Abstract: A fuel additive containing ferrous picrate produced by a process comprising placing an enclosed iron containing metallic source in a solution of picric acid in a solvent that reacts with iron to produce ferrous picrate. Enclosure of the iron containing metallic source is accomplished with an isolating material. Enclosure may be achieved by completely surrounding the iron containing metallic source with the isolating material or by installing a filter comprising the isolating material on the downstream or the upstream side of a vessel holding the iron containing metallic source and through which the picric acid and liquid containing the picric acid are circulated. If the iron containing metallic source has been completely surrounded, it is placed into the solution. The solution may be agitated. If a filter or filters are utilized, the solution is circulated through the vessel holding the iron containing metallic source.

Abstract: A fuel additive containing ferrous picrate produced by a process comprising placing an enclosed iron containing metallic source in a solution of picric acid in a solvent that reacts with iron to produce ferrous picrate. Enclosure of the iron containing metallic source is accomplished with an isolating material. Enclosure may be achieved by completely surrounding the iron containing metallic source with the isolating material or by installing a filter comprising the isolating material on the downstream or the upstream side of a vessel holding the iron containing metallic source and through which the picric acid and liquid containing the picric acid are circulated. If the iron containing metallic source has been completely surrounded, it is placed into the solution. The solution may be agitated. If a filter or filters are utilized, the solution is circulated through the vessel holding the iron containing metallic source.

Abstract: A process for preparing ferrous picrate is disclosed. The process includes the step of reacting under substantially non-oxidising conditions ferrous carbonate substantially free from ferric compounds with a substantially water-free solution of picric acid in a solvent medium to produce a solution of ferric picrate. The solvent medium is selected from aromatic hydrocarbon solvents, mixtures of aromatic hydrocarbon solvents, straight- or branched-chain aliphatic alcohols, mixtures of straight or branched-chain aliphatic alcohols, and mixtures of straight- or branched-chain aliphatic alcohols and aromatic hydrocarbon solvents. The reaction is preferably carried out under a continuously maintained inert atmosphere and at a temperature between 10.degree. C. and 120.degree. C.