Ethanol: A growing fuel source?

With gas prices continuing to stay high, many people are looking at other fuel options. In previous blogs, we discussed hybrids and diesel fuel. Ethanol is another alternative fuel option that can also save you some money at the pump.

Ethanol, grain alcohol made mostly from corn in the U.S., has seen a resurgence in interest lately, including new federal mandates to produce at least 36 billion gallons of biofuels by 2020. Most ethanol today is blended into gasoline in a mixture called E10, 10 percent ethanol to 90 percent gasoline. All new cars can use E10.

More controversial is a small amount that is blended into a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline called E85, which only a small percentage of cars can use without damage to their fuel systems.

Engineers are developing ways to make ethanol out of material other than food stocks, such as wood chips and old tires. This cellulosic ethanol will be needed to meet upcoming mandates for ethanol production, and will work in cars the same way corn ethanol does.

Pros More than 7 million vehicles today can run on E85, and new biorefineries are increasing capacity. Reduces dependence on foreign oil.

Cons Cars running on E85 get 27 percent worse fuel economy than they do on gasoline in our tests. Less than 1 percent of U.S. gas stations sell E85. Federal fuel economy credits for ethanol may actually be reducing fuel economy in cars overall. And increasing demand for ethanol has been blamed for driving up food prices.

For more information on alternative fuels and fuel economy, see our Guide to driving green.

Comments

[Matt Freitas]

The last I heard, US farmers had become so efficient that the government was paying farm subsidies for farmers not to grow anything. The idea is to prevent the supply of crops from passing the demand and causing the prices to plunge. At that point, the farmers couldn't sell their crops for a price that makes it profitable (or break even). If this is still the case, then these subsidies should be re-directed to farmers specifically selected to grow corn for the sole purpose of ethanol production. These subsidies can be used to buy the corn rather than pay farmers not to grow anything. By isolating these farmers from the food generating farming activity, it protects food prices from artificial demand increases.

[Derrick G.]

An increasing number of mechanics are claiming that ethanol is damaging small motors. I'd be interested in knowing how much damage is really being done.

[Jeff Baker]

Next Generation Ethanol - Just Add Water

The main problem with ethanol is that the majority of engines on the road today are not designed for it. One exception is the Saab 9-5 Biopower engine, which IS optimized for ethanol. It outperforms gasoline, getting 20% more power, 16% greater torque, and 10% better mileage. The Lotus Exige 265E “Flexi” gets 45 more horse power on E85 than it gets on gasoline. Within the next two years, Suzuki, Ford, GM and numerous other car makers will introduce engines which exploit the advantages of ethanol. for its higher octane, faster flame speed, lower burn temperature and less heat loss, and most importantly for its compatibility with water.

Our system of blending 15% gasoline into ethanol is not necessary. Ethanol can be denatured without using gasoline. That was how politicians created an incentive for oil companies to distribute ethanol, by giving them a 51 cent per gallon tax credit to blend it with gasoline. Problem is, ethanol performs better when it’s mixed with water rather than gasoline. This is called hydrous ethanol.

Nothing new. In the 1920's, the model A Ford cars and trucks ran on 165 proof ethanol, 17.5% water and 82.5% ethanol. Recently, a Pratt Community College engine testing team lead by instructor Greg Bacon, mixed 20% water with pure ethanol, and efficiency in the combustion chamber doubled. When the ethanol explodes, the water instantly turns into additional power in the form of steam and also provides hydrogen and oxygen inside the cylinder. Next year, Ford is introducing the EcoBoost engine, which may also have advanced ethanol technology that improves efficiency even more. Brazil has been using 4% hydrous ethanol for years. They laughed at us when we started mixing ethanol with gasoline.

Phil Ratte, Mechanical Engineer, BME University of Minnesota said: “From 1981 to 1989, I worked with Herb Hansen, who had been an engineer on a WW II submarine, and a former captain of a nuclear submarine. We developed two prototype cars, a Ford Pinto Station Wagon and a Mitsubishi Sedan, that ran as well on 65 proof ethanol (2/3 water and 1/3 ethanol) as they did on unleaded regular gas.”

So if we can dilute pure ethanol with 2/3 water and run our vehicles on it, why aren’t we doing that? Its coming. The State of Louisiana is now planning an experimental hydrous ethanol program that may also be replicated in other states. Dongfeng, a major Chinese auto maker is introducing a car this year, with a slightly modified fuel system, that runs on 65% ethanol and 35% water. They claim hydrogen is formed. Toyota also has a similar hydrous ethanol prototype that produces on board hydrogen.

The BTU argument that ethanol is inferior to diesel and gasoline is not valid. Pure ethanol has higher octane, faster flame speed, lower burn temperature which translates into less heat loss, and most importantly, it mixes with water. With advanced engine technology, it can outperform gasoline 2 to 1 or better. Major automakers are scheduled to produce smaller, lighter, high compression, turbocharged ethanol optimized engines that are a lot more efficient than current gasoline and diesel engines. The fuel will be cheaper, cleaner and made in the USA.

If you prefer an ethanol powered fuel cell, the Swift Direct Proton Fuel Cell developed by Purdue University’s Research Park in West Lafayette, Indiana is about $2,000, only 1/10 the price of a hydrogen fuel cell. No need to compress hydrogen into ultra high pressure hydrogen tanks, which increases the cost of the fuel and the vehicle. Put safe and friendly ethanol in your conventional liquid fuel tank. Maybe that’s why Toyota is building ethanol plants in Brazil, and GM is investing in ethanol development in the U. S…They must know something we don’t know about ethanol.

OPEN SOURCE, PUBLISH FREELY

[Robert Smith]

It's the law here in Oregon, and it is not popular with everyone. My Toyota pickup gets worse mileage in an era of rising prices. I installed a performance muffler, and am now about back to original mileage. Many people report a loss of power. I believe all newer cars are designed to handle the 10% mix, but folks with older cars have to change fuel filters more often. I know guys with small boat engines that are having problems with it. There is a push to have the manditory law overturned. The consensus seems to be one more case of the government knowing 'what's best for you' no matter how much it hurts your wallet. R.Smith

[tiffany]

ethanol and hyrdogen fuels are better for the environment and it will not polute the air as bad as most of the things that are used everyday. i am gald that they are making vehicles that can use things other than gasoline it will help the economy and by switching cars to E85 can help the ice in Alaska stay then the polar bears will not die off.

[Steve]

Ethanol Fuel<------------- Worst Idea this century!!
Take it from one who uses small engines on a daily bases and has $$$$$ of dollars invested on Lawn Equipment. I have to spend an extra $200.00 per month on Fuel Stabil in order to use that ethanol based fuel in my equipment. The small engine shops in our area have had a 100% increase due to small parts in the engines being destroyed by this Ethanol!!! What we need is a Major Lawsuit to shutdown this brainless idea that Corn is a good idea to use in engines. Everytime Gov. starts to improve things, they almost never do a complete research on what is the long term affect on their brainless ideas. My equipment runs like its running on fuel mixed with water. Hard to start, almost never starts, stalls out.... I have tenis elbow from trying to start the engines. This never used to happen until Florida made it mandatory to use ethanol based fuels.

-Steve

[Anomoly]

The real questions we have to ask:

Is Ethanol really better for the enviornment and/or the consumer?

--LESS energy from ethanol means more trips to the gas pump and more money out of your pocket and less MPG, because it is corrosive it can cause issues with some vehicles (how much does it cost to replace an engine these days?) and that's not taking into account the tax dollar subsidies that are coming out of ... yes the tax payers pockets

DO YOUR RESEARCH!