Is ethanol healthier than gasoline?
Today's corn-based ethanol reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by roughly 40 – 50 percent compared to regular gasoline, according to recent studies by Harvard, USDA and the Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory.
The five-year study, partially funded by the National Wildlife Federation and U.S. Department of Energy, found that ethanol is at least 24% more carbon-intensive than gasoline, Reuters reports.
Fuel Economy and Performance
If they were optimized to run on higher ethanol blends, fuel economy would likely increase as a result of increased engine efficiency. Ethanol also has a higher octane number than gasoline, which provides increased power and performance.
Ethanol and ethanol-gasoline mixtures burn cleaner and have higher octane levels than gasoline that does not contain ethanol, but they also have higher evaporative emissions from fuel tanks and dispensing equipment. These evaporative emissions contribute to the formation of harmful, ground-level ozone and smog.
Disadvantages: Ethanol has 35% less energy than gasoline by volume, so E10 is actually 13.5% of the volume of a gallon of the stuff. Because of the lower energy, drivers have to fuel up 3.5% more often than if they just used gasoline.
Natural gas one of the safest and cleanest fuels available. It emits less pollution than other fossil fuel sources. When natural gas is burned, it produces mostly carbon dioxide and water vapor -- the same substances emitted when humans exhale.
For example, the production of ethanol requires large amounts of water and energy, which can contribute to water and air pollution. In addition, the crops that are used to produce ethanol require fertilizers and pesticides, which can harm the soil and nearby waterways.
Does Premium Gas Have Ethanol? Some premium gasoline for vehicles will contain ethanol. This is more dependent on whether the gas in question is one of three grades of fuel where ethanol is added: E10, E15, and E85. The number of each corresponds to the percentage of ethanol in each fuel grade.
Ethanol. Pros: Reduces demand for foreign oil, low emissions, high octane, and can potentially be produced from waste materials; existing cars can use 10-percent blends (called E10), and more than 8 million cars already on the road can use E85. Cons: Twenty-five percent lower fuel economy on E85 than gasoline.
Most cars on the road today in the U.S. can run on blends of up to 15% ethanol, and ethanol represented 10% of the U.S. gasoline fuel supply derived from domestic sources in 2011. Some flexible-fuel vehicles are able to use up to 100% ethanol.
Why don't we use alcohol instead of gasoline?
Alcohol needs twice as much by volume as gasoline to run at stoichiometric ratios. The computer programming for most gasoline engines is not adaptable enough to do this. ”Flexfuel” vehicles can. Alcohol has VERY poor vaporization characteristics when cold.
Ethanol has lower energy density than gasoline. That means you get fewer miles per tank of gas and reduced engine performance (e.g. less acceleration). Many drivers aren't thrilled about that. Finally, there's no compelling reason to burn ethanol over gasoline.
87-octane can have no more than 10 percent ethanol. The difference between 87 and 88 is an additional 5% ethanol. This is important because if you have an owner's manual from a vehicle made in 2002-2015, it probably lists the maximum amount of ethanol at up to 10 percent.
- Hydrogen. Hydrogen is a potentially emissions-free alternative fuel that can be produced from domestic resources for use in fuel cell vehicles. ...
- Natural Gas. Natural gas is a domestically abundant fuel that can have significant cost advantages over gasoline and diesel fuels. ...
- Propane.
Anthracite coal is the hottest burning fuel in comparison to the most common ones in use. Environmentally cleaner than other fossil fuels. Due to its low sulfur content, Anthracite coal produces virtually no smoke or particulate emissions. This is a major problem with cord wood and pellet burning stoves.
Wood is considered a much more eco-friendly heating option because the carbon dioxide that is released when wood fuels are burned is already an active part of the natural carbon cycle. This means that there is no net addition in the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere when wood fuels are burned.
Larger producers have been using molecular sieves for several years. Now smaller plants(20 million gallons per year and less) are starting to incorporate it. We conclude that the ethanol industry, on average, uses 49,380 BTUs per gallon to manufacture ethanol.
Proponents of ethanol ethanol argue that it is one of the alternative fuels and it is a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. In contrast, critics argue that it is not a viable solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and may contribute to environmental problems.
Higher octane rating: Ethanol has a higher octane rating than gasoline, which can improve engine performance. Disadvantages: Lower energy content: Ethanol has a lower energy content per gallon compared to gasoline, resulting in reduced fuel efficiency and potentially higher fuel consumption.
Some small engines may perform better with 87 octane fuel with no ethanol, while others may be designed to run optimally on 89 octane fuel with no more than 10% ethanol. It's important to consult the owner's manual or contact the manufacturer to determine the most suitable fuel for your specific small engine.
Do I really need premium gas?
Some cars that need premium only need 91 octane, and others may require 93 octane. If the owner's manual indicates premium gas is recommended, you can typically operate the vehicle safely on regular gas. Still, you may not reach the performance and fuel economy indicated in the car's specifications.
It's more affordable than traditional gasoline, reduces harmful vehicle emissions, supports American jobs, and protects America's energy independence.
Since ethanol molecules contain oxygen, it combusts well. Ethanol is considered a renewable fuel because it is produced from biomass. Due to similar combustion characteristics, ethanol can be used in petrol engines. While some engines use petrol blended with a small percentage of ethanol, others are ethanol-only.
The United States is the world's largest producer of ethanol, having produced over 15 billion gallons in 2021. Together, the United States and Brazil produce 82% of the world's ethanol.
High-octane fuels, like ethanol, help deliver more horsepower and speed. Most cars require fuel with a minimum octane rating of 87. Ethanol's octane rating is 113 and is added to petroleum-based fuels to create a blend with at least 87 octane for use in modern vehicles.
