Using Ethanol in Your Plane

: Isn't the issue that because of the required fuel/air mixture, an engine
: running on Ethanol is going to run lean, assuming the carb or fuel injection
: system is configured for gasoline?

That would be a definate concern. Ethanol is a fine fuel for SI engines, but
it should be optimized for it. That means higher compression, and a richer fuel
schedule.... *double* for 100% ethanol IIRC.

: Other than the wingtip issues, I wonder if there are hidden problems due to
: the ethanol. No telling what impact ethanol has on fuel tank sealant,
: hoses, seals, etc.

Also correct. Seals, hoses, gaskets, and aluminum corrosion are concerns. I
recall reading about that on the EA85 website. Something about the additives they had
to add to the 85% ethanol to keep it from attacking the aluminum.

I have no doubt that it can be done, but I wouldn't want to just do it
willy-nilly. That's one case where certification requirements would be a *good*
thing IMO.

-Cory


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************************************************** ***********************
* Cory Papenfuss *
* Electrical Engineering candidate Ph.D. graduate student *
* Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University *
************************************************** ***********************

Also correct. Seals, hoses, gaskets, and aluminum corrosion are concerns. I
recall reading about that on the EA85 website. Something about the additives they had
to add to the 85% ethanol to keep it from attacking the aluminum.

Hmmm. I hadn't heard that before Why would alcohol attack aluminum?

I have no doubt that it can be done, but I wouldn't want to just do it
willy-nilly. That's one case where certification requirements would be a *good*
thing IMO.

Agreed. EAA is our best (and probably only) hope in this regard, but
I'm not optimistic. They've basically stated that it's just "too hard"
to get gasohol STC'd, which leaves many of us between a rock and hard
place.

I was just surprised -- and hopeful -- to hear about someone openly
flying a certificated aircraft with 15% gasohol, apparently without
difficulty.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

: Hmmm. I hadn't heard that before Why would alcohol attack aluminum?

Just to recall that I'd actually read it somewhere, I did a quick google:

http://aiche.confex.com/aiche/2005/t...ram/P18201.HTM
http://www.eaa.org/communications/ea...11_cessna.html

: I have no doubt that it can be done, but I wouldn't want to just do it
: willy-nilly. That's one case where certification requirements would be a *good*
: thing IMO.

: Agreed. EAA is our best (and probably only) hope in this regard, but
: I'm not optimistic. They've basically stated that it's just "too hard"
: to get gasohol STC'd, which leaves many of us between a rock and hard
: place.

Of course, the *real* solution is to realize that producing ethanol as a
substitute synthetic fuel is a bad idea in general.

http://petroleum.berkeley.edu/papers...hanol.2005.pdf

Study concludes that it Costs 57% more fossil energy to produce the ethanol
than the energy contained within it.

Now, given the unique requirements of GA aircraft fuels (low volume required
compared to automotive gasoline, high octane required), it might be viable as an
alternative to 100LL even considering the additional fossil energy required. For an
automotive fuel ingredient, it is there for purely political (read: financial)
reasons.

: I was just surprised -- and hopeful -- to hear about someone openly
: flying a certificated aircraft with 15% gasohol, apparently without
: difficulty.
: --
There's no doubt it can be done:
http://www.age85.org/

BUT, it must be done correctly to be safe. In particular, thorough
examination and testing of all components of the fuel system, engine, and airframe. I
would suggest you may want to forward this information to the guy doing it. Legal
issues aside, it's probably not a good idea without careful testing.

-Cory

--

************************************************** ***********************
* Cory Papenfuss *
* Electrical Engineering candidate Ph.D. graduate student *
* Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University *
************************************************** ***********************