From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
The supply and performance testing of Isopropyl Ether and Iso-Octane as aviation fuel components.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 150\1\ scan0213 | |
| Date | 29th September 1936 guessed | |
| - 7 - A recent survey of potential supplies of propylene, the raw material for making Isopropyl ether, has shown that in this country, sufficient is available exclusive of all other normal demands for other purposes, to produce at the present time approximately 340,000,000 gals. per year of technical Isopropyl ether. Assuming that 100 octane fuel is required (using 3 cc. lead/gallon), this is sufficient to produce some 850,000,000 gals. per year of finished product. Thus it is apparent that the availability of this fuel is much more than sufficient to meet the entire requirements for 100 octane gasoline even in the event of National emergency. When combined with the available supplies of Technical Iso-Octane, estimated at 155,000,000 gals. per year, there is every assurance that adequate quantities will be immediately available for any demand. The cost of the material for large production is entirely reasonable. When Isopropyl Ether and Iso-Octane are available, blends of the two offer certain advantages lacking in either when used separately, particularly with respect to volatility. Data have been presented which show that a 50-50 blend of the two in Standard knock reference fuel C-9 has an anti-knock value superior to that obtained when using Iso-Octane alone as the blending agent. By using such blends a fairly wide range of volatilities is made available to meet special requirements. In cases where higher front end volatility is desired a material such as Iso-Pentane can be used without any material sacrifice in anti-knock value. Multi-Cylinder Tests Tests have been run on high output multi-cylinder engines comparing the performance of the following fuels: Straight run gasoline + Isooctane + lead to 100 O.N. Straight run gasoline + Isopropyl Ether + lead to 100 O.N. Straight run gasoline + lead to 92 O.N. Conclusions drawn so far indicate: 1. The 100 O.N. Isopropyl Ether blend has a minimum specific fuel consumption 13 percent lower than the 92 O.N. regular gasoline when run under cruising conditions. 2. The 100 O.N. Isopropyl Ether blend has a minimum specific fuel consumption 5 to 7% higher than the 100 O.N. Isooctane blend under cruising conditions. This is in proportion to its lower heat content. 3. The lower economy of Isopropyl Ether may be overcome by going above 100 O.N. which is possible with this material. 4. The 100 O.N. blends of Isopropyl Ether and Isooctane are equal in power output and consumption under high power conditions such as used during take-off. | ||