Posted by Gordon Maney [207.32.63.181] on Thursday, September 05, 2013 at 10:49:39 :
In Reply to: Ethanol keeps the water dissolved, won't settle out. posted by Chris Case [108.225.237.110] on Tuesday, September 03, 2013 at 18:15:07 :
I do not like blended fuel and will only buy it if I am forced to. Iowa is an agriculture state with a big corn market. We can buy unblended fuel, fortunately.
Blended fuels are subject to something rarely mentioned; at critical low temperatures and/or water content levels a layer of water and alcohol mix can settle to the bottom. It does not burn. If it's deeper than your fuel pickup the engine will not run. This was discovered on farms as a result of seasonal use equipment.
Ethanol is not used because it's a good fuel. It's only technical virtue is an effective increase in knock resistance. It is not a good fuel because of a lower heat yield in BTUs per pound. The market exists for political and economic reasons — we can import less oil and we can stimulate the corn market.
Follow Ups: