Inventors:
Stephen Brass - Fullerton CA
Michael C. Croudace - Huntington Beach CA
Timothy Wusz - Anaheim CA
Assignee:
Union Oil Company of California - Los Angeles CA
International Classification:
F02B 7512
Abstract:
The control of the octane requirement increase phenomenon in an internal combustion engine is achieved by introducing into an internal combustion engine, having manifold and/or combustion surfaces which inhibit the formation of engine deposits, along with the combustion charge, a fuel composition containing an octane requirement increase-inhibiting amount of (a) an oil-soluble iron compound and (b) carboxylic acids and/or ester derivatives thereof. In particular the esters of a tertiary alcohol and an unsubstituted, mono-carboxylic acid having at least two carbon atoms, e. g. , t-butylacetate, in combination with dicyclopentadienyl iron provides an effective octane requirement increase-inhibiting additive for said internal combustion engine. Preferably the manifold and combustion surfaces of said internal combustion engine are coated with a low density alumina or zirconia coating. More preferably said alumina or zirconia coating further comprises a carbon gasification catalyst, e. g.