Gasoline additive
Encyclopedia
Gasoline additives increase gasoline
's octane rating
or act as corrosion inhibitor
s or lubricant
s, thus allowing the use of higher compression ratio
s for greater efficiency and power, however some carry heavy environmental risks. Types of additives include metal deactivator
s, corrosion inhibitor
s, oxygenate
s and antioxidant
s.
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.
Gasoline
Gasoline , or petrol , is a toxic, translucent, petroleum-derived liquid that is primarily used as a fuel in internal combustion engines. It consists mostly of organic compounds obtained by the fractional distillation of petroleum, enhanced with a variety of additives. Some gasolines also contain...
's octane rating
Octane rating
Octane rating or octane number is a standard measure of the anti-knock properties of a motor or aviation fuel. The higher the octane number, the more compression the fuel can withstand before detonating...
or act as corrosion inhibitor
Corrosion inhibitor
A corrosion inhibitor is a chemical compound that, when added to a liquid or gas, decreases the corrosion rate of a material, typically a metal or an alloy. The effectiveness of a corrosion inhibitor depends on fluid composition, quantity of water, and flow regime...
s or lubricant
Lubricant
A lubricant is a substance introduced to reduce friction between moving surfaces. It may also have the function of transporting foreign particles and of distributing heat...
s, thus allowing the use of higher compression ratio
Compression ratio
The 'compression ratio' of an internal-combustion engine or external combustion engine is a value that represents the ratio of the volume of its combustion chamber from its largest capacity to its smallest capacity...
s for greater efficiency and power, however some carry heavy environmental risks. Types of additives include metal deactivator
Metal deactivator
Metal deactivators, or metal deactivating agents are fuel additives and oil additives used to stabilize fluids by deactivating metal ions, mostly introduced by the action of naturally occurring acids in the fuel and acids generated in lubricants by oxidative processes with the metallic parts of...
s, corrosion inhibitor
Corrosion inhibitor
A corrosion inhibitor is a chemical compound that, when added to a liquid or gas, decreases the corrosion rate of a material, typically a metal or an alloy. The effectiveness of a corrosion inhibitor depends on fluid composition, quantity of water, and flow regime...
s, oxygenate
Oxygenate
Oxygenated chemical compounds contain oxygen as a part of their chemical structure. The term usually refers to oxygenated fuels. Oxygenates are usually employed as gasoline additives to reduce carbon monoxide that is created during the burning of the fuel....
s and antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...
s.
Additives
- OxygenateOxygenateOxygenated chemical compounds contain oxygen as a part of their chemical structure. The term usually refers to oxygenated fuels. Oxygenates are usually employed as gasoline additives to reduce carbon monoxide that is created during the burning of the fuel....
s- Alcohols:
- MethanolMethanolMethanol, also known as methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits, is a chemical with the formula CH3OH . It is the simplest alcohol, and is a light, volatile, colorless, flammable liquid with a distinctive odor very similar to, but slightly sweeter than, ethanol...
(MeOH) - EthanolEthanolEthanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a...
(EtOH) - Isopropyl alcoholIsopropyl alcoholIsopropyl alcohol is a common name for a chemical compound with the molecular formula C3H8O. It is a colorless, flammable chemical compound with a strong odor...
(IPA) - n-butanolN-Butanoln-Butanol or n-butyl alcohol or normal butanol is a primary alcohol with a 4-carbon structure and the molecular formula C4H9OH. Its isomers include isobutanol, 2-butanol, and tert-butanol...
(BuOH) - Gasoline grade t-butanolTert-Butanoltert-Butanol, or 2-methyl-2-propanol, is the simplest tertiary alcohol. It is one of the four isomers of butanol. tert-Butanol is a clear liquid with a camphor-like odor. It is very soluble in water and miscible with ethanol and diethyl ether...
(GTBA)
- Methanol
- EtherEtherEthers are a class of organic compounds that contain an ether group — an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl or aryl groups — of general formula R–O–R'. A typical example is the solvent and anesthetic diethyl ether, commonly referred to simply as "ether"...
s:- Methyl tert-butyl etherMethyl tert-butyl etherMethyl tert-butyl ether, also known as methyl tertiary butyl ether and MTBE, is an organic compound with molecular formula 3COCH3. MTBE is a volatile, flammable, and colorless liquid that is immiscible with water. It has a minty odor vaguely reminiscent of diethyl ether, leading to unpleasant taste...
