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Gasoline additives increase gasoline's octane rating or act as corrosion inhibitors or lubricants, thus allowing the use of higher compression ratios for greater efficiency and power, however some carry heavy environmental risks. Types of additives include metal deactivators, corrosion inhibitors, oxygenates and antioxidants.
The Clean Air Act was put into place in January of 1995 as part of the efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency. This act requires Deposit Control Additives (DCAs) be added to all gasolines. This type of additive is a detergent additive that acts as a cleansing agent in small passages in the carburetor or fuel injectors. This in turn serves to ensure a consistent air and fuel mixture that will contribute to better gas mileage.
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Additives
- Hybrid compound blends
- Combustion catalyst: an organo-metallic compound which lowers the ignition point of fuel in the combustion chamber reducing the temperature burn from 1200 degrees to 800 degree F
- Burn rate modifier increases the fuel burn time, resulting in an increased fuel efficiency
- Polymerization increases fuel ignition surface area resulting in increased power from ignition
- Stabilizer/Demulsifier/Dispersant: prolongs life of fuel and prevents water contamination
- Corrosion inhibitor prevents corrosion of tank and fuel system
- Catalyst additives prolongs engine life and increases fuel economy
- Detergents clean the engine
- Oxygenates
- Alcohols:
- Methanol (MeOH)
- Ethanol (EtOH)
- Isopropyl alcohol (IPA)
- n-butanol (BuOH)
- Gasoline grade t-butanol (GTBA)
- Ethers:
- Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) Now outlawed in many states for road use.
- Tertiary amyl methyl ether (TAME)
- Tertiary hexyl methyl ether (THEME)
- Ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE)
- Tertiary amyl ethyl ether (TAEE)
- Diisopropyl ether (DIPE)
- Alcohols:
- Antioxidants, stabilizers
- Lead scavengers (for leaded gasoline)
- Tricresyl phosphate (TCP) (also an AW additive and EP additive)
- 1,2-Dibromoethane
- 1,2-Dichloroethane
- Fuel dyes, most common:
- Fuel additives in general
- Ether and other flammable hydrocarbons have been used extensively as starting fluid for many difficult-to-start engines, especially diesel engines
- Nitrous oxide, or simply nitrous, is an oxidizer used in auto racing
- Nitromethane, or "nitro," is a high-performance racing fuel
- Acetone is a vaporization additive, mainly used with methanol racing fuel to improve vaporisation at start up
- Butyl rubber (as polyisobutylene succinimide, detergent to prevent fouling of diesel fuel injectors)
- Ferox (catalyst additive that increases fuel economy, cleans engine, lowers emission of pollutants, prolongs engine life)
- Picrate improves combustion, increases fuel mileage
- Silicone is an anti-foaming agent for diesel, but may damage oxygen sensors in gasoline engines
- Tetranitromethane can increase the cetane number of diesel fuel, improving its combustion properties
External links
- http://www.fbhvc.co.uk/fuel-information/ - Aftermarket lead replacement additives were scientifically tested and some were approved by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs at the UK's Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA) in 1999.
See also
- For additive metering see metering pumps
- Gasoline pill — claimed to turn water into gasoline
- Oil additive, which describes some similar additives
Refrences
- ARRC Auto Repair Reference Center. Point 5 Technologies. Accessed via EbscoHost on November 27, 2009
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