TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The internal combustion engine powers an automobile, truck, lawn mower, tractor, farm machinery, train, marine engine, trucks, fire pump, power generator, jet engine, industrial equipment, chipper, air compressor, locomotive, or mining machinery. It also comprises a spark plug(s). Preferred Method: An oxidant is fed to the combustor.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The fuel further comprises a fuel component from gasoline, diesel, kerosene, jet fuel or alcohols. It further comprises automotive fuel additives. It is a solid fuel consisting of starch. The solid fuel is a powder having particles capable of passing through 150 mesh or smaller screen. The second fuel component is ethanol. Preferred Property: The powder has a moisture content of less than or equal to 8%. It can be a fuel slurry. Preferred Composition: The fuel comprises 5-50, preferably 8-16 wt.% starch. Preferred Method: The starch and the siliconate are prepared in the aqueous mixture and then the acid is added to the aqueous mixture in an amount to adjust the pH of the aqueous mixture to a near-neutral pH. An aqueous solution comprising the siliconate and the acid is prepared before combining the siliconate with the starch, where the aqueous solution has a near-neutral pH when the starch is combined with the siliconate. The starch solids are filtered from the aqueous mixture before drying. The starch solids are dried to a moisture content of 6-15, preferably 10-13.5%. The dried starch solids are powdered. The pH of the aqueous mixture is 4-10, preferably 6-8.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The starch is a common or modified starch. The modified starch is a free-flowing, hydrophobic starch. Preferred Property: The free-flowing, hydrophobic starch has a near-neutral dry product pH. The dry product pH is 4-10, preferably 6.9-7.6. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The invented method creates or maintains combustion conditions in the combustor or a combustion area. It provides minimized energy and cost.    EXAMPLE - A first fuel slurry was prepared comprising 34 wt.% starch on a dry basis by mixing the starch with gasoline. The fuel slurry had excellent flowability characteristics. A second fuel slurry was prepared comprising 44 wt.% starch in gasoline, and the fuel slurry also had good flowability. A third fuel slurry was prepared comprising 52 wt.% starch in gasoline. The fuel slurry was more viscous than the first two slurries but exhibited acceptable flowability for use.