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Storage stability of gasoline: fundamentals of gum formation, including a discussion of radiotracer techniques

Journal Article · · U.S., Bur. Mines, Bull.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6597433

Variables of composition and environment affecting storage stability of gasoline were studied, utilizing radioactive tracers and other analytical techniques. Changes in gasoline composition brought about by aging at 43.3/sup 0/C (110/sup 0/F) were determined and correlated with gum formation. Rapid aging with UV light was compared to storage at 43.3/sup 0/ C. The amounts of reaction of selected gasoline components, labeled with radioactive tracers, were determined in a gasoline and in a mixture of 17 selected pure gasoline components. Sulfur compounds, nitrogen compounds, polycyclic aromatics, and olefins entered into gum-forming reactions. The aromtic constituents of gasolines contributed substantially to gum formation. A mixture of tetralin- and indan-type compounds was reactive, and this mixture appeared to be the main aromatic portion entering into gum formation. A significant amount of naphthalenes also appeared to have reacted in the gum-forming process. Analyses of the sulfur compounds in a fresh and an aged fuel indicated that elemental sulfur, hydrogen sulfide, thiols, sulfides, and disulfides were depleted during aging, but thiophenes and residual sulfur compounds were not depleted by fuel deterioration.

OSTI ID:
6597433
Journal Information:
U.S., Bur. Mines, Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: U.S., Bur. Mines, Bull.; (United States) Vol. 626; ISSN XBMBA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English