- This topic has 5 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 8 months ago by
.
- Posts
I found a guy who posted this on the Alfa Romeo bulletin boards and found it interesting.
Top Ten Facts about Ethanol
1. Ethanol is listed as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
2. The cost of Reformulated Gasoline with ethanol will increase 3-6 cents per gallons compared to RFG with MTBE.
3. Spills of pure ethanol or gasoline containing ethanol from leaking storage tanks can create a benzene plume up to 150% larger than a spill from a non-ethanol fuel.
4. Ethanol cannot be shipped by pipeline because of its high affinity for water posing significant distribution costs and hurdles for gasoline blenders.
5. According to a study by Cornell University, for every gallon of ethanol produced, 1.4 gallons of energy is consumed in the process, compared to 0.15 gallons used in the manufacture of gasoline.
6. It takes 1.5 gallons of ethanol (E-85) to drive as many miles as one gallon of gasoline.
7. Every gallon of ethanol removes 53 cents from the Federal Highway Trust Fund because of a special tax break for producers.
8. Ethanol increases the vapor pressure of gasoline by 1 psi. resulting in higher evaporative emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds, while tailpipe emissions of Acetaldehyde increase 150%.
9. Ethanol permeates the hoses and lines of automobile fuel systems resulting in a 50% increase in VOC emissions for pre 1995 cars.
10. Ethanol dissolves oxide scale from the walls of pipes and tanks, subjecting the systems to internal corrosion, which leads to leaks.
At least some of this data is suspect; the process for producing ethanol has become much more efficient, I’ve seen figures that say it’s about .6 gallons to make a gallon now.
Also, the commonly used A/F ratio for ethanol says it takes about 20% more fuel, not 50%.
I should also point out that, as an ex-Alfa owner, living with one tends to make you very crabby, altering your views on just about everything.
And if ethanol’s a carcinogen, we have alot more to worry about than having it in the gas tank.
@Greg Welch wrote:
1. Ethanol is listed as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Yup, ever had Everclear? 😉 Ethanol is simply a grain alcohol, just like most of your hard liquor. You can actually drink 100% Ethanol (but it wouldnt taste very good…), the same stuff you would burn in your car. Thats part of the reason why you don’t see 100% ethanol used as a fuel. The ATF requires at least a 1% concentration of gasoline to act as a denaturant (so the Indycar series boasts about using E100…its actually E99), that, and 100% Ethanol burns with a clear flame.
@Greg Welch wrote:
2. The cost of Reformulated Gasoline with ethanol will increase 3-6 cents per gallons compared to RFG with MTBE.
True, but MTBE has been banned in CO (and a lot of other states…) for a long while now. It makes the groundwater taste funny….
@Greg Welch wrote:
6. It takes 1.5 gallons of ethanol (E-85) to drive as many miles as one gallon of gasoline.
Like Kurt said, its more like 20%. Ethanol just simply doesnt contain as many BTUs as Gasoline, so you just cant make as much power or drive as far on it.
@Greg Welch wrote:
9. Ethanol permeates the hoses and lines of automobile fuel systems resulting in a 50% increase in VOC emissions for pre 1995 cars.
Do NOT fill up your car with E85 if it’s not designed for it! Even if it will run, the seals, gaskets, and fuel lines are not designed for an alcohol based fuel, the E85 will destroy a bunch of the rubber components in your fuel system faster than you can say ‘what smells like corn?’. The ‘Flex Fuel’ vehicles you see running around have specially formulated seals, gaskets, etc that are designed to handle E85. (you can actually convert the fuel system on an existing vehicle to handle E85, should you desire)
Ethanol is not the miracle fuel (IMO) that everyone makes it out to be. It’s an interesting alternative, and the fact that it is renewable is a nice bonus. However, did you know that theres just not enough land (or crops, for that matter) in the US to grow enough fuel to power all the vehicles on the road (that is, if every vehicle was running E85)? Personally, i would rather grow my food over here, and import my fuel….but thats just me!
Well Kurt,
Living with my Alfa had made me very crabby at one point, but after a full engine rebuild and a LOT of new parts, along with a lot lighter wallet, my spirits are rejuvenated as the car is on the road again and looking better than ever! As for the validity of what I posted, I have no idea. I don’t know what source the guy got his information from I just found it interesting. No matter how off the facts are it surely isnt the answer to all our problems.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.