Performance analysis of gasoline from various local retailers

CHED 501

Peter Iles, ilespe@slcc.edu1, Ron Valcarce, ron.valcarce@slcc.edu2, Luther Giddings, lu.giddings@slcc.edu2, Jared Brewer, rajek_w@excite.com2, George Russell2, Megan Ahrend2, Alison Harvey2, and Paul Murphy, pmurph10@mymail.slcc.edu2. (1) Department of Chemistry, Salt Lake Community College, 4600 South Redwood Road, PO Box 30808, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0808, (2) Chemistry Department, Salt Lake Community College, 4600 South Redwood Rd, PO Box 30808, Salt Lake City, UT 84130
The SLCC-ACS designed a process for the qualitative analysis of gasoline samples from various retailers. A device was assembled using the frame and odometer of a Nordic Track® treadmill. A gasoline engine from a lawn-mower was attached and several fuel delivery systems constructed and tested. A protocol was developed to ensure control of factors such as exhaust accumulation and temperature. Results showed a measurable difference between gasoline samples from high-end retailers and other distributors, producing a directly proportional relationship between performance and cost. Future studies will include comparisons of various octane ratings as well as summer versus winter gasoline formulations.
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Organic Chemistry
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 25-29, 2007