Lead-Free Aviation Fuel

Abstract

Lead-free aviation fuel composition with a MON greater than 100, made up of a major component of a fuel made from Avgas and a minor component of at least two compounds from the group of esters of at least one mono-or poly-carboxylic acid and at least one mono- or polyol, anhydrides of a least one mono- or poly-carboxylic acid, preferably aromatic ethers at a level of at least 5% w / w and ketones at a level of more than 10% w / w.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a lead-free aviation fuel composition (Avgas), intended for aircraft with piston or reciprocating engines. In particular, a subject of the present invention is a lead-free aviation fuel with a high octane number and having very good combustion characteristics.TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND[0002]Aviation fuel is a product which has been developed with care and subjected to strict regulations which go hand in hand with any aeronautical application. Thus, the preparation of aviation fuels in the refinery is carried out with bases which are characterized both by a narrow distillation range and high octane numbers. These bases are generally constituted by alkylates, reformates and isopentane cuts, the latter being used in low concentrations due to their high volatility.[0003]But before being marketed, aviation fuels must satisfy other precise physico-chemical characteristics, defined by international specifications. Thus, aviation fu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]The lead-free aviation fuel composition which is the subject of the invention has a sufficiently high octane number, at least equal to 100, an NCV extremely close to 43.5 MJ/kg, preferably greater than this

Problems solved by technology

As in the case of fuels for land vehicles, administrations are tending to lower the lead content, or even to ban this additive, due to it being harmful to health and the environment.

The problem of preparing lead-free AVGAS-type aviation fuels having very good combustion characteristics was not resolved.

Even if these documents seem to show that these additives lead to an increase in the octane number, this increase remains insufficient.

Moreover, the compatibility of these different additives as regards respect for the environment has not been proved.

But the use of such non-petroleum bases, apart from their price, gives rise to storage and logistical technical difficulties of these bases for the refiner, generating costs additional to those generally obtained in order to formulate a standard aviation fuel from a mixture of hydrocarbon bases available in the refinery.

Nevertheless, aviation fuel is subject to much stricter regulations than gasoline for land vehicles, for reasons of reliability and operational safety during the take-off phase and at altitude.

It is therefore not straightforward to use these additives for aviation fuel, for which there are much tougher constraints than those required for automobile gasolines.