Interesting article in the September 2nd Science News. Researchers reported at the 220th meeting of the American Chemical Society on the use of polyisobutylene as a gasoline and diesel fuel addtive. This polymer is usually used in the manufacture of synthetic rubber. However, when the chemical is added to gasoline, apparently emissions drop by 70%, mileage climbs by 20%, and horsepower goes up 10%! They have tested the additive in about 60 cars in 3 states. The researchers say that the additive slows down combustion of fast burning small molecules in gasoline and allow more complete combustion of long chain molecules in fuel. Obviously, still a lot of long term health effect, air pollution, mechanical wear, and regulatory hurdles to clear before it appears at the pumps and we all jump for joy, but at least someone is looking for answers!


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JCE
87 300E, 65k miles
Smoke Silver

[This message has been edited by JCE (edited 10-16-2000).]

I saw the same article. I don't understand how a polymeric material like this could perform the miracle claimed. I do know wierd things can and do happen sometimes. However, in this case, I'm from Missouri and don't believe the stuff performs a stouted.

Low molecular weight PIB (the active stuff in STP) is used as a lube oil in 2 stroke oil in the far east with good results. The stuff burns incredibly clean compared to real oils. But increase fuel economy 20% no way.

I wondered at the time I read the article if they meant you can tweak the engine with this additive to get 70% less emissions OR 20% more economy OR 10% more horsepower. Perhaps the car with the 70% lower emissions did not have much HP or MPG gains; the best car for HP gains didn't improve much on MPG or emissions; and the best results for MPG also had lower emissions, but not much on HP improvement. I am trying to get a copy of the ACS proceedings to read the original article.

Even if the numbers are true, I still would need convincing on the health effects and engine wear issues. For example, oil refineries were required to add MTBE (Methyltertbutylether) as a "cleaner burning" oxygenating fuel additive, despite conflicting scientific studies on the claim, and the environmental and health warnings were ignored. Now they have to redo the refineries to remove the MTBE.

As always, until the work is duplicated in other labs, it is opinion, not science.


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JCE
87 300E, 65k miles
Smoke Silver