I know that cars can run on 85% ethanol and 15% petroleum, but what is it that ethanol lacks that makes it impossible for them to run only on ethanol?
What are some sources of ethanol, other than corn?
2006-06-11 13:25:19 · 6 answers · asked by jonb4more 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The engines are designed to run on gasoline which burns a little differently and much dirtier than ethanol. ETOH burns to only CO2 and H2O, very clean. Ethanol can be made easily from any organic material. Corn stalks, wood, petroleum, potatoes, sugar, whatever you have mostly. Crack the large molecles to 2 carbons with an OH attachesd and you have ethanol. Fermentations with yeast are usually the easiest way.
2006-06-11 13:31:19 · answer #1 · answered by kurticus1024 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cars do run on ethanol. A class of drag-racing cars runs on alcohol (I think the top-fuel class). Very popular in Brazil (which has laws to further this, and grows huge quantities of sugarcane). There are some obstacles for pure ethanol cars in North America. 1. Ethanol has about 60% of the energy of gasoline, so cars would get proportionatly poorer mileage. 2. Gasoline vaporizes easliy at lower temperatures, making cold weather starting easier.
3. fuel systerms must be re-engineered because ethanol is corrosive and attacks most common fuel system plastics.
Any vegetable source rich in starches would be a candidate for ethanol.
2006-06-11 13:35:34 · answer #2 · answered by What to do? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cars could run on pure ethanol. The gas stabalizes the burning/ makes it burn better. Alcohol comes from anything with sugars (sugar, wood, potatos, corn, trash...) PS dont use e85 in a car not made for it, probably melt your pistons when you lean out the mixture.
2006-06-11 13:32:23 · answer #3 · answered by Steve-o 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they could ,but you would have to change the fuel system. it takes twice as much ethanol to run the engine, since it does not have the btu's of gasoline..
ethanol can be made from almost any plant...
2006-06-11 13:32:44 · answer #4 · answered by truthteller 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the truth is that the 15% is added because a hundred % ethanol is literally moonshine
2006-06-11 16:30:21 · answer #5 · answered by vincentkillshimself 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they can, but not your car
ethanol burns too hot and will melt the valves in your engine and the top of your pistons
It would take a different engine, not a different fuel
2006-06-11 13:28:56 · answer #6 · answered by mofuonamotorcycle 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