Corn-based ethanol has some real benefits, says the always insightful Jason Fenske of Engineering Explained, but it’s not a solution to the USA’s energy needs.
Here at Mac’s Motor City Garage, as you know, we frequently (and enthusiastically) recommend the YouTube channel Engineering Explained. Host Jason Fenske has an impressive grasp of automotive technology, coupled with a genuine gift for explaining complicated subjects in a clear and engaging way. In the recent video we’re sharing here, he explores an issue fraught with political landmines: corn-based ethanol. But here, Fenske shrewdly sidesteps all the politics and focuses strictly on the science and engineering of the matter.
E-10 ethanol (90 percent gasoline and 10 percent ethyl alcohol) currently makes up around 90 percent of the the passenger vehicle fuel supply in the United States, and to be fair, it has some important benefits. As an octane additive and an oxygenator, it’s far more environmentally sound than the two previous agents in popular use, tetraethyl lead (TEL) and methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE). So it’s not all bad by any means.
However: The major benefit that corn ethanol originally promised—a net reduction in carbon dioxide emissions—is proving to be an illusion, at least according to recent studies from the University of Wisconsin and Harvard Law Research. (For one thing, growing corn for automotive fuel is a poor use of farmland.) So here’s Professor Fenske with his familiar white board to explain the findings. Video below.
The American Motorcycle Association (AMA) has been strongly concerned regarding the use of ten percent (E-10) ethanol and now even increasing that to fifteen percent (E-15) and it’s detrimental effects created through it’s use in Motorcycles and all other recreational types of motor vehicles. While i am rather certain they have been doing their research in all this,.. I believe it possible they may not be aware of this in as much as the University of Wisconsin Madison (my daughter works there) and this 1,100 page new report? I strongly recommend this be forwarded to the AMA as soon as possible.
Been saying for years. Head in the sand people are in charge unfortunately.
Ethanol has good and bad points. Better octane though like all modern fuels needs better ignition to burn it.
I use E10 in some vehicles as they seem to like it,, others however hate it. I use E15 100 octane for my 71 Galaxie with manganese added. With MSD ignition and a modern Holley it out performs straight unleaded fuel by heaps.
Though I converted my road race car to E85 and it was not a success. Proper Quickfuel E85 carb and a dyno produced less power. And the stuff went off in the tank as well making it near imposible to start. And when I pulled the engine to bits it had cylinder wall scuffing as well as rust pits! Even methanol does not do that!!
So in small doses it can help, in large doses seemingly not so.