Fuel Additive Strategies for Petrol: A Comparative Review of Antioxidants, Corrosion Inhibitors, Ethanol Additives and Octane Boosters

Author

Dr. K. Santarao, T. Roja, V. Poorana Chandra Rao, S. A. Bunny, S. Dakshith. A

Abstract

 Petrol is a chemically complex fuel whose storage stability, combustion quality, material compatibility and emissions are strongly influenced by fuel composition and additives. This paper presents an integrated literature-based assessment of four important additive strategies: antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors, ethanol-based fuel additives and octane boosters. Forty supplied studies were reorganized into a common framework so that these technologies can be considered as interacting parts of fuel formulation rather than isolated topics. The literature indicates that fuel quality is multidimensional. Ethanol can improve octane quality while increasing the importance of water management and corrosion control; alternative blendstocks can offer attractive combustion properties while requiring stabilization against oxidation; and octane boosters must be assessed by actual RON/MON response rather than additive concentration alone. Antioxidants mainly suppress radical oxidation and the formation of degradation products, whereas corrosion inhibitors protect metallic surfaces through adsorption, passivation and related chemical effects. Recent research also shows growing interest in renewable or biomass-derived additives. On the basis of the combined evidence, this paper proposes an experimental framework in which oxidation stability, corrosion protection, octane response, engine performance and emissions are evaluated together. The main research opportunity is the development of a compatible multifunctional additive package that provides a balanced improvement in fuel quality without unacceptable trade-offs.

Keywords

petrol; gasoline; fuel additives; antioxidants; corrosion inhibitors; ethanol; octane boosters; oxidation stability; corrosion; RON; MON.

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References

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