Acetone in Gas

Acetone is a colorless, volatile liquid which is used as a solvent in the chemical industry. It is the least toxic solvent and is used to produce chloroform, paints, varnishes, pesticides, lubricating oil and many other pharmaceutical products. It is easily available in any common hardware or drug store. Acetone readily volatilizes when present in water and does not absorb to sediments.

Now according to some experts, adding a specific amount of acetone in your gas tank helps increase gas mileage and also gives better engine performance. With the rising gas prices people want to come up with different ways to improve gas mileage by burning less fuel or with some additives in the fuel. Well, there is a lot written and said about this.

A car would run efficiently if complete vaporization of the fuel occurs. But this is next to impossible these days. There is always a certain amount of residual fuel remaining in the hot chamber. Complete combustion will occur only when this fuel is fully vaporized. Surface tension is one important factor which affects the complete vaporization of the fuel. It inhibits the vaporization of some fuel droplets. The lesser the surface tension, better the performance. Acetone has the capacity to reduce the surface tension. There are some inherent molecular vibrations in acetone which helps to break the surface tension. This leads to an increased vaporization of fuel thus increasing the efficiency of the engine. It also gives the engine a longer life and a better performance.

Acetone in the Gas Tank

Adding about 2 to 3 ounces of pure acetone per 10 gallons of gas is recommended by the experts. Increasing the amount of acetone beyond the recommended level can worsen the mileage. So check properly how much amount of acetone suits your vehicle. The ratio may vary depending on the type of gasoline you use. Also remember to use 100% pure acetone. Do not go for acetone sold as paint thinners or paint removers. It may cause damage to your engine. Using acetone as an additive in your gas tank has some other benefits too. They are as follows:

1. Acetone increases the efficiency of the engine thus increasing its life.
2. A small amount of acetone in the diesel can stop the black smoke and reduce the exhaust soot.
3. Acetone also cuts down up to 60% of hydrocarbon emission.

Despite the benefits mentioned above, use of acetone in the fuel can be risky. Acetone is highly flammable and can be hazardous when directly exposed to flame and heat. Therefore it is advisable to use acetone only after you have read enough about its safety and precautionary measures. Moreover as acetone has corrosive properties, there is a risk of corroding any rubber parts of your vehicle. You will have to be careful even with the paint of your vehicle as acetone is also used as a paint remover. The vapors of acetone like any organic solvent can be risky if inhaled. So be careful while using acetone.

You need to consult an expert in this field or conduct a mileage check to test if acetone suits your engine and increases gas mileage. Hope this theory works out and your car goes zoom!