ABSTRACT
The use of different feedstocks and processing conditions to produce petroleum fractions affects the composition and stability of petroleum products. According to the literature, about 500 original patents are published every year on various fuel additives with the majority related to detergent additives for automotive gasolines, diesel fuel wax depressants, antioxidants, metal deactivators, stabilizers, ignition, and combustion modifiers (Danilov, 2001). The patent literature shows an increased interest in antifoaming agents which are highly surface active additives. There is an increased interest to use antifoaming agents, such as polysiloxanes and quaternary ammonium salts, as suppressants of evaporation of gasoline (Danilov, 2001). There are many other additives used, such as biocides, deicers, and dyes. Some additives are known to cause instability problems and are recommended to be used at low treat rates. Some fuels use more than one additive which can lead to compatibility and stability problems. Diesel fuel was reported to contain wax and smoke depressants. Automotive gasoline was reported to contain antioxidant, detergent, and antiknock compounds. The literature reported on some incompatibility issues among some additives. The thickening effect and the fuel phase separation were reported when mixing Ca alkylphenolates with polybutene amine detergents. The filterability of diesel fuel was affected by mixing Ba alkylphenolates with polyvinylacetate wax depressant (Danilov, 2001). The type and the chemistry of some fuel additives are shown in Table 6.1.
