OK, here it is: the competition is MMT. That's right, MMT. And I've been holding off on posting (after the last flame war here knowing I would get flamed, but hell, I've got scar tissue 5 inches deep from being on the Net since 1988 so flame away). I post this just because I was surprised to have never seen any mention of MMT and as an avid Scientific American reader thought it might be interesting as more proof that DF-144 has no competition.
I paraphrase from this month's Scientific American, "Running on MMT? - The debate on the health effects of a gasoline additive rages on":
One more aside: it's obvious from the article that any company that chooses MMT is risking the possibility of gigantic public health problems.
////from the article////
MMT is a fuel additive that increases octane and reduces oxide emissions, is marketed worldwide as safe, effective and efficient. IT's manufacturere, Ethyl Corp of Richmond, VA is so sure of MMT that it is now suing the Canadian government, which in April 1997 banned for health concerns the import and interprovince tradin of MMT, after 20 years of use.
The problem with MMT is manganese. In small amounts its OK, in large amounts its OK, but inhaled manganese is a different story.
Here's why I believe DF-144 has it over a barrel:
(From the article):
Large refineries have yet to adopt MMT simply because they have other options. "They can afford to make higher octane gasoline and purchase other fuel additives, such as ethanol, Jack Graham, an Ethyl spokesperson suggests.
Oil companies may also be avoiding MMT because of pressure from auto makers....
Graham, notes that "MMT is the most studied fuel additive in history" and expects a decision in the Canadian lawsuit this year.
The article ends with this:
""Why unleash another toxin into the atmosphere only to find that it causes neurogenerative diseases many years from now?""
Submitted for the Arcon long's reading or flaming pleasure.
Jeff Harrington |
