Abstract:
This work investigated the influence of aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu) on the formation of gum in Brazilian automotive gasoline. There is data in the literature about the influence of other metals as catalysts for the gasoline oxidation reaction, a frequently cited example is copper. Samples were prepared with concentrations of 1mg/L and 2 mg/L of copper and aluminum in gasoline, separately, and a sample was evaluated with the two elements, which were storage at a temperature of 22±3ºC for a period of 15 and 30 days. After that, the formed gum was analyzed and quantified according to the ASTM D381 standard. The results were evaluated with the ANOVA statistical tool and demonstrate a great influence of the metal concentration factor, while the time factor had no relevant effect under the conditions studied.
Furthermore, it was also observed that, when present in the same solution, they can further increase this effect.