Nitrogen in Shell Gasoline - Something Good or Marketing Scam?

[HarryD]

Yesterday, I saw my local Shell Station hoist a sign announcing Shell Gasoline now is Nitrogen enriched. Hoping to ditch my nitrous bottle, I went to their web site and found this (http://www.shell.us/home/content/usa/aboutshell/media_center/news_and_press_releases/2009/nitrogen_030209.html) text below.

What do you all think?

Shell Launches All-New Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines
02/03/2009
Introducing a new molecule designed to seek and destroy engine gunk in both conventional and modern engines.

Houston – 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.

“At Shell, our ‘Passionate Experts’ are dedicated to helping motorists get the most out of every drop of gasoline,” said Jens Mueller-Belau, Fuels Portfolio and Category Manager North America, Shell Retail.. “With Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines, our scientists have increased the effectiveness of our cleaning additive, offering consumers our most advanced technology ever.”

In addition to developing the new fuel with the consumer in mind, Shell worked very closely with automotive manufacturers to gain insight into current and future engine technologies. These insights along with fuels technology leadership and a strong research and development program help Shell continually improve its products.

Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines were tested in laboratories, independent testing facilities, and on the road, accumulating more than a half-million miles in various vehicles and engines—including conventional, turbo-charged, and direct fuel-injection gasoline engines, hybrids, newer vehicles with low mileage, and older vehicles with high mileage. Shell scientists also used innovative testing technologies such as dual fuel engines to conduct head-to-head comparisons with other lower quality gasolines. In these tests, split engines simultaneously run on different types of gasoline in order to collect data under the exact same conditions. The results of these head-to-head comparisons proved that the Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines are more effective than lower quality gasolines in protecting against the build-up of harmful engine gunk.

“In today’s tough economy, American drivers are concerned about protecting their vehicle since it’s one of their largest investments,” said Mueller-Belau. “We want to help protect that investment. That’s why we want them to educate consumers that there is a difference in the gasoline they choose. Using lower quality gasolines can result in gunky build-up on critical engine parts, negatively impacting engine performance. Shell gasolines help drivers say ‘No’ to gunk.”

The Nitrogen Enriched formula is proven to prevent build-up of gunk more effectively than gasolines containing only the minimum amount of cleaning agents as required by the EPA. The new cleaning system is certified to meet the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline Standard – voluntary standards designated by some of the world’s top automakers (Audi, BMW, GM, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen) to try to raise the bar on fuel quality beyond minimum government criteria. Industry research has proven that a clean engine results in better fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and overall optimal vehicle performance.

In addition, Shell V-Power® premium gasoline provides maximum protection with the highest concentration of the Nitrogen Enriched cleaning system and more than five times the minimum amount of cleaning agents required by federal government standards. It seeks and destroys engine gunk even faster than regular Shell gasoline, providing maximum protection to help vehicles maintain peak performance.

Shell is supporting the launch of Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines with a national marketing campaign, including national TV, radio and online advertising, as well as point-of-purchase signage at Shell-branded stations nationwide. The new campaign builds-on the current “Passionate Experts” platform, focusing on the company’s commitment to fuel quality and passion for developing innovative new products.

“At Shell, we believe it’s important to educate consumers that all gasolines are not the same—high quality gasoline can make a difference in a vehicle,” said Karen Wildman, Shell U.S. brand and communications manager. “We’re dedicated to continuous product improvement and innovation, and to helping consumers get the most out of every drop.”

For additional information on Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines, visit www.passionate-experts.shell.com.

[splinterAMG]

Seek and destroy gunk, eh? I’ve regularly refueled with V-Power - it's good stuff.

Guess we’ll soon see if the “new” formulation results in any noticable difference.

[RWebb]

they wouldn't pour R&D bucks into it if it wasn't worth something...

how much it's worth is another question...

[Eagledriver]

This is apparently a new detergent additive. If you have had problems with carbon build up and injector clogging then it might be worth a try. If not (99 percent of us) then it's just marketing hype.

-Andy

[exc911ence]

I wouldn't ditch that NOS bottle quite yet... it's the extra oxygen (+ additional fuel) in the nitrous oxide that gives you that power boost, not the nitrogen content. Nitrogen IIRC is inert anyway so therefore doesn't combust... not something your Porsche will enjoy digesting very much.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by exc911ence

I wouldn't ditch that NOS bottle quite yet... it's the extra oxygen (+ additional fuel) in the nitrous oxide that gives you that power boost, not the nitrogen content. Nitrogen IIRC is inert anyway so therefore doesn't combust... not something your Porsche will enjoy digesting very much.

