Gasoline

Gasoline in a glass jar

Gasoline (/ˈɡæsəln/) or petrol (/ˈpɛtrəl/) is a petrochemical product characterized as a transparent, yellowish, and flammable liquid normally used as a fuel for spark-ignited internal combustion engines. When formulated as a fuel for engines, gasoline is chemically composed of organic compounds derived from the fractional distillation of petroleum and later chemically enhanced with gasoline additives. It is a high-volume profitable product produced in crude oil refineries.[1]

The fuel-characteristics of a particular gasoline-blend, which will resist igniting too early—and cause engine knocking and reduce efficiency in reciprocating engines—are measured as the octane rating of the fuel blend; the gasoline blend with the most stable octane rating then is produced in several fuel-grades for different types of motor. Tetraethyl lead and other lead compounds are not used in modern automotive gasoline, except in aviation, off-road motor vehicles, and racing car motors.[2][3]

Gasoline can enter the Earth's environment as an un-combusted liquid fuel, as a flammable liquid, or as a vapor by way of leakages occurring during its production, handling, transport and delivery.[4] Gasoline contains known carcinogens.[5][6][7] Gasoline is often used as a recreational inhalant and can be harmful or fatal when used in such a manner.[8] When burned, one liter (0.26 U.S. gal) of gasoline emits about 2.3 kilograms (5.1 lb) of CO2, a greenhouse gas, contributing to human-caused climate change.[9][10] Oil products, including gasoline, were responsible for about 32% of CO2 emissions worldwide in 2021.[11]

On average, U.S. petroleum refineries produce about 19 to 20 gallons of gasoline, 11 to 13 gallons of distillate fuel diesel fuel and 3 to 4 gallons of jet fuel from each 42 gallon (152 liters) barrel of crude oil. The product ratio depends upon the processing in an oil refinery and the crude oil assay[12] (see § Etymology).

  1. ^ Gary, James H.; Handwerk, Glenn E. (2001). Petroleum refining: technology and economics (4. ed.). New York Basel: Dekker. p. 1. ISBN 978-0-8247-0482-7.
  2. ^ "Why small planes still use leaded fuel decades after phase-out in cars". NBC News. 22 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Race Fuel 101: Lead and Leaded Racing Fuels". Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  4. ^ "Preventing and Detecting Underground Storage Tank (UST) Releases". United States Environmental Protection Agency. 13 October 2014. Archived from the original on 10 December 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  5. ^ "Evaluation of the Carcinogenicity of Unleaded Gasoline". U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Archived from the original on 27 June 2010.
  6. ^ Mehlman, MA (1990). "Dangerous properties of petroleum-refining products: carcinogenicity of motor fuels (gasoline)". Teratogenesis, Carcinogenesis, and Mutagenesis. 10 (5): 399–408. doi:10.1002/tcm.1770100505. PMID 1981951.
  7. ^ Baumbach, JI; Sielemann, S; Xie, Z; Schmidt, H (15 March 2003). "Detection of the gasoline components methyl tert-butyl ether, benzene, toluene, and m-xylene using ion mobility spectrometers with a radioactive and UV ionization source". Analytical Chemistry. 75 (6): 1483–90. doi:10.1021/ac020342i. PMID 12659213.
  8. ^ "Gasoline Sniffing". HealthyChildren.org. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Releases or emission of CO2 per Liter of fuel (Gasoline, Diesel, LPG)". 7 March 2008. Archived from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  10. ^ Cook, John; Nuccitelli, Dana; Green, Sarah A.; Richardson, Mark; Winkler, Bärbel; Painting, Rob; Way, Robert; Jacobs, Peter; Skuce, Andrew (2013). "Global Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet". Environmental Research Letters. 8 (2). NASA: 024024. Bibcode:2013ERL.....8b4024C. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/8/2/024024. S2CID 250675802. Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  11. ^ Ritchie, Hannah; Roser, Max; Rosado, Pablo (11 May 2020). "CO₂ and Greenhouse Gas Emissions". Our World in Data. Global Change Data Lab. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Refining crude oil—U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)".

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