Abstract: This disclosure concerns the synthesis and use of novel polymers based on ethylene and vinyl esters, modified by conjugation to improve their solubility in liquid hydrocarbons, as double-purpose additives to improve the filterability and flow of liquid hydrocarbons at low temperatures, in particular for middle distillates derived from the distillation of petroleum and crude oil.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use, in a hydrocarbon distillate with a boiling temperature of between 150 and 450° C. and a crystallization onset temperature as measured by Differential Calorimetric Analysis of greater than or equal to ?50° C., preferably of ?5° C. to +10° C., of a homopolymer obtained from an olefinic ester of carboxylic acid of 3 to 12 carbon atoms and from a fatty alcohol containing a chain of more than 16 carbon atoms and optionally an olefinic double bond, as a compound for revealing the efficiency of filterability additives based on copolymer and/or terpolymers of ethylene and of vinyl ester of a carboxylic acid of 3 to 12 carbon atoms, and of a monoalcohol containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The invention is also directed to an additive composition comprising a conventional hydrocarbon filterability additive in combination with an efficiency reveal additive, and also to the combustion fuels, motor fuel and oil fuel that comprise these additive combinations.

Abstract: Cetane improver for diesel fuels, characterized in that it comprises at least one ester of stearic acid, selected from the esters of linear or branched monoalcohols containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms: a) added in the pure state to a mixture of at least one vegetable or animal oil ester in crude or partially hydrogenated form b) or else included in a mixture of esters of one or more vegetable and/or animal oils, in crude or partially hydrogenated form, the mixtures of saturated or unsaturated esters being such that the ratio by mass of the amount of stearic ester(s) to the total sum of the amounts of unsaturated esters present in the vegetable or animal oil esters varies from 1% to 12%, and the unsaturated fatty acid esters being esters of mono or polyunsaturated acids containing at least 18 carbon atoms with monoalcohols.

Abstract: The invention relates to an emulsified fuel, comprising a major fraction of an emulsion of water and liquid hydrocarbons with a weight ratio of water/hydrocarbons of 5/95 to 35/65, characterised in containing an emulsifying system with at least 15% by weight of a fatty acid ester and polyoxyalkylated glycerol with at least one component of the group formed by the esters of fatty acids and sorbitan and the products of condensation of a succinic acid or anhydride with at least one amine, polyamine, fatty acid, polyoxyalkylated fatty acid, alcohol, polyoxyalkylated alcohol and mixtures of the above. The invention further relates to a method for production of such an emulsified fuel, a composition of emulsifying additives for such an emulsified fuel, a method for improvement of the thermal stability of an emulsified fuel by means of use such an additive composition, as well as the use of such an emulsified fuel as engine fuel.

Abstract: The invention concerns an emulsified fuel containing a hydrocarbon liquid phase, an aqueous phase and at least one emulsifier, having a water/hydrocarbon ration ranging between 5/95 and 35/65. The invention also concerns the method for making such fule.

Abstract: The invention provides an emulsified fuel containing a major portion of hydrocarbon liquid and a minor portion of water, containing a set of additives including an emulsifying system comprising from 2.5 to 3.5 parts by weight of at least one sorbitol ester, from 1.5 to 2.5 parts by weight of at least one polyalkoxylated fatty acid ester and from 0.5 to 2.0 parts by weight of at least one polyalkoxylated compound selected from di- and tri-alkylated iso alcohols, the HLB of the emulsifying system varying from 6 to 8. Additive compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns an emulsified fuel containing a major part of hydrocarbon liquid and a minor part of 5 to 35 wt. % of water, containing a set of additives, among which an emulsifying system comprising 2.5 to 3.5 parts by weight of at least a sorbitol ester, 1.5 to at least 2.5 parts by weight of an least a polyalkoxylated fatty acid ester and 0.5 to 2.0 parts by weight of at least a polyalkoxylated compound selected among iso-, di- or trialkyl alcohols.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the flashpoint of a substance, including a test cup adapted to contain the substance, a heating element which heats the substance, a tube and a needle valve which produce a calibrated flame, a temperature sensor which measures the temperature of the substance, and an optical detector, having at least one optical fiber, which detects variations in the light intensity from the flame, or from the ignited vapor emitted by the substance.