WO2012016250A1

WO2012016250A1 - Procces for producing motor fuel from gasoline and ethanol, and motor fuel produced by this procces

Info

Publication number: WO2012016250A1
Application number: PCT/VN2011/000004
Authority: WO
Inventors: Van Dung Duong
Original assignee: Van Dung Duong
Priority date: 2010-07-26
Filing date: 2011-07-15
Publication date: 2012-02-02

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for producing motor fuel from gasoline and ethanol, wherein the process comprises mixing gasoline into ethanol in the presence of a first additive of zeolite and dolomite, and a second additive of the essential oil of physic nut (Jatropha curcas). Ethanol for use in the process of the invention contains less than 5% volume water, especially anhydrous ethanol or ethanol which had been dewatered by use of a dewatering additive, which is a mixture of kaolin and diatomite. The product of the process of the invention is environment-friendly motor fuel having standard properties, which does not require any changes to motor's structure when being used for vehicle motors.

Description

PROCCES FOR PRODUCING MOTOR FUEL FROM GASOLINE AND ETHANOL, AND MOTOR FUEL PRODUCED BY THIS PROCCES

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to petrochemistry, in particular to production of fuels for vehicle motors. More particularly, the present invention relates to process for producing fuel for vehicle motors on the basis gasoline and alcohol, especially ethanol, also called gasoline mixed with alcohol (gasohol).

Background of the invention

Gasoline used for vehicle motors is a commercial product from petroleum. The global petroleum resource has now significantly decreased. Besides, the use of gasoline 100% produced from petroleum leads to high level of pollution. Thus, search for an alternative fuel source or substituting component has been of special interest and attracted huge investment around the globe.

One of R&D approaches that has been invested and regarded as highly feasible is to replace a part of gasoline of the commercial gasoline product by a substituted fuel. A substituted fuel of high interest is alcohol, namely ethanol.

However, the partial substitution of ethanol to the final fuel is subject to strict technical requirements because of the drawbacks in dissolving ethanol into gasoline, including layer-separation since gasoline and water (blended in ethanol) do not dissolve into each other. Consequently, the final fuel {gasohol) fails to meet the technical requirements, especially the required detonation resistance properties, usually presented by the octan index (octane number), for the most common uses of gasoline in practice, in particular its use as fuel for the operation of motors such as that of motorcycles or cars. Thus, anhydrous alcohol (ethanol) should be used, while the price of technical ethanol (comprising at least 95% ethanol) is much higher than that of the commercial ethanol (comprising about 90% ethanol). Additionally, dissolving ethanol into gasoline requires gasoline to be of special composition, and not all types of gasoline can be used in mixing with ethanol for the commercial purpose in operating vehicle motors or aeroplane engines. Besides, the mixing ratio between ethanol and gasoline should also be controlled so as to meet the technical requirements of the final fuel such as the octan index and Reid vapor pressure, etc.. Consequently, the ethanol substitution rate of gasoline is not practically high.

Vietnamese patent application No. 1-2007-02276 disclosed a fuel made on the basis ethanol and liquid low chain hydrocarbon or a mixture of these hydrocarbons. In particular, this invention relates to a fuel comprising ethanol in amount up to 80% weight, water in amount up to 5% ethanol weight, acetylene in amount ranging from 0.05% to 0.10% ethanol weight, and a low chain liquid hydrocarbon or a mixture of low chain liquid hydrocarbons having the octan index in range between 60 and 90. According to the present invention, the presence of acetylene in amount ranging from 0.05% to 0.10% is the critical factor for ethanol and low chain liquid hydrocarbon or mixture of hydrocarbons having the octan index in range between 60 and 90 completely dissolve into each other at any ethanol ratio up to 80% weight. According to this invention, low chain liquid hydrocarbons or mixture of low chain liquid hydrocarbons having the octan index in range between 60 and 90 is a mixture of condensated liquids of the natural gas (also called condensates) or light gasoline, both of these products mainly comprise of n-parafines of 5 to 8 C atoms, and have octan index around 70. Dao Hung Cuong (Da Nang Pedagogics University, Vietnam), Nguyen Dinh Thong (Petrolimex Region V - Da Nang, Vietnam), and Truong Quoc Hung (Dung Quat College of Technologies, Vietnam) had conducted study on mixing gasoline with ferrocene and ethanol aiming at improving the octan index of gasoline. According to the study result, the mixing of ethanol into gasoline increases its octan index. Mixing ethanol at the ratio of 6% volume into gasoline 92 raises the octan index to 95.00. When mixing ethanol at the ratio of 4% volume into gasoline 92, along with 16mg ferrocene into in each litre of gasoline, the octan index rises to 95.30 while still assuring the required amount of oxygen, benzene, Fe and oxidization stability in accordance with Vietnamese Quality Standards (TCVN 6776:2005). However, the ethanol replacement ratio and the octan index of the final gasoline product in accordance with this study are not substantially higher than that of the earlier tested fuels.

