Thread: Octane & air limited
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Old Aug 10, 2007 | 03:59 PM
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BrianBrave
<--- Huge Horsepower
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: So Cal
Default Re: Octane & air limited
Just an added comment to gasoline brands.

In the USA most gasoline is piped to the distribution center from the different refineries using the same pipeline. Shell gasoline mixed with Mobil, mixed with Arco, mixed with independent brands.

The gas companies "Sell" the gas to the pipeline company and then "Buy" it back at the distribution center (Called Batching). If you observe the distribution center you will see that trucks (jobbers) from all Gas Companies and Independent dealers all get their refined gasoline from the same source (the rack). How would they know when Shell gas comes out the spicket (rack) VS Arco gas? They can't, it would not be efficient. Thus Gasoline is a commodity sold on the open market (spot).

The lesson is, unless the fuel comes straight from the refinery (trucked), there is no difference in fuel quality between brands, unless the gas station has leaky or contaminated tanks. And all gasoline is refined to a federal specification, with the specs are different for each region of the US. Western States have less sulfur requirements among other things.

One of my MBA teachers worked for Atlantic Richfield (now ARCO) for 20 years in the pipeline business. I could go on about how gas companies use this to inflate profits.

BTW - Pipeline delivery is very efficient, this why Ethanol fuel is a bad choice for our future. Gasoline and water don't blend and can be separated at the distribution center with a fuel/water filter or separator. Ethanol and water do blend (and this happens in the pipeline) and cannot be separated, thus creating a diluted fuel product.

Here are some links but you can google and learn more.

http://vettenet.org/octane.html

This link is great and a must read but as a pilot and aircraft owner, I disagree with the last sentence, empty fuel tanks allows water to condense water bad in planes, make engine stop, not good when airborne.
http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/oilgas/archive/061212.htm
http://www.eia.doe.gov/bookshelf/bro...05primerM.html
 
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