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Fuel Rating (methanol =1) |
| Acetone | .791 | 9.5 - 10.5:1 | 12500 | 225 (23.7) |
ACETONE has all the basic requirements as a fuel being midway between petrol and methanol with an anti-knock rating approaching methanol. As an additive to methanol it reduces pre-ignition sensitivity and promotes easier starting under low temperature conditions (up to 10% for these purposes). In small percentages (about 3%) it also reduces methanol's hygroscopic properties. |
1316 (.60) |
| Benzole | .879 | 11 - 11.5:1 | 17300 | 169 (15.4) |
BENZOLE is often blended with methanol to give a greater energy per unit volume with reduction in the latent heat of vapourisation, this being a compromise to gain increased range (lower fuel consumption). | 1573 (.71) |
| Ethanol | .796 | 6.5 - 7.5:1 | 12500 | 410 (63.1) |
? | 1923 (.87) |
| Ether | .714 | 9.8:1 | 15000 | 153 (15.6) |
ETHER has a very low knock rating but this makes it an essential ingredient for model diesel fuels. In other fuels its volatile nature and low flash point make it useful as an additive (up to 5%) to improve starting and give a rapid throttle response. | 1531 (.69) |
| Methanol | .796 | 4.5 - 6.5:1 | 9970 | 472 (104.9) |
METHANOL permits the use of very high compression ratios when unsupercharged or high boost pressures when supercharged. The large cooling effect increases volumetric efficiency and is of particular use in supercharged engines reducing charge temperatures after compression. A tendency to pre- ignition is most noticeable at weak mixture levels. | 2216 (1) |
| Nitro Methane | 1.13 | .5 - 2.5:1 (can be even richer) |
5000 | 258 (516) (103.2 at leanest mixture) |
NITRO enables considerable power increases to be obtained (70% minimum with proper use). Most often blended with methanol, in various proportions, to provide power increases consistent with engine strength etc. A tendency to detonation is reduced by an increase in mixture strength, reduction in engine temperature or reduction in compression ratio. |
10000 (4.51) leanest ratio |
| Petrol | .743 | 12.5 - 13.5:1 | 19000 | 135 (10.8) |
PETROL is sometimes added to methanol in moderate proportions for increased economy (as with Benzol). However, like Benzol, it should be understood that the fuel will not have as great a cooling effect and also, because of the reduced fuel flow, less oil will pass through the engine so consideration should be given to increasing the percentage of oil in the fuel. |
1520 (.69) |
| Propylene Oxide | .83 | 9.6:1 | 14000 | 220 (22.9) |
PROPYLENE is used as an ignition accelerator particularly with nitro (up to 20% by volume with pure nitro) where noticeable increases in power are possible. Also promotes easier starting and smoother running when blended with methanol (up to 5%). | 1458 (.66) |
| Flash Point (deg C) |
Boiling Point (deg C) |
Freezing Point (deg C) |
Specific Gravity | General Description |
| 16 | 64 | -97 | .796 | Methanol (Methyl Alcohol) CH3OH is a volatile, highly flammable, water-clear liquid with a mildly spirituous odour. Miscible with water or nitro methane in all proportions and almost all with petrol. |
| 43 | 101 | -29 | 1.13 | Nitro Methane CH3NO2 is a highly flammable water-clear liquid with a mild odour, containing approximately 53% by weight of oxygen. Water will mix with nitro to the extent of only 2.5% by volume. |
| -18 | 56 | -94 | .791 | Acetone (Dimethyl Ketone) CH3COCH3 is a highly volatile, highly flammable, water-clear liquid with a strong, sharp, characteristic odour. Miscible with all the chemicals listed here and water. |
| -40 | 35 | -116 | .714 | Ether (Diethyl Ether) C2H5OC2H5 is an extremely volatile, highly flammable, water-clear liquid with a strong, lingering characteristic odour. Miscible with all the chemicals listed here but not with water. |
| -11 | 80 | 5 | .879 | Benzole (Benzene) C6H6 is a flammable, water-clear liquid with a dull, sweet odour. Miscible in most proportions with all the chemicals listed here but not with water. |
| 88 | 211 | 5 | 1.2 | Nitro Benzene C6H5NO2 is a flammable, yellow, oily liquid with a strong odour of almonds. Miscible in most proportions with all the chemicals listed here but not with water. |
| 0 | 34 | -104 | .83 | Propylene Oxide (1:2, Epoxypropane) CH3-CH- CH2 is an extremely volatile, very reactive, highly flammable, water-clear liquid with a light gaseous odour. Miscible with all the chemicals listed here but only partially with water. |
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Developed by Geistware of Indiana© ., 1999.
Updated June 9, 2002