Dewatering ethanol (removal water from ethanol) has been mentioned in the field of the art. Most of the dewatering processes invokes distillation of ternary azeotrope or non-distillation method using various adsorbents.

Patent application PCT US79/00986 (Michael John Chambers) discloses a process to remove water from gasoline-ethanol system by using a work station incorporating a dehydration drying unit, a boiler and a condenser.

Most of distillation methods disclosed in patent documents consist of addition of a third component into a mixture of binary azeotrope of water and ethanol, where the third component is soluble in water, but not ethanol, to produce a ternary azeotrope, which, is then subject to distillation. US patents Nos. 2,140,690; 2,163,692; 2,358,193; 2,386,058 and 3,575,818 as well as UK patent No. 566,025 and Polish patent No. 70,786 all belong to this general method. Other additional examples of dewatering ethanol have been mentioned in a number of patent documents. For example, US patents Nos. 2,173,692; 2,358,193 and 3,575,818 disclosed process for producing anhydrous ethanol by distillating a ternary azeotrope obtained by addition of diisopropl ether, ethyl ether, pentane and cyclohenxane, into a binary azeotrope, respectively.

Non-distillation methods for dehydration of ethanol focused on the use of adsorbents, such as those disclosed in US patent No. 2,137,605, German patent No. 1,272,293 and Canadian patent No. 498,587. These methods include the use of adsorbents or absorbents for dehydrating ethanol such as materials like alumina, clinoptilolite, zeolite sodium- A, and bauxite, fuller's earth, and acid- activated bentonite.

US patent No. 4,273,621 (Louis L. Fornoff) relates to means for drying ethanol to produce ethanol-gasoline fuel (gasohol) by a method including distillation at high pressure (by using a distillation column) so as to obtain vapor phase ethanol- water mixture comprising about 90% ethanol weight, and then drying the said vaporous mixture in presence of C0₂ with crystalline zeolite type 3A, utilizing the "pressure energy" obtained from the distillation step to allow the ethanol product to condense at ambient temperature, and finally employing ethanol 98° for mixing with gasoline 92 making a biofuel. The zeolite type used in accordance with the present invention is 3 Angstrom molecular sieve adsorbent since all other commercially available crystalline zeolite or molecular sieves, as well as carbon, alumina, and silica gel, would co-adsorb ethanol and C0₂.

Therefore, it is necessary to develop a motor fuel as ethanol-gasoline fuel on the basis of any commercial gasoline product, rather than a special gasoline, at the same time utilizing commercial ethanol without need of any complicated dewatering process like distillation or use of any special equipment systems, and increasing the ethanol replacement ratio to gasoline, namely the ratio of ethanol to be mixed into gasoline, while assuring good technical properties of the final fuel, with view to lower the price of the gasoline used as motor fuel.

Summary of the invention

In order to achive the above object, the present invention provides a process for producing motor fuel on the basis gasoline and ethanol, wherein ethanol to be used is ethanol containing less than 5% volume water, utilizing a first additive of zeolite and dolomite and a second additive of Ratropha essential oil (also called Jatropha essential oil).

