Mixing gas

[JEFF HOYLE]

Mixing gas, if done thoroughly, will give the expected results. For example
if you mix an equal quantities of octane 87 gas and octane 92 then the
resultant mixture will have an octane rating of 89.5.

However you should be warned that a gas tank is not a very good vessel for
mixing liquids. More likely in this situation is that the different gases
will form layers in the tank! So at least for the first few hours you will
get mostly whichever octane you pump first. Well that is unless you add a
couple of pints at a time of each, which is not really practical!!!

You could mix small quantities in gas cans, but this is dangerous (fire
hazard etc.) especially if it is a warm/hot day when you do it. Also
gasoline fumes are pretty toxic over the long term. The aromatic compounds,
especially benzene, present in gas are carcenogenic. Which is why you
should always face away/upwind of your car if you are doing your own filling.

Hope that helps/answers the question.

Jeff out !!

***********************************************************
* Dr Jeff Hoyle (Organic Chemist) *
* Chemistry and Soil Science Department *
* Nova Scotia Agricultural College FAX: (902)-895-4547 * *
* P.O. Box 550, TRURO, Voice: (902)-893-6630 *
* Nova Scotia. CANADA B2N 5E3 *
* ----------------- *
* Internet: cs...@cox.nsac.ns.ca OR jh...@ac.nsac.ns.ca *
***********************************************************

[Randy Casciola]

>Mixing gas, if done thoroughly, will give the expected results. For example
>if you mix an equal quantities of octane 87 gas and octane 92 then the
>resultant mixture will have an octane rating of 89.5.
>
>However you should be warned that a gas tank is not a very good vessel for
>mixing liquids. More likely in this situation is that the different gases
>will form layers in the tank! So at least for the first few hours you will
>get mostly whichever octane you pump first. Well that is unless you add a
>couple of pints at a time of each, which is not really practical!!!

I might be wrong, but from what I understand, in cars with fuel
injection, gas is constantly being cycled through the engine and
the gas that is not burned goes back to the tank. If this is true,
I would think it would be an ideal place to mix gasoline.

Randy