As diesel becomes more and more expensive owing to a) governmental annual tax rises b) the increasing cost of fuel owing to its scarcity (at least we are led to believe) it’s even more apparent that we need to use the fuel better, in a more efficient and less poluting manner. Big oil companies have developed a range of super fuels that contain additives to help the diesel engine run better (more economically) and they sometimes call it ‘Super Diesel’. The premium they attach to the fuel is around 5p to 7p a litre extra.

So what exactly are these additives?

One is EthylHexyl Nitrate (EHN).

EHN is a small molecule containing the nitrate grougp and by adding a catalytics amount to the fuel (0.1-0.5%) it helps to enhance the burn process. It does this by creating more free radicals at a different stage of the combustion and results in the fuel burning more efficiently. EHN is not a commonly available chemical because a) it’s quite toxic if drunk b) it’s smells to high heaven c) having litres of it in your garage is a fire risk – well, it does burn well.

You can purchase some from the internet and can get it delivered to your door, from a couple of companies, Goat Industries and also Trinity Chemicals.

We use it in our diesel engines and they do run more efficicently (5-10% more economy) and less black smoke when accelerating hard. Measuring out the amount of EHN because more than 0.5% results in no benefit so you need to stick in the range of 0.1%-0.5% of volume. You can do this my measuring out 50mL into a 5L can, filling up the can with normal diesel. Then when you are nearly empty go the service station and just before you fill up from the pump put your EHN fuel in. Then fill up to the top. (This is based on a 50L tank). You’ll need to add a bit more if you have a larger tank.

Workng out the maths shows that you can save a lot of money by buying EHN rather than filling up with Super Diesel.

* Scientific studies have shown that ethylhexyl nitrate provides radicals early in the combustion process but does not directly change the basic ignition chemistry of diesel.

Discalimer: This is not advice, but our own observations, and we do not hold any liability on handling chemicals or putting them in engines.