(MTBE) Now outlawed in many states for road use. - Tertiary amyl methyl etherTertiary amyl methyl ethertert-Amyl methyl ether is an ether used as a fuel oxygenate. It has an ethereous odor. Unlike most ethers, does not form peroxides on storage.-Uses:...
(TAME) - Tertiary hexyl methyl ether (THEME)
- Ethyl tertiary butyl etherETBEEthyl tert-butyl ether is commonly used as an oxygenate gasoline additive in the production of gasoline from crude oil. ETBE offers equal or greater air quality benefits than ethanol, while being technically and logistically less challenging...
(ETBE) - Tertiary amyl ethyl ether (TAEE)
- Diisopropyl etherDiisopropyl etherDiisopropyl ether is secondary ether that is used as a solvent. It is a colorless liquid that is slightly soluble in water, but miscible with most organic solvents...
(DIPE)
- Methyl tert-butyl ether
- Alcohols:
- AntioxidantAntioxidantAn antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...
s, stabilizers- Butylated hydroxytolueneButylated hydroxytolueneButylated hydroxytoluene , also known as butylhydroxytoluene, is a lipophilic organic compound that is primarily used as an antioxidant food additive as well as an antioxidant additive in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, jet fuels, rubber, petroleum products, electrical transformer oil, and embalming...
(BHT) - 2,4-Dimethyl-6-tert-butylphenol2,4-Dimethyl-6-tert-butylphenol2,4-Dimethyl-6-tert-butylphenol is an alkylated phenol used industrially as an antioxidant, e.g. to prevent gumming in fuels, and as an ultraviolet stabilizer. It is used in jet fuels, gasolines, and avgas. It is a clear liquid with melting point 21-23 °C and boiling point 248-249 °C. It is also...
- 2,6-Di-tert-butylphenol2,6-Di-tert-butylphenol2,6-Di-tert-butylphenol is an organic compound with the structural formula 2,6-2C6H3OH. This colourless solid alkylated phenol and its derivatives are used industrially as UV stabilizer and an antioxidant for hydrocarbon-based products ranging from petrochemicals to plastics...
(2,6-DTBP) - p-PhenylenediamineP-Phenylenediaminep-Phenylenediamine is an organic compound with the formula C6H42. This derivative of aniline is a colorless solid, but typically samples can contain yellowish impurities arising from oxidation. It is mainly used as a component of engineering polymers and composites. It is also an ingredient in...
- Ethylene diamineEthylene diamineEthylenediamine is the organic compound with the formula C2H42. This colorless liquid with an ammonia-like odor is a strongly basic amine. The liquid fumes upon contact with humid air...
- Butylated hydroxytoluene
- Antiknock agentAntiknock agentAn antiknock agent is a gasoline additive used to reduce engine knocking and increase the fuel's octane rating.The mixture known as gasoline, when used in high compression internal combustion engines, has a tendency to ignite early causing a damaging "engine knocking" noise...
s- Tetra-ethyl leadTetra-ethyl leadTetraethyllead , abbreviated TEL, is an organolead compound with the formula 4Pb. An inexpensive additive, its addition to gasoline from the 1920's allowed octane ratings and thus engine compression to be boosted significantly, increasing power and fuel economy...
- Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonylMethylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonylMethylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl is an organomanganese compound with the formula Mn3. Marketed initially in 1958 as a supplement to the gasoline additive tetraethyl lead to increase the fuel's octane rating, MMT was later used in unleaded gasoline...
(MMT) - FerroceneFerroceneFerrocene is an organometallic compound with the formula Fe2. It is the prototypical metallocene, a type of organometallic chemical compound consisting of two cyclopentadienyl rings bound on opposite sides of a central metal atom. Such organometallic compounds are also known as sandwich compounds...
- Iron pentacarbonylIron pentacarbonylIron pentacarbonyl, also known as iron carbonyl, is the compound with formula 5. Under standard conditions Fe5 is a free-flowing, straw-colored liquid with a pungent odour. This compound is a common precursor to diverse iron compounds, including many that are useful in organic synthesis. Fe5 is...
- TolueneTolueneToluene, formerly known as toluol, is a clear, water-insoluble liquid with the typical smell of paint thinners. It is a mono-substituted benzene derivative, i.e., one in which a single hydrogen atom from the benzene molecule has been replaced by a univalent group, in this case CH3.It is an aromatic...
