acetone to increase fuel mileage
acetone to increase fuel mileage
(OP)
On two other boards that I frequent, the buzz of the day is adding acetone to gasoline to increase fuel mileage. The suggested ratio is about 2oz. for every 10 gallson of gas. Most are claiming an increase of 2-3 MPG from a vehicle that typically gets 14-17 MPG; a pretty impressive increase. I suspect that part of this gain is wishfull thinking, but part is valid.
What is the downside. Damage to plastic components in the fuel system? Damage to emissions related sensors (oxygen sensor)? Increase in nox from higher combustion temps? I imagine there's a reason my friends at BP are not including this in their mix.
What is the downside. Damage to plastic components in the fuel system? Damage to emissions related sensors (oxygen sensor)? Increase in nox from higher combustion temps? I imagine there's a reason my friends at BP are not including this in their mix.





RE: acetone to increase fuel mileage
If you are exposed to acetone, it goes into your blood which then carries it to all the organs in your body. If it is a small amount, the liver breaks it down to chemicals that are not harmful and uses these chemicals to make energy for normal body functions. Breathing moderate- to-high levels of acetone for short periods of time, however, can cause nose, throat, lung, and eye irritation; headaches; light-headedness; confusion; increased pulse rate; effects on blood; nausea; vomiting; unconsciousness and possibly coma; and shortening of the menstrual cycle in women.
Swallowing very high levels of acetone can result in unconsciousness and damage to the skin in your mouth. Skin contact can result in irritation and damage to your skin.
The smell and respiratory irritation or burning eyes that occur from moderate levels are excellent warning signs that can help you avoid breathing damaging levels of acetone.
Health effects from long-term exposures are known mostly from animal studies. Kidney, liver, and nerve damage, increased birth defects, and lowered ability to reproduce (males only) occurred in animals exposed long-term. It is not known if people would have these same effects.
RE: acetone to increase fuel mileage
RE: acetone to increase fuel mileage
Acetone is not a very friendly chemical to work with, just ask any fiberglass lay-up person.
Franz
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: acetone to increase fuel mileage
Norm
RE: acetone to increase fuel mileage
If it was a lot higher than gasoline, it might work, but I doubt very much that it is. If you want fuel mileage, you need something with more heat energy per unit volume that will also run in the engine, as simple as that.
Adding heavier higher heat value fuels such jet fuel or diesel won't work either, detonation will stop you.
RE: acetone to increase fuel mileage
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: acetone to increase fuel mileage
RE: acetone to increase fuel mileage
I think burn rate, compression ratio (octane rating of fuel or the ability to survive detonation), burn quality and calorific value all contribute.
I agree, lack of some site searches and use of google has repressed my inclination to put time into this thread.
Regards
pat pprimmer@acay.com.au
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: acetone to increase fuel mileage
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: acetone to increase fuel mileage
RE: acetone to increase fuel mileage
It is typical for vapor phase LPG fueled vehicles to average about 20% less mileage than gasoline, partially because of the difference in BTU, but also because of the air displacement by the vapor phase fuel.
Liquid injection vehicles have a considerable advantage, the liquid phase fuel on evaporation has a charge air benefit. Sorry, wrong fora, but just thought I would toss it in.
My wifes fingernail polish remover says right on the bottle, "do not ingest liquid or inhale vapors, use in a well ventilated area", then goes into contacting the poison control center or local hospital if ingested.
Franz
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: acetone to increase fuel mileage
That's telling me not to worry a whole lot about occasional skin contact, to use it in a well-ventilated area, and not do anything stupid with the stuff. For the fiberglass lay-up worker, it's obviously a different story as regards 'occasional'.
Something tells me that the acetone will be among the more volatile fractions present in this mixture, and that most of the ~0.16% concentration that's being suggested is going to end up going through the charcoal canister.
Norm
RE: acetone to increase fuel mileage