.1 eq relative to anhydride groups) was added in a single portion and heating was continued at 140 °C for 10 hours. The reaction mass was diluted with Aromatic 150 solvent to provide an overall solids content of 60 wt% prior to discharging from the reactor.

Example 4

Gasoline compositions were prepared comprising additive C (30 mg/kg treat rate of the additive), added to aliquots all drawn from a common batch of base fuel. The base fuel was EN228 compliant and had the specification as shown in Table 1 .

Table 1

Example 5 - Measurement of Particulate Matter Emissions

The size, number and distribution of emitted particulates was measured using a Cambustion® DMS500 exhaust gas analyser, equipped with a Catalytic Stripping Accessory (CSA). The instrument measures particulate matter having sizes between 5 and 1000 nm using an electrical mobility detection method.

For direct injection spark ignition (DISI) engines having a gasoline particulate filter (GPF) the size, number and distribution of emitted particulates was measured before and after the GPF using two DMS500 instruments.

The ability of the claimed additives to reduce emitted particulates having sizes between 10 and 1000 nm was assessed according to the following procedure.

A Euro 6 compliant 2.0 litre turbocharged gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine was connected to a test automation system and test bed fitted with an engine dynamometer. The engine was controlled by an ECU supplied by the engine manufacturer. The engine configuration included a GPF and (as set out above) emitted particulates was measured before and after the GPF.

The test cycle was 48 hours duration and consisted of a single speed and load point (42% load @ 2000 RPM).

The base fuel was as specified in Table 1 . The test fuel included 30 ppm of additive C.

The results of the engine test are shown in Table 2. In table 2, the term “average total particulates” refers to the average taken over the entire 48 hour test and includes all measured particulates in the specified size range.

Table 2

Example 6

Additive D, a quaternary ammonium compound, was prepared by the quaternization of hexadecyldimethyl amine with 2 equivalents of propylene oxide in the presence of a the polyisobutylene succinic acid having a PIB number average molecular weight of 1000, as described in the general synthesis method and example 6 of WO2014/195464. The material obtained as a solution contained 60 wt% active.

30ppm active of additive D was dosed into a base fuel which complied with the specification set out in table 1 and tested according to the procedure set out in example 5. The results are in table 3. In table 3, the term “average total particulates” refers to the average taken over the entire 48 hour test and includes all measured particulates in the specified size range.

Table 3

Claims

1 . A method of agglomerating nanoparticles in the exhaust stream from the combustion of a gasoline fuel composition in a direct injection spark ignition engine, the method comprising adding to the gasoline fuel composition as an agglomeration additive one or more quaternary ammonium compounds.

2. The use of one or more quaternary ammonium compounds as an agglomeration additive in a gasoline fuel composition to agglomerate nanoparticles in the exhaust stream from the combustion of the gasoline fuel composition in a direct injection spark ignition engine.

3. A method or use according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the or each quaternary ammonium compound is the reaction product of a nitrogen-containing species having at least one tertiary amine group and a quaternising agent wherein the nitrogen-containing species having at least one tertiary amine group may be selected from:

(i) the reaction product of a hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent and a compound comprising at least one tertiary amine group and a primary amine, secondary amine or alcohol group;

(ii) a Mannich reaction product comprising a tertiary amine group;

(v) a cyclic tertiary amine; and

(vi) a polyetheramine compound.

4. A method or use according to claim 3 wherein the nitrogen-containing species having at least one tertiary amine group is the reaction product of an alcohol or amine including a tertiary amino group and an optionally substituted succinic acid or anhydride thereof.

5. A method or use according to claim 4 wherein the succinic acid or anhydride thereof is substituted with a hydrocarbyl group and the hydrocarbyl substituted acylating agent includes an average of at least 1 .2 succinic acid moieties per molecule.

6. A method or use according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the succinic acid or anhydride thereof is substituted with a polyisobutenyl group having a number average molecular weight of from 170 to 2800, preferably 450 to 1500.