- Isooctane
- TriptaneTriptaneTriptane, or 2,2,3-trimethylbutane, is an organic chemical compound with the molecular formula C7H16 or 3C-C2H. It is therefore an alkane, specifically the most compact and heavily branched of the heptane isomers, the only one with a butane backbone.Triptane is commonly used as an anti-knock...
- Tetra-ethyl lead
- Lead scavengersScavenger (chemistry)A scavenger in chemistry is a chemical substance added to a mixture in order to remove or inactivate impurities or unwanted reaction products. Their use is wide-ranged:...
(for leaded gasoline)- Tricresyl phosphateTricresyl phosphateTricresyl phosphate, abbreviated TCP, is an organophosphate compound that is used as a plasticizer and diverse other applications. It is a colourless, viscous liquid, although commercial samples are typically yellow...
(TCP) (also an AW additiveAW additiveAW additives, or antiwear additives, are additives for lubricants to prevent metal-to-metal contact between parts of gears.EP additives are usually used in applications such as gearboxes, while AW additives are used with lighter loads such as bushings....
and EP additiveEP additiveExtreme pressure additives, or EP additives, are additives for lubricants with a role to decrease wear of the parts of the gears exposed to very high pressures...
) - 1,2-Dibromoethane1,2-Dibromoethane1,2-Dibromoethane, also known as ethylene dibromide , is the chemical compound with the formula BrCH2CH2Br. Although trace amounts occur naturally in the ocean, where it is formed probably by algae and kelp, it is mainly a synthetic...
- 1,2-Dichloroethane1,2-DichloroethaneThe chemical compound 1,2-dichloroethane, commonly known by its old name of ethylene dichloride , is a chlorinated hydrocarbon, mainly used to produce vinyl chloride monomer , the major precursor for PVC production. It is a colourless liquid with a chloroform-like odour...
- Tricresyl phosphate
- Fuel dyesFuel dyesFuel dyes are dyes added to fuels, as in some countries it is required by law to dye a low-tax fuel to deter its use in applications intended for higher-taxed ones...
, most common:- Solvent Red 24
- Solvent Red 26Solvent Red 26Solvent Red 26, also known as C.I. 26120, is a purplish red synthetic azo dye. Its chemical formula is C25H22N4O, or 1-Solvent Red 26, also known as C.I. 26120, is a purplish red synthetic [[azo dye]]. Its chemical formula is C25H22N4O, or 1-Solvent Red 26, also known as C.I. 26120, is a purplish...
- Solvent Yellow 124Solvent Yellow 124Solvent Yellow 124 is a yellow azo dye used in European Union as a fuel dye. It is a marker used since August 2002 to distinguish diesel fuel intended for heating from a higher-taxed motor diesel fuel...
- Solvent Blue 35
- Fuel additives in general
- EtherEtherEthers are a class of organic compounds that contain an ether group — an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl or aryl groups — of general formula R–O–R'. A typical example is the solvent and anesthetic diethyl ether, commonly referred to simply as "ether"...
and other flammable hydrocarbons have been used extensively as starting fluidStarting fluidStarting fluid is a mixture of volatile hydrocarbons , diethyl ether, and carbon dioxide. It is often useful when starting direct injected diesel engines or lean burn spark engines running on alcohol fuel. Starting fluid works due to the low autoignition temperature of diethyl ether:...
for many difficult-to-start engines, especially diesel engineDiesel engineA diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
s - Nitrous oxideNitrous oxideNitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas or sweet air, is a chemical compound with the formula . It is an oxide of nitrogen. At room temperature, it is a colorless non-flammable gas, with a slightly sweet odor and taste. It is used in surgery and dentistry for its anesthetic and analgesic...
, or simply nitrousNitrousNitrous oxide is a chemical compound used as an oxidizing agent to increase an internal combustion engine's power output by allowing more fuel to be burned than would normally be the case.-Nitrous and NOS:...
, is an oxidizer used in auto racingAuto racingAuto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:... - NitromethaneNitromethaneNitromethane is an organic compound with the chemical formula . It is the simplest organic nitro compound. It is a slightly viscous, highly polar liquid commonly used as a solvent in a variety of industrial applications such as in extractions, as a reaction medium, and as a cleaning solvent...