But, what does it combine with? We also know that nitrogen has a very low liquid temp, so it has to be a compound. The compound must be what they are introducing to their gas.

I use nothing but Chevron, but I'll use Shell too.

[RF5BPilot]

Originally Posted by HarryD

...all-new Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines
- ...The Nitrogen Enriched formula is proven to prevent build-up of gunk more effectively than gasolines containing only the minimum amount of cleaning agents as required by the EPA.
- Shell V-Power® ... more than five times the minimum amount of cleaning agents required by federal government standards.

So, it's an updated cleaning agent. By dumping 5 times as much in, they get better results than putting in the absolute minimum. How much better is left to the imagination.

With todays unleaded fuels, I just haven't seen much written about "engine gunk" or buildup the way we used to get with leaded fuels or with engines whose combustion was not so carefully controlled. There have been some oil issues, but no major fuel issues.

My expectation is that it won't hurt your engine, but I wouldn't expect anything dramatic.

I find it "interesting" that they have never said it was significantly better than what they've been using all along....only better than the cheapest fuels imaginable. I suspect there are reasons for using it other than superior cleaning. It may be cheaper to produce. It may be less toxic than what they've been using. For the end user, sounds like more marketing than substance.

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by milt

But, what does it combine with? We also know that nitrogen has a very low liquid temp, so it has to be a compound. The compound must be what they are introducing to their gas.

I use nothing but Chevron, but I'll use Shell too.

If it goes from a compound with the gasoline or oxygen into a diatomic state, there can be significant energy released, in the form of heat, due to the stability of the triple bond between the Nitrogen atoms and the resulting entropy (or enthalpy?) change.

[tony9704]

ahh... What?

[Crude Rudy]

This will definitely save polar bears from dieing of global warming.

My cars should be lighter also so that must save gasssssss and they will be faster!

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by exc911ence/

I wouldn't ditch that NOS bottle quite yet... it's the extra oxygen (+ additional fuel) in the nitrous oxide that gives you that power boost, not the nitrogen content. Nitrogen IIRC is inert anyway so therefore doesn't combust... not something your Porsche will enjoy digesting very much.

I guess I was more replying to this thought that Nitrogen cannot cause a release of energy- that it was only the Oxygen.

Milt seems to know this and was commenting on the carrier for Nitrogen.

I, also, wonder what the Nitrogen is combined with. The pumps have a representation of a chain of yellow atoms with a red one coming off the side every few links. I guess they are implying that they bond it into the gasoline molecule in some places where the Hydrogens go? This seems wierd as Nitrogen has 3 open electron orbitals but Hydrogen only wants/gives 1 valence electron.

I am not sure about the heats of formation for H20/CO2/N2 compare as far as how much energy the fuels release.

Another thing to consider is that engines acutally harness pressure as work/rotation. Heating a gas in order to achieve pressure is less efficient than creating more gas volume, due to heat transfer to the metal engine parts. Therefore, the volume of exhaust gasses may be a more telling measure of the energy available to do work in a piston engine. In this way, creating diatomic Nitrogen gas may pack more of a punch than combusting Ethanol or even normal pure H-C-H-... hydrocarbons.

[86911cab]

Originally Posted by Flieger

If it goes from a compound with the gasoline or oxygen into a diatomic state, there can be significant energy released, in the form of heat, due to the stability of the triple bond between the Nitrogen atoms and the resulting entropy (or enthalpy?) change.

I-YA...... ummm..... HUH? Are we still talkin about gas?

MOM said I rode the short bus cause it saved gas.

[teenerted1]

i heard the same thing last night on tv and was wondering what good does Ni really do?

if they exchange it for the stinking 10% ethanol that is messing up my milage. and it actually does something GOOD for my engine, i all for it. this corn liquor additive is doing nothing for the polar bears if i end having to buy more gas cause the stuff they sell is ruining my millage

[DG624]

How much Ethanol do they use? I was told that Ethanol can reduce mileage...will nitrogen hurt mileage too? Most gasoline has some detergent ...techrolene but what will this do to the air? MTBE was a major problem when it got into the ground water.

[Flieger]

If a ball is positioned at the top of a hill, it has potential energy due to gravity. It is not so stable because it is teetering near the edge, barely resiting gravity.

When you kick it a little, it falls off the edge and rolls downhill. When it is in the valley floor, it is stable.

The increase in stability for the ball has only occured due to the increase in disorder elsewhere. There was heat energy dissipated into the ground and air due to friction as the ball rolled down the hillside and through the air. That energy goes out into the surroundings and can do work.

