What is the density of 92 gasoline?
2 Answers
The density of 92-octane gasoline is 0.725g/ml, but the density of gasoline is not a fixed value. Due to thermal expansion and contraction, the density of gasoline will vary slightly with seasonal climate changes. Generally, the fuel grade can be determined based on the engine's compression ratio. Vehicles with an engine compression ratio between 8.6 and 9.9 should use 92-octane gasoline. Gasoline, known as Gasoline in the U.S. and Petrol in the U.K., appears as a transparent, flammable liquid with a distillation range of 30°C to 220°C. Its main components are C5 to C12 aliphatic hydrocarbons and cycloalkanes, along with a certain amount of aromatic hydrocarbons. Gasoline has a high octane rating for anti-knock combustion performance and is classified into grades such as 90, 93, 95, and 97 based on octane levels. Gasoline is produced by refining various gasoline components obtained from petroleum refining, including straight-run gasoline, catalytic cracking gasoline, and catalytic reforming gasoline, blended with high-octane components. It is primarily used as fuel for spark-ignition internal combustion engines in automobiles. The GB17930—2013 standard for automotive gasoline first specified the density index, with a value of 720–775 kg/m³ at 20°C, to further ensure relatively stable fuel economy for vehicles. Considering the fifth-stage automotive gasoline, the reduction in octane number due to sulfur reduction and manganese prohibition, and the shortage of domestic high-octane resources, combined with the actual conditions of the refining industry, this standard adjusted the grades of automotive gasoline from 90, 93, and 97 to 89, 92, and 95, respectively, while adding 98-octane automotive gasoline. Generally, the higher the gasoline grade, the higher the octane number and the better the anti-knock performance. 92-octane gasoline contains 92% isooctane and 8% n-heptane, while 95-octane gasoline contains 95% isooctane and 5% n-heptane. It is recommended that vehicles requiring lower grades will not be damaged if higher-grade gasoline is mistakenly used, but the increase in octane number will alter the fuel's ignition point, causing delayed ignition in the engine. This means both the engine's power output and thermal efficiency will decrease, resulting in poorer performance as experienced in practice. Using lower-grade gasoline in vehicles designed for higher grades can cause engine knocking. Because the octane number is significantly lower, the gasoline's ignition point decreases, leading to premature ignition during the compression stroke. If detonation occurs before the spark plug ignites, resistance will develop during the upward stroke. This resistance makes the engine run very unstably. If the knocking is imperceptible, it only increases noise without obvious damage to the engine. However, noticeable knocking indicates severe engine conditions, where vibrations not only affect driving stability but also cause abnormal wear on pistons and cylinders, potentially leading to cylinder scoring in severe cases.
As an experienced veteran in car maintenance, I have a deep understanding of 92-octane gasoline. Its density typically ranges from 0.72 to 0.77 grams per cubic centimeter, averaging around 0.74. This directly relates to practical driving issues; if you feel your car lacks power or consumes more fuel, it might be due to using lower-density gasoline. Higher-density gasoline means more concentrated energy, which can save fuel and money on long-distance trips. Variations occur due to different seasons and production sources—winter gasoline tends to have slightly higher density for easier ignition, while summer gasoline may be slightly lower. I recommend car owners choose reputable gas station brands and periodically use a hydrometer to check the density, avoiding low-quality fuel that can cause engine carbon buildup. Maintaining this practice not only protects engine longevity but also reduces maintenance frequency, keeping your beloved car running smoothly.
