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Alternative Fuels Articles Ethanol AutoAid.com - Alternative Fuels - Articles - Ethanol biodiesel,ethanol,hydrogen,electric,other fuels,auto,aid,auto aid,autoaid,aidauto,aid auto,alternative fuel,biodiesel,ethanol,environment,clean environment,cleaner environment,ecology,clean fuel,lower emissions,clean burning fuel,alternative vehicle,concept vehicle,concept car,CPG,natural gas car,hydrogen fuel,hybrid,electric car,scooter,mpg,better mpg,fuel additive,car,repair,insurance,purchase,new car,used car,auto insurance,car repair,body work,repair manual,service manual,auto service,automobile,buy,sell
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Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, EtOH) is a
clear, colorless liquid. In dilute aqueous solution, it has a somewhat
sweet flavor, but in more concentrated solutions it has a burning
taste. Ethanol (CH3CH2OH) is made up of a group
of chemical compounds whose molecules contain a hydroxyl group, -OH,
bonded to a carbon atom. Ethanol made from cellulosic biomass materials
instead of traditional feedstocks (starch crops) is called bioethanol.
The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 mandated the sale of oxygenated
fuels in areas with unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide. Since that
time, there has been strong demand for ethanol as an oxygenate blended
with gasoline. In the United States each year, approximately 2 billion
gallons are added to gasoline to increase octane and improve the
emissions quality of gasoline.
Blends of at least 85% ethanol are considered alternative fuels under the Energy Policy Act of 1992
(EPAct). E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, is used in
flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) that are currently offered by most major
auto manufacturers. FFVs can run on gasoline, E85, or any combination
of the two and qualify as alternative fuel vehicles under EPAct
regulations. For more information on flexible fuel vehicles, see our ethanol vehicles page.
In some areas, ethanol is blended with gasoline to form an E10 blend (10% ethanol and 90% gasoline). Please see our ethanol blends page for more information on E10.
Chemical properties: Ethanol is ethane with a hydrogen molecule replaced by a hydroxyl radical. See the fuel properties table (PDF 116 KB) for more information. Download Adobe Reader.
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December 1, 2008
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