The effects of Ethanol on...

"Bryan Martin" wrote in message
...
Andy Asberry wrote:
On Fri, 28 Apr 2006 20:46:28 +1000, "ventus2"
wrote:



This won't work (it will but would be too costly) with E-85 but
probably will with 10% ethanol. Use Ron's ethanol test...add a gallon
of water to 10 gallons of 10%, shake, drain off 2 gallons of
water/ethanol mix, go fly. Other than the aggravation, fuel cost is
increased 11%.

--Andy Asberry recommends NewsGuy--

And the octane rating of the fuel is reduced in the process.

Yes; and if you started with high test, it will probably cost 15% more and
may end up with the octane rating of regular. Obviously testing would be
necessary, so (just for giggles) I did a quick web search and the first
portable research octane tester that I turned up was this:
http://www.zeltex.com/portable/101.pdf They offer octane testers for
gasoline, blended gasoline, etc. I have no idea of what the price might be.

However, if your plan is to use the fuel in a type certified aircraft; then
there may still be a problem of certifying the fuel in compliance with the
appropriate ASTM specification--in order for the autofuel STC to be valid.
As an added concern, something I read recently also suggested to my that
there might be a similar problem in the cases of Amateur Built Aircraft
approved for IFR and night operation and equipped with type certified
engines...

Don't get my wrong. I am no fan of alcohol in gasoline, especially as a
mandate. In fact, it makes my mad as Hell! But, this may prove to be more
of an airworthiness issue than a physical problem.

Peter

"Peter Dohm" kirjoitti
.net...
"Bryan Martin" wrote in message
...
Andy Asberry wrote:
On Fri, 28 Apr 2006 20:46:28 +1000, "ventus2"
wrote:



This won't work (it will but would be too costly) with E-85 but
probably will with 10% ethanol. Use Ron's ethanol test...add a gallon
of water to 10 gallons of 10%, shake, drain off 2 gallons of
water/ethanol mix, go fly. Other than the aggravation, fuel cost is
increased 11%.

--Andy Asberry recommends NewsGuy--

And the octane rating of the fuel is reduced in the process.

Yes; and if you started with high test, it will probably cost 15% more and
may end up with the octane rating of regular. Obviously testing would be
necessary, so (just for giggles) I did a quick web search and the first
portable research octane tester that I turned up was this:
http://www.zeltex.com/portable/101.pdf They offer octane testers for
gasoline, blended gasoline, etc. I have no idea of what the price might
be.

However, if your plan is to use the fuel in a type certified aircraft;
then
there may still be a problem of certifying the fuel in compliance with the
appropriate ASTM specification--in order for the autofuel STC to be valid.
As an added concern, something I read recently also suggested to my that
there might be a similar problem in the cases of Amateur Built Aircraft
approved for IFR and night operation and equipped with type certified
engines...

Don't get my wrong. I am no fan of alcohol in gasoline, especially as a
mandate. In fact, it makes my mad as Hell! But, this may prove to be
more
of an airworthiness issue than a physical problem.

Peter


About Zeltex ZX 101C portable octane tester - not cheap!

Some Indonesian price information is available:

US $ 13.500 CIF Jakarta


JP