What is the Color of Regular & Unleaded Gas – Gasoline Colorant
If you have ever used vehicles then you must have seen that most of the vehicles use gasoline. Let’s assume that you have not seen them or heard about the word gasoline which is mentioned here. Many people are aware of the term gasoline but they don’t even know what it exactly looks like. They are not aware of the properties, color of the gasoline and many other features.
What is Gasoline?
Gasoline is one kind of liquid which is used in the combustion (internal) of many engines. Combustion is a chemical process in which a substance reacts rapidly with oxygen and gives of heat, in this case, gasoline. This process helps in the movement of all the machines/vehicles. Gasoline is the main fuel that helps in the running of engines.
Gasoline is found in earth and is crude oil which is extracted through fractional distillation. This process commonly occurs in oil refineries. The main reason for this is because the distillation process is very complex.
Types of Gasoline
Gasoline can be divided into three types which mainly depends on their octane rating. If you are looking for a definition of Octane rating it is the amount of compression a gas can withstand before combustion. Therefore, if the rating is lower, then combustion occurs at the wrong time. Listed below is the description of this phenomenon by examining these three types of gasoline:
Regular: 87 Octane-Rating
The gasoline is also the Regular Gasoline, whose octane rating is 87. Here the combustion percentage taking place at the wrong time is high.
Midgrade: 89 Octane Rating
This gasoline type has a rating of 89. Here the octane rating is in the middle range. hence the combustion percentage is neither high nor low.
Premium: 90+ Octane Rating
This gasoline has a higher-octane rating and is usually 90+ and above. Because of this high-octane rating combustion percentage taking place at the wrong time is very less.
Color of Gasoline
The Original gasoline has a transparent color. Basically, once gasoline is extracted, you will find a clear, transparent liquid.
Why Do Different Gasoline Grades Have Different Colors?
As already informed earlier gasoline is colorless or transparent and is a clear liquid. Then you might be thinking, why do we have gasoline types which have different colors. The reason is very simple.
Many manufacturers of petroleum generally add dyes or colors to this clear liquid. This helps the manufacturers to separate the different grades of gasoline. With this they can prevent the mishaps in some applications.
Another reason which is why gasoline is found in different colors is that it makes it easier for individuals to test for contamination in the water. Testing for water contamination would be hard if all gasoline types looked clear.
If both gasoline and water would be clear you can’t judge which is water or gasoline. Therefore, if you add dyes or color it makes the water stand out when it is in a separation cylinder.
According To the Types of Gasoline – Colors Vary
Different colors are used to identify the gasoline types. This makes it easier to separate them. Mentioned below are the colors of each type of gasoline:
- Regular – Regular gasoline color is generally slightly bluish or greenish in color.
- Mid Grade – Mid grade gasoline has a yellowish color in general.
- Premium – This gasoline has the highest-octane ratings and is usually pink in color.
Does the Color of Gasoline Matter?
As now you have found out about the different-colored types of gasoline. The question arises, does the color of gasoline really matter? Hence to answer this question, you need to look at it from two different viewpoints.
One of these viewpoints is that when you are extracting fresh gasoline by distillation. The color of gasoline has no effect (transparent) at all when it is fresh. The other viewpoint comes in place when you are storing gasoline. Here you need to identify the type of gasoline as time passes.
When you store gasoline, and may have colored it with ant dye, it will look transparent. This type of gasoline is the best to use.
Now as time passes the color of the gasoline changes on its own. This mainly happens because of oxidation. Oxidation is the process by which any substance (let’s say gasoline) combines with oxygen.
When gasoline gets older, it changes from its original color (transparent) to a brownish color.
It is not just the color that changes when you store gasoline for a set period of time. You might as well notice that the scent changes too. The scent of the old gasoline is sour but when it is fresh it has a strong smell. Is it really that important to look at the gasoline properties when you have stored gasoline? There are many things which you need to look at while using stored gasoline. Some of problems you may face if you use gasoline which is not advisable for your care are:
- Your car may start having ignition problems.
- You will start to notice that your car has poor acceleration,
- With time, it could significantly damage your car engine.
Fuel Cans Use Which Are Color-Coded
As you are already aware of that gasoline comes in 3 different types. Each of these gasoline types has a different color. You can store gasoline according to the different colors and then store them in separate cans for future use. Color coding helps you to identify the types of fuels placed in each of these cans. Listed below are some of the colored can type and the fuel to be placed in the cans:
- Green Cans: Green Cans are mainly used for storing oils.
- Red Cans: Red Cans are used for storing gasoline and liquids that are inflammable.
- Yellow Cans: Yellow cans are used for storing diesel fluids.
- Blue Cans: Blue cans are used for storing kerosene.
What Color is Biodiesel?
The color of BioDiesel yellowish golden to a dark brown color which generally depends on the procedure of the extraction. Biodiesel making is a complex chemical process and is made of soybean oil, animal fats or vegetable oil. Bio diesel is unpopular as the production cost is high, when you compare it to a regular diesel fuel.
What Color is Petrol?
British version of gasoline is known as Petrol. So, therefore petrol is a clear, transparent liquid which is very similar to gasoline.
What Color is Crude Oil?
The color of crude oil depends on its composition of Crude oil. The color of crude oil is found to be black to dark brown, however you may also find it in yellow, green or even red color.
Conclusion
Now you have come to understand completely that the color of gasoline is colorless or transparent. It is the added color which gives gasoline its color. You have also found out that there are three different types of gasoline:
- Regular
- Midrange
- Premium
These are divided accordingly to the octane level. You should be careful when storing the gasoline as the color and smell changes as the time passes by. If you use gasoline which has been stored and have not checked if it can be used or not. It can lead to catastrophic results. Depending on the grade of gasoline and the additive the color of gasoline can range from a very light green to a yellow/ color. Every manufacturer has its own grading and own regulations when selling the Octane grades which are different. To ensure that you receive the highest burn power you should always keep your engine healthy.