What If Tetraethyl Lead additives were banned in the 1920s? Effects on WW2?

[Reluctant Poster]

Calum,

The difference is that benzene is just carbon and hydrogen, so it's not dangerous after combustion and degradation. Tetra-ethyl lead contains, well, lead, and you can't get rid of it.

Once the TEL goes through combustion, the lead is carried into the atmosphere by by the hot exhaust gasses and can be inhaled; it also ends up in soil and water where it can be directly ingested or take up by plants and then concentrated as it passes up the food chain.

So the difference is danger to people handling it vs. widespread environmental contamination no matter what. A gross simplification, but a good starting point.

Benzene became a concern in gasoline relatively recently

Reducing benzene 
in gasoline

Cost-effective solutions for the reduction of benzene in gasoline, particularly with regard to MSAT II requirement

www.digitalrefining.com

 

[Reluctant Poster]

Thank you for the information/correction.

Do you have any idea how long the 100/150 fuel specification lasted?
In 1947 according to one engine year book (secondary source) the US was using 115/145 while the British were rating a couple of Merlins/Griffons on 115/150.
I have no idea if the 115/150 was an invention of the author/editor.
In the 1948 edition the 115/150 references have gone away and been replaced by 115/145 but it appears the power ratings (Max power) stayed the same.

From Heron "Development of Aviation Fuels"

Grade 115/145 was specifically developed to suit air cooled engines as they did not see the same improvements in performance as liquid cooled when operating with lean mixtures

 

[Reluctant Poster]

Thank you for the information/correction.

Do you have any idea how long the 100/150 fuel specification lasted?
In 1947 according to one engine year book (secondary source) the US was using 115/145 while the British were rating a couple of Merlins/Griffons on 115/150.
I have no idea if the 115/150 was an invention of the author/editor.
In the 1948 edition the 115/150 references have gone away and been replaced by 115/145 but it appears the power ratings (Max power) stayed the same.

I haven't seen any record of 115/150 production. From "A History of The Petroleum Administration for War". You can get this for free on Google Books. It is essential reading.
You can also see that US production using 6 cc of TEL was miniscule

 

[Reluctant Poster]

From Army Air Forces Historical Studies: No 65 Aviation Production and Control

 

[Reluctant Poster]

And finally, from:

 

[special ed]

Benzene can be absorbed through the skin as well by the lungs. Hazard results are Leukemia, blood cancers and loss of bone marrow. Fortunately the 5 gallons I bought in the 60s (before restrictions) for mixing with model glow fuel evaporated so easily that I was only able to use only about a quart for actual fuel. At the time, it was available for hotrodders and drag racing at the chemical plant, five gallon minimum.

 

[AMCKen]

I seem to recall reading that one of the troubles the P-38 had in Europe was excess lead coating the spark plugs, naturally leading to ignition problems.