Development of anti-knock additives for automotive gasoline

Abstract

The efficient and reliable operation of modern automobile engines directly depends on the quality of the gasoline used in the fuel system. One of the main technological characteristics of gasoline is its knock resistance, that is, its resistance to self-ignition under high compression ratios. The knock process leads to a decrease in engine power, incomplete combustion of fuel, energy loss, as well as damage to the piston, valves, and cylinder walls. Therefore, the production of gasoline characterized by a high octane number is of special importance for extending the service life of engines and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. The present study investigated the effect of various oxygenate blends (MTBE and IBA ) on the octane number of automotive gasoline. The effectiveness of these oxygenates was increased due to the emergence of a synergistic effect when they were blended. A synergistic effect was observed with the combined action of a two-component mixture of MTBE and IBS in ratios of 20–80 and 80–20 wt.%, respectively, resulting in an increase in the octane number of gasoline fractions to 1.3–2.0 units compared to that of individual oxygenates. Keywords : automotive gasoline, additives, oxygenates, octane number, synergistic effect.