ETHANOL is stupid.

[kaisen]

Regular unleaded here in the Twin Cities: $2.14
Diesel............................................ .......$2.34

$.20 per gallon = 9-10% higher but 18-30% more energy per gallon

By red-beard's measure, diesel is the best value

[red-beard]

12% higher in energy content.

Ethanol = 77,000 BTU/gal
Gasoline = 124,000 BTU/gal
Diesel = 139,000 BTU/gal

The problem with the cost of diesel is the short suppy of low sulfur diesel, not the cost of production or the heat content.

But yes, diesel has been by far the least expensive fuel for years in terms of heat content per $. And on top of that, diesel engines run higher compression ratios than spark ignition gasoline cars.

[kaisen]

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/non-renewable/diesel.html

"Diesel fuel is important to America’s economy, quality of life and national security. As a transportation fuel, it offers a wide range of performance, efficiency and safety features. Diesel fuel contains between 18 and 30 percent more energy per gallon than gasoline. Diesel technology also offers a greater power density than other fuels, so it packs more power per volume."

[fastpat]

Originally posted by red-beard
That is another suppy/demand problem caused by Federal regulation. The low sulfur diesel requirement was phased in too quick for refiners to respond.

Not to mention the huge upsurge in military use of diesel in two warfare areas. The military is having a hard time bringing in diesel fast enough for the troops, in fact they can't bring it in fast enough to maintain the pace of use.

[Shuie]

How much gasoline or diesel or energy from gasoline or diesel gets used to produce a gallon of E85?

[red-beard]

Love the link. It a DOE children's article.

I stand by my numbers

And. BTW,most ethanol does not come from Corn, or sugar crops...

Most of the ethanol used in industry is made, not by alcoholic fermentation, but by an addition reaction between ethene and steam.


C2H4 + H2O ==> C2H5OH
Ethene Steam Ethanol


http://www.ucc.ie/academic/chem/dolchem/html/comp/ethanol.html

[Sweeny Todd]

Originally posted by red-beard
Love the link. It a DOE children's article.

I stand by my numbers

And. BTW,most ethanol does not come from Corn, or sugar crops...

Most of the ethanol used in industry is made, not by alcoholic fermentation, but by an addition reaction between ethene and steam.


C2H4 + H2O ==> C2H5OH
Ethene Steam Ethanol


http://www.ucc.ie/academic/chem/dolchem/html/comp/ethanol.html

using fossil fuels to heat the steam.

H

[red-beard]

Yes. And the stock is from fossil fuels....

[ruf-porsche]

If Ethyl was stupid what do you consider Lucy to be

LOL

[Craig 930 RS]

......married to Ricky (Rudy) Diesel?

[strupgolf]

Here in Indiana, Ethanol makers are subsidized by the govt. to the tune of .51 cents per gallon. No wonder everyone is jumping on the bandwagon. Most cars cant use it, brilliant !!!!!!