Hello Jim, Ethanol became the cause de jour during the '70s in the First Oil Crisis because it was something that could be fermented in large quantity. It is not the best alcohol to work from since it absorbs water extremely well and it causes problems with the normal petroleum distribution infrastructure.
The best alcohol to use for fuel is butanol since it has a 1:1 interchange was gasoline and doesn't have nearly the water or infrastructure related problems. In fact, an unmodified 1992 Buick Park Avenue ran from the Northeast to St. Louis using industrial butanol with right at 24MPG which is pretty good considering what that cars's normal mileage is. The problem with butanol is that in the 1950's cheap petrochemicals made butanol fermentation less cost effective for everywhere but South Africa that continued to ferment until the 1980's The older Acetone, Butanol and Ethanol (ABE) fermentation techniques only yield about half the yield of butanol compared to a straight Ethanol fermentation. There is a new two stage fermentation process that is said to push yields into the standard yield for Ethanol but the process is still being evaluated in Ohio A good source is http://www.butanol.com/ -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jim Cathey Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 20:50 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Ethanol So why the focus on ethanol? Why not methanol, or any other weird blend of alcohols that is easy to make? -- Jim Confidentiality Note: The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential. If this e-mail contains protected health information, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited,except as permitted by law. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by replying to this message and deleting it from your computer. Thank you. _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
