Abstract: An aqueous fuel composition comprising hydrocarbon petroleum distillate, purified water, and an additive composition, in which the aqueous fuel composition, and particularly the additive composition, is comprised of components which are essentially free of silicon, resulting in a fuel having reduced particulate emissions with a resulting reduction in exhaust system deposits. The disclosure further provides for an aqueous fuel composition adapted for use in an internal combustion engine having selected components of the fuel system coated with a metal nitride coating, such as chromium nitride or titanium nitride.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a fuel injector assembly of an internal combustion engine during cold operation thereof is disclosed. If a combustion-absent condition is detected in one or more of the cylinders associated with the engine, an engine control module cuts out the affected cylinders thereby preventing additional fuel from being delivered to the cylinders for a predetermined period of time, such as 4-5 seconds. During the period of time in which the cylinders are cut out, the pistons in the remaining cylinders associated with the engine continue to operate thereby heating the engine block. After the predetermined period of time, fuel is again injected into the cylinders if a combustion-present condition is detected therein.

Abstract: A method of formulating a fuel emulsion composition for use in a specified compression ignition engine in which the fuel composition includes a hydrocarbon petroleum distillate, purified water; alcohol; and an additive composition comprising various ingredients. The types and amounts of the fuel and alcohol are selected so that the sum of its net heating value (lower heating value * percent of total composition) and the net heating value of the additive composition yields a net heating value of the aqueous fuel composition that is within the operating parameters for fuel heating values for the engine.

Abstract: An improved method for producing highly stabile aqueous fuel emulsions. The method provides for selectively combining prescribed quantities of diesel fuel, purified water, alcohol, and an additive package and emulsifying the fuel mixture using a high shear mixer. The optimum viscosity and stability in the aqueous fuel emulsion is achieved by bypassing a selected quantity of the fuel emulsion around the high shear mixing device such that the final fuel emulsion includes a bi-modal droplet size distribution having droplet sizes less than about 15 microns in size. Additional stability and performance features of the aqueous fuel emulsion are attributed to the contents of the additive package that includes a combination of surfactants, lubricity additive, cetane improvers, citric acid, and methanol wherein each of the various additives may perform multiple functions.

Abstract: A transportable fuel emulsion blending system is provided. The disclosed embodiments of the transportable fuel emulsion blending system includes a plurality of fluid circuits, including a hydrocarbon circuit, a fuel emulsion additive circuit, a water circuit and an optional alcohol/methanol circuit all of which are disposed on a transportable platform such as a vehicle or moveable skid.

Abstract: The present invention improves operation of a compression ignition engine using a fuel emulsion. Fuel emulsions tend to separate at high temperatures and pressures as a surfactant in the emulsion looses its effectiveness. The present invention employs a fuel cooling device to reduce the fuel emulsion temperature before returning the fuel emulsion to a fuel tank.

Abstract: Reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions during operation of an engine is achieved by using a fuel mixture therein which includes a gaseous fuel and an emulsified pilot fuel. The method includes the steps of (i) advancing air into a combustion chamber of the engine, (ii) advancing a gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber, (iii) injecting an emulsified pilot fuel into the combustion chamber, wherein the emulsified pilot fuel includes water and liquid fuel, and (iv) compressing a mixture which includes (A) the air, (B) the gaseous fuel, and (C) the emulsified pilot fuel within the combustion chamber during a compression stroke of the engine, whereby heat generated by compression of the mixture causes the emulsified pilot fuel to combust so as to ignite the gaseous fuel.