In a preferred embodiment, the mixing gasoline into ethanol includes preparing a first additive by dissolving a mixture consisting of zeolite and dolomite into commercial gasoline so as to render them liquid. Preferrably, the said mixture consists of 60% zeolite and 40% dolomite. More preferably, the said mixture is prepared by mixing each 8kg dolomite and 12kg zeolite into commercial gasoline (gasoline 92) with volume in range between 50 and 100 litre to completely dissolution, the insoluble components are filtered off. Before mixing into ethanol comprising less than 5% voluime water, the commercial gasoline should be added with thus prepared first liquid additive at the ratio each litre of the first additive to 10 litre of the commercial gasoline (gasoline 92), making a mixture of the commercial gasoline including the first additive. The last mixture is mixed with ethanol comprising less than 5% voluime water. In order to produce the final motor fuel product, to the above mixture of gasoline including the first additive and ethanol comprising less than 5% voluime water should be added a second additive of Ratropha essential oil (also called Jatropha essential oil). Preferrably, this second additive is employed at the ratio of each litre of the second additive for 5,000 litre mixture of the commercial gasoline already added with the first liquid additive and ethanol comprising less than 5% voluime water.

In another preferred embodiment, the mixture of commercial gasoline comprising the first liquid additive and anhydrous ethanol (or dewatered ethanol 98°) is mixed at the volume ratio gasoline (92) : ethanol in range between 50:50 and 80:20 (% volume) for producing motor fuel with the octan index ranging from 98 to 100.

In another preferred embodiment, the ethanol comprising less than 5% voluime water to be used for mixing with commercial gasoline is anhydrous ethanol.

In another preferred embodiment, the ethanol comprising less than 5% voluime water to be used for mixing with commercial gasoline is dewatered commercial ethanol. More preferably, the commercial ethanol is dewatered by use of a dewatering additive which is a mixture of kaolin and diatomite.

In another preferred embodiment, the dewatering additive used for removing water (dewatering) from commercial ethanol is a mixutre of 40% kaolin and 60% diatomite.

In another preferred embodiment, the dewatering additive is used to remove water from commercial ethanol at the ratio each 20kg additive, which consists of 8kg kaolin and 12kg diatomite, for 10,000 litre ethanol, preferrably ethanol 95°.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments Process of the present invention is performed with additives, the composition and the preparation of these additives are disclosed in details below.

The phytomaterial for producing the essential oil used as the second additive in mixing gasoline into ethanol is the nuts (seeds) of physic nut, also called Ratropha tree (Latin nomenclature: Ratropha curcas). This tree belongs to Ricinus communis (euphorbiaceae), and it has been called with different names like Jatropha curcas, the diesel plant, Jatropha curces. etc.. The recognizable indications of this tree include its being a kind of brushwood, smooth grey bark, and having dilute sap in ivory colour. Physic nut trees are usually of height from 3 to 5m, in appropriate conditions can be as high as 8 to 10m. Leaves of the physic nut trees are green or pale-green, from 3 to 5 leaves are located helically opposite. Leave stem is long from 6 to 23cm. Flowers are produced in inflorescence from axil, being monosexual flowers, wherein the female flowers are usually bigger than the male ones. Flowers are observed in summer, pollinated by insects, especially honey-bees. Fruits are produced in winter after the fall, or there may be several crops during the year if soil moisture is good and temperatures are sufficiently high. Each inflorenscence gives about 10 fruits. The fruit cover is formed after the seeds are mature and the fruit pulp becomes dry. Seeds mature in about 2 to 4 months when the capsule (fruit cover) changes from green to yellow. The seeds have black-like husk, slender long form. Applications of physic nut have been extensively studied and developed around the globe, especially in countries like Australia, India, China and mainly to serve as biofuel, in particular biodiesel. Diesel oil extracted from fruits of this tree could be directly used for good operation of diesel motors (see: Du, 2006). A New Zealan airline has recently successfully used the biofuel extracted from the physic nuts seeds as fuel for their aeroplanes. In Vietnam, the physic nut, apart from being a fence tree, has been extensively propagated and grown in industrial scale. Productivity of variety VN 08-52 is as high as 647.40 kg/ha, followed by variety AD 08-34 at 472.20kg/ha. From 5ha testing area in Dak Lak, Dak Ha, Kon Turn (Vietnam), ripen physic nut fruits have been harvested to mannualy extract rough oil at the rate of 37%. Oil content of variety VN 08-56 reaches 35.20%, while that of variet AD 08-31 is minimum 26.90%.