7. A method or use according to any of claims 3 to 6 wherein the alcohol or amine including a tertiary amino group is selected from dimethylaminopropanol, dimethylaminopropylamine, N,N-diethyl-1 ,3- diaminopropane, N,N-dimethylethylenediamine, N,N- diethylethylenediamine, N,N-dibutylethylenediamine, or combinations thereof.

8. A method or use according to any of claims 3 to 7 wherein the quaternising agent is selected from esters of a carboxylic acid, dialkyl sulfates, benzyl halides, hydrocarbyl substituted carbonates, hydrocarbyl substituted epoxides optionally in combination with an acid, alkyl halides, alkyl sulfonates, sulfones, hydrocarbyl substituted phosphates, hydrocarbyl substituted borates, alkyl nitrites, alkyl nitrates, hydroxides, N-oxides, chloroacetic acid or salts thereof, or mixtures thereof.

9. A method or use according to claim 8 wherein the quaternising agent is an ester of formula R¹⁸COOR¹⁹ wherein R¹⁹ is a Ci to C7 alkyl group and R¹⁸ is the residue of a carboxylic acid selected from a substituted aromatic carboxylic acid, an a-hydroxycarboxylic acid and a polycarboxylic acid.

10. A method or use according to claim 9 wherein the quaternising agent is an ester of a carboxylic acid selected from one or more of oxalic acid, phthalic acid, salicylic acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, citric acid, nitrobenzoic acid, aminobenzoic acid and 2, 4, 6- trihydroxybenzoic acid.

11. A method or use according to claim 10 wherein the quaternising agent is selected from dimethyl oxalate, methyl 2-nitrobenzoate, dimethylphthalate, dimethyltartrate and methyl salicylate

12. A method or use according to claim 8 wherein the quaternising agent is selected from epoxides, optionally in combination with an acid, wherein the epoxide has the formula:

wherein each of R²⁵, R²⁶, R²⁷, R^28/ is independently selected from hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group, provided at least one of R²⁵, R²⁶, R²⁷ and R²⁸ is hydrogen.

13. A method or use according to claim 12 wherein each of R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷ is hydrogen and R²⁸ is selected from phenyl, an optionally substituted alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, hydrogen, CH2OR²⁹ or CH2OCOR³⁰ wherein each of R²⁹ and R³⁰ is an optionally substituted alkyl or aryl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

14. A method or use according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the epoxide is selected from styrene oxide, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, stilbene oxide and isopropyl glycidyl ether.

15. A method or use according to any of claims 8, 12, 13 or 14 wherein the epoxide quaternising agents are used in combination with an acid.

16. A method or use according to claim 15 wherein the acid is selected from:

- a small simple acid selected from formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid;

- a fatty acid compound; and

- a hydrocarbyl substituted phthalic acid or succinic acid derivative.

17. A method or use according to any preceding claim wherein the gasoline composition further comprises one or more additional components selected from: a) carrier oils b) acylated nitrogen compounds which are the reaction product of a carboxylic acid-derived acylating agent and an amine c) hydrocarbyl-substituted amines wherein the hydrocarbyl substituent is substantially aliphatic and contains at least 8 carbon atoms d) Mannich base additives comprising nitrogen-containing condensates of a phenol, aldehyde and primary or secondary amine; and e) polyether amines.

18. A method or use according to any preceding claim which reduces the number of particulates emitted per unit volume of exhaust gas and /or the total mass of particulates emitted per unit volume of exhaust gas.

19. A method or use according to any preceding claim which reduces the number of particulates emitted per unit volume of exhaust gas and /or the total mass of particulates emitted per unit volume of exhaust gas by at least 50%.

20. A method or use according to any preceding claim wherein the agglomeration additive is present in the gasoline composition in an amount of from 0.5 to 50 ppm.

21 . A method of agglomerating nanoparticles in the exhaust stream from the combustion of a gasoline fuel composition in a direct injection spark ignition engine, the method comprising the steps of:

22. A method according to claim 21 which further includes a step of comparing the size distribution of particulates emitted from the exhaust of the engine during combustion of the gasoline fuel composition comprising the agglomeration additive with the size distribution of particulates microns emitted from the exhaust of the engine during combustion of the gasoline fuel composition without the agglomeration additive.