Petrol

The fuel is a material which, when burned have the ability to produce heat , light or energy . When this happens, it reaches a usable potential state either directly or indirectly by producing waste heat . There are several types of fuels, one of the most important is gasoline . Also known as gasoline or gasoline , this fuel is obtained from oil and is essential in daily life.

What is gasoline for

Its main use is to function as fuel for all engines that work by means of internal combustion , for example vehicles and trucks. It is also used as a type of solvent . In small aircraft it also plays an important role as it allows them to move as well as in small mechanical equipment that is used in construction , agriculture and forestry . It can also be used as a type of electricity when used in portable or emergency power appliances.

History

In its beginnings, gasoline was a type of by – product that resulted from the distillation of oil , however, it was not widely used and that is why it was disposed of in oil fields, causing their contamination. In the 9th century, the fuels used for cars came from a tar distillate and a few small amounts of crude oil.

It was in the year 1859 when Edwin Drake conducted the excavations of the first residue of crude oil located in Pennsylvania and managed to distill the first oil in order to produce kerosene for lighting . With this process, various products were produced from petroleum including gasoline. At that time, there was no use for it so it was discarded. Later in 1892 , with the invention of the automobile , gasoline became one of the most important fuels .

Types of gasoline

The types of gasoline that there are closely related to the indices of octanes having, this is an index that has the ability to assess the ability antiknock of fuel when in part internad the cylinder, based on this, there are the following types of gasoline:

• Regular : this type of gasoline has the lowest octane rating, which is generally 87.
• Medium : the fuel has a medium octane rating that ranges from 89 to 90.
• Premium : this type of gasoline is the one with the highest octane rating, generally 91-95. In some countries it is known by the name of super gasoline. It is known as Octane 95 .

Characteristics

Among the main characteristics of gasoline are the following:

• It is obtained by means of direct distillation .
• It is more efficient to produce reaction , precision and speed .
• It has a high level of volatility .
• It is a derivative of oil and for this reason, it is a type of energy considered as non-renewable.
• It is a little more polluting than diesel, producing emissions in gasoline engines of 73.38 g / MJ.
• It has a density of 680 kg / m³.
• For every liter of gasoline , 34.78 MJ (mega joules) of energy are produced.

Composition

Gasoline is made up of a large amount of hydrocarbons, including butane and butenes . The most typical composition includes 4-8% of alkanes , 2-5% alkenes , 25-40% isoalkanes , 3-7% cycloalkanes , around 1-4% cycloalkanes, and between 20 and 50% of total aromatics . To improve its performance, various hydrocarbons are also added .

Obtaining

Gasoline can be obtained through a process known as direct distillation. It is necessary to heat the oil and, as the temperature rises, the compounds having fewer carbon atoms in the molecules begin to come off easily and then, the compounds are in liquid state is vaporized and separated to divide in sectors. When the crude is inside the refinery of the distillation tower , it is heated again until it reaches 400 ° C and this produces that the vaporsthey can rise to the sections where the substances condense depending on the characteristics. Subsequently, the first vapors are liquefied with heavy diesel at approximately 300 ° C, then with light diesel at 200 ° C, later with kerosene at 175 ° C, then with naphtha to finally obtain gasoline .

Bookings

Taking into account that gasoline comes from oil , the main reserves of this material are located primarily in Venezuela , one of the countries with the largest amount of oil reserves in the world. In second place we find Saudi Arabia , and in third place is Canada .

Environmental impact

The environmental impact of gasoline occurs mainly when it fulfills the function of fuel in means of transport , when it is burned . When gasoline combustion occurs, a large amount of harmful gases are produced in the environment such as carbon dioxide , nitrogen oxide , carbon monoxide and several hydrocarbon molecules, which cannot be burned during the combustion process, which are sent to the atmosphere .

The main problem is due to the release of carbon dioxide , which, when accumulated in the atmosphere, produces a greenhouse effect which increases global warming . In addition, when these large amounts of carbon dioxide are absorbed by seawater, carbonic acid is produced , a substance that causes great damage to the marine ecosystem .

Cost per country

The approximate cost of gasoline in some countries is mentioned below:

• Spain : in this country, a half liter of gasoline has a value of 1.22 euros.
• Mexico : In Mexico, gasoline can vary depending on the state, but it is around $ 16 and $ 18.
• Colombia : here gasoline can also vary in terms of prices, ranging between $ 8 and $ 8.5.

How to save

Here are some helpful tips for saving gas while driving:

• It is important that the pressure of the tires is correct.
• Maintain the vehicle between 1500 and 2500 revolutions .
• It is advisable not to exceed the temperature of the air conditioning , the ideal is to use it in more than 22 ° C.
• Maintain adequate monitoring and review of the filter of the engine and the air cleaner.
• Should avoid keeping the engine running of the car if it is not circulating.
• Keeping the tires well inflated and the engine tuned is essential for good economy.

Advantages of gasoline

Among its main advantages are the following:

• It is much cheaper than other types of fuels.
• When the engines use gasoline they are quieter and have less vibrations .
• Your heating system is much more efficient .
• Provides better and more power when revving up.

Disadvantages

Among its main disadvantages we can find the following:

• Gasoline is more expensive than other types of fuel.
• To have a good thrust you need a good boost .
• It is a type of fuel that can burn and explode very easily.
• In large vehicles its consumption tends to be quite high .
• They can generate large amounts of pollution in the environment .

Importance

Gasoline is one of the fuels of greater importance in the world , in fact, it is considered as a type of currency . It is the main ingredient so that the term engines can function correctly, which makes it essential for human and merchandise transport . It is also essential for internal combustion engines and for many types of machines that need it to function.