History of Gasoline

We all know what gasoline is because we use it all of the time. However, we don’t think of gasoline for what it really is – a complex mixture of hydrocarbons.

History of Gasoline

The history of gasoline begins with the first oil well in 1859. The petroleum was used to produce kerosene for lighting. In 1892, the invention of the automobile prompted an interest in gasoline as a fuel. By 1920, 9 million automobiles were on the roads, so service stations began showing up everywhere. By 1950, cars were becoming more complex, so octane levels were increased and lead was added to the gas to improve the performance of the engine. However, lead leads to health issues, so the 1970s saw the removal of lead from gasoline.

We all know that gasoline comes from crude oil. The media is always reminding us of how much it costs per barrel. But what is gasoline chemistry? What is done to crude oil that turns it into gasoline? Below is a list of the chemicals you will find in your car’s gasoline:

• Hydrocarbon Octane, which has an engine cleaning effect
• Aromatic hydrocarbons such as Benzine and Toluene
• Paraffins
• Cyclic alkalines
• Alkenes and Polyenes
• Alkyl sophates that prevent engine filters from becoming clogged

Gasoline Facts

Here are some gasoline facts to make you think a little:

• In the U.S. alone there are over 234 million vehicles in operation that drive up to 12,000 miles per year.
• There are 164,292 fueling stations.
• Over 60% of the fuel that is used for transportation is in the form of gasoline.
• Gasoline emits carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas that is harmful to the environment.

These are just some of the gasoline facts that can really make you think. As for the future of gasoline as a fuel, much work is being done to find more efficient and environmentally safe fuels to relieve our dependence upon oil.