GASOLINE:
How Did We Become So Dependent?

Kenneth Miranda
14
May 7, 2013

ABSTRACT

Gasoline has become a major element in our everyday lives. We are dependent on it for travel. Even with the tremendous fluctuating prices of gasoline, we continue to purchase without waiver. This paper first looks into what gasoline really is and how we have become dependent upon it.

Key Terms: gas, gasoline, petrol, crude oil, automobile, petroleum, refinery, gas prices

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….5

GASOLINE CLASSIFICATION…………………………………………………………………………………….........6

Chemical Identity……………………………………………………………………………………………………………6

Manufacturing Process……………………………………………………………………………………………………8

GASOLINE MARKET …………………………………………………………………………………………………….10

Importing & Exporting………………………………………………………………………………………………….10

Gasoline Prices……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..12
GASOLINE DEPENDENCE……………………………………………………………………………………………..12

Gasoline Automobile …………………………………………………………………………………………………….13

Automobile Obsession………………………………………………………………………………………………..…14

ETHICAL ISSUES………………………………………………………………………………………………….………15

Pollution & Regulation…………………………………………………………………………………………….……15

CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………………………………………………….………16

BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………17

ABOUT THE AUTHOR…………………………………………………………………………………………………18

READABILITY/WORD COUNT…………………………………………………………………………………….19

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure 1: Properties of Gasoline………………………..………………………………………….………………….7

Figure 2: Major Components of Gasoline……………………..………………………………...…………………8

Figure 3: Distribution of Gasoline.………………………………………………………………….………………10

Figure 4: Demand Increase of Crude Oil…………………………………………………………………………11

Figure 5: Elements that Increase Gas Price………………………………….…………………………………12

Figure 6: Henry Ford & the Model T………………………………………….……………………………………14

INTRODUCTION

An arm, a leg, your soul, even your kids; is this what we are willing to pay for gasoline? The price of gasoline rises and drops everyday but we continue the never-ending cycle of filling up the tank. Why do we continue buying gas when all we do is complain about the steep prices? We have all seen the cost on the sign, grunted and whined but eventually given into paying for it. There has been several times some of us have driven on the last drop of gas, just to avoid filling up again. When did we become so dependent? How did gas take over our lives? How did it become a necessity, comparable to water? In order to understand how gasoline has become a major factor in our lives, the history of it must first be discussed. We must recognize what it is and where it comes from. From this we can understand how we have become dependent upon gasoline. This will allow us to recognize the current market for gasoline and the possible future, as well as the ethical issues surrounding it.

GASOLINE CLASSIFICATION

Gasoline was not invented; it is a natural by-product of the petroleum industry. It is produced through distillation of petroleum. Edwin Drake dug the first oil well in 1859 and distilled the petroleum [1]. Though at the time, he produced kerosene for lighting and discarded the gasoline and other by-products. It was not until 1892 with the invention of the automobile that gasoline was recognized as a valuable fuel [1].

Chemical Identity Gasoline is a transparent, petroleum derived liquid. It consists of a mixture of hydrocarbons, additives, and blending agents. The composition varies, depending upon the crude oil used, the refinery process, and product specifications. The typical composition of gasoline hydrocarbons percent volume is as follows: 4-8% alkanes; 2-5% alkenes; 25-40% isoalkanes; 3-7% cycloalkanes; 1-4% cycloalkenes; and 20-50% total aromatics (0.5-2.5% benzene) [2]. Additives and blending agents are added to the