GASOHOL ANT' OTHER ALCOHOL/GASOLINE FUELS
AN OVERVIEW
Introduction
Gasohcl is an alcohol/gasoline fuel mixture for use in automotive tvj ,
trade mark of the Nebraska Agricultural
engines. The name Gasohol is
<ommittee (APIUC) for a mixture consisting
Utilization
Industrial
Products
ree) ethanol (ethyl alcohol) and
(water
anhydrous
percent
10-volume
of
fuel has a pump octane- ratin/
This
gasoline.
unleaded
percent
90-volume
perhaps 2 to 3 numbers higher than that of the unleaded gasoline used, and
is typically sold as a high octane (enhanced) unleaded fuel. The ethanol
costs appreciably more than the gasoline, but at these concentrations the
economics are generally competitive with premium unleaded gasoline. Although
the octane of Gasohol is not as high as that of premium gasoline, it is
often sufficient to meet user requirements, particularlv where automobiles
designed to operate on regular grade gasoline exhibit knock on that fuel.
Background
Ethane-1 /gasoline mixtures have been used as automotive fuel from tim^- to
tine over many decades. In most instances this has been in times of
emergency or fuel shortage, and always at premium prices. The first
commercial ethanol operation in the U.S. solely for fuel use was built
during the depression, but, despite considerable industrial support,
failed in a few years. The plant was later sold and reopened to make
ethanol for the industrial and beverage markets and is still in operation.
(Midwest Solvents Company, Atchison, Kansas).
In 1970 the State of Nebraska activated the APIUC, which shortly thereafter identified alcohol fuel as a target opportunity. Considerable
work on Gasohol has since been done by them, including a 2 million mile
road test on state vehicles. The activities of the APIUC, which soon
became known as the "Gasohol Committee", were instrumental in stimulating
other Midwest interests.
Expanded Interests
Following the oil embargo of 1973, interest in Gasohol gradually spread.
This was stimulated greatly in 1977 due to continued agricultural surpluses
and depressed grain prices. With considerable regional interest developing,
the APIUC held the Nebraska Midwest Regional Gasohol Conference late that
year. That conference was the first of several meetings which resulted in
formation of the National Gasohol Commission, Inc., in 1978, where representatives of organizations in about 14 states joined forces. The number
of participating organizations has steadily grown. The organizations which
participate are active in their locale in promotion of the production of
ethanol and the use of the fuel.
were introduced into tht
In the meantime, Gasohol and similar products
rs and cooperative chain
market, through individual service station deale
operators.
ng state gasoline taxes
Some states have incentives in the form of waivi
t came in Illinois, whcrtfor Gasohol. However, the initial market thrus
was finding a supply of
there was no incentive. A key aspect in this
ng plant (ADM Corn
ethanol from a new facility added to a corn milli
action by others and
Processors, Decatur, Illinois). This spurred
s including Iowa, Illinois,
retailing of Gasohol took hold in several state
nsin in the Midwest ami
Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska and Wisco
one or more mid-Atlantic states.
Alcohol Production
euir. by-product, and frcr
Ethanol is primarily made from ethylene, a petrol
to the industrial chemical
agricultural commodities. The former is sold
trial and beverage
market, while the latter Is sold in both the indus
petroleum as fuel since
markets. There is no point in using ethanol from
energy and cost. Agriculthis requires additional processing and related
and distillation usinc
turally derived ethanol is made by fermentation
typically corn or
are
crops rich in sugar and/or starch. Feedstocks
by the same process.
made
time
cereal grains. Ethanol for fuel is at this
reference books.
and
text
in
Information on such processes is available
ology," Kirk-Othner,
Techn
cal
Chemi
of
One such good source is the "Encyclopedia
is available at manyInterscience Publishers, New York, New York, which
headings of ethanol,
the
under
found
be
may
public libraries. Information
the cost of building on alcohol
alcohol and fermentation. As a rule of thumb
gallon annual capacity.
distillery is in the range of $1.00 to $2.00 per
design of such facilities.
There are numerous engineering firms active in
y taxed for such use,
Since ethanol is used as a beverage and is highl
r control related to
prope
e
stringent laws and regulations exist to assur
from the Department
se
licen
supplies. Thus it is necessary to obtain a
to manufacture
rms
Firea
and
of Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco
handle it.
to
ces
mstan
circu
agricultural ethanol and, under some
Government Funds for Plant Construction
enterprise system and an
Since the United States is founded on the freedoes not finance plant
alcohol industry exists, the Federal Government
on of fuels from new
construction, but rather encourages introducti
has sought to encourage
resources by use of incentives. The Congress
ntees to 4 pilot projects
introduction of new technology through loan guara
renewable resources.
from
ns
to produce alcohols or industrial hydrocarbo
1977 under the
of
Act
e
ultur
This was provided by the Food and Agric
Selection of the
e.
ultur
Agric
of
jurisdiction of the U.S. Department
recipients has been made.
Economics
Anhydrous ethanol generally sells for about $1.30 per gallon for the
processing plants, though prices vary depending on market conditions.
Thus when used with unleaded regular gasoline, the Gasohol cost will
be from 7 to over 10 cents per gallon more than that of the gasoline
used, depending on the arithmetic used. To the extent applicable,
Federal and State incentives serve to offset this differential.
Other Alcohol Fuels
Other alcohols also make good fuels. In general, the more oxygen in the
alcohol the less costly the fuel. About one-third of ethanol is oxypen.
Methyl alcohol (methanol) is about one-half oxygen and typically costs
considerably less than ethanol. Other alcohols have less oxygen content:
than either, and typically are more expensive. For automotive use, thegreater the oxygen content, the greater the differences in physical,
chemical and operational characteristics from those of gasoline. Use
of methanol will require minor changes in vehicle design. On the other
hand, use of ethanol mixed with gasoline (as in Gasohol) generally worV.,
satisfactorily, but not assuredly so. One of the potential problems is
due to water in the mixture. Small amounts of water will cause the
alcohol/water to separate from the gasoline at lower temperatures. The
mechanics of this are complex, and to avoid trouble anhydrous (water free)
alcohol should be used. This is the same as 200° proof ethanol. Some
people have used lower proof alcohol; sometimes satisfactorily, but
usually with problems sooner or later.
Future Alcohol Fuels
Gasoline is a complex formulation of many hydrocarbons which varies fro~
supplier to supplier and season to season, but always within controlled
specifications. Some of these characteristics affect alcohol/gasoline
blends and alcohols affect some of the gasoline characteristics. Improvement of the reliability and possibly the performance of alcohol/gasoline
blends requires special engineered formulations of the total product.
The Department of Energy (DOE) Alternative Fuels Utilization Program
addresses alcohol fuels, straight and blends, for engines of the types
used in highway and farm vehicles, with the objective of achieving very
high reliability at reasonable costs. Some problems are alleviated by
addition of alcohols with less oxygen. Thus formulated fuels with mixed
alcohols are a likely successor to Gasohol. Other DOE programs address
improved processes to increase yields, increase conversion efficiency
and reduce costs of alcohols from agricultural crops and residues, forest
products and residues, coal and even municipal solid waste.