The inventor has found that the essential oil of the said physic nut is an effective additive for mixing commercial gasoline with ethanol to produce motor fuel, especially with the anti-corrosive property so as to protect motor. For this purpose, physic nut seeds are harvested, then peeled (the outer layer), ground to size in range between 3 and 5mm and next being steamed in 500 kg steamers at temperature of 100°C for 60 minutes, normal pressure (atmospheric pressure). Then, all the content is transferred into a hydraulic pressing machine, residues are discarded. The obtained liquid is the essential oil of the physic nut and should be stored in dry at temperature in range between 26 and 30°C. The essential oil product is green and can be used within 12 to 24 months.

The term "commercial ethanol" is used in the present description means ethanol comprising more than 5% (volume) water. The term "anhydrous ethanof is used in the present description means ethanol comprising less than 2% volume water. Similarly, the term "ethanol 98°" is used in the present description means ethanol having about 98% volume of ethanol and about 2% of water.

The term "gasoline 92" is used in the present description means gasoline product having the octan index about 92. Similarly, the terms "gasoline 95" or "gasoline 98" is used in the present description means gasoline product having the octan index of about 95 or 98, respectively. Zeolite, diatomite, dolomite and kaolin belong to a group of clay minerals which have been formed as the result of deposition of volcanic ash and chemical transformation from zeolite, to diatomite, next dolomite and then kaolin. This means the clay content gradually increases from zeolite to kaolin, wherein the kaolin's clay content is in range between 80% and 85% weight. Chemical composition of these minerals includes two main components Si0₂ and A1₂0₃, while the content of MgO, CaO, Fe₂0₃, FeO, Na₂0, K₂0, P₂0₅, algea and insoluble residues is usually from 2 to 3% weight. The most important property of the said minerals is their capacity to exchange ions. Zeolite also plays another important role in producing electron to facilitate ion-exchange, diatomite 's capacity of ion-exchange is lower than that of zeolite. These properties are important to the process for producing motor fuel on the basis gasoline and ethanol.

The minerals used in the process of the invention are prepared by means which is described below with no intention to limit the scope of the invention.

Each mineral is separately exploited and processed by using mechanical equipments such as excavating machine and transportation machine. The process was performed at Cat Hanh commune, Phu Cat district, Binh Dinh province. This is the site of mineral mines comprising kaolin, diatomite, dolomite and zeolite, the exploitation of 20.40 ha here from the year 2005 to the year 2055 under a licence granted by the State authority is managed by Son Ha Ltd. Co. at Binh Dinh province.

After exploitation, each mineral is being dried under the sun, ground into powder of size in range between 1mm and 5mm. Then, this fine powder is put into a first container for dissolving in water at the ratio each tone mineral into 5 tones water. Next, the mixture of mineral and water is subject to centrifugal dissolution by using a propeller engine, then the liquid phase is separated into a second container, the residues in the first container are discarded. Let the liquid in the second container stand for about 30 minutes, discard the upper clear aqueous layer and collect the deposited powder. This deposited powder is then transferred into a belt to be dried at temperature 100°C in about 5 minutes. The product obtained may be packed for storage and use.

All of the above mentioned minerals are processed and treated for use in the process for producing motor fuel useful for vehicle motors without requiring any changes to the motors' structure while assuring that the final fuel is environment friendly and its technical properties meet high standards.

Both kaolin and diatomite have especially active role in the step of dewaterring commercial ethanol. In particular, kaolin absorbs water and hence removes water from ethanol (having from 2 to 4% water, i.e. ethanol 96° - 98°). At the same time, diatomite can filter water and facilitates kaolin's quick dissolution into the mixture of aqueous ethanol.

