|
Right on, Bill.
A gallon of ethanol has an energy content of 83,333
BTU. A gallon of gasoline has 123,222 BTU of energy (varies a bit by
octane). So gasoline has an approx 48 % advantage in energy. So
assuming an engine was equally efficient on either fuel (which as you point out
they are not likely to be), you could produce more power and fly further|Faster
on gallon of gasoline than a gallon of ehtanol.
So if this ever became mandated, Van could start his next
design for an Aerial Tanker for in-flight refueling {:>).
The story (now) is that production of ethanol is something
like 35% net energy efficient. In other words you get 35% more
energy out of the energy content of the ethanol than it takes to plant,
grow and harvest the corn to produce it. This is a big change, earlier
studies showed there was a net lost - I smell some number juggling by those
with vested interest.
Ed A
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 5:56
PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Alternative
fuel
-----Original Message----- From: Denny < dennymortensen@cableone.net> To:
Rotary motors in aircraft < flyrotary@lancaironline.net> Sent:
Tue, 6 Sep 2005 15:44:55 -0500 Subject: [ FlyRotary] Alternative fuel
I have been risking my luck posting an off topic
thread on the canard list regarding alternative fuel and
thought I should spread my sins around and pass it on to you folks on this
list as well. I am also very interested to here all your thoughts on using
this stuff in a rotary. I was doing some research on E-85 an 85% ethanol based
fuel substitute being promoted here in the Midwest and sent an email to one of
the study groups asking for any info regarding a replacement for 100LL. I will
paste their response as it is very interesting.
Denny
Denny,
These comments ignore two vital items. First: All alcohol fuels suffer a mileage penalty compared to
gasoline. This is true of many alternate fuels. BTU's per pound just aren't
there. The engine may run fine, but will suffer a mileage penalty of 30-50%
depending on how well the engine is tuned for alcohol. Rotaries are
very tolerant of low-octane fuels, but suffer even bigger on mileage
Second: Alcohol will attack many composite surfaces including
laminates. (fiberglass and Carbon-fiber) The solvent aspect may far outweigh
the BTU's/pound problem. Different solvents
attack different items. Rather obvious but this simple test will show you the
difference. Take a PERMANENT sharpie marker and on a piece of aluminum
make a couple of marks. Let them dry and then take a petroleum product and try to remove one of the
marks. I have found even strong solvents (like Bill Jepson
Bill Jepson
|