Mercedes Mullins
Gasoline, or petrol, is a mixture of volatile, flammable liquid hydrocarbons derived from petroleum and used as fuel for internal-combustion engines. It is one of the most energy-rich substances on Earth, with one gallon of gasoline containing about 132 megajoules of energy. Gasoline was discovered nearly 160 years ago as a byproduct of refining crude oil to make kerosene for lighting. In the early 1890s, automobile inventors began to realise its value as a motor fuel, and by 1920, there were about nine million gasoline-powered vehicles in the United States. Today, gasoline is the fuel of choice for light-duty vehicles, which consume around 90% of the product sold in the US.
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What You'll Learn
Gasoline's energy-rich properties
Gasoline is a high-energy-density fuel, making it one of the most energy-rich substances on Earth. It contains about 132 megajoules of energy per gallon, which is far greater than the next best liquid fuel source, ethanol, which contains about 121 megajoules per gallon. To put this into perspective, a lithium battery has an energy density of 1.8 megajoules per kilogram, while gasoline has an energy density of more than 40 megajoules per kilogram. This makes gasoline a very efficient fuel source for cars.
The energy content of gasoline varies according to the season and producer, with blends being adjusted to altitude and season. For example, less volatile blends are used during the summer to minimize evaporative losses. The performance specification of gasoline also varies with the season, as different times of the year require different energy outputs from the fuel.
Gasoline is a complex mixture of hundreds of different hydrocarbons, with between four and twelve carbon atoms per molecule. It is derived from the fractional distillation of petroleum and later chemically enhanced with gasoline additives. The hydrocarbons in gasoline are combined with oxygen from the ambient air in the engine's combustion chamber, yielding carbon dioxide and water as exhaust.
The high energy of combustion of gasoline, as well as its capacity to mix readily with air in a carburetor, are key reasons why it became the preferred automobile fuel. Its energy-rich properties, combined with its ability to resist premature ignition (which causes knocking and reduces engine efficiency), make it a very effective fuel for internal combustion engines.
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How gasoline is refined from crude oil
Gasoline is a fossil fuel derived from crude oil, a combination of hydrocarbons found underground in porous rock formations. The process of refining crude oil into gasoline involves several steps and requires significant infrastructure, including pipelines, refineries, and transportation systems. Here is a detailed breakdown of how gasoline is refined from crude oil:
Sourcing and Transportation:
Firstly, the raw material, crude oil, must be sourced and transported to refineries. Crude oil can be obtained through various methods, with the primary extraction process utilising the natural pressure of the reservoir to bring oil to the Earth's surface. It is then shipped to refineries via pipelines, rail, trucks, or ships and barges.
Heating and Vaporization:
Once at the refinery, the crude oil is heated in a furnace, turning it into a gas. This heating process occurs in a distillation tower, where the liquids and vapours are separated based on their boiling points. The heavy fractions with higher boiling points settle at the bottom, while lighter fractions, including gasoline, rise to the top and condense back into liquids.
Conversion and Refining:
After distillation, the heavy, lower-value fractions are further processed to create lighter, higher-value products like gasoline. This conversion is often done through a process called "cracking," where heat, pressure, catalysts, and sometimes hydrogen are used to break down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones. Other methods, such as reforming and isomerization, rearrange molecular structures to create different products.
Blending and Distribution:
Finally, the various streams of processed materials are carefully combined to create the final gasoline blend. Octane level, vapour pressure ratings, and other factors are considered during this blending process. The finished gasoline is then transported via pipelines, trains, or trucks to storage terminals near consumption areas. From there, tanker trucks deliver the gasoline to retail locations, where it is sold to consumers.
This process transforms crude oil into the gasoline that fuels cars and powers modern transportation. The refining and distribution process is complex and involves multiple stages, showcasing the intricate infrastructure and technology behind the everyday fuel that drives our vehicles.
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Gasoline's use in internal combustion engines
Gasoline, or petrol, is a mixture of volatile, flammable liquid hydrocarbons derived from petroleum. It is used as a fuel for internal combustion engines, which are suitable for use in transportation applications. The internal combustion engine obtains energy from the combustion of gasoline's various hydrocarbons with oxygen from the ambient air, yielding carbon dioxide and water as exhaust.