, or "nitro," is a high-performance racing fuel - AcetoneAcetoneAcetone is the organic compound with the formula 2CO, a colorless, mobile, flammable liquid, the simplest example of the ketones.Acetone is miscible with water and serves as an important solvent in its own right, typically as the solvent of choice for cleaning purposes in the laboratory...
is a vaporization additive, mainly used with methanolMethanolMethanol, also known as methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits, is a chemical with the formula CH3OH . It is the simplest alcohol, and is a light, volatile, colorless, flammable liquid with a distinctive odor very similar to, but slightly sweeter than, ethanol...
racing fuel to improve vaporisation at start up - Butyl rubberButyl rubberButyl rubber is a synthetic rubber, a copolymer of isobutylene with isoprene. The abbreviation IIR stands for Isobutylene Isoprene Rubber. Polyisobutylene, also known as "PIB" or polyisobutene, n, is the homopolymer of isobutylene, or 2-methyl-1-propene, on which butyl rubber is based...
(as polyisobutylene succinimide, detergentDetergentA detergent is a surfactant or a mixture of surfactants with "cleaning properties in dilute solutions." In common usage, "detergent" refers to alkylbenzenesulfonates, a family of compounds that are similar to soap but are less affected by hard water...
to prevent fouling of dieselDiesel engineA diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
fuel injectors) - PicratePicrateA picrate is a salt or an ester of picric acid . But it could also be an additional compound which picric acid forms with many aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic amines, aliphatic amines, alkalines, and other compounds. These additional compounds are also called picrates even though they are not a...
improves combustion, increases fuel mileage - SiliconeSiliconeSilicones are inert, synthetic compounds with a variety of forms and uses. Typically heat-resistant and rubber-like, they are used in sealants, adhesives, lubricants, medical applications , cookware, and insulation....
is an anti-foaming agent for diesel fuel, but may damage oxygen sensorOxygen sensorAn oxygen sensor, or lambda sensor, is an electronic device that measures the proportion of oxygen in the gas or liquid being analyzed. It was developed by the Robert Bosch GmbH company during the late 1960s under the supervision of Dr. Günter Bauman...
s in gasoline engines - TetranitromethaneTetranitromethaneTetranitromethane or TNM is an organic oxidizer with chemical formula C4. Its chemical structure consists of four nitro groups attached to one carbon atom...
can increase the cetane numberCetane numberCetane number or CN is a measurement of the combustion quality of diesel fuel during compression ignition. It is a significant expression of diesel fuel quality among a number of other measurements that determine overall diesel fuel quality.- Definition :...
of diesel fuel, improving its combustion properties
- Ether
United States
The Clean Air Act was put into place in January 1995 in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as part of the efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
. This act requires deposit control additives (DCAs) be added to all gasolines. This type of additive is a detergent
Detergent
A detergent is a surfactant or a mixture of surfactants with "cleaning properties in dilute solutions." In common usage, "detergent" refers to alkylbenzenesulfonates, a family of compounds that are similar to soap but are less affected by hard water...
additive that acts as a cleansing agent in small passages in the carburetor
Carburetor
A carburetor , carburettor, or carburetter is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It is sometimes shortened to carb in North America and the United Kingdom....
or fuel injectors. This in turn serves to ensure a consistent air and fuel mixture
Air-fuel ratio
Air–fuel ratio is the mass ratio of air to fuel present in an internal combustion engine. If exactly enough air is provided to completely burn all of the fuel, the ratio is known as the stoichiometric mixture, often abbreviated to stoich...
that will contribute to better gas mileage.
See also
- For additive metering see metering pumpMetering pumpA metering pump is a pump used to pump liquids at adjustable flow rates which are precise when averaged over time. Delivery of fluids in precise adjustable flow rates is sometimes called metering...
s - BioborBioborBiobor is a line of fuel additive products. Originally developed by U.S. Borax in 1963, Biobor is manufactured today by Hammonds Industries Inc. in Houston, Texas. Biobor JF is a microbicide designed to kill fungi, algae, and other microbes that damage fuel systems...
(microbicide) - Oil additiveOil additiveOil additives are chemical compounds that improve the lubricant performance of base oil . By utilizing the same base stock, many different oils can be manufactured, each with its distinctive properties. Additives comprise up to 5% by weight of some oils.Nearly all commercial motor oils contain...
, which describes some similar additives - Top Tier Detergent GasolineTop Tier Detergent GasolineTop Tier Detergent Gasoline is a designation given to participating Gasoline brands in the U.S. and Canada that meet voluntary industry standards.- History :The U.S...