Talk:Octane
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I propose a split. One article for octane(the chemical) and one for octane rating. GPTHURSTON
Yes, but what does octane do? How does it prevent against engine knocking? Should I bother filling up my 2002 Camry with 91 octane or will 87 suffice? Why do television announcers talk about "high-octane racing?"
I propose that the article absolutely not be split. Octane is a thing, not a rating, though it is treated in the media as a rating. The article needs to explain (by someone qualified to do so) how, when, and where octane is "added" to gasoline, or does it just "appear" during the refining process. Or is octane not actually in the gasoline ever, but just used as some reference measure?
Higher octane number, more octane present, more energy released from combustion
(Higher octane has nothing to do with energy being released for combustion. It's all about resisting pre-ignition)
Request - please give the reaction formula for combustion.
[edit] Engine knocking is autoignition AFTER the spark
In the early days of automotive engineering, it was assumed that engine knock was due to autoignition before the spark, but research has shown that to be incorrect. It is autoignition after the spark but before complete combustion of the fuel.
See http://www.faqs.org/faqs/autos/gasoline-faq/part3/ 74.70.32.60 02:56, 18 December 2006 (UTC)
If this is true, then it would appear that the fuel is not completely mixed - some components are igniting more readily than others. The pre-ignition theory was straight forward..
