Energy source using hydrogenated vegetable oil diluted into diesel fuel

#The present invention is related to combustible fuels, such as those used in boiler operations for the purpose of producing steam as an energy source. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a mixture of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil and diesel fuel to be used as a combustible medium. The present invention is also directed to a method of operating a diesel boiler with such a mixture and a process for producing such a mixture.

#Companies today are searching for alternative renewable, cleaner burning energy sources, particularly for industrial use, for environmental and regulatory reasons. Further, limited resources of natural gas, diesel fuel and coal has created a further need for such alternative fuel sources.

#In particular, a typical combustion medium in boilers is pure diesel fuel. When pure diesel fuel is burned in a boiler, the smoke stack associated with the boiler will output an emission with a significant sulfur content. Since a high sulfur content in the outputted emission is considered hazardous for the environment, these emissions are the subject of considerable government regulations. As a result of such environmental concerns and regulations, there is a need for fuels with reduced sulfur content. This need is expected to be even greater in the future as new and stricter regulations on exhaust emissions will require even lower sulfur levels.

#The present invention is directed to using partially hydrogenated vegetable oil to provide an advantageously diluted diesel fuel to form a mixture for use as boiler fuel. The resulting fuel mixture may be more cost effective and is more environmentally friendly than pure diesel oil and also saves natural resources. Once properly and effectively evenly dispensed into the diesel fuel, the vegetable oil component does not separate from the diesel fuel component.

#The vegetable oil can be, for example, soybean oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil or canola oil or any other partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Preferably, the partially hydrogenated vegetable oil has an Iodine Value (IV) of approximately 50-120. Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils in the higher end of this IV range are readily pourable and mix easily with diesel fuel. Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils at the lower end of this IV range (less than about 80 IV) often will be too viscous or thick to be combined directly with diesel fuel. However, these lower IV partially hydrogenated vegetable oils can be used in the present invention if heated, to about 100° F.-135° F. for example, prior to mixing with diesel fuel, in order to make the oil freely flowable. It has been determined, in conjunction with the present invention, that with such heated lower IV oils, once combined with diesel fuel, the oil will not re-thicken. This feature minimizes the possibility that the resulting fuel will foul injectors or the like.

#It is necessary to mix the vegetable oil and diesel fuel with agitation or similar means, prior to being fed to the boiler, so as to insure a consistent blend. Once the mixture is formed, the method of introduction and burning of the mixture is the conventional method used in the common diesel fuel boiler operation.