Propylene Oxide?
Thread Starter
Moderator
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 10,745
From: Buffalo, New York
Propylene Oxide?
I have heard that propylene oxide/gasoline mixtures of up to 20% can be used. The O2 content of PO is higher than gas and it should therefore increase VE (and HP).
The famous gasoline FAQ has this to say: Propylene oxide (CH3CH(O)CH2 = 1,2 epoxypropane) has apparently been used in racing fuels, and some racers erroneously claim that it behaves like nitrous oxide. It is a fuel that has very desirable volatility, flammability and autoignition properties. When used in engines tuned for power ( typically slightly rich ), it will move the air-fuel ratio closer to stoichiometric, and the high volatility, high autoignition temperature ( high octane ), and slightly faster flamespeed may improve engine efficiency with hydrocarbon fuels, resulting in increased power without major engine modifications. This power increase is, in part, due to the increase in volumetric efficiency from the requirement for less oxygen ( air ) in the charge. PO is a suspected carcinogen, and so should be handled with extreme care.
Anyone have any info on this?
Rich Krause
The famous gasoline FAQ has this to say: Propylene oxide (CH3CH(O)CH2 = 1,2 epoxypropane) has apparently been used in racing fuels, and some racers erroneously claim that it behaves like nitrous oxide. It is a fuel that has very desirable volatility, flammability and autoignition properties. When used in engines tuned for power ( typically slightly rich ), it will move the air-fuel ratio closer to stoichiometric, and the high volatility, high autoignition temperature ( high octane ), and slightly faster flamespeed may improve engine efficiency with hydrocarbon fuels, resulting in increased power without major engine modifications. This power increase is, in part, due to the increase in volumetric efficiency from the requirement for less oxygen ( air ) in the charge. PO is a suspected carcinogen, and so should be handled with extreme care.
Anyone have any info on this?
Rich Krause
Now this sounds cool. I'd like more info... might look around.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 878
From: Clovis, NM
Sounds like a gasoline oxygenator to me but with a punch.
This sounds all most like adding nitroglycern to methanol and getting nitromethane.
I like that is adds octaine and doesn't hinder it.
This is the first I have herd of it use in gas, I know we have it in some thing where I work I'll go see and post if I find any thing use full.
This sounds all most like adding nitroglycern to methanol and getting nitromethane.
I like that is adds octaine and doesn't hinder it.
This is the first I have herd of it use in gas, I know we have it in some thing where I work I'll go see and post if I find any thing use full.
Thread Starter
Moderator
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 10,745
From: Buffalo, New York
Originally posted by Stephen 87 IROC
Where are you going to use it? Every sanctioning motorsport bans it's use.
Where are you going to use it? Every sanctioning motorsport bans it's use.
It is just an idea I had floating around. I may do some experimenting with it if I can find out more. Besdies curiousity, it would fit in with my experimentation in making a completely streetable, emissions legal car fast as hell at the track. IOW, a way to add power at the track without compromising streetability and still being able to run unleaded fuel. I think I have taken boost and nitrous as far as I can within my self-imposed limitations.
Rich Krause
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,248
From: Bountiful, Utah
Re: Propylene Oxide?
Originally posted by rskrause
I have heard that propylene oxide/gasoline mixtures of up to 20% can be used. The O2 content of PO is higher than gas and it should therefore increase VE (and HP).
The famous gasoline FAQ has this to say: Propylene oxide (CH3CH(O)CH2 = 1,2 epoxypropane) has apparently been used in racing fuels, and some racers erroneously claim that it behaves like nitrous oxide. It is a fuel that has very desirable volatility, flammability and autoignition properties. When used in engines tuned for power ( typically slightly rich ), it will move the air-fuel ratio closer to stoichiometric, and the high volatility, high autoignition temperature ( high octane ), and slightly faster flamespeed may improve engine efficiency with hydrocarbon fuels, resulting in increased power without major engine modifications. This power increase is, in part, due to the increase in volumetric efficiency from the requirement for less oxygen ( air ) in the charge. PO is a suspected carcinogen, and so should be handled with extreme care.
Anyone have any info on this?
