Australian Petrol & Nulon Octane Boosters
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102 Fact Sheet No. Australian Petrol & Nulon Octane Boosters Q. What is petrol? A. Quite simply, petrol is a mixture of low boiling point hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbon molecules range from the smallest (in gaseous form) to the largest (or longest) which is the bitumen we have on our roads. The smaller the molecule, the lower the boiling point. For an internal combustion petrol engine to run properly, the fuel must have a range of varying sized hydrocarbon molecules. Remember, an engine does not run on petrol, it runs on a very finely atomised vapour. The hydrocarbon molecules have to boil to produce vapour. In cold-start conditions an engine runs on the smaller molecules, which boil at a lower temperature. We have to use the choke (or enrich the mixture in an injected engine) in order to increase the amount of petrol, and in so doing increase the available volume of small molecules. As the engine warms up it will start to burn the larger molecules, which boil at a higher temperature. When the engine has reached its optimum operating temperature it will readily run on the largest molecules. It is the larger molecules that produce the greatest amount of power. This explains why, in areas of wide temperature variation from summer to winter, there is a need to change the ratios of the molecule sizes to cater for the seasonal changes. This is done automatically at the refineries without our knowledge. Q. What is petroleum? A. Petroleum is a complex mixture of organic liquids called crude oil and natural gas, which occurs naturally in the ground and was formed millions of years ago. Crude oil varies from oil field to oil field in colour and composition, from a pale yellow low-viscosity liquid to heavy black “treacle” consistencies. Crude oil and natural gas are of little use in their raw state; their value lies in what is created from them: fuels, lubricating oils, waxes, asphalt, petrochemicals and quality natural gas. Q. Is petrol produced to a standard? A. Yes. Petrol distributed and sold in Australia has to comply with the appropriate standards as defined by the Australian Standards Association. Furthermore, all refineries have their own specifications and each batch of petrol is tested to verify that it falls within the tolerances of that standard. Q. How much does petrol vary in composition? A. A lot! Sometimes our petrol is from our own refineries and at other times it is imported. It all depends on world pricing as to whether petrol is imported or produced locally. Composition can vary dramatically depending on the source availability and cost of the components. Importantly, in all instances the particular fuel should meet Australian Standards. Imported petrol is supposed to be tested for compliance prior to being unloaded from the ship. The purpose of this paper is to provide factual information that will assist all Nulon staff, resellers and consumers to have a better understanding of what petrol is and how it works in our engines. This information is not biased towards the use of Nulon fuel treatments. It is a statement of factual information. The use of a petrol additive of any sort is the choice of the consumer. This information is intended to help the consumer make an informed decision. Technical Bulletin 1
Transcript of Australian Petrol & Nulon Octane Boosters
102Fact Sheet No.
Australian Petrol &Nulon Octane Boosters
Q. What is petrol?
A. Quite simply, petrol is a mixture of low boiling point hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbonmolecules range from the smallest (in gaseous form) to the largest (or longest) which isthe bitumen we have on our roads. The smaller the molecule, the lower the boiling point.For an internal combustion petrol engine to run properly, the fuel must have a range ofvarying sized hydrocarbon molecules. Remember, an engine does not run on petrol, itruns on a very finely atomised vapour. The hydrocarbon molecules have to boil to producevapour.
In cold-start conditions an engine runs on the smaller molecules, which boil at a lowertemperature. We have to use the choke (or enrich the mixture in an injected engine) inorder to increase the amount of petrol, and in so doing increase the available volume ofsmall molecules. As the engine warms up it will start to burn the larger molecules, whichboil at a higher temperature. When the engine has reached its optimum operatingtemperature it will readily run on the largest molecules. It is the larger molecules thatproduce the greatest amount of power.
This explains why, in areas of wide temperature variation from summer to winter, there isa need to change the ratios of the molecule sizes to cater for the seasonal changes. This isdone automatically at the refineries without our knowledge.
Q. What is petroleum?
A. Petroleum is a complex mixture of organic liquids called crude oil and natural gas, whichoccurs naturally in the ground and was formed millions of years ago. Crude oil varies fromoil field to oil field in colour and composition, from a pale yellow low-viscosity liquid toheavy black “treacle” consistencies. Crude oil and natural gas are of little use in their rawstate; their value lies in what is created from them: fuels, lubricating oils, waxes, asphalt,petrochemicals and quality natural gas.
