Rates of indole-phenalenone reactions in middle distillate fuel.

Abstract

Although reactions of indole with phenalene were postulated as contributing to sediment formation upon aging of distillate fuels, no evidence was found for reaction of phenalenone in accelerated aging of fuels by the O overpressure or higher temp. aging. Most indole, either from chem. sources or from MeOH exts. of light cycle oils, reacted under all exptl. conditions, even in expts. in which no sediment was produced. Addn. of either indole or 2-methylindole to the ext.-straight run distillate mixts. produced considerably more particulate matter on aging, whereas no addnl. particulate was formed by addn. of 3-methylindole. The results support formation of indole-phenalene particulates in aged fuels by reaction of phenalene and 3-alkylphenalenes. [on SciFinder(R)]