Ethanol

Ethanol Free gasoline is sold at :  Butch Taylor's Service State

3006 E North Street Greenville, SC 29615-1825

http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=SC 

Let us understand why you may want pure gasoline.

Ethanol in Motor Fuel

We are told

•  Blending ethanol into gasoline reduces dependence on imported petroleum
•  Use of ethanol reduces emissions of greenhouse gas – CO2

What we are not told

•  Using corn for fuel raises food prices around the world
•  Production of ethanol requires large amounts of water – aggravating shortages in times of draught
•  A gallon of ethanol requires about 75% of its energy content to produce
•  Low cost ethanol from Brazil is subject to a high tariff, while taxpayers subsidize what would otherwise be an unprofitable venture
•  Ethanol must be transported by truck or train, adding to highway congestion and creating hazards
•  Most boat engines, older and classic cars, and small equipment with gasoline engines are damaged by or run poorly on fuel containing ethanol

How do modern cars tolerate fuel with 10% ethanol?

•  They use an oxygen sensor to adjust the fuel/air mixture to maintain stoichiometry
•  They have fuel vapor recovery systems that prevent the entry of moisture
•  Fuel system components use materials that are compatible with ethanol

Unlike gasoline, ethanol contains oxygen. Fixed fuel metering devices do not adjust for the added oxygen. This results in lean operation – rough idle and possible excess combustion temperatures at full power.  Their fuel systems are vented allowing moisture to enter. Ethanol has a strong affinity for water. Many boats and gas powered machines have tubing and even fuel tanks that are corroded by ethanol.

So what are the benefits of Ethanol

Sorry, but here’s where we get a bit technical – A gallon of gasoline has (typically) an energy content of 116,090* British Thermal Units (BTU).  Ethanol has a content of about 76,330* BTU/gallon. Calculation shows that a 10% blend (also known as E10) has 112,114 BTU/gallon, or 3.4% less than pure gasoline (E0).  Every mile driven under specific conditions requires a certain amount of energy, so expect a 3.4% loss in fuel mileage with E10 vs. E0.

*Source: U. S. Dep. of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center


E10 CO2 Emissions

Now imagine a trip that would take 100 gallons of pure gasoline (E0).  With E10, the trip would need 3.4% more of the blend or 103.4 gallons. Of that, 90% or 93.06 gallons is E0 and 10% or 10.34 is ethanol.  The gasoline produces 93.06 x 19.56 = 1820 lb. of CO2, and the ethanol emits 10.34 * 12.57 = 130 lb. of this greenhouse gas.  Total CO2 emission = 1950 pounds.  This compares with 1956 pounds if the trip were made with E0, for a saving of 6 pounds.

Greenhouse Gases

If the MPG drops by 7% [averages are 7% up to 20%], then the E10 will actually produce 60 pounds MORE greenhouse gas than if pure gasoline was used.    Using Ethanol in gasoline creates more CO2 than using just pure Gasoline!

But surely Ethanol helps achieve petroleum independence?

Not really, if the energy to grow the corn and produce the ethanol is considered, it is very likely that blending 10% ethanol into our fuel actually increases the demand for petroleum.

Who benefits by adding ethanol to gasoline?

Well it certainly enriches the corn growers and the ethanol producers.  On the other hand, it costs the taxpayers, reduces fuel mileage for motorists, and can be a disaster for owners of boats and power garden equipment.  Think what the billions in subsidies could do for our troubled economy or healthcare.

Per The Chicago Tribune article July 27, 2010

“Last week, the Congressional Budget Office calculated how much taxpayers provide in biofuel subsidies to reduce gasoline consumption. The bottom line: $1.78 for every gallon when the biofuel is made from corn. Ethanol from cellulose costs a beyond-belief $3 a gallon in subsidies.”  In other words, $1.78 tax dollars are in every gallon of biofuel you purchase and is not seen in the price since they are government grants.