Rich Krause
I have heard that propylene oxide/gasoline mixtures of up to 20% can be used. The O2 content of PO is higher than gas and it should therefore increase VE (and HP).
The famous gasoline FAQ has this to say: Propylene oxide (CH3CH(O)CH2 = 1,2 epoxypropane) has apparently been used in racing fuels, and some racers erroneously claim that it behaves like nitrous oxide. It is a fuel that has very desirable volatility, flammability and autoignition properties. When used in engines tuned for power ( typically slightly rich ), it will move the air-fuel ratio closer to stoichiometric, and the high volatility, high autoignition temperature ( high octane ), and slightly faster flamespeed may improve engine efficiency with hydrocarbon fuels, resulting in increased power without major engine modifications. This power increase is, in part, due to the increase in volumetric efficiency from the requirement for less oxygen ( air ) in the charge. PO is a suspected carcinogen, and so should be handled with extreme care.
Anyone have any info on this?
Rich Krause
http://www.vpracingfuels.com/vp_03_c...7C810813A828D2
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,931
From: Upstate NY
This quote was taken from the link below:
"Misunderstanding surrounds propylene oxide. Common uses for it are pesticide and fumigant. While the EPA lists it only as a "probable carcinogen," ingesting propylene oxide will at least make you sick and can cause coma or death. Use care when handling it. Some racers are under the impression "P.O." is an octane booster, but it is not. It is an oxygenate that works like nitrous oxide but not as well. "It will improve performance," Wusz stated, "but the mixture must be richer to take advantage of that. PO is more effective than MTBE but less effective than nitrous. The downsides of PO are: 1) it attacks plastic and rubber parts in fuel systems and 2) its low, 95 deg. F boiling point gives it a tendency to easily escape from a blend leaving the DIY race gas blender with a gasoline which he thought contained a certain amount of PO, but in reality, may have retained far less of it. This makes tuning exceedingly difficult."
Bottom line: brewing your own race gas a foolish move for a lot of reasons. You’re better off buying it ready-made."
Gasoline Digest
Tim Wusz is a Performance Products Engineer at The Phillips 66 Company’s "76 Performance Products Division". Wusz has worked for Phillips and its predecessors, Tosco Corporation, Unocal and Union Oil Company since 1965, spending much of that time developing racing gasolines. Wusz is a former professional drag racer, a long-time musclecar nut and a former Corvette ZR-1 owner. (taken from same source)
"Misunderstanding surrounds propylene oxide. Common uses for it are pesticide and fumigant. While the EPA lists it only as a "probable carcinogen," ingesting propylene oxide will at least make you sick and can cause coma or death. Use care when handling it. Some racers are under the impression "P.O." is an octane booster, but it is not. It is an oxygenate that works like nitrous oxide but not as well. "It will improve performance," Wusz stated, "but the mixture must be richer to take advantage of that. PO is more effective than MTBE but less effective than nitrous. The downsides of PO are: 1) it attacks plastic and rubber parts in fuel systems and 2) its low, 95 deg. F boiling point gives it a tendency to easily escape from a blend leaving the DIY race gas blender with a gasoline which he thought contained a certain amount of PO, but in reality, may have retained far less of it. This makes tuning exceedingly difficult."
Bottom line: brewing your own race gas a foolish move for a lot of reasons. You’re better off buying it ready-made."
Gasoline Digest
Tim Wusz is a Performance Products Engineer at The Phillips 66 Company’s "76 Performance Products Division". Wusz has worked for Phillips and its predecessors, Tosco Corporation, Unocal and Union Oil Company since 1965, spending much of that time developing racing gasolines. Wusz is a former professional drag racer, a long-time musclecar nut and a former Corvette ZR-1 owner. (taken from same source)
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,445
From: Seattle, WA
It also eats paints for breakfast... even worse than brake fluid from what I'm told.
The catch that you would be filling up regularly through the 1/4 panel... unlike brake fluid most people don't even touch once a year.
The catch that you would be filling up regularly through the 1/4 panel... unlike brake fluid most people don't even touch once a year.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Vettenut97
Show and Shine / Paint and Body Care
2
Aug 15, 2001 08:21 AM