http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/blends/ethanol.htmlAre you already using a domestically produced alternative fuel in your vehicle? If you live in a major U.S. city, you probably are.
In the United States, one out of every eight gallons of gasoline sold contains ethanol. Most of this ethanol is purchased as blends of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline, known as E10, and is used as an octane enhancer to improve air quality.
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I've been told by my mechanic, a reputable one, that the more ethanol is in your fuel the worse it is for the engine. Perhaps he's only saying that due to literature that says so but he generally speaks from experience.BobG said:Yes, it was 'said' that gasohol would theoretically shorten engine life, but that's so ambiguous.
You seem to be operating on the common myth that higher octanes are inherrently better in some way. They aren't. The only reason for high octanes is to prevent autoignition (knocking) in higher compression ratio engines.BoomBoomMan said:Octane is as high as 110 also.
Indeed. Alcohol has no lubricating properties and will indeed damage a motor in the long term if more than 10 % is mixed with gas. The motors can be adapted though, like they have done for decades in Brasil. Ther are also special additives for high ethanol (or methanol) fuels, that will protect your motor.russ_watters said:You seem to be operating on the common myth that higher octanes are inherrently better in some way. They aren't. The only reason for high octanes is to prevent autoignition (knocking) in higher compression ratio engines.
More info: http://science.howstuffworks.com/question707.htm
It talks about efficiency and cost too...
Mercator said:Indeed. Alcohol has no lubricating properties and will indeed damage a motor in the long term if more than 10 % is mixed with gas. The motors can be adapted though, like they have done for decades in Brasil. Ther are also special additives for high ethanol (or methanol) fuels, that will protect your motor.
A better alternative is bio diesel, which causes much less problems, not only in the motor, but also in the distribution system (ethanol is very flammable and evaporates, while biodiesel is very safe) It makes a big difference in the transport, storage and distribution. That is why the EU is focussing on biodiesel rather than ethanol.
The purpose of Cornahol Experiments is to explore the potential of corn-based ethanol as an alternative fuel source. This involves conducting various experiments to test the viability and efficiency of using ethanol as a fuel option.
Corn-based ethanol is being considered as a fuel option due to its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. It is also a renewable resource that can be domestically produced, reducing reliance on imported oil.
Some potential benefits of using corn-based ethanol as a fuel include reduced emissions, increased energy security, and potential economic benefits for farmers and rural communities through the production of corn for ethanol.
Some challenges and limitations of using corn-based ethanol as a fuel include potential competition with food production, concerns about land use and environmental impacts, and limitations on production scale and distribution infrastructure.
Current findings from Cornahol Experiments show that corn-based ethanol can be a viable fuel option, but there are still challenges to be addressed in terms of efficiency, sustainability, and scale. Further research and development is needed to fully assess its potential as a widespread alternative fuel.