This "Nitrogen Enriched" Gasoline=Scam?

[ralph124c]

I happened to drive by a major gasoline chain station-they are advertising “nitrogen enriched” gasoline. I am confused-isn’t nitrogen inert? Also, nitrous oxides (formed during combustion) are a major pollutant-engines are carefully designed to avoid generating these compounds. So, what benefit does adding nitrogen to gasoline have

/

[cmyk]

I don’t have an answer, but if the emission is nitrous oxide, roadrage will go right out the window, so to speak. And commutes will be much more fun.

Also, while nitrogen isn’t one of the noble gases, it is highly inert, but not completely so.

[yabob]

I doubt very much that it means they are somehow dissolving elemental nitrogen in the gasoline. Likely, it is a proprietary detergent additive which is a nitrogen compound. In fact, it might be something similar to Chevron’s “techron” which Chevron has referred to as “nitrogen enriched”:

http://www.chevron.com/products/ourfuels/chevwtech/

Chevron gasolines with their nitrogen-enriched Techron additive contain polyether amine (PEA) chemistry to help keep vital engine parts cleaner than lower quality competitors, helping reduce the amount of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides released into the atmosphere. It all adds up to a cleaner and happier car.

Amines are nitrogen compounds.

The “how stuff works” article makes an interesting observation as to why Shell may be pushing a new detergent additive so hard:

Shell’s engine-cleaning gas isn’t technically anything new, either, since all gasoline products have been required by the EPA to include a minimum amount of additives and detergents [source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]. However, Shell’s gasoline does meet and exceed TOP TIER Gasoline Detergent standards, which is a voluntary standard that several major automakers including Audi, BMW, General Motors, Honda, Toyota and Volkswagen created in order to improve the quality of gasoline.

But the most revealing reason behind Shell’s efforts to push nitrogen-enriched gas might be its decision to suspend research on alternative fuels. In March 2009, Shell announced it would hold back indefinitely on funding and research for solar and wind power. Hydrogen power was given the boot, too. Analysts cited recent drops in oil prices and an economic downturn as possible reasons for the move [source: Hadhazy].

[Q.E.D]

According to Shell:

Today at Shell stations across the U.S., consumers will fill-up with a new product at the pumps. Shell is introducing the all-new Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines, containing a unique, patented cleaning system designed to seek and destroy engine “gunk” (carbon deposits) in all three grades of gasoline. The new Nitrogen Enriched cleaning system protects and cleans up gunky build-up on intake valves and fuel injectors left by lower quality gasolines.

Nitrogen is a key element of the active cleaning molecule in the new fuel, making it significantly more stable at higher temperatures common in modern engines, such as direct fuel-injection gasoline engines. The increased stability ensures that the molecule can work under much tougher engine conditions by resisting thermal breakdown better than conventional cleaning additives.

Does it work? I 'unno. Perhaps Rick or Gary T does.

[Napier]

Most of what a car engine takes in is nitrogen already. The car is oxidizing carbon to CO2 and hydrogen to H2O, which are about 2/3 and almost all oxygen, by mass, respectively. But there is 4 times as much nitrogen as oxygen.

Also, nitrogen’s not that inert. Ammonia, TNT, urethanes, nitroglycerine, and nitric acid are some more famous example of nitrogen compounds. It is very involved in various life processes too.

[Chronos]

Also, nitrogen’s not that inert. Ammonia, TNT, urethanes, nitroglycerine, and nitric acid are some more famous example of nitrogen compounds.

All of which are so violent precisely because nitrogen is inert. N[sub]2[/sub] is by far the most stable form of nitrogen, so all other nitrogen compounds want to become that, and if it’s already N[sub]2[/sub], it wants to stay that way.

[Napier]

Chronos, thanks. But the chemical definition of “inert” seems to contradict its ordinary English definition:

Definition of INERT

1: lacking the power to move
2: very slow to move or act : sluggish
3: deficient in active properties ; especially : lacking a usual or anticipated chemical or biological action

The nature of nitrogen often makes its compounds the opposite of these things. Since building nitrogen into compounds often gives them the power to move, makes them quick to move or act, or enriches them with active properties, and since elements in general are inactive except in the sense of forming compounds, how did we get to use the word “inert” to describe (in the context of chemistry) things like nitrogen as inert?

[zut]

Nitrogen in the air (which is what we’re talking about when referring to what goes into an automotive intake) isn’t in a compound, but it is a molecule: N[sub]2[/sub], to be exact. Diatomic nitrogen is relatively inert because it tends not to break apart to form other compounds. The stability of nitrogen compounds such as ammonia or nitroglycerine isn’t really relevant, except in the sense that Chronos points out, because ammonia and nitroglycerine are not N[sub]2[/sub].

However, as touched on tangentially above, N[sub]2[/sub] isn’t completely inert. Specifically, high-temperature combustion (as, for example, in any normal automotive engine) will break apart the N[sub]2[/sub] bonding, allowing the atomic nitrogen to recombine with oxygen to form NO[sub]x[/sub] (NO and NO[sub]2[/sub]) (as well as other interesting things). Since combustion cycles are relatively rapid, all the NO[sub]x[/sub] formed doesn’t have time to recombine into another form, and it winds up being a major player in automotive emissions.