PETRONAX supplies octane boosters and octane improvers for gasoline blending at refineries and fuel terminals. The INTRON® range includes INTRON® 1000 N-methylaniline (NMA) and separately specified formulated grades. Share your base gasoline analysis, target RON/MON and supply requirements to discuss a suitable product.
What is an octane booster?
The octane number shows how well gasoline resists knock. Knock occurs when the fuel-air mixture ignites on its own before the flame front reaches it. As a result, the engine loses power, and over time pistons and valves can suffer damage.
An octane booster, also called an octane improver or antiknock additive, raises this resistance. Consequently, the engine can run at higher compression and better efficiency. Labs measure the effect as the Research Octane Number (RON, ASTM D2699) and the Motor Octane Number (MON, ASTM D2700). For background, see the octane rating overview.
Where octane improvers are used
Octane improvers solve the same problem along the whole fuel chain. Typical users include:
- Refineries. They close the octane gap when the reformer or isomerisation unit is down, overloaded or simply too costly to run harder.
- Blending terminals and depots. They upgrade lower-grade gasoline or straight-run naphtha to a commercial grade such as RON 92, 95 or 98.
- Fuel traders and importers. They correct off-spec cargoes and turn price spreads between grades into margin.
- Retail and aftermarket brands. They sell octane booster concentrates in small packs to drivers, workshops and motorsport teams.
Main groups of octane boosters
In general, three chemical groups dominate the octane booster market. Each group works in its own way, so each one has its own strengths and limits.
Oxygenates
Oxygenates are oxygen-containing compounds such as ethanol, MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether) and ETBE (ethyl tert-butyl ether). They have a high blending octane and burn cleanly. However, refiners must add them in large volumes, often several percent. In addition, fuel standards cap the oxygen content, and ethanol raises vapour pressure and lowers energy content.
Aromatic amines
Aromatic amines such as N-methylaniline (NMA) are used as octane-improver components. For INTRON® 1000, the technical data sheet specifies an NMA content of at least 99.0% and recommends a treatment range of 0.3-3% by weight. This guidance applies to INTRON® 1000; the product and dose must be evaluated in the base gasoline against the intended finished-fuel specification.
Metal-based antiknock agents
Organometallic compounds based on manganese (MMT) or iron (ferrocene) are very strong at a dose of only a few parts per million. Tetraethyl lead belongs to the same group but is banned in road fuel worldwide. On the other hand, metal additives leave deposits on spark plugs and catalysts. For this reason, most modern fuel standards restrict them tightly; in the EU, for example, manganese is capped at 2 mg per litre.
| Octane booster group | Examples | Typical dose | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxygenates | Ethanol, MTBE, ETBE | Several % by volume | Oxygen caps; affect vapour pressure and energy content |
| Aromatic amines | N-methylaniline (INTRON® 1000) | INTRON® 1000: 0.3-3% by weight (TDS guidance) | Validate the grade and dose in the intended base fuel |
| Metal-based agents | MMT, ferrocene | Parts per million | Deposits on plugs and catalysts; tightly restricted |
| Refinery processes | Reforming, isomerisation, alkylation | – | Process investment, operating cost and refinery configuration |
The INTRON® octane improver range
PETRONAX offers INTRON® 1000 as a specified N-methylaniline component for in-house blending, alongside formulated INTRON® grades. Each product has its own specification, treatment guidance and performance data.
INTRON® 1000: N-methylaniline component
The INTRON® 1000 N-methylaniline product has a specified NMA content of at least 99.0%. Its technical data sheet also defines limits for aniline, dimethylaniline, water and colour. Each delivery is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis. Other INTRON® grades have separate specifications and performance data.
Formulated INTRON® octane improver compounds
Formulated INTRON® grades are separate products with their own specifications and performance data. Discuss the grade, base gasoline, target RON/MON and supply requirements with PETRONAX. Product selection and treatment rate should be based on blend testing and the intended finished-fuel requirements.
Comparing a formulated product with a single component
Compare candidate products using the measured RON and MON response, treatment rate, delivered cost and the properties of the final blend. The appropriate choice depends on the base gasoline and the project requirements. Request data for the specific grade and fuel before setting an octane-uplift or cost-per-point target.
Selecting an INTRON® octane booster for your application
- Fuel-specific evaluation. Compare the RON and MON response of candidate products in the intended base gasoline.
- Blending economics. Assess additive cost against measured octane response and the cost of other blending components.
- Product documentation. Review the selected grade’s TDS, SDS and Certificate of Analysis as part of blend qualification.
- Blend compatibility. Check the selected grade with your gasoline streams and other additives.
- INTRON® 1000 dosing. Its TDS describes batch or continuous dosing using standard pumps or dedicated additive dosing equipment.
- Technical support. Besides supply, we help with blend design, lab tests and documents for your market.
How we select the right octane improver
- You send us the analysis of your base gasoline, the target RON or MON and your monthly volume.
- Next, we review the fuel data and the rules of your market.
- Then we test candidate products and doses on a sample of your fuel.
- After that, you receive a recommendation with the dose and the cost per octane point.
- Finally, we supply in drums, IBCs, ISO tanks or bulk, with full documents.
Quality, compliance and safety
Every shipment comes with a Certificate of Analysis, a Safety Data Sheet and the transport documents for the destination market. Fuel rules differ by country, so the blender or importer remains responsible for local compliance. We gladly help with documents and with substance data from ECHA.
Some octane boosters, including N-Methyl Aniline, are toxic and hazardous to aquatic life. Therefore, always wear protective equipment and read the current Safety Data Sheet before handling.
FAQ: octane booster and octane improver
What is an octane booster?
An octane booster is a fuel additive that raises the octane number of gasoline. As a result, the fuel resists engine knock better, so engines can run at higher compression and efficiency.
What is the difference between an octane booster and an octane improver?
In practice, both terms mean the same thing. Refiners often say octane improver, while retail and motorsport markets usually say octane booster.
Which octane booster gives the most octane per dollar?
The comparison depends on the base gasoline, product grade, treatment rate and delivered cost. Compare measured octane response in the same fuel and request grade-specific test data before choosing a product.
Is an octane improver allowed in every market?
Check the requirements for the destination and intended fuel. Product choice and treatment rate must be validated against the applicable fuel specification; contact PETRONAX for product documentation.
How do I order an INTRON® octane booster?
First, send us your base gasoline data, target octane and volumes. After that, we test a sample, recommend a product and dose, and send an offer.
Related resources
- N-Methylaniline (NMA) — INTRON® Octane Booster Series – product and supply information
- Industrial uses of N-methylaniline – applications beyond gasoline
- Research – our lab and quality control
Discuss your gasoline blending requirements. Send your base gasoline analysis, target RON/MON, required volume, delivery destination and packaging preference. Request a quote or contact sales@petronaxcorp.com.