List of gasoline additives

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.

Additives

• 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)

• Antioxidants, stabilizers
  • Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
  • 2,4-Dimethyl-6-tert-butylphenol
  • 2,6-Di-tert-butylphenol (2,6-DTBP)
  • p-Phenylenediamine
  • Ethylene diamine

• Antiknock agents
  • Tetra-ethyl lead
  • Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT)
  • Ferrocene
  • Iron pentacarbonyl
  • Toluene
  • Isooctane
  • Triptane

• 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:
  • Solvent Red 24
  • Solvent Red 26
  • Solvent Yellow 124
  • Solvent Blue 35

• 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)
  • Picrate improves combustion, increases fuel mileage
  • Silicone is an anti-foaming agent for diesel fuel, but may damage oxygen sensors in gasoline engines
  • Tetranitromethane can increase the cetane number of diesel fuel, improving its combustion properties

Legislation

United States

The Clean Air Act was put into place in January 1995 in the United States 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.

See also

• For additive metering see metering pumps
• Biobor (microbicide)
• Oil additive, which describes some similar additives
• Top Tier Detergent Gasoline

References

• ARRC Auto Repair Reference Center. Point 5 Technologies. Accessed via EbscoHost on November 27, 2009