The ethanol nightmare has arrived!

wrote:
On Apr 9, 11:35?am, wrote:
Mxsmanic wrote:
M writes:
Remember, ethanol is not mixed into the fuel until the local
distribution terminal, because it can't be transported in pipelines.
Just out of curiosity, why can't it be transported in pipelines?

The same reason it can't be used in existing airplanes; pieces of the
plumbing start leaking.

--
Jim Pennino

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Okay, that is true. However since the days of yore Indy 500 cars have
run on ethanol (or is it methanol!!). Their plumbing does not leak the
alcohol all over the engine all the time. Maybe it would if the race
wasn't over so quickly though ... hmmm.

I have a hard time believing there isn't a technical solution to this
leak problem.

Of course there is, but when most existing stuff was designed to
hold gasoline, no one thought that there would ever be a significant
amount of alcohol in the gas.

It's a problem that could be fixed for new designs. Older planes are
screwed of course.

It depends on what materials were used in the old system and how much
it would cost to replace the parts that need replacing.

In any case, AFAIK, the FAA hasn't signed off on the use of gas with
significant fractions of alcohol in it, so the whole point is moot.

Having said all this I think the entire corn ethanol business is an
extraordinary boondoggle that's screwing the average American.

And the average Mexican with the increased price of tortillas.

The Brazilian's do it with sugar cane / beet sugar. Now, I thought
they were more corrupt than us? Guess not.

Contrary to the popular hype, the Brazilians primarily did a lot of
domestic exploration and greatly increased their domestic oil
production.


--
Jim Pennino

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