The inventor also discovered that dolomite and zeolite have special role in the step of mixing gasoline with ethanol so as to render the obtained product complying with the standard requirements of motor fuels. In particular, dolomite can regulate the octan index of ethanol, minimize harmful hydrocarbons. At the same time, zeolite cools off the motors, reduces pollution, in particular resolves the pollution caused by SO_x and NO_x gases, resolves the problem with the redundant carbon, prevents acid rain caused by exhaust fumes, improves the energy effect, prevents wear out caused by the burning heat. It can also easily burns out, prevents the formation of black smoke, optimizes the burning effect, improves the burning process of hydrocarbons, contributes to renderring biological saturation in order to impove the burning effect, and supplies oxygen for hydrocarbons to burn even more safely.

Zeolite used in the process for producing fuel on the basis gasoline and ethanol is available in form of oxy-zeolite, with the content of Si0₂ + AI2O3 > 80% and K₂0 > 1.50%, Na₂0 >0.05%, Fe₂0₃ < 2%, pH in range between 7 and 8 and the moisture in range between 5% and 7% (round beads sized from 3 to 5mm, or powder having the particle size in range between 0.10mm and 0.20mm, grey white, quickly dissolving in water, the residue amount <2%).

Diatomite used in the process for producing fuel on the basis gasoline and ethanol has the amount Si0₂ + A1₂0₃ > 60% and K₂0 > 1%, Na₂0 > 0,7%, Fe₂0₃ < 3%, pH in range between 7 and 8 and the moisture in range between 5% and 7% (round beads sized from 3 to 5mm, or powder with particle size in range between 0.10 and 0.20mm in grey white, quickly dissolving in water, the residue amount about 3%)

Dolomite used in the process for producing fuel on the basis gasoline and ethanol has the amount MgO > 19%, CaO > 30%, A1₂0₃ < 1%, Fe₂0₃ = 0.20%, pH = 8-9 and the moisture < 10%, insoluble components 4% (in form of fine powder sized from 0.10 to 0.20mm white, quickly dissolving in water, the residue amount about 3%)

Kaolin used in the process for producing fuel on the basis gasoline and ethanol is available in form of white fine powder, sized from 0.10 to 0.30mm, with the clay amount 85%; Si0₂ + A1₂0₃ = 30%, Fe₂0₃ = 2%; CaO = 3%, impurities about 3%, swelling > 70%, pH about 7; moisture < 10%

Ethanol used in the process of the invention is an industrial product, also called alcohol. Preferrably, ethanol used in accordance with the invention is anhydrous ethanol. The term "anhydrous" is used in the present description means an ethanol product comprising less than 2% (weight) of water.

As water is an undesirable component in ethanol in relation to its use for mixing into gasoline to produce motor fuel, it is necessary to dewater the ethanol if anhydrous ethanol is not available. The step of dewatering ethanol is performed by adding a dewatering additive in form of a mixture of kaolin and diatomite to commercial ethanol (comprising about 95% ethanol and 5% water). In particular, the dewatering additive to be added to commercial ethanolis a mixture of about 40% kaolin and about 60% diatomite. Preferrably, the dewatering additive for use is a mixture of 8kg kaolin and 12kg diatomite for mixing into each volume between 10,000 litre and 20,000 litre, preferrably between 10.000 litre and 15.000 litre, of ethanol in a container. Next, a propeller engine mixes them very well for about 60 minutes so as to render the active ingredients dissolved in the ethanol container. The additive and water are separated from ethanol in the container with volume in range between 10,000 litre and 20,000 litre by layer separation: ethanol constitutes the upper layer while the additive and water settle down. The settlings amounting to 5% weight, consisting of water and additive, are discarded. Ethanol obtained after dewatering is a white liquid.

