Katerina Swanson
The fuel used by cars in the 1930s was vastly different from what we use today. While modern cars run on unleaded gasoline, cars in the 1930s primarily used leaded gasoline, which contributed to environmental issues such as acid rain and lead contamination in soil and water. This fuel was often thermally cracked, resulting in high amounts of paraffins and olefins, which would likely cause issues in modern engines. Additionally, the octane ratings of the fuel in the 1930s were significantly lower than today's standards. Racing cars during this period often used ethanol and other alcohol-based fuels, as they allowed for more power in a smaller, lighter engine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1930s |
| Most gasoline | Thermally cracked |
| Gasoline contains | Paraffins, olefins, lead |
| Octane rating | Low |
| Alcohol fuel | Ethanol, methanol |
| Gasoline blends | Koolmotor, Benzalcool, Moltaco, Lattybentyl, Natelite, Alcool, Agrol |
| Gasoline-ethanol blends in | Britain, Italy, Hungary, Sweden, South Africa, Brazil, USA |
| Shell Dynamin | Ethyl alcohol, benzol, petrol, castor oil |
| Racing fuels | Methanol, water, secret additive |
| Fuel efficiency | 14 miles per gallon |
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What You'll Learn
Gasoline was thermally cracked and contained paraffins and olefins
In the 1930s, most gasoline was thermally cracked and contained paraffins and olefins. This was due to the fact that thermal cracking of hydrocarbons, such as paraffin, results in the production of olefinic thermally cracked gasoline. This process was likely used to produce the gasoline that powered cars in the 1930s.
Thermal cracking of paraffin wax can be performed at temperatures ranging from 503 °C to 560 °C. The resulting product is a mixture of gas and liquid, with the liquid containing alpha olefins, paraffin, and other compounds. However, the quality of alpha olefins produced by this process is often unsatisfactory, and the yield of liquid olefins is lower than desired due to the challenges associated with wax cracking technology and the high oil content of the cracking material.
The process of thermally cracking gasoline involves applying specific conditions, such as heater pressure, transfer temperature, reactor pressure, and reactor temperature, to the hydrocarbon oil feedstock. This results in the production of an olefinic thermally cracked gasoline, which is then catalytically cracked under severe conditions to completely crack the olefins into lower boiling products. The final step involves catalytically reforming the thermally and catalytically cracked gasoline.
The use of thermally cracked gasoline in the 1930s had some disadvantages. One issue was the strong favouring of the dehydrogenation of naphthenes, which resulted in the rapid hydrogenation of olefins. This led to a substantial reduction in the octane number, limiting the overall gain in the process. Additionally, the hydrogenation of olefins, even after isomerization, further contributed to the decrease in the octane number.
The gasoline used in the 1930s, with its high content of paraffins and olefins, would likely cause issues in modern fuel injectors, leading to clogging and gumming. This difference in fuel composition between the 1930s and today's gasoline blends highlights the evolution of fuel technology and the ongoing pursuit of more efficient and environmentally friendly options.
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Leaded gasoline was marketed and used in cars
In the 1930s, leaded gasoline was marketed and used in cars. Leaded gasoline was first marketed in 1923, and by 1924, GM and Standard Oil Co. had formed the Ethyl Corporation, or Ethyl Corp. The company claimed to have solved the problem of engine knock with leaded gasoline, but public health scientists were concerned about the potential for lead poisoning and advocated for alternative fuels such as ethanol blends. Despite these concerns, leaded gasoline became widely used in the 1930s and remained in use until the post-war period when most gasoline became catalytically cracked, creating a blend closer to what is used today.
Leaded gasoline was not the only fuel available for cars in the 1930s. Ethanol, an alcohol fuel, was also a common option for early automobiles. Ethanol was first isolated from wine around 1100 and found to burn soon after. By the 13th century, the development of the cooling coil allowed for the isolation of nearly pure ethanol by distillation. Ethanol was used for various purposes, including lamp oil, cooking, and spirit lamps for travellers. In the 19th century, research in Paris and Berlin further expanded the use of alcohol fuel, and by the late 1890s, early US automobiles were adapted to use gasoline due to its low cost and abundance.
However, racing cars often used ethanol or other alcohols because they allowed for more power in a smaller, lighter engine. British engineer Harry Ricardo patented racing fuels RD1 and RD2 in 1921, which contained methanol, ethanol, acetone, and small amounts of water. These fuels were widely used on race tracks in Europe and the US in the 1920s and 1930s. The Ford Model T, introduced in 1908, had adjustable carburetors that could run on either ethanol or gasoline.
Shell, a major oil company, also offered a range of fuel blends in the 1930s. Shell Dynamin, for example, contained ethyl alcohol, benzol, petrol, and castor oil, with an octane rating of 95-100. Another blend, Shell Dynamin for track and circuit races, had a higher octane rating of 120-125 and contained ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, aviation petrol, and castor oil.
While leaded gasoline was commonly used in the 1930s, it is important to note that it had negative environmental and health impacts. Leaded gasoline emissions contributed to lead contamination in soil and water, and the fuel created high levels of SOX and NOX, which were major contributors to acid rain.
