|
Feature
|
|
Written by Sabrina Deparine
|
|
Monday, 18 May 2009 09:47 |
|
Page views: 2096 |
In response to the blog that we found posted over at The Unlawyer website, ABHI aims to address some of the issues concerning the use of E10 gasoline raised in the said blog.
 We have already posted an article on the compatibility of E10 gasoline even on carburetor engines. We have likewise posted an article on the car models compatible with E10 in our website.
As for the other points presented in the said blog, please see our response or explanation below.
1. E10 is not entirely environment-friendly “because ethanol contains oxygen, it can be regarded as a partially oxidized hydrocarbon. On a per weight basis and using the same engine, an ethanol blend produces less carbon monoxide (CO), a deadly chemical poison found in vehicle exhausts. But at the same time, because of more efficient fuel burning, the same engine actually produces more carbon dioxide (CO2), the same gas that you exhale and also the same greenhouse gas (GHG) accused of primarily abetting man-made global warming, than pure gasoline.”
• Actually, the high oxygen content of E10 gives it more advantages. Ethanol is a fuel oxygenate that has about 35% oxygen. There are other alternative oxygenates like MTBE but ethanol has specifically been chosen to be a clean-burning fuel additive because it contains twice as much oxygen as MTBE. The extra oxygen in ethanol helps the fuel in the engine cylinder combust more completely. This results in less tailpipe emissions. Also, the extra oxygen content of ethanol makes it more water soluble and biodegradable.
A 10% blend of ethanol to regular gasoline can help reduce the tailpipe carbon monoxide emission by as much as 30%. It also reduces the particulate matter emissions by up to 50%. Fewer emissions mean better air quality.
2. E10 is not recommended because “potential corrosion to the gas tank and fuel line”.
• Gasoline contains sulfur which means that it is corrosive. Oil companies have to add anti-corrosion inhibitors in their gasoline to suppress the corrosive properties. Most, if not all, gasoline products in the market also contain water due to the various stages of handling that they have gone through. As such, oil companies have to add dispersants to address the problem of oil contamination.
Admittedly, E10 is also corrosive but the corrosive properties of ethanol do not cause any damage to the vehicle. As mentioned, ethanol is water soluble and as such it can attract and contain water. It is the water content that can rust the fuels system. Since the mid-1980s, vehicles are equipped with fuel systems designed to withstand corrosion.
To further show that ethanol-blended gasoline does not harm the gas tank and fuel system, the European Union has issued Directive 85/536/EEC in 1985. This directive requires all member states to use petroleum substitutes to decrease their dependence on imported oil and to develop alternative sources for petroleum products. The petroleum substitute that they are using: 5% ethanol (for no pump labeling) and 10% ethanol (for required pump labeling). The main point here is that the European Union will not issue a directive if they knew that ethanol-blended gasoline is detrimental to your car’s fuel system. In order to address the other concerns over ethanol-blended fuel, Europe has focused on the development of ethanol/gasoline additives that can further improve their performance and compatibility to the vehicle’s fuel system. For instance, the use of ethanol-blended gasoline in Europe paved the way for them to develop ethanol/gasoline additives and corrosion inhibitor that can make the fuel compatible to the fuel system.
3. E10 reduces mileage and fuel economy.
• Based on a study conducted by the University of Wisconsin in 1996, the use of a 5.7% ethanol gasoline on vehicle models released from 1979 to 1994 showed that ethanol-blended gasoline gives 98% of the performance rating for conventional unleaded gasoline.
• A more recent study published over at the American Coalition for Ethanol website showed there is indeed a decreased mileage when using ethanol gasoline as compared to unleaded gasoline. In fact, the mileage decreases as the amount of ethanol blend increases. Results show that there is a 1.5% decrease in mileage for E10; 2.2% decrease in mileage for E20; and a 5.1% decrease in mileage for E30. However, because of the lower costs of ethanol than the costs of gasoline, the costs per mile of running on ethanol gasoline remains lower than using regular gasoline.
• The cars used for the study published at the American Coalition for Ethanol website were equipped with warning lights. Contrary to the common statements of vehicle manufacturers and technicians, there were no warning signs displayed when the cars were run using ethanol gasoline. This means that there were no recorded malfunctions, diagnostic trouble codes, and emissions DTCs for ethanol gasoline.
• The cars were also equipped with computer systems that adjust the air-fuel ratio in the engine. Based on data logs, the system had adjusted the air-fuel ratios normally in all the cars tested with ethanol gasoline. This means that the engine operations with ethanol gasoline have air-fuel ratios that are within the normal range.
So, you see? E10 seems to be a healthy option for your car after all... |
Share this Article.
|
Related Articles
|
Subscribe
0 a.m. about 30 points,