Gasoline as material for mixing with ethanol to produce motor fuel in the process of the invention is commercial gasoline, usually gasoline 92, i.e. gasoline having the octan index about 92. In the step of mixing gasoline into ethanol of the process of the invention, the above dewatered ethanol, or anhydrous ethanol, is used for mixing with commercial gasoline at any ratio by use of additives. The first additive is prepared by mixing a mixture consisting of zeolite and dolomite into a solvent of commercial gasoline. Preferably, the first additive is a mixture of 60% zeolite and 40% dolomite. More preferably, the first additive is prepared by immersing each mixture of about 12kg zeolite and 8kg dolomite into a solvent of commercial gasoline 92 with volume in range between 50 litre and 100 litre. The remaining insoluble components are filtered off, and the gasoline with dissolved zeolite and dolomite is then used. Next, add the prepared first additive in liquid form to the commercial gasoline, preferrably at the ratio each litre of the first additive in gasoline for 10 litre the commercial gasoline 92. This mixture is mixed with anhydrous ethanol or the above dewatered ethanol at the ratio of ethanol replacement, e.g. 50% gasoline and 50% ethanol, or 60% gasoline and 40% ethanol, or 70% gasoline and 30% ethanol, or 80% gasoline and 20% ethanol. The first additive is prepared and utilized as mentioned above can render gasoline and ethanol completely dissolve into each other, clean harmful components from this mixture, regulate the octan index, and maintain the stability of the final motor fuel product (could be stored for 1 to 2 years without losing its colour while preserving its good technical properties).

In order to obtain the final fuel product, to the mixture of commercial gasoline (mixed with the first liquid additive) and anhydrous ethanol (or the said dewatered ethanol), in form of a liquid mixture and with no settlings, should be added a second additive. This additive can biologically modify sulfur molecules and protect the motor in use. Relating to the burning process of gasoline, this additive can save energy and improve the burning effect by reducing the burning temperature, reducing settlings, completely burning, high heat exchange, reducing air pollution, especially reducing exhaust fumes SO_x, NO_x, CO, C_mH_n and black smoke. The use of this additive can also reduce expenses for maintenance of the working system, achieving high performance effect, high stability and low rate of technical failure of the system (preventing from wearing out) and therefore extending the working term of the motor. This additive is the essential oil of physic nut, which had been prepared as mentioned above. Preferrably, this additive is used at the ratio each litre additive for 5,000 litre mixture consisting of gasoline 92 and alcohol 98° at a predetermined ratio to produce the final fuel as a green liquid.

The motor fuel product of the invention does meet not only the necessary technical requirements, but also presents a useful fuel for almost all kinds of common vehicle motors (motors, motorcycles, cars etc.), removes any need of replacement or modification to the motor, extends the working term of the motor, and reduces pollution.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is scheme of the process for preparing the essential oil of physic nut for use in the process of producing motor fuel of the invention on the basis commercial gasoline and ethanol.

Figure 2 is scheme of the process for producing motor fuel of the invention on the basis commercial gasoline with ethanol as the replacing material.

Examples Process of the invention, disclosed above, has been applied in practice, as represented for non-limiting illustration purpose on Figure 1 and Figure 2. In particular, the essential oil of the physic nut is produced by process represented on figure 1 and stored for use in mixing gasoline into ethanol having water content below 5%. Commercial ethanol (95°) is dewatered by use of the dewatering additive, which is a mixture of 8kg kaolin and 12kg diatomite for each 10,000 litre commercial ethanol. After filtering off residues and water, ethanol 98° is obtained for mixing into gasoline to produce motor fuel. Before mixing ethanol 98° into gasoline, the first additive in form of a mixture of 12kg zeolite and 8kg dolomite is dissolved in each 100 litre commercial gasoline 92, the remaining insoluble components are filtered off to obtain the first liquid additive. Next, the above prepared first liquid additive is added to commercial gasoline 92, at the ratio each litre the first liquid additive for 10 litre commercial gasoline 92. The later mixture of commercial gasoline and the liquid additive is mixed with anhydrous ethanol or ethanol 98°, obtained by dewatering as described above, at a pre-determined ratio between commercial gasoline and ethanol. In order to obtain the final motor fuel product, each volume of 5,000 litre of the latest mixture is mixed with 1 litre essential oil of the physic nut.

