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Originally Posted by j4x4ar3
Not true.. Ethanol based fuels actually have "issues" not because of octane but because of the way they burn. One gallon of ethanol doesn't produce as much energy as 1 gallon of gasoline. That's because ethanol and gasoline burn at different rates. It takes more ethanol to go 100 miles than is does gasoline. It's a known fact and is something that has been debated in the fuel circles for a long time. If vehicles were setup to run more on ethanol then we would all have to fill up more often.
"The other negative aspect of this inefficient fuel is that numerous studies have found that ethanol creates less energy than is required to make it. Other studies have found that ethanol creates "slightly" more energy than is used in its production. Yet not one of these studies takes into account that when E85 is used, the vehicle's fuel efficiency drops by at least 25% -- and possibly by as much as 40%. Using any of the accredited studies as a baseline in an energy-efficiency equation, ethanol when used as a fuel is a net energy waste." -- Ethanol: A Tragedy in 3 Acts |
The mileage drop of 25% is not necessarily a rule. In fact no drop at all is possible with an engine setup to run ethanol. The problem arises when an NA engine is setup to burn fossil fuels or corn.
You're right a gallon of ethanol has fewer btu's than gasoline, but it has been demonstrated many times an engine setup to run strictly ethanol, 85% or 100%, mileage is actually better. MIT modified an engine to run up to 100% ethanol which resulted in a 30% increase in mileage according to them by changing the injection method.
MIT Ups MPG 30 Percent With Ethanol-Injected Engine | TechFreep Automotive
Iowa State university recently had a Chevy Silverado at the Iowa State fair which I attended in which they changed pistons to raise compression and some timing modifications which resulted in a 3-5% increase in fuel mileage with e-85 from traditional 87 gasoline.
Saab is currently selling a turbocharged engine that when ethanol is used the boost is able to be raised which results in substantial power gains. 20% hp and 25% more ft lbs with ethanol vs gasoline with no loss in fuel economy. This technology also won Popular Science "Best of What’s New" award in 2005.
The Biopower Beast!
Also with todays newer technology involved with creating ethanol results in a 67% gain in energy.
http://www.iowacorn.org/ethanol/docu...alance_003.pdf
But heck lets send our money to Osama and his buddies for gas instead of our fellow americans.