Abstract: A fuel blend for use in an internal combustion engine is provided. The fuel blend comprises a hydrocarbon-containing fuel component and an oxygen-containing component capable of providing a portion of the oxygen needed for combustion of the fuel component under conditions prevailing during the combustion cycle of the internal combustion engine. The major oxygen-providing agent of the oxygen-containing component is one or more compounds having the general formula (I) R2—O—(CO)—R1, wherein R1 is selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl and lower alkynyl groups, R2 is selected from lower alkyl, lower alkenyl and lower alkynyl groups, or a group having the general formula (II) R3—(CO)—O—R4—wherein R3 is selected from lower alkyl, lower alkenyl and lower alkynyl groups, and R4 is selected from lower alkyl. The blend may additionally comprise one or more of a stabilizer, a biocide and a substituted alcohol.

Abstract: A valve actuator with an emergency shutdown feature incorporates shutdown of the valve when a sensed line pressure is outside of high- and low-pressure trip points. The actuator can be manually tripped. The actuator can be tripped in the event of a fire or, incorporating a solenoid, a trip can be accomplished with an appropriate signal. Once tripped, the actuator requires manual reset. The normal open and closed operation of the valve cooperates with a clutching mechanism which is part of the trip system. The preferred embodiment of the clutching system is a torsion spring or springs which normally allow movement in one direction but not in the other unless acted upon by the tripping system.