4 following samples were obtained by the above process:

1. Sample No. 1 is the sample obtained by the above mentioned process by mixing 20% ethanol with 80% gasoline;

2. Sample No. 2 is the sample obtained by the above mentioned process by mixing 30% ethanol with 70% gasoline;

3. Sample No. 3 is the sample obtained by the above mentioned process by mixing 40% ethanol with 60% gasoline;

4. Sample No. 4 is the sample obtained by the above mentioned process by mixing 50% ethanol with 50% gasoline; The product samples were tested at the laboratory of Quality Assurance & Testing Center 3 (QUATEST3) (Hochiminh City, Vietnam).

Besides, the motor fuel product is obtained had been tested in practice in relation to standard gasoline qualities while being used to run a number of vehicles in Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap province. In particular, Son Ha Limited Company (Binh Dinh province) has produced biofuel in accordance with the process of the invention, and Thanh Tung Limited Company (Dong Thap province) has utilized the fuel for 30 cars (taxi) and hundreds of motorcyles. The tested biofuel product was used for cars and motorcycles without making any change to the vehicle structure and the test result shows that the tested vehicles had been operating safely, CO pollution decreased, the motor lubricant oil temperature decreased and the motor noise also decreased. The tested samples are gasoline samples obtained by the process of the invention, having the octan index about 98 (gasoline 98). Details of the test are provided in the table below:

Lubricant oil temperature (°C) 64 58

Motor noise (dBA) 93 90

The increase in C0₂ content shows that ethanol mixed into gasoline had been converted, i.e. gasoline burnt better.

Results of car operation are below:

The scope of the invention is not limited to the above examples. With reference to the above description, changes and modification to the described embodiments could be obvious to skilled person in the art without going beyond or departing from the idea and the scope of the present invention as claimed below.

Claims

1. Process for producing motor fuel from gasoline and ethanol, wherein the process comprises mixing gasoline into ethanol containing less than 5% volume water using a first additive of zeolite and dolomite and a second additive of essential oil of physic nut {Jatropha curcas) so as to obtain environment-friendly motor fuel with standard properties which does not require any changes to the motor's structure when being used for vehicle motors.

2. Process according to Claim 1, wherein the first additive of zeolite and dolomite is prepared for use in mixing gasoline into ethanol by dissolving a mixture of zeolite and dolomite in commercial gasoline so as to render the first additive liquid.

3. Process according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the weight ratio between zeolite and dolomite in the first additive for mixing gasoline into ethanol is 60:40.

4. Process according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the first liquid additive of zeolite and dolomite is prepared by dissolving zeolite and dolomite in gasoline at the ratio 12kg zeolite : 8kg dolomite : from 50 to 100 litre gasoline.

5. Process according to Claim 4, wherein gasoline, before mixing with ethanol, is mixed with the first liquid additive.

6. Process according to Claim 5, wherein the first liquid additive is mixed with gasoline, before being mixed into ethanol, at the ratio each litre of the first liquid additive to 10 litre of gasoline.

7. Process according to 6, wherein the second additive of the essential oil of physic nut is added to the mixture of gasoline with the first liquid additive and ethanol containing less than 5% volume water.

8. Process according to any of the previous claims, wherein the essential oil of physic nut is used at the ratio each litre of the essential oil to -5,000 litre of mixture of gasoline and ethanol.

9. Process according to any of the previous claims, wherein the ethanol containing less than 5% volume water is obtained by dewatering ethanol containing more than 5% volume water.

10. Process according to Claim 9, wherein the step of dewatering ethanol is performed by use of a dewatering additive which is a mixture of kaolin and diatomite.

11. Process according to Claim 10, wherein the dewatering additive is a mixture consisting of 40% kaolin and 60% diatomite.

12. Process according to Claim 11 , wherein the dewatering additive is a mixture of 8kg kaolin and 12kg diatomite for each 10,000 litre of ethanol.

13. Process according to any of the previous claims, wherein the volume ratio between gasoline and ethanol to produce motor fuel is in the range between 50:50 and 80:20.

14. Motor fuel produced by the process according to any of the previous claims.