Category: ethanol

When we consider the future in general, we must realize that there is a significant correlation between the future and ethanol, and so this is one matter that we must take incredibly seriously into consideration. The reason that there is a relationship between the matters of the future and ethanol is primarily due to the fact that ethanol is considered as being our next readily supply of fuel.

The Future and Ethanol

Ethanol is a chemical which is considered as having a number of different and all just as important factors, and it is also considered as having numerous different benefits. It is considered as being better than even biodiesel, and so basically it is the top choice in regards to an answer as to what we will be using in the future as our main source of fuel.

Although the actual future and ethanol are not completely coordinated side by side yet, it is considered as being almost positively true that ethanol is going to become huge, and that we are all not going to be able to go a day without hearing the word at least once.

As well, in regards to the future and ethanol, it should be known to all that about 10% of the gasoline that is sold in the US is actually a blend of up to 10% ethanol, which is an alcohol that is made by distilling corn, wheat, and sometimes sugar.

One of the problems with ethanol however is the fact that the straw and the stalks that are left after the distillation process get burned by farmers, and if you have ever smelled a sugar cane field that is burning after harvest, then you know that it smells incredibly bad, and you should know that not only does it smell bad, but it is completely unhealthy for you as well.

As well, something that people for the most part seem not to understand or are just ignoring, is the fact that the stalks, once they are squeezed out of all their sugar, are not totally useless as some would say, but rather they can be used for further things.

Basically the most important thing is that everyone learns as much about ethanol as they can before it is too late, so that we can all gain a proper and full understanding on what it is before we are mindlessly using it for various different things.

You bought a still, are making your own home brew in that backyard and want, through ethanol conversion, to start burning alcohol in your car. It may seem like a good plan as by distilling even one acre of corn into 200 proof alcohol and mixing it with gasoline to produce E-85 ethanol can provide enough fuel for a 5,000 mile trip.

However, before you go dumping alcohol into you gas tank and thinking that is all there is to ethanol conversion, consider that even the most efficient still only produces about 195 proof alcohol. To get that final five percent you are going to have to remove that last of the water by filtering it through zeolite. While this may sound overly technical and complicated, rest easy as zeolite is not all that expensive and a 10 pound bag can last almost forever, as it is reusable.

Allow the distilled alcohol to soak overnight in the zeolite, drain through a filter, and you have 200 proof alcohol. Still, do not pour it into your gas tank just yet, you are not ready for ethanol conversion as some modifications are need to the carburetor system. Not only that, but also some of the fuel system parts may be damaged or destroyed by alcohol. You will want to verify that the non-metal parts do not disintegrate with alcohol use and replace them with metal if needed.

Carburetor Rebuilding Will Be Necessary

Typically, fuel metering jets, that is the main jet, idle jets and accelerator pump nozzle will have to be larger by either replacing them with a larger size or machining them larger to an appropriate size for your vehicle. Other considerations as part of your ethanol conversion process are the fuel filter and fuel gauge.

Alcohol is a dirt remover and burning a mixture of 85 percent alcohol and 15 percent gasoline, will loosen dirt inside the fuel line. You will want to consider installing a filter between the tank and fuel pump and a second one between the pump and carburetor and monitor them closely the first few weeks.

Due to ethanol being heavier than gasoline by about eight percent, part of the ethanol conversion process should include an adjustment to the fuel gauge float. This can be by bending the float rod, or find a heavier float to assure accuracy in the gauge s fuel level reading.