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Originally posted by merkerguitars
The only problem with ethanol is that it talkes alot of energy to make it, it's not a good ratio. Also you just can't simply put ethanol in any engine and expect it to run. Usually you have to have your whole fuel system converted.
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I think you've been sucked into myths about the energy ratio of ethanol.
http://www.mda.state.mn.us/ethanol/balance.html
Fuel Energy yield Net Energy (loss) or gain
Gasoline 0.805 (19.5 percent)
Diesel 0.843 (15.7 percent)
Ethanol 1.34 34 percent
Biodiesel 3.20 220 percent
this site (
http://www.nwicc.cc.ia.us/Module2.htm) says we can get up to a 2.51 ratio or 151% gain with state-of-the-art farming techniques and ethanol production. Also, that 1.34 is a little old and it's now much closer to 1.4. Now, considering the ratio of gasoline, I wouldn't say that's a bad ratio at all
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You're right you can't put ethanol into any engine and make it run...but you can't put anything else but gasoline into them and make it run either. It's still a challenge, but it's easier to get a car to run on ethanol than most anything else. This site has a lot of good info on it...(and apparently it's technically illegal to convert an unleaded gas only car to ethanol for lack of emissions approval kits).
http://www.e85fuel.com/faq.htm
Also, some manufacturers are already making cars that can run on E85 or unleaded. I'd say that's a pretty big step over conversion kits of other biofuels. Shoot, I'm just gonna copy and paste that info too just cause it's so cool.
Quote:
Flexible fuel engines (engines that operate on E85 gasoline-or any blend thereof) are standard equipment on certain makes and models of automobiles and trucks produced by Ford Motor Company, General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, and Mazda Motors. Current vehicles include:
DaimlerChrysler
Ford Motor Company
General Motors
Mazda
Mercury
Isuzu
In these models, the vehicles are available with an E85 flexible fuel engine. Some are also available as gasoline-only powered engines. The ability of the these vehicles to operate on both E85 and gasoline are provided by the automakers at LITTLE to NO additional cost to the consumer. These vehicles carry the same warranties as those which can only operate on gasoline. You can find out if a vehicle is E85 compatible by the Vehicle Identification Number by clicking here.
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This is on the faq site i posted above.
I really don't know why this stuff isn't more widely known. The only reason why I know so much is because I live in nebraska and cause my brother was captain of the U of Nebraska's ethanol team (they built a silverado that ran on E85 that was featured in car and driver). I just think it's a big conspiracy by big oil to keep it unknown.