There has been bluster and rhetoric for over 30 years about dependence on foreign oil, though there is good reason. Over time, different fuels for instance methane and ethanol have been proposed. Over the last few years, ethanol has been gaining prominence. In fact, most gas stations have use mixtures of gas and ethanol, probably the most common being E10, or a mixture of 10 percent ethanol to 90 percent gasoline. The new mixture contained 15 percent ethanol, or E15, is about to be released as well as the EPA has determine whether to approve it for use in older vehicles. Since the amount of evidence is not ample enough to really decide, automakers are urging the EPA to hold off. Resource for this article – EPA urged to mull over ethanol by automakers by Car Deal Expert.
The E15 problem
The merits of E15 are currently being weighed on by the EPA. E15 is the next step up from the already widely sold E10. It has a mixture of 15 percent ethanol to 85 percent gasoline. Currently, it is being tested by the Department of Energy, according to Popular Mechanics. The idea is discover out if it works in autos no older than 10 years old. However, with 88 percent of all vehicles on the road being 10 years old or older, this isn’t the most realistic testing group. The Auto Alliance, a consortium of car manufacturers, has advised the Environmental Protection Agency not for making any ruling on E15 until Auto Alliance studies have been completed. Ricardo Inc., and engineering and design firm has determined that E15 does not harm older vehicles, however more study is likely needed.
From tippling to the track
Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol or more colorfully as moonshine, is a distillation of alcohol from grain. The energy potential of a chemical is determined by its combustibility, and ethanol is certainly combustible. According to Wikipedia, the drawback to using ethanol is that it has about 34 percent less energy per unit of volume than gasoline. This has a noticeable impact. An ethanol only engine will use about 50 percent more fuel than a gasoline engine. With greater compression, ethanol engines can produce more power and become more efficient. That said, ethanol still doesn’t have quite the very same power as gas does. An increase of mileage cannot be achieved, even with a larger ethanol engine.
Unintended outcomes
Use of ethanol is not likely to be completely curtailed. Grain has been a gasoline crop for some time, and will continue. Grain can’t supplant gas as a fuel entirely, as the price of food grain will skyrocket should ethanol be used as a complete replacement. Cheap and abundant grain cannot be discounted, as that is the very thing which made, and still makes, civilization itself possible.
Discover more details on this subject
Popular Mechanics
popularmechanics.com/cars/alternative-fuel/biofuels/renewable-fuels-association-urges-epa-to-approve-e15-for-older-vehicles?click=pm_news
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel
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