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Old 02-22-2006   #15 (permalink)
tekenaar
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Fuel atomization

Originally Posted by jeff denton
What they're talking about is keeping the atomized fuel droplets moving during compression so that they don't come out of suspension with the air and form puddles. Perfectly atomized fuel is when all the tiny droplets are the same size and remain so during compression. Big droplets take longer to burn than the little ones, so they don't give off their heat in time to make good power.
I think I explained this as simply as possible without going way way into it. Ignition timing gets involved next, the timing is set to prevent detonation when the smallest droplets explode instantly before the bigger ones have burned.
Fuel injection has improved all this because it can atomize the fuel into smaller droplets.
At least thats my understanding. I've been studying this recently to figure out how to use higher octane with lower compression ratio. And the various fuels that are available. Oxygenated racing fuel is interesting. So is nitro/methane!!
Bob Dimples are on the same track as the grooves. They go where burn patterns and colors indicate fuel has been puddling.
I'm a believer in it, but wouldn't expect to gain any significant fuel economy with it. Maybe a hundreth of a second lap time, yes.
Have you tried adding ~1 ounce of acetone per 4 gallons of gas? According to prevailing theory, acetone acts as an 'enabler' to do exactly that, atomize gasoline into finer, more uniform droplets. This produces a more even burn, somewhat more power and results in a bit better gas mileage, to boot.

Have personally tried it for several months now in my Kadett with everything stock and using the same brand 87 octane gas. I've improved my mileage by a little over 1 mpg and the engine runs a little smoother, or at least it feels like it. Might just be something to this . . .
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