What are the byproducts of gasoline combustion?
4 Answers
The byproducts of gasoline combustion are mainly water and carbon dioxide, along with CO, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, etc. Here is a related introduction to the main characteristics of gasoline: Stability: Refers to the stability of gasoline when stored under natural conditions for a long time, characterized by gum content, induction period, and iodine value. The lower the gum content, the better; the longer the induction period, the better. National standards stipulate that the actual gum content per 100 milliliters of gasoline must not exceed 5 milligrams. The iodine value indicates the content of olefins. Corrosiveness: Corrosiveness refers to the property of gasoline to corrode equipment such as storage tanks, pipelines, valves, carburetors, and cylinders during storage, transportation, and use. It is characterized by total sulfur, mercaptans, copper strip test, and acid value.
When gasoline burns in the engine, it mainly produces carbon dioxide and water vapor, which are relatively clean byproducts. However, real-world conditions are less ideal because the combustion process also releases carbon monoxide, a highly dangerous substance that can easily cause poisoning. Additionally, at high temperatures, nitrogen gets involved and forms nitrogen oxides, which are major contributors to smog. The last time I opened up an engine, I also found carbon deposits—those black residues are evidence of incomplete combustion. The sulfur in gasoline turns into sulfur dioxide when burned, which smells like rotten eggs and can corrode the exhaust pipes. So, while cars are convenient to drive, their emissions are quite complex, which is why there's such a push for electric vehicles nowadays.
There are quite a few byproducts after gasoline combustion. In complete combustion, only carbon dioxide and water remain, but in actual driving conditions, it's rare to burn this cleanly. Most vehicles emit some harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide, which binds to hemoglobin 200 times more strongly than oxygen, making it particularly dangerous. There are also unburned hydrocarbons, which give off that gasoline smell you notice. At high engine temperatures, nitrogen and oxygen react to form nitrogen oxides, which are highly irritating to the respiratory tract. Additionally, the additives in gasoline produce particulate matter after combustion, which can clog the catalytic converter and affect performance. That's why new cars are now equipped with particulate filters to handle these troublesome substances.
In an ideal scenario, burning gasoline primarily produces carbon dioxide and water. However, in reality, engines often experience incomplete combustion, leading to black smoke emissions containing large amounts of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. When repairing cars, I frequently observe white crystalline deposits on the inner walls of exhaust pipes, which are sulfates formed from sulfur combustion. Additionally, nitrogen oxides are generated under high temperatures, especially noticeable during rapid acceleration. These exhaust emissions not only pollute the environment but also pose long-term risks to lung health when inhaled. Therefore, it's advisable to regularly clean the fuel injectors and throttle body to ensure better gasoline atomization and reduce harmful emissions.
