[DeTomaso] Ethanol-just the facts Ma'am.

[michael@michaelshortt.com]

Just as a point of order, Indy cars switched to methanol for safety reasons
after a couple of horrific pit incidents.  Although growing up seeing
people panic over invisible flames seemed unsafe as well.

Michael Shortt
On Jan 13, 2013 9:12 PM, "Ron Graves" <rlg1973dt at charter.net> wrote:

>
> As an engineer, it is troublesome to see so much misinformation and
> misunderstanding perpetuated about ethanol (or any technology).  There
> are volumes of test and analysis data.  No need for myths and folklore.
> Research on engines and fuels has been my profession for over 30 years.
> The following web site has pretty good information gounded in science
> and engineering data.  I am not employed with the group that maintains
> this site.  One needs to dig a few levels into it to find E15 etc.  The
> site also explains why the US is interested in ethanol, or renewable
> fuels in general.
>
> http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/
>
> E15 is one of the most heavily tested new fuels ever proposed, but not
> my personal favorite path to less petrol dependence.  My organization
> was directly involved in the test programs.  There are huge volumes of
> data for an interested and patient reader.  The reports have executive
> summaries for the less-patient, which would include me.  EPA made
> rulings on E15 based on their interpretation of the data.   It is not
> legal to use in Panteras (too old), boats, string trimmers, etc.  There
> are about 9 million flex fuel vehicles out there that could use ethanol
> up to 85% with no problem.  The loss of “tank mileage” with ethanol is
> just a matter that it has less energy content per gallon. About 3% loss
> for E10 vs E0, and about 27% loss for E85. Eventually, the high octane
> number of ethanol could support more powerful and efficient engines to
> partially offset this.  (Indy car series uses ethanol fuel).  Brazil
> mandated ethanol as a path to energy independence years ago, and it
> continues today.  USA produces about 2x as much ethanol as Brazil, but
> leaves more to free market.  Henry Ford considered ethanol an excellent
> fuel, but not widely available in his peak time. Take time to read the
> science and engineering reports.  The news media usually gets things
> wrong, and are usually just selling controversy.   Panteras even predate
> the introduction of E10 (around 1980), so some incompatibility not
> surprising.  But I hope none of our Pantera family are driving around
> with 50-year-old fuel hoses.  I use E0 in my oldest cars when I can find
> it.
>
> Keep the shiny-side up and the rubber-side down.
> Ron
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