Quote:
Originally Posted by gpsman1
A hypothetical example:
A gasoline car may use 115,000 BTU gas, but only burn 80% if it before the exhaust valve opens. A properly tuned ethanol car running E85 with 83,000 BTU ( the 15% gas boosts the BTU, and the ethanol boosts the Octane to 105 ) may burn 95% of the fuel before the exhaust valve opens.
So take your pick:
Gasoline: 80% of 115,000btu = 92,000 btu per gallon actually utilized.
E85: 95% of 83,000btu = 78,850 btu per gallon actually utilized.
The higher octane of E85 means you can build a higher compression engine and still avoid backfire and knock, and get more horsepower per BTU.
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I doubt any LEV or ULEV is sending 20% unburnt fuel out the exhaust, where are you getting you info for this?
When there is more pure ethanol than gas then cars may be designed solely for ethanol, and take advantage of high compression. Until then engines aren't going to have higher compression than what is readily available.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by gpsman1
In testing using a 740 horsepower 358 cubic inch racing engine* with 14:1 compression ratio, the engine made 5 more horsepower on a 100 octane unleaded RFG (like 20% ethanol) than on 110 octane leaded racing gasoline, because the RFG contains an oxygenate
( more oxygen ) that allows for more complete combustion.
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Do you know if the 20% ethanol engine used more fuel by volume while making 5 more horsepower?
Quote:
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Originally Posted by gpsman1
NOW consider it costs about $1.05 to $1.15 to make one gallon of ethanol, and ethanol usually sells wholesale for $2 or less. Add that to that fact that it is clean burning, and is renewable. Now, I feel, ethanol has the advantage, and is the best choice in areas where you have a choice!
-John
*Source: Rockett Brand Racing Fuel
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How can ethanol take the equivalent of .74 gallons of gas to make but only cost $1.05?
I'd love to see a detailed cost breakdown from your ethanol plant, separating this cost.
Thanks
Steve