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Racing fuels contained methanol, ethanol, acetone and water
In the 1930s, most gasoline was thermally cracked and contained paraffins and olefins. However, racing fuels were different. In 1921, British engineer Harry Ricardo patented racing fuels RD1 and RD2 (for Ricardo Discol) that contained methanol, ethanol, acetone, and small amounts of water. These racing fuels were widely used on race tracks throughout Europe and the US in the 1920s and 30s.
Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, is a high-octane fuel blend that was used extensively in European Grand Prix motor racing in the 1930s. The most successful blend, with 86% methanol, acetone, nitrobenzene, and ether additives, was even commercially produced by the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey. Methanol is still widely used in racing today, including in IndyCar, Monster Trucks, USAC sprint cars, and motorcycle speedway events. It is favoured for its safety, as it does not produce an opaque cloud of smoke in the event of an accident.
Ethanol, an alcohol fuel, has been used for centuries, first being isolated from wine in approximately 1100. It has been used for lamp oil, cooking, and as a fuel for spirit lamps. In the 1930s, ethanol was blended with gasoline in fuels such as Koolmotor, Benzalcool, Moltaco, Lattybentyl, Natelite, Alcool, and Agrol in countries like Britain, Italy, Hungary, Sweden, South Africa, and Brazil. In 1930, the German government required all gasoline importers to buy a percentage of their imports from the German Alcohol Monopoly, and by 1932, this had increased to 10%. By 1938, Germany was producing about 267 million litres of ethanol, with two-thirds coming from potatoes and the rest from grain, wood sulfite liquors, and beets.
In addition to methanol and ethanol, acetone was also a component of racing fuels in the 1930s. While it may seem unusual to include water in racing fuels, Michael Müller, in his book 'The secret Additive', discusses the potential benefits of blending water with methanol. Experiments with water in racing fuels were conducted as early as the 1930s and continued into the 1940s, with Alfa bringing a "precious bottle of secret additive" to each Grand Prix, which was rumoured to contain running water from a Milan tap.
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Gasoline was cheaper than ethanol
In the 1930s, cars predominantly ran on gasoline, which was cheaper than ethanol. Gasoline was abundant and cheap, while ethanol was taxed at a high level. This led to early US automobiles being adapted to use gasoline.
During this time, ethanol was predominantly used in racing cars as it allowed for more power to be developed in a smaller, lighter engine. In 1933, a photo from the Nebraska State Historical Society showed cars fuelling up at old-style gas pumps with glass meters at the top. Both pumps said "Corn Alcohol Blend," and the fueling station had a large sign that read, "Try! Corn Alcohol Gasoline, 10% Blend." This was an attempt to support farmers ravaged by the Great Depression and to alleviate engine knocking through the addition of octane.
In the 1930s, the United States produced most of the oil it burned. This changed after the 1973 oil crisis, which led to the concept of a homegrown US fuel in the form of ethanol. However, in the 1930s, the abundance of gasoline and its low price compared to ethanol made it the more popular choice for car fuel.
While gasoline was more affordable, it had several drawbacks. The gasoline of the 1930s contained high levels of paraffins and olefins that would likely clog modern fuel injectors. It also had low octane ratings and was leaded, which would damage modern engines over time and destroy catalytic converters.
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Cars could run on ethanol with gasoline as an option
In the 1930s, cars predominantly ran on gasoline, which was thermally cracked and contained paraffins and olefins. However, this fuel would not be suitable for modern cars, as it would likely damage their engines.
Cars in the 1930s could also run on ethanol, a type of alcohol fuel, which was blended with gasoline to create anti-knock properties and improve engine performance. This blend was known as E10 and contained up to 10% ethanol. Ethanol was also used in racing cars during this period, as it allowed for more power to be developed in a smaller, lighter engine.
The use of ethanol as a fuel additive gained traction in the 1930s due to several factors. The Prohibition of beverage alcohol in the US in the 1920s led to suggestions for more ethanol use as an anti-knock blend with gasoline. Additionally, in 1930, the German government mandated that gasoline importers source a percentage of their volume from the German Alcohol Monopoly, which resulted in increased ethanol production and usage.
Ethanol was also a form of homegrown fuel for the United States, especially during the Dust Bowl drought and the Great Depression, when farmers moved to cities in search of work. Using ethanol provided relief to farmers and helped alleviate engine knocking issues. However, the widespread adoption of ethanol was hindered by the high taxes imposed on it, making gasoline a more affordable option for most consumers.
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Frequently asked questions
In the 1930s, cars used gasoline that was thermally cracked and contained paraffins and olefins. Gasoline blends at the time included ethanol, an alcohol fuel, which was also used in racing cars as it could develop more power in a smaller, lighter engine.
The gasoline of the 1930s would have had very low octane ratings compared to today's standards and was leaded.
Modern fuel has a much higher octane rating and is unleaded. Modern engines would be damaged by 1930s fuel due to the lead content and low octane rating.
Koolmotor, Benzalcool, Moltaco, Lattybentyl, Natelite, Alcool and Agrol were some of the gasoline-ethanol blends found in the US, Britain, Italy, Hungary, Sweden, South Africa, and Brazil respectively.