Gasoline was discovered nearly 160 years ago as a byproduct of refining crude oil to make kerosene for lighting. At the time, there was no use for gasoline, so it was burned at the refinery or discarded. In the early 1890s, automobile inventors began to realise that gasoline had value as a motor fuel. The development of the ""spray nozzle" carburetor enabled the use of less volatile fuels, and the early engines were fuelled by a relatively volatile hydrocarbon obtained from coal gas.
The fuel for internal combustion engines is injected into either the intake manifold or the combustion chamber, where it is combined with air. The air/fuel mixture is then ignited by the spark from a spark plug. Gasoline is well-suited for this process because of its high energy of combustion and capacity to mix readily with air in a carburetor.
Gasoline is one of the most energy-rich substances on Earth, with one gallon containing about 132 megajoules of energy. The energy density of gasoline is far superior to that of a lithium battery, which has an energy density of 1.8 megajoules per kilogram.
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Gasoline's discovery as a byproduct
Gasoline, one of the most energy-rich substances on Earth, was discovered nearly 160 years ago as a byproduct of refining crude oil to make kerosene for lighting. At the time, it was considered useless, so it was either burned at the refinery, converted to a gaseous fuel for gas lights, or discarded.
In 1859, Edwin Drake drilled the first crude oil well in Pennsylvania, with the objective of producing kerosene fuel for lighting. This process of refining crude oil, known as fractional distillation, involves breaking down the oil into various components, including gasoline. However, Drake had no use for the gasoline byproduct and ended up discarding it.
It wasn't until the invention of the automobile in 1892 that gasoline was recognised as a valuable motor fuel. The development of internal combustion engines, also known as Otto engines, in the late 19th century, played a crucial role in this discovery. These engines required a fuel with specific properties, and gasoline, with its high energy density and suitable boiling point, fit the bill perfectly.
The early versions of the internal combustion engine used a relatively volatile hydrocarbon obtained from coal gas. However, with the invention of the "spray nozzle" carburetor, it became possible to use less volatile fuels, opening up the possibility of utilising gasoline. By the early 1900s, improvements in compression ratio technology gave automobiles more power, further enhancing the appeal of gasoline as a motor fuel.
In the 1910s, researchers began investigating abnormal combustion issues and the use of additives to address them. This led to the discovery of tetraethyllead (TEL) in 1921, which not only improved fuel efficiency but also marked the beginning of a cycle of improvements in oil refining to produce more gasoline.
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The additives in gasoline
Gasoline is a complex mixture of over 150 hydrocarbons, including paraffins, olefins, and aromatics. It is an incredibly versatile and useful fuel source by itself. However, fuel additives are often blended with gasoline to enhance its quality and efficiency. These additives can be blended at the fuel terminal, or added by fuel suppliers, distributors, or even consumers post-sale.
One of the main functions of gasoline additives is to increase the octane rating of the fuel, allowing for higher compression ratios and, thus, greater efficiency and power. Ethanol, for example, is a cost-effective way to increase the octane rating of gasoline, and it burns cleanly, reducing emissions. Other octane boosters help improve performance in higher compression and turbocharged engines.
Another important function of additives is to act as corrosion inhibitors or lubricants. Antiknock agents, such as tetraethyl lead, were once commonly used to reduce engine knocking and provide smoother performance. However, due to its toxicity, tetraethyl lead has been phased out, and antiknock properties are now achieved through careful selection of hydrocarbons and additives like ethanol. Volatility modifiers, such as butane, are also used to control gasoline's volatility, ensuring easy engine starting and warm-up while preventing vapor lock. Detergents are another common additive, helping to fight deposits on fuel injectors and valves.
Other additives include metal deactivators, which neutralize the catalytic effect of trace metals that can accelerate fuel degradation, and oxygenates, which increase the oxygen content of gasoline, improving combustion efficiency and reducing carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions. Antioxidant blends are also added to improve the shelf life of gasoline, slowing oxidation that can form gums and varnishes.
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Frequently asked questions
Gasoline is a high-energy-density fuel source that is widely available and relatively inexpensive. It is a mixture of volatile, flammable liquid hydrocarbons derived from petroleum and used as fuel for internal-combustion engines.
Gasoline is made from crude oil, which contains hydrocarbons – organic compounds made up entirely of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
Gasoline is produced in oil refineries using a process called fractional distillation to break down crude oil into various components.
Alternatives to gasoline for fuelling cars include ethanol, electricity, natural gas, and other alternative fuels.
