| 摘要 |
Fuel for a compression ignition (diesel) engine is contacted at a point between the fuel tank and the injectors with a solid dispersion of finely divided alkali metal whereby the metal is released and suspended in the fuel prior to injection into the combustion chamber to increase the cetane number of the fuel. The dispersion medium may be a solid hydrocarbon, such as a petroleum wax, or a solid ether, and may contain a modifying agent, such as a solid or liquid hydrocarbon or ether, or an activated bentone, to maintain the physical characteristics of the dispersion constant between -50 C. and +70 DEG C., and may also contain a dispersing agent. In examples sodium is dispersed in naphthalene, diphenyl, p-di-ethoxy benzene and durene, and petrolatum, kerosene, petroleum distillate, paraffin wax, and n-butyl-n-propyl ether are used as modifying agents, and oleic acid is used as a dispersing agent. Other alkali metals mentioned are potassium, lithium, rubidium and caesium. Other dispersing media mentioned are acenaphthalene, 1- and 2-phenyl naphthalenes, and diphenylene oxide. The concentration of alkali metal in the dispersion may be between 10 and 85 per cent by weight. The fuel may be a diesel fuel, but other hydrocarbon fuels, such as motor gasoline and aviation gasoline, may be used.
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