Fuels Flashcards
(40 cards)
what are compression ratios
they measure engine performance (bottom cylinder v/top cylinder v = ratio)
racing engine (methanol = 15:1)
a lot better (higher power = high compression)
what does a high rc mean
it means a good fuel efficiency
what does a octane rating mean
the amount of isooctane to n-heptane (37:13)
for a higher rc you need
a higher octane gas
what is engine knocking
it is premature ignition/incomplete ignition (noisy engine)
how to avoid engine knocking
using the right quality fuel or using an additive to increase octane
what kind of hydrocarbons are used for high end cars
branched they make 3rd degree carbon which are more stable and take less energy to make
what is TEL
61.5% TEL, 17.8% 1,2-dibromoethane, 18.8% 1,2-dichloroethane
pros of TEL
makes higher octane rating, uses very little amount
cons of TEL
lead is toxic, it poisons that catalysis converter
pros of MMT
has more complete combustion, makes higher octane
cons of MMT
Mn in the atmosphere, has debatable health risks (toxic CO that prevents premature ignition)
pros of MTBE
higher octane, has complete combustion
cons of MTBE
higher gas prices, is water soluble (pollutes the water)
pros of ethanol
reduces CO emissions, is renewable
cons of ethanol
competes with food, can degrade rubber parts, hygroscopic, energy input > energy return
how has production of ethanol changed
production has doubled
a 3 way catalyst
reduces emission product levels
Rh catalyst
facilitates reduction
Pd/Pt catalyst
facilitates oxidation
Ethanol from corn/starch pros
is renewable, is theoretically “carbon neutral”
ethanol from corn/starch cons
only kernels used, enzymatically treated, gas/diesel used, factories burn coal/methane, one growing season
ethanol from sugarcane pros
no enzymes needed, 7 harvests/year, little fossil fuel