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Alcohol Apparently Inhibits Action of Acetone in FuelWhile inert in the fuel tank, under high temperature and pressure in the combustion chamber, acetone and alcohol are likely to react to form a ketone. by Sterling
D. Allan PROVO, UTAH, USA As numerous people have been trying out acetone in small proportions in their
fuel (e.g. 2 oz per 10 gallons), most of them are reporting increased mileage,
more power, better idle, cleaner emissions. Some have noted that acetone's
performance seems to dwindle when added to fuel that has alcohol added. He was not surprised at all when I informed him about a recent report of the
smell of acetone emitting from a semi truck's fuel tank to which the acetone had
been added. "Acetone has a very high evaporation rate, much higher
than fuel." His secretary later gave me the name of three companies
in Salt Lake that would be equipped to run a test to determine the exact rate of
evaporation when mixed with fuel. This is obviously a significant factor
and will be important in determining the gradual loss of acetone from the tank
over time if not used right away.
"This will obviously have an effect on how the acetone and alcohol
behave," he said. "The ketals will burn, but I don't know what
they will do to the viscosity of the fuel, compared to acetone." He
recommended contacting a professor that specializes in fuel chemistry to probe
the full ramifications. # # # Related Stories
See also
Page composed by Sterling
D. Allan Apr. 14, 2005 |
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