Ethanol FAQ
Alternative fuel is a concept that has been widely discussed for centuries. However, due to the increasing costs of gasoline over the last few years, more and more people are starting to talk about the possibilities of ethanol and E85 becoming the alternative fuel of the future. For those not completely versed on the concept of ethanol and E85, I have written out a simple Ethanol FAQ that may help answer some of your immediate questions about these two powerful formulas. If you still have more questions regarding this topic, feel free to contact me at info@ethanol-earth.com and I will be happy to help out with the best of my knowledge. Below are the most frequently asked questions about ethanol and E85.
Q. What is Ethanol?
A. Ethanol is a flammable, colorless liquid made-up mostly of vegetable oils commonly known as an ethyl alcohol and the drinking alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. However, it is also widely used in Sweden as a form of alternative fuel while growing in popularity in Brazil and the United States. It has a melting point of -114°C (-173°F) and a boiling point of 78.5°C (173.5°F.) Compared to petroleum gasoline, is has a very high octane substitute and oxygen count.
Q. What are the benefits of Ethanol?
A. The use of Ethanol as fuel brings about many benefits to the consumer and manufacturer. For starters, ethanol is 100% biodegradable, making it an environment friendly resource. It supports less air pollution by reducing the toxic exhaust emissions from automobiles which lead to the greenhouse effect and ozone issues. Ethanol fuel burns in a more complete and cleaner manner which produces less carbon monoxide than conventional fuel.
The cost of manufacturing ethanol is significantly less than ordinary petroleum gasoline which could lead to the possibility of paying less at the pump if the concept of ethanol fuel could take off.
Since ethanol is made from natural starchy crops grown within the States instead of petroleum from foreign countries, the cost of ethanol production is reduced while the value of farming corporations is increased. This could lead to a direct union between farmers and ethanol manufacturers and reduce the import taxes of foreign petroleum suppliers.
Ethanol can also be made privately at home using an ethanol still which can lead to an immediate cost effective tool and alternative fuel supply.
Q. How do you make Ethanol?
A. Ethanol is made from natural starchy crops such as sugar cane, corn, wheat and milo. Sugar cane is the leading ingredient for making ethanol in Brazil while the United States makes its ethanol from corn. The basis for making ethanol involves the distilling and fermentation of crops with a high level of sugar content. Click here for a detailed procedure on how to make ethanol.
Q. How to make an Ethanol still?
A. One of the benefits of ehtanol is that it can be made at home by using an ethanol still. In order to make an ethanol still, you will require a boiler, cooler, lyne arm, hose, cooling water, and an optional thermometer. If you are serious about producing your own ethanol fuel at home, click here to learn more about how to make an ethanol still.
Q. What is E85?
A. E85 is an alcohol fuel blend already in use in certain parts of the United States, Canada, and Sweden. The mixture contains a blend of 85% denatured ethanol, with a 15% blend of conventional gasoline. E85 can only be used to fuel certain types of automobiles whose engines have been modified to accept a higher amass of ethanol. Such automobiles are called FFVs (Flexible Fuel Vehicles) and many of the worlds leading automobile manufacturing corporations are already developing such FFVs to the market.
Q. Which cars run on E85?
A. Many of today's leading automotive corporations such as Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Nissan, General Motors, Dodge, Chevy and Ford are already making cars that run on E85 ethanol fuel.