scourge - 8-10-2005 at 13:11
Why is MTBE which is under scrutiny for drinking water contamination preferred as an octane enhancer? Why not nitromethane-methanol blends? Is there
any less contamination risks with it?
Polverone - 9-10-2005 at 13:35
MTBE has been used because it is inexpensive, has relatively low volatility, can be shipped through existing pipelines, and is of fairly low toxicity.
Unfortunately, it also turns out that low (non-toxic) levels of MTBE can give water a disgusting taste. I suppose this was not discovered before
widespread MTBE use began because standard testing protocols rarely have humans evaluate chemicals on flavor.
Nitromethane is far more expensive and methanol is far more toxic. Even if MTBE use is eliminated, I imagine that ethanol would be preferred over the
nitromethane/methanol combination.