초록 ▼

The present invention provides a viscous fuel, which includes a fuel substance held in a polymeric structure, where the viscous fuel has benefits over previous fuels, including performance enhancements and desirable physical characteristics. One embodiment of the formulation includes neat methanol,

The present invention provides a viscous fuel, which includes a fuel substance held in a polymeric structure, where the viscous fuel has benefits over previous fuels, including performance enhancements and desirable physical characteristics. One embodiment of the formulation includes neat methanol, to which a thickening substance, such as that sold commercially under the trade name Carbopol®, is added to impart viscosity, as well as stabilizing and suspending properties. In addition to the thickening substance, a further substance can be added to balance the pH of the viscous fuel when needed.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A liquid fuel for use in a fuel cell, comprising: a carbonaceous fuel substance, wherein the carbonaceous fuel substance is substantially comprised of neat methanol; a thickening substance that imparts viscosity to the fuel substance, thereby forming a viscous fuel; and high

What is claimed is: 1. A liquid fuel for use in a fuel cell, comprising: a carbonaceous fuel substance, wherein the carbonaceous fuel substance is substantially comprised of neat methanol; a thickening substance that imparts viscosity to the fuel substance, thereby forming a viscous fuel; and high surface area carbon particles. 2. The fuel as defined in claim 1, wherein said thickening substance comprises greater than zero and less than 10 per cent by weight of the total composition of the fuel substance. 3. The fuel as defined in claim 1, wherein said thickening substance is substantially comprised of a hydrophobically modified cross-linked polyacrylate polymer. 4. The fuel as defined in claim 1, further comprising a pH-modifying substance. 5. The fuel as defined in claim 4, wherein said pH-modifying substance is an alkaline pH-modifying substance. 6. The fuel as defined in claim 4, wherein said pH-modifying substance is in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH to a value of about 4.0. 7. The fuel as defined in claim 4, wherein said pH-modifying substance is substantially comprised of sodium hydroxide. 8. The fuel as defined in claim 4, wherein said pH-modifying substance comprises greater than zero and less than 5 per cent by weight of the total composition of the fuel substance. 9. The fuel as defined in claim 1 in which the gel fuel has a viscosity of between about 300 and 5000 mPa s. 10. The fuel as defined in claim 1, further comprising safety enhancing additives. 11. The fuel as defined in claim 10 wherein said safety-enhancing additives are selected from the group consisting of colorants, bitters, odorants, and flame retardants. 12. The fuel as defined in claim 1, further comprising polymeric additives. 13. The fuel as defined in claim 1, wherein said high surface area carbon particles are an amorphous carbon black powder. 14. The fuel as defined in claim 1, wherein said high surface area carbon particles comprises greater than zero and less than 5 per cent by weight of the total composition of the fuel substance. 15. A method for making a fuel for use in a fuel cell, comprising: providing a carbonaceous fuel substance, wherein the carbonaceous fuel substance is substantially comprised of neat methanol; adding a thickening substance that imparts viscosity to the fuel substance, thereby forming a viscous fuel; and adding high surface area carbon particles to the viscous fuel. 16. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said thickening substance is substantially comprised of a hydrophobically modified cross-linked poly-acrylate polymer. 17. The method as defined in claim 15, further comprising: adding a pH-modifying substance. 18. The method as defined in claim 17, wherein said pH-modifying substance is an alkaline pH-modifying substance. 19. The method as defined in claim 17, wherein said pH-modifying substance is substantially comprised of sodium hydroxide. 20. The method as defined in claim 15 in which the viscous fuel has a viscosity of between about 300 and 5000 mPa s. 21. The method as defined in claim 15, further comprising: adding safety enhancing additives. 22. The method as defined in claim 21 wherein said safety-enhancing additives are selected from the group consisting of colorants, bitters, odorants, and flame retardants. 23. The method as defined in claim 15, further comprising: adding polymeric additives. 24. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said high surface area carbon particles are an amorphous carbon black powder. 25. The fuel as defined in claim 1, wherein said thickening substance is substantially comprised of a cellulose polymer. 26. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said thickening substance is substantially comprised of a cellulose polymer. 27. A liquid fuel for use in a fuel cell, comprising: a carbonaceous fuel substance, wherein the carbonaceous fuel substance is greater then 99% neat methanol; a thickening substance that imparts viscosity to the fuel substance, thereby forming a viscous fuel, wherein the thickening substance is less than 1% but greater then zero percent by weight of the total composition of the fuel substance; and high surface area carbon particles. 28. The fuel as defined in claim 27, wherein said thickening substance is substantially comprised of a hydrophobically modified cross-linked polyacrylate polymer. 29. The fuel as defined in claim 27, further comprising a pH-modifying substance. 30. The fuel as defined in claim 29, wherein said pH-modifying substance is in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH to a value of about 4.0. 31. The fuel as defined in claim 29, wherein said pH-modifying substance is substantially comprised of sodium hydroxide. 32. The fuel as defined in claim 29, wherein said pH-modifying substance comprises greater than zero and less than 1 percent by weight of the total composition of the fuel substance. 33. The fuel as defined in claim 27 in which the gel fuel has a viscosity of between about 300 and 5000 mPa s. 34. The fuel as defined in claim 27, further comprising safety enhancing additives. 35. The fuel as defined in claim 34, wherein said safety-enhancing additives are selected from the group consisting of colorants, bitters, odorants, and flame retardants. 36. The fuel as defined in claim 27, further comprising polymeric additives. 37. The fuel as defined in claim 27, wherein said high surface area carbon particles are an amorphous carbon black powder. 38. The fuel as defined in claim 27, wherein said high surface area carbon particles comprises greater than zero and less than 1 percent by weight of the total composition of the fuel substance. 39. The fuel as defined in claim 27, wherein said thickening substance is substantially comprised of a cellulose polymer.