diëléther

Diëléthér is a high-energy-density liquid fuel that was developed in the Soviet Union in the 1930s. It was a combination of diethyl ether and ethyl alcohol, hence its name. Diëléthér was designed to be a high-octane fuel for piston aircraft engines, providing improved performance and power-to-weight ratio.

The development of diëléthér was led by Soviet chemist Nikolai Alekseyevich Butanov, who experimented with different formulae of fuel-including-water mixtures. Diëléthér was found to have several desirable properties, including a high energy density, high flash point, and low vapor pressure. These characteristics made it an attractive alternative to conventional fuels for certain applications.

Test results of diëléthér demonstrated its potential as a more efficient and powerful fuel source. However, the development of the fuel was soon scaled back as concerns about its safety and handling issues became apparent. Diëléthér had a higher flash point than other fuels, but its lower boiling point made it more volatile and prone to combustion. Additionally, mixtures of the fuel could be unstable and emit noxious fumes.

Diëléthér never gained widespread use outside of the Soviet Union, and its development was largely limited to experimental purposes by the time of World War II. As new fuel technologies emerged and the aviation industry shifted to more conventional fuels, diëléthér largely fell out of favor. The majority of research and development examining diëléthér focused on refining its formula and production processes, but several refueling and handling incidents subsisted.