The gasoline molecule is an unstable chain of Hydrogens and Carbons. CO2 and H2O, the primary products of combustion, are small, stable molecules where the atoms get close together and are held tight. This increase in stability is accompanied by the release of heat, which makes said exhaust products expand into steam and hot CO2, available to do the work of pushing down on the cylinder.

Forming N2 gas would release heat and create gas due to the uniquely stable, close bond between the Nitrogen atoms.

I am not a Chemistry teacher, though

[Flieger]

10% Ethanol is not good because it is a compromise.

Pure alcohol can be used as a very good fuel becuase the engine can be tuned for it. Alcohol burns cooler than gasoline so the motor stays cooler and the work is accomplished comparitavely more through the increase in gas volume. The "waste heat" going into the cooling air is less and the motor is less stressed thermally, unless you are drag racing.

example for increase in gas volume: C3H8(propane)+(5xO2)=(4xH20)+(3xCO2) The propane gas + Oxygen gas = 6 moles of reactant gases. The water is steam, a gas, and the CO2 is a gas, so that = 7 moles of exhaust gases. The extra gas will go into pressure according to the PV=nRT ideal gas law. Pressure*Volume(the volume of the cylinder, which is constant at the instant of combustion and then expands to restore equilibrium)=number of moles of gas*R constant*Temperature

Ethanol has less energy density than Gasoline, Propane, or other Hydrocarbons because it carries some of the Oxygen it needs to complete combustion along with it. Therefore, it uses space in the tank to store the Oxygen rather than grab it out of the air. This reduces milage and means it's energy density is lower. It is like having a rocket where you carry both fuel and oxidizer into space. Jet engines can use all storage space for fuel and run longer but cannot fly out of the atmosphere and develop less power because:

The atmosphere is 40% Nitrogen (N2 gas) already! Oxygen is around 20%! There is not as much Oxygen by percentage in the air as there is in N20 that is injected into cars. Hence the increase in power with Nitrous Oxide.

[JMatta]

"I am not a Chemistry teacher, though"

But I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by Flieger

If it goes from a compound with the gasoline or oxygen into a diatomic state, there can be significant energy released, in the form of heat, due to the stability of the triple bond between the Nitrogen atoms and the resulting entropy (or enthalpy?) change.

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by Flieger

I guess I was more replying to this thought that Nitrogen cannot cause a release of energy- that it was only the Oxygen.

Milt seems to know this and was commenting on the carrier for Nitrogen.

I, also, wonder what the Nitrogen is combined with. The pumps have a representation of a chain of yellow atoms with a red one coming off the side every few links. I guess they are implying that they bond it into the gasoline molecule in some places where the Hydrogens go? This seems wierd as Nitrogen has 3 open electron orbitals but Hydrogen only wants/gives 1 valence electron.

Maybe they are adding N2H4 to the fuel.











For you non-chemists... this is hydrazine..... Sometimes called ......




......





......





ROCKET FUEL

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrazine)

Hydrazine was first used as a rocket fuel during World War II for the Messerschmitt Me 163B (the first rocket-powered fighter plane), under the name B-Stoff (hydrazine hydrate). If mixed with methanol (M-Stoff) and water it was called C-Stoff.

Hydrazine is also used as a low-power monopropellant for the maneuvering thrusters of spacecraft, and the Space Shuttle's Auxiliary Power Units. In addition, monopropellant hydrazine-fueled rocket engines are often used in terminal descent of spacecraft. A collection of such engines was used in both Viking program landers as well as the Phoenix lander launched in August 2007.

In all hydrazine monopropellant engines, the hydrazine is passed by a catalyst such as iridium metal supported by high-surface-area alumina (aluminium oxide) or carbon nanofibers,[17] or more recently molybdenum nitride on alumina,[18] which causes it to decompose into ammonia, nitrogen gas, and hydrogen gas according to the following reactions:

3 N2H4 → 4 NH3 + N2
N2H4 → N2 + 2 H2
4 NH3 + N2H4 → 3 N2 + 8 H2
These reactions are extremely exothermic (the catalyst chamber can reach 800 °C in a matter of milliseconds,[17]) and they produce large volumes of hot gas from a small volume of liquid hydrazine,[18] making it a fairly efficient thruster propellant with a vacuum specific impulse of about 220 seconds.[19]

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by Flieger

... resulting entropy (or enthalpy?) change.

just use Gibbs Free Energy -- solves all your problems


hey - I hear he has something new out -- calls it Gibbs Brand -- comes in a spray can