A Look at Ethanol As a Gasoline Additive

The Associated Press | 06/01/03

[Sonny M]

A look at ethanol as a gasoline additive:

An ethyl alcohol made from fermenting and distilling starches from corn and other crops. Used for wide range of purposes from a gasoline additive to making beer and whiskey.

Today, 90 percent of ethanol used in gasoline comes from corn. Researchers hope in the future it can be processed from cellulose biomass (grasses and various plant waste).

2.13 billion gallons were made last year, mainly in five states - Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and Indiana. One bushel of corn yields 2.5 gallons of ethanol.

Ethanol is more expensive to produce and transport than gasoline, but benefits from a 53-cents a gallon tax credit to make it competitive. Critics contend ethanol supply problems could cause higher gas prices if the fuel is mandated.

Reduces carbon monoxide and toxic chemical emissions from tailpipes. But evaporates more easily, adding to smog problem. May make it harder to deal with gasoline spills in groundwater. Modest reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases.

Some scientists say more energy from fossil fuels is used to make ethanol than it replaces. The ethanol industry cites studies showing for every 23.8 gallons ethanol in gasoline, 1 barrel of oil will not be needed.

[Sonny M]

I have very mixed opinions on this, any freepers want to provide more info.

[Alberta's Child]

I've noticed that my fuel efficiency declines by about 10% whenever I fuel up in those states that use ethanol gasoline.

[rattrap]

well, ethanol is used in making rocket fuel, that's promising.

i have no problem with alternative fuel solutions for cars, providied cars can still go fast.

[keithtoo]

What about bio-diesel?

I've been reading that it is the next wonder-fuel?

[norwaypinesavage]

A gallon of ethanol has half the energy of a gallon of gasoline. Depending on the percentage of ethanol in the the mixture, you would expect a proportional decrease in fuel economy.

[gridlock]

A gallon of ethanol has half the energy of a gallon of gasoline.

So a 10% ethanol mix would have 5% less energy. Add to that inefficient burning as your engine tries to cope with the unexpected mix, and you could easily get a 10% drop in MPG.

To put it another way, a 10% ethanol mix has the same energy content as if you added 5% water to your tank. Now would you put 19 gallons of gas in your tank and then top it off with a gallon of water?

[gridlock]

Today, 90 percent of ethanol used in gasoline comes from corn. Researchers hope in the future it can be processed from cellulose biomass (grasses and various plant waste).

You just know, don't you, that if somebody figures out how to make cheaper ethanol from grass clippings and plant waste, the same people who are promoting ethanol now will be up in arms about some yet-to-be-determined environmental problem with the new technology.

Guaran-FReepin'-teed.

[MediaMole]

The loss in fuel economy can vary radically from one blend of reformulated gas to another. Here in Milwaukee, I get 32mpg with the summer blend and 28mpg with the winter blend. Both formulations have about 10 percent ethanol.

They won't stop using ethanol since the US Senate is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Archer Daniels Midland.

[circles]

Storage and transport is always a big problem for ethanol because it readily absorbs water, and then you can't get it out (the azeotrope problem).

[MarkL]

And I've also heard that it (ethanol) causes greater engine wear, since it's "better" at cleaning the thin film of oil off of metal surfaces that gasoline. It can also cause mixture problems as well, (I believe) causing the engine to run lean, and therefore hotter.

Mark

[GladesGuru]

A bigger, and as yet unaddressed problem for the consumer, is that the alcohol diluted fuel isn't advertised with a warning of the lower energy content.

The reduced vehicle mileage = greater operating costs per mile.

This is argueably fraud. If ham is water injected, it must be so labelled. Where is the azetrope water content problem mentioned in the fuel description?

If someone did this in another field of commerce they would be in court or jail.

And for all their posturing, I have heard not one greenie addressing this point of what they so loudly like to call "capitalist, multi-national corporate exploitation".

Caveat emptor - then, now, and forever.

[Paleo Conservative]

I've noticed that my fuel efficiency declines by about 10% whenever I fuel up in those states that use ethanol gasoline.

That's because on a volume basis ethanol has a lower energy content. Mile per gallon ratings between different types of fuels such a gasoline, ethanol, and diesel are misleading and useless. For instance diesel fuel is denser than gasoline. Because of this a gallon of diesel fuel contains more engery than a gallon of gasoline. So of course a car model offered with either a diesel engine or a gasoline engine will get high milage from the diesel version.

The Saudis thought it was really funny how the CAFE standards treated gasoline MPG and diesel MPG the same. This is because it takes more oil to refine a gallon of diesel fuel than a gallon of gasoline. Switching to diesel may have allowed some auto manufacurers to keep their fleet average fuel consumption below the mandated levels, but did absolutely nothing to decrease dependence on foreign oil. Ethanol contains less energy per gallon than gasoline so it isn't surprising that you get worse "fuel economy" using mixtures of gasoline and ethanol. What's really worse is that your car having a fixed volume in it's gas tank has a shorter range using fuels mixed with ethanol.

[newgeezer]

Here in Milwaukee, I get 32mpg with the summer blend and 28mpg with the winter blend.

Ethanol or not, it's typical for us Northerners to experience a marked decrease in fuel economy during the winter months due to the weather and driving conditions.

[Paleo Conservative]

A bigger, and as yet unaddressed problem for the consumer, is that the alcohol diluted fuel isn't advertised with a warning of the lower energy content.

........

Where is the azetrope water content problem mentioned in the fuel description?

I agree with you 100%. You should read my post #12.

You're point about the azetrope water content is well taken. I'm sure the water content of the fuel creates corosion problems in the fuel system.

[jwh_Denver]

I've noticed that my fuel efficiency declines by about 10% whenever I fuel up in those states that use ethanol gasoline.

I've noticed the same thing. So essentially we are paying a high price for the ethanol and getting nothing for it.

[nobdysfool]

I would like to ask you all to take a look at the Article entitled "Anything Into Oil" in the May, 2003 issue of Discover magazine. This looks to be the best solution for oil, and it has the side benefit of taking care of the garbage problem as well. You can find the article here Scroll down to the May issue and click on the link for "Anything Into Oil". A worthwhile read!

[VoiceOfBruck]

Ethanol is more expensive to produce and transport than gasoline, but benefits from a 53-cents a gallon tax credit to make it competitive.

Wow, magic! Let me try that same logic:

Engineers don't make as much money as doctors, but benefit from a $25 per hour tax credit...

Hey, it's not working! What am I doing wrong?

[discostu]

It smells worse and burns hotter (more damage to engine, lower fuel efficiency). To modify a line from Terry Bradshaw: if ethanol is the answer it was a stupid question.

[VoiceOfBruck]

I've noticed that my fuel efficiency declines by about 10% whenever I fuel up in those states that use ethanol gasoline.

I've noticed the same thing. So essentially we are paying a high price for the ethanol and getting nothing for it.

I've noticed the same thing as well. At least gasohol is cheaper at stations near me (Detroit). I still won't use it though.

[TRY ONE]

The Feds are mandating we take one bushel of corn to produce 2.5 gallons of ethanol and put in gasoline.....to the tune of over 2 billion gallons/yr.

This is total BS, environmental PC.

If anyone is serious about the environemnt and energy let's take uranium (which is pretty much good for nothing else) and have more nuclear power. It is cleaner, and yes, as the 50 year record shows, safer that combustion products.

Go NUCS!