Q. Is petrol produced to a standard?
A. Yes. Petrol distributed and sold in Australia has to comply with the appropriate standardsas defined by the Australian Standards Association. Furthermore, all refineries have theirown specifications and each batch of petrol is tested to verify that it falls within thetolerances of that standard.
Q. How much does petrol vary in composition?
A. A lot! Sometimes our petrol is from our own refineries and at other times it is imported. Itall depends on world pricing as to whether petrol is imported or produced locally.Composition can vary dramatically depending on the source availability and cost of thecomponents. Importantly, in all instances the particular fuel should meet AustralianStandards. Imported petrol is supposed to be tested for compliance prior to beingunloaded from the ship.
The purpose of this paper is to provide factual information that will assist all Nulon staff,resellers and consumers to have a better understanding of what petrol is and how it works inour engines. This information is not biased towards the use of Nulon fuel treatments. It is astatement of factual information. The use of a petrol additive of any sort is the choice of theconsumer. This information is intended to help the consumer make an informed decision.
Technical Bulletin
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Q. What is “RON” or “Octane Number”?
A. RON and Octane Number are the same thing, i.e. “Research Octane Number”, which is ameasure of a petrol’s ability to prevent detonation in a spark ignition engine.
Q. What petrols are currently available in Australia?
A. ULP (Unleaded Petrol) 91-93 RONPULP (Premium Unleaded Petrol) 95+ RONShell Optimax, BP Ultimate 98, Mobil Synergy 8000 98+ RONLRP (Lead Replacement Petrol) 96+ RON
Q. What is “detonation” (also known as “pinging” or “knocking”)?
A. Firstly, we need to understand the basic combustion process in a petrol engine. Air andpetrol are mixed in the inlet manifold where the mixture is vaporised and drawn into thecylinder by the piston’s intake stroke. All valves in the cylinder are then closed and thevapour is compressed as the piston travels towards Top Dead Centre (TDC) on itscompression stroke. Just before the piston reaches TDC the compressed mixture is ignitedby the spark plug and it burns at a controlled rate in accordance with the design of thecombustion chamber and piston crown. The progressive burning of the mixture exertscontrolled pressure onto the top of the piston.
One could write a book on the subject of detonation, however a simple description is asfollows. As the piston travels upwards on its compression stroke the air/petrol mixture issubjected to increasing temperature and pressure. The mixture has to remain stable untilit is ignited by the spark plug. Once ignited it must remain chemically stable for the flameto progress smoothly across the combustion chamber and in doing so exert even pressureon the piston crown. If the mixture does not remain stable under the provocation of risingtemperature and pressure during the piston’s compression stroke, it explodes and thiscauses an explosive rise in temperature resulting in shock waves. These shock waves arethe “pinging” sound we hear. This explosion or, as we know it, “detonation” is inefficient,wasteful of fuel and can potentially cause severe engine damage.
Q. What is an “Octane Booster”?
A. The word “booster” in this instance is somewhat misleading. It conjures up visions of anengine having “boosted performance” or that octane booster gives the fuel more“oomph”. The purpose of an octane booster is to increase the octane number of the petrol,which in turn reduces or retards the fuel’s tendency to detonate. So, all an octane boosterdoes is ensure that the fuel mixture burns properly so that the engine can functionaccording to its design and at maximum efficiency. Traditionally, refineries have used leadas a very effective octane booster. We all know of the alleged environmental impact oflead, which has paved the way for the world to convert to Unleaded Petrol. Taking the leadfrom fuel has meant that alternative means have had to be found to maintain octane levelsin petrol.
Q. When was leaded petrol removed completely from the Australian market?
A. Leaded petrol was withdrawn from the market in WA at the beginning of 2000, with therefineries (suppliers) monitoring the effects of the withdrawal. It was withdrawn nationallyin 2002.
Q. My pre-1985 car does not run well on Lead Replacement Petrol. Why is this?
A. LRP is simply PULP with an additive to protect against valve seat recession. Originallyleaded petrol had a RON of 97, but several years ago it was reduced to 96 RON. LRP alsohas a RON of greater than 96. Theoretically, any engine that has been performingsatisfactorily on leaded petrol should perform equally well on LRP. However, this is notnecessarily the case. It is a somewhat complex subject and will be addressed at length ina separate paper. Meanwhile we recommend the use of Nulon Octane Boost and Clean toassist in overcoming problems with fouling spark plugs and detonation.
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Q. What is benzene?
