US4818250A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process for producing fuel from plant sources and fuel blends containing same
Assignee: LEMCO ENERGY Inc A CORP OF SOUTH CAROLINA
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Filing: 1987-10-21
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Granted: 1989-04-04
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Expires: 2007-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A plant source fuel is disclosed per se and as a blend constituent for conventional petroleum fuels along with a process for producing same. Limonene obtained from citrus and other plants when distilled and treated to avoid formation of gums is blendable with conventional petroleum fuels up to about 20 volume percent to form blends that meet the standards for such fuels.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Whitworth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:21
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10L; C10L1/00; C10L1/04; C10L1/06; C10L1/10; C10L1/14; C10L1/16; C10L1/1616
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A process for producing a fuel from plant sources comprising the steps of: (a) providing a supply of limonene; (b) distilling the limonene and removing the distillate fraction in a temperature range of from about 346° F. to about 382° F.; (c) removing water from the distilled limonene; and (d) treating the distilled limonene to preclude the formation of gums therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A process for producing a fuel from plant sources comprising the steps of: (a) providing a supply of limonene; (b) distilling the limonene and removing the distillate fraction in a temperature range of from about 346° F. to about 382° F.; (c) removing water from the distilled limonene; and (d) treating the distilled limonene to preclude the formation of gums therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process as defined in claim 1 wherein the limone supplied is food grade d-limonene from citrus plants.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as defined in claim 1 wherein water is removed from the distilled limonene by passing same through through a dessicant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process as defined in claim 3 wherein the dessicant is silica gel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as defined in claim 1 wherein an antioxidant is added to the distilled limonene to inhibit gum formation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as defined in claim 1 wherein the distilled limonene is hydrogenated to convert the limonene to a saturated paraffin whereby gum formation is precluded.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
A process for producing a fuel from plant sources comprising the steps of: (a) supplying a quantity of limonene; (b) distilling the limonene and recovering the distillate fraction in a temperature range equivalent to from about 346° F. to about 382° F. based on atmospheric distillation; and (c) treating the distilled limonene to at least reduce the formation of gum therefrom, whereby the fuel generally meets ASTM standards for petroleum fuels when blended therewith.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
A process for producing a fuel from plant sources comprising the steps of: (a) supplying a quantity of limonene; (b) distilling the limonene and recovering the distillate fraction in a temperature range equivalent to from about 346° F. to about 382° F. based on atmospheric distillation; and (c) treating the distilled limonene to at least reduce the formation of gum therefrom, whereby the fuel generally meets ASTM standards for petroleum fuels when blended therewith.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as defined in claim 7 wherein further the distilled limonene is subjected to a drying agent to remove water therefrom.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as defined in claim 7 wherein the limonene is distilled at atmospheric pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as defined in claim 7 wherein the distilled limonene is hydrogenated to convert the limonene to a saturated paraffin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as defined in claim 7 wherein an antioxidant is added to the distilled limonene to inhibit gum formation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process as defined in claim 11 where the antioxidant is a phenylenediamene.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as defined in claim 12 wherein the phenylenediamene is N, N' disecondary butyl paraphenylenediamene
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process as defined in claim 8 wherein the drying agent is silica gel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
An improved plant source fuel comprising a distilled limonene, said limonene having a purity of at least about 95 volume percent, a water level of no greater than about 0.1 weight percent, an octane number of less than about 90 and being characterized by the absence of available olefinic bonds for formation of gums.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
An improved plant source fuel comprising a distilled limonene, said limonene having a purity of at least about 95 volume percent, a water level of no greater than about 0.1 weight percent, an octane number of less than about 90 and being characterized by the absence of available olefinic bonds for formation of gums.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
An improved plant source fuel as defined in claim 15 wherein an antioxidant is present to inhibit formation of gums.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
An improved plant source fuel as defined in claim 15 wherein the limonene is hydrogenated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
An improved plant source fuel as defined in claim 15 wherein the water content is about 0.01 weight percent.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
61 words
An improved fuel blend comprising: (a) a conventional petroleum fuel; and (b) up to about 20 volume percent of a distilled limonene, said limonene having a purity of at least about 95 volume percent and being characterized by the absence of available olefinic bonds for formation of gums; said blend having a vapor pressure less than that of the petroleum fuel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
61 words
An improved fuel blend comprising: (a) a conventional petroleum fuel; and (b) up to about 20 volume percent of a distilled limonene, said limonene having a purity of at least about 95 volume percent and being characterized by the absence of available olefinic bonds for formation of gums; said blend having a vapor pressure less than that of the petroleum fuel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fuel blend as defined in claim 19 wherein the limonene is present in an amount of about 10 volume percent.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
A fuel blend as defined in claim 19 wherein the limonene is hydrogenated.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
A fuel blend as defined in claim 19 wherein the limonene contains an antioxidant.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
A fuel blend as defined in claim 19 wherein the limonene has a water content of no greater than about 0.1 weight percent.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
A fuel blend as defined in claim 23 wherein the water content is about 0.01 weight percent.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
An improved fuel blend as defined in claim 19 wherein the petroleum fuel is an unleaded gasoline.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
An improved fuel blend as defined in claim 19 wherein the petroleum fuel is a diesel fuel.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
An improved fuel blend as defined in claim 19 wherein the petroleum fuel is an aviation fuel.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
An improved fuel blend as defined in claim 19 wherein the petroleum fuel is a jet fuel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-04-03 | 1992-10-03 | 1993-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-03 | 1996-10-03 | 1997-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-03 | 2000-10-03 | 2001-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |