I wonder why alcohol can act as a fuel. When it burns. it provides energy? I am not sure. I wonder why alcohol can motivate an engine.
2007-07-24 06:14:13 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Alcohol, like hydrocarbon fuels (e.g. gasoline and diesel fuel) are liquid fuels. They burn to produce gasses (Carbon dioxide and water as a vapor) and heat. There is a large volume change in converting the liquid to gas and the heat further increases volume. This volume increase works against the piston in a piston engine forcing it to move.
This happens in all internal combustion engines regardless of fuel. The actual amount of energy delivered depends upon the amount of gas produced and the heat produced. Different fuels will require different engine designs for optimal harnessing of the energy.
2007-07-24 09:17:54 · answer #1 · answered by GTB 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well octane is a long carbon chain and it has a higher heat of combustion as compared to alcohol. Alcohol does burn/combust but it gives off less energy as compared to octane because it has a shorter carbon chain and the OH group which makes it burn a little less efficient as compared to octane.
2007-07-24 14:11:44 · answer #2 · answered by scott k 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It certainly can, but to use it as a primary fuel, the engines we use now would need to be redesigned. In fact entirely new systems would be required. It burns differently, and it corrodes metals more.
2007-07-24 13:23:34 · answer #3 · answered by billgoats79 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When a fuel burns it gets hot.
Hot gases expand.
In internal combustion motors the expanding gases push
pistons down causing work to be done.
2007-07-24 13:19:57 · answer #4 · answered by jimschem 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep in Brazil 80 percent of their vehicles use alcohol. It burns.
Not as strong as gas but it does the trick. Your engine has to be modified. (carburation) They make their alcohol out of sugarcain.
Why don't we????
2007-07-24 13:35:29 · answer #5 · answered by mark r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alcohols are 'Flammable'...will burn.
Ethanol (Ethyl alcohol) is used quite commonly in some countries as vehicle fuel.
Explosive (flammable) limits as a % in air are:-
= 3.5% to 19%. (by volume).
(Gasoline = 1.4% to 7.6% in air (by volume).
The carburretion (fuel to air ratio), has to be adjusted as it will be different to that for gasoline in air.
(But, it is cleaner burning).
2007-07-24 14:22:31 · answer #6 · answered by Norrie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