If hydrogen and ethanol aren't as combustible as gasoline, why not use additives like octane booster?

Question

Alright - good points about the octane. My point is what can be done to increase the combustibility of hydrogen and ethanol to get it on par with gasoline?

Answer 1

It really is a matter of energy content rather than combustibility, H2 and ethanol both burn hotter than gasoline, but produce less energy per volume.

The best approach to making them more practical would be to make whatever is burning them, engine, etc., more efficient.

Answer 2

Octane booster does not increase combustability; quite the reverse! An octane booster reduces combustability, thus lessening the danger of pre-ignition, or "engine knock". Ethanol, being of lower combustability than gasoline, has a higher octane rating than gasoline.

The major performance difference between ethanol and gasoline isn't a matter of combustability; it's the amount of energy available in the fuel. Ethanol contains about 30% less energy, gallon-for-gallon, than gasoline.

Answer 3

That's correct the higher the octane the less flammable the fuel.The best way to increase energy is to blend with gasoline.