Ask A Scientist© Chemistry Archive

 
name       Doug
status     student
age        40s

Question - I recently ran across a product, which by design is really
a magnet encased rubber, that is supposed to improve miles per gallon in
autombile engines. This led to a discussion here about the chemical
properties of gasoline and just how magnetism may or may not effect
molecular structure. All mystic beliefs aside, are there certain
particles inside gasoline that lend themselves to being affected by
magnetism, and if so affected, how might that change the chemical
properties of gasoline to burn, presummably, more efficiently?
------------------------------------------------
One thing for sure is that magnets, particularly those described, will not
alter the molecular structure of a hydrocarbon. The best that one can hope
from such an array is that the molecules will align with the magnet or
anti-align, most probably the later since gasoline is diamagnetic, this
could possibly aid in combustion in the carb. In order for this thing to
have any effect, you would need so many magnets in your gas tank, that there
wouldn't be any room for the gasoline.
I am incredibly sceptical about the claims and wouldn't spend a cent on
these rubber encapsulated magnets, unless you want to use them to hold memos
to the frig.
Dr. Myron
========================================================
Maybe since plastic/rubber encased magnets didn't catch on for replacing
laundry detergents (worked about as well as adding similar-sized stones)
they're giving them a try in transportation. Since they will stick to the
gas tank or fill tube, they won't clog the fuel filter. Let's look at the
internal-combustion engine concept. Fuel is mixed with air (for oxygen) and
introduced to a combustion chamber where the mixture is ignited by a source
of activation energy. The rapid combustion and generation of expanding
gases is harnesses by a piston attached to a crankshaft (and so forth) to
convert the expansion motion to rotary motion. Q. How do we expect any sort
of magnetic orientation of organic fuel materials to favorably alter the
mixture entering the cylinder to increase fuel mileage? A. Not much! If you
want real improvement in fuel economy, better places to look include proper
engine timing, good carburator (or injector) adjustment, and proper plug
adjustment and maintenance. Along with this goes good defensive driving
practices, including smooth acceleretion and proper vehicle spacing to avoid
unnecessary braking. Cruise control use on the highway can help minimize
losses to overcoming rotational inertia. While newer vehicles can be
retrofitted with aftermarket chips and cams to optimize fuel efficiency,
these changes come with cost and typically include some loss of power useful
to acceleration. High-efficiency carburators exist, but they are probably
not that much better than those generally available. The whole trick is
introducing the right mixture into the cylinder in a way to maximize
combustion. Magnetic effects on this vital process are negligible.
Tim Spry
========================================================
No. And there's no scientific reason to believe that magnets will do
anything to improve your health or prevent scaling in pipes, either.

Richard E. Barrans Jr., Ph.D.
Assistant Director
PG Research Foundation, Darien, Illinois
=========================================================