Several years ago my offcie did an indepth analysis of the use of dyes
in aviation fuels...as a result of concern about dyes leaching into
aviation gasoline and jet fuels. The following is extracted from that
work...
Both the IRS and EPA require use of dyes in fuels...today they require
that all untaxed (highway use taxes) diesel/kerosene (IRS) and fuels
which do not meet emissions requirements (EPA) be injected with red
dye...untaxed fuels are used on farms and as home heating oil...and
these fuels work fine in commercial trucks on the highways...and cost
much less than half of the taxed fuel. A huge mafia (believe it or
not?) organization is involved in taking advantage of this gap between
the taxed and untaxed price...and the IRS and lawenforcement agencies
have exacted huge penalties for violations....the dye in untaxed fules
helps to catch the scoflaws, and returns significant millions of
dollars to the treasury.
For the EPA, the dye permits enforcement of environmental regulations
since some high emissions fules must continue to be available for
selected purposes. There are few exceptions to the legislation that
is the basis for the dye use, one of which is for aviation fuels.
Aviation gasoline (avgas) once was distributed in several octane
ranges and was color coded to permit pilots to check that they (their
airplanes) were being supplied the proper fuel...red avgas was 80/87
octane, 100/130 is green, and 115/145 octane was purple...(the first
two still exist, but I am not aware of there being any remaining
115/145 <military high test, so to speak>.
Petroleum manufacturer/refiners have over the years added dyes to fuel
as marketing ploys...witness the black dye use for Texaco Silver, and
the argument that "clear" Amoco is better for engines than other, less
"pure" fuels, etc. None of the dyes in the gasoline makes any
significant difference in terms of performance...and long term, dyes
aren't really good for engines at all.
Gas does age...and it turns to lacquer...which tho a combustable isn't
great for carbs and filters and deposits in engines, etc. I'm not
sure that old "baad gaas" can actually be detected by the color, tho
the smell of old gas is a dead give-away...and the residuals in a tank
are pretty obvious, assuming one can see into the tank.
I guess my point is, the presence of color may or may not be an
indication of age...particularly if dyes are present.
Cheers!
PMcQ
76 Spitfire
73 TR-6
72 GT-6
69 GT-6+
47 TR 1800 Roadster
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: BAAAAD GAAAAS
Author: van@nucmar.physics.fsu.edu at Internet
Date: 8/12/97 1:12 PM
Scions,
Did not read all of this thread, but did catch the comment on new
fuel formulations and whether or not they turn to varnish by C. Pugh. As
far as I have been informed there is still a storgage limit to gasoline
and it is a great concern to boaters who store their crafts for long
periods... "hmmm, two years ago this motor started fine" is a comment
heard on the dock many a spring. no sig file, Van
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