A. Pure benzene burns with a smoky flame because of its high carbon content. When mixedwith a large proportion of petrol it makes a satisfactory fuel. In Europe benzene mixed withsome toluene and other related compounds has long been added to motor fuels. Benzenebelongs to the family of aromatic solvents.
Q. What is toluene?
A. Toluene is also an aromatic solvent and is used in the formulation of Australia’s petrols atconcentrations from 7% to 15%. PULP contains higher concentrations as toluene has ahigh octane level.
Q. Is it legal to use Avgas in road-going vehicles?
A. The simple answer is no. The penalties can be extreme for offenders; for example, in NSWthe fine is up to $120,000.
Q. Why do petrol companies recommend against the use of Petrol Injector Cleaners?
A. Firstly, they want the consumer to believe that their fuel is all that is required. Secondly,there are good and bad products on the market and they are not about to test and policeall those products.
Q. Does Nulon PIC contain any octane booster?
A. No, Nulon PIC contains no octane booster. Its formulation contains a variety ofcomponents that function only as a detergent. PIC will clean all carbon and gum depositsfrom the tank to the combustion chamber in fuel-injected engines and engines with carburettors.
Q. Will using PULP clean my injectors?
A. Most petrol we purchase does contain some detergent, but only the minimum amount(due to cost). The amount used in many instances is not sufficient, hence the justificationfor aftermarket petrol injector cleaning products.
Q. Nulon produces two octane boosting products. How do I know which one to use and how
much to use?
A. 1) Nulon OBC (Octane Boost & Clean)
Nulon OBC is not designed to be used as an octane booster for regular use. It ispredominantly for use in cars that run on ULP as opposed to those running on leadedpetrol or PULP. When burned, Australia’s ULP tends to leave deposits in the inlet manifold,on the back of inlet valves and in the combustion chamber. These deposits (particularlythose in the combustion chamber) often lead to detonation. The octane booster in OBCboosts the octane of the petrol sufficiently to immediately stop the detonation. The mainfunction of OBC is to dissolve and clean away the combustion deposits so that when nextthe tank is filled the engine should not detonate. Further treatment is only required whenthe engine again starts to detonate, which is usually at least four tankfuls later. OBC shouldalways be used in accordance with the instructions on the bottle label.
2) Nulon PSO (Pro Strength Octane Booster)
Nulon PSO solves all the problems associated with engines that do not have their octanerequirement satisfied by Australia’s relatively low octane petrols. Vehicles affected areearly model Holdens, Fords, modified engines, many vintage vehicles and a considerablenumber of luxury cars. Generally these engines were designed to run on 98 Octane ULPor leaded petrol. If an engine described above detonates, it is simply a case of addingsufficient PSO to eliminate the detonation. It is important to remember that more is notnecessarily better. We suggest you add half the recommended amount and then increaseor decrease the treatment by experiment until there is just enough PSO being usedto stop the detonation. This is particularly relevant to engines that are not fitted withknock sensors.
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For engines that are fitted with knock sensors (such as luxury and imported cars) it is moredifficult to ascertain whether or not the engine will benefit from an octane booster. Usuallythey do not detonate, as the purpose of the knock sensor is to signal the enginemanagement computer that detonation is commencing to occur. The computer thenretards the engine timing to eliminate detonation. While this protects the engine frompotential damage, it robs it of its efficiency and performance. In such instances we wouldrecommend PSO be added at the recommended rate. An immediate improvement inperformance will be noted. When the tank is filled again we suggest the dosage bereduced to 75%, and the following fill to 50% and so on until the engine’s performancestarts to drop off. This is the only way to evaluate the optimum treat rate. Subsequenttreatments should be at a slightly higher rate than the level where performance dropped.
Q. Will PSO foul spark plugs?
A. PSO will not foul spark plugs unless it is used constantly at treatment levels higherthan recommended.
Q. Do Nulon octane boosters have a negative effect on the environment?
A. No more than normal petrol does when used at recommended treatment rates.
All information contained in this publication is as accurate and up to date as possible. SinceNulon Products Australia Pty Ltd cannot anticipate or control the conditions under which thisinformation may be used, each user should review the information in the specific context ofthe application.
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Phone: +61 2 9450 1791
Freecall: 1800 67 99 22
Fax: +61 2 9450 2448
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Website: www.nulon.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Nulon Products Australia Pty Ltd
Unit 1, 4 Narabang Way
BELROSE NSW
AUSTRALIA 2085
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