Common ethanol fuel mixtures

Ethanol fuels are gasolines with different, high levels of ethanol. The mixtures are designated according to the percentage of ethanol in gasoline, such as E85 with 85 % ethanol. The controversial in Germany E10 - mixture with 10% ethanol or the mixture of gasoline with only a small admixture of ethanol (E5 with 5% ethanol ) is unchanged referred to as gasoline.

In Germany, requirements and test methods for fuel ethanol in the DIN standard DIN 51625 are standardized.

Pure ethanol has regardless of his production on getting the same properties. There is no chemical difference between fossil ethanol or bioethanol from plant raw material source. Physically bioethanol has a substantially higher proportion of the radioactive carbon isotope 14C. Globally, fossil alcohol has today ( produced for example by hydration of ethene derived from coke-oven gas ) no meaning; of the quantity produced ethanol organically produced about 35 % are produced as neutral alcohol for beverages and food, and for other technical purposes and about 65 % for use as fuel. In Germany the ratio is about 50:50.

The biologically produced ethanol for fuel purposes as an additive mixture of gasoline in different concentrations is nowadays referred to as bioethanol shortened, it is in the context of energy from renewable resources significantly. Bioethanol for petrol additive is mixed with denaturants such as gasoline, ETBE or methanol. Common denaturants, such as those mixed with approximately at or alcohol for cosmetic purposes, such as MEK ( methyl ethyl ketone), may not be used in fuels according to EN 228. While bioethanol has been produced only from sugar and thus mainly from sugar and starchy cereals, cellulosic materials such as miscanthus, switchgrass and wood is accessed for newer technologies especially on biomass use; the result is the cellulosic ethanol.

→ see main article biofuel

History

Nikolaus August Otto already used in the 1860s, " spirit " (potato spirits, ethyl alcohol ) as a high octane fuel ( octane number at least 104 RON) in the prototypes of its internal combustion engine. During the First World War, this fuel was used as a motor spirit for high performance requirements such as fighter aircraft to enemy aircraft.

The car manufacturer Henry Ford designed later be 1908 to 1927 built Ford Model T originally on the basis that agricultural alcohol the fuel of the future is that would also bring new agricultural growth impulses: " The fuel of the future will come from fruits such as Rhus from the road, or from apples, grasses or sawdust - almost all flat. " However gasoline due to the availability and low price, as well as the effect of the Standard Oil of the main fuel in the United States and in all influenced by the Standard Oil countries. Along with this, the engine of the " sheet Liesel " Ford has been converted to gasoline.

Already in the Weimar Republic, the Kingdom of force fuel Society was in 1925 about 25 % potato fuel to gasoline it and sold the mixture under the name Monopolin. Until the 1950s, ethanol was mixed with various other fuels such as benzene, methanol, acetone and nitrobenzene to very high octane racing fuels that are now banned because of toxicity to humans and the aggressive action on the material.

Given the supply situation for gasoline, there was in Germany with the Empire founded in 1925 force fuel ( RKS ) a manufacturer of alcohol ( potato spirit ) for use as gasoline. However, the use served less as a means to improve resistance, but rather to support -growing agriculture. The RKS drove her fuel mixture with an approximately 25 percent stake alcohol under the brand name Monopolin. In 1930, in Germany, the reference regulation of alcohol to fuel purposes for all fuel companies into force. Each 2.5 percent by weight of the produced or imported fuel quantity were available from the kingdom monopoly administration and to mix the gasoline. This ratio increased until October 1932 gradually to 10 %.

In the following decades, oil remained the main source of energy. It was not until the oil crises of the 1970s was ethanol as fuel new interest. Starting from Brazil and the United States the use of ethanol from sugar cane and corn (bioethanol, the 1st generation biofuel) was as well as other alternative fuels support as a fuel for cars on the basis of renewable raw materials increasingly by government programs. A global expansion of these efforts arose as a result of the Kyoto Protocol. Due to possible competition for land for the cultivation of energy crops is strenuously worked in future be able to produce 2nd generation biofuels ( cellulosic ethanol ) and the 3rd generation biofuels ( BtL ), which have a significant positive environmental impact.

Meanwhile, the ethanol -powered engine technology is far advanced. For example, the 1140 horsepower supercar Koenigsegg Agera, which went into series production in 2013, with E85 and E100 (85 % and 100 % ethanol) to operate. Even with a consumption of 25 l/100 km of the Agera is more environmentally friendly than any electric car with German power mix. The CO2 emissions, calculated based on the Biofuel Sustainability Ordinance, is equivalent to 64 g CO2/km when driving with E100 and 165 g CO2/km with the E85 fuel.

E85

Bioethanol is sold with an admixture of 85% ( in summer fuel ) to normal petrol fuel, called E85. Flexible Fuel Vehicles ( FFV) can run on this fuel mixture. The conversion of other vehicles with a petrol engine is possible, but some restrictions apply. There are in Brazil, Sweden, Czech Republic and USA E85 already long on the market, and FFV models are available there as standard. They are mostly suitable for any collection of fuel bioethanol and petrol. In Germany these vehicles are currently marketed, inter alia, by Ford, Saab, Volvo, Renault and VW ( here as an export model). Continuously since 2005 in Germany to build independent petrol stations from the offer. Studies to have an increased consumption in E85 up to 30 %. The reason is the different air mass required for the stoichiometric combustion air ratio lambda = 1 While premium fuel approx. 14,7 kg of air with 1 kg of fuel can be burned, it is for pure bioethanol only about 9.0 kg of air with 1 kg fuel. In liters converted results in a theoretical increase in consumption of 42 % of E85 compared to premium gasoline. However, since oxygen content, octane number ( antiknock ) and heat of evaporation play a role, reduced practice value to 15-25 % depending on engine type. Under normal circumstances and without adaptation (change in the ignition timing ) but is expected to increase fuel consumption by at least 30 %.

Criticism

→ Main article: Evaluation of biofuels

Ethanol fuel is a biofuel, its advantages and disadvantages are in the scientific and political debate. Criticism there is about the carbon footprint, possible competition effects for the provision of food or the possible threat of rain forests.