Sylvie Willis
Flex fuel, or flexible fuel, is an alternative fuel made of a combination of gasoline and methanol or ethanol. Modern flex-fuel vehicles can contain anywhere from 10 to 85 percent ethanol, with the remaining percentage consisting of gasoline. Ethanol is an alcohol-based biofuel derived from renewable sources such as corn, sugarcane, or switchgrass, with corn kernel starch being the most common source in the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | Combination of gasoline and methanol or ethanol |
| Ethanol percentage | 10% to 85% |
| Alternative name | E85 |
| Vehicle compatibility | Flex-fuel vehicles with modified internal combustion engines |
| Engine damage | Potential for engine damage if used in a vehicle not designed for flex fuel |
| Fuel economy | Lower miles per gallon compared to regular fuel |
| Fuel cost | Less expensive than regular gasoline |
| Fuel cleaner | High alcohol content can function as a fuel cleaner |
| Environmental impact | Reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower dependence on fossil fuels |
| Fuel availability | Available at more than 4,200 gas stations in the US |
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What You'll Learn
Ethanol is an alcohol derived from plant matter, typically corn
Flex fuel is an alternative fuel made of a combination of gasoline and methanol or ethanol. Modern flex-fuel vehicles can contain 10 to 85 percent ethanol. Ethanol is a type of alcohol—specifically, it is the systematic name for a compound consisting of an alkyl group with two carbon atoms, having a single bond between them, and an attached −OH functional group. All ethanol is alcohol, but not all alcohol is ethanol.
Ethanol is derived from plant matter, typically corn. It is sustainably produced from ingredients such as cane sugar and corn. In fact, over 90% of the grain ethanol produced today comes from the dry milling process, with the remaining coming from wet mills. In the dry milling process, the entire grain kernel is ground into a "meal" and slurried with water to form a "mash." Enzymes are added to the mash to convert starch to sugar. The mash is then cooked, cooled, and transferred to fermenters. Yeast is added, and the conversion of sugar to alcohol begins. After fermentation, the resulting "beer" is separated from the remaining "stillage." The ethanol is then distilled and dehydrated, then blended with about 2% denaturant (such as gasoline) to render it undrinkable.
In the United States, nearly all fuel ethanol is produced from corn kernel starch. However, ethanol can also be made from other grains such as sorghum and barley, and the sugar in sugar beets. Brazil, the world's second-largest consumer of fuel ethanol, uses sugar cane to produce ethanol. Ethanol can even be made from trees and grasses, though this is not economically advantageous for producers.
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E85 is a blend of 51-85% ethanol and the rest gasoline
Flex fuel, or flexible fuel, is an alternative fuel made of a combination of gasoline and methanol or ethanol. Ethanol is an alcohol-based biofuel typically derived from renewable sources such as corn, sugarcane, or switchgrass. The most common source of ethanol in the United States is corn kernel starch.
E85 is a type of flex fuel that contains a higher percentage of ethanol, typically between 51% and 85% ethanol, with the rest being gasoline. The exact percentage of ethanol in E85 can vary depending on factors such as the time of year and the geographic region. For example, E85 sold during colder months often has lower levels of ethanol to produce the vapor pressure necessary for cold starts.
E85 is not suitable for all vehicles. It can only be used in flex-fuel vehicles, which have modified internal combustion engines designed to run on multiple types of fuel. These vehicles have sensors that detect the gasoline-ethanol ratio in the fuel and make adjustments for optimal performance. Using E85 in a car not designed for flexible fuel can cause damage.
One advantage of E85 is that it is typically less expensive than regular gasoline, making it an attractive option for those looking to save money on fuel costs. However, vehicles using E85 may experience reduced fuel efficiency, travelling fewer miles per gallon. Additionally, ethanol absorbs dirt easily, which can potentially corrode and damage the engine over time.
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Flex fuel vehicles can use E85 or regular unleaded
Flex fuel, or flexible fuel, is an alternative fuel made of a combination of gasoline and methanol or ethanol. Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) are those that have internal combustion engines designed to run on more than one type of fuel. They can use E85 or regular unleaded fuel.
E85 is a blend of about 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. The exact ethanol content can vary depending on the season and region, ranging from 51% to 85%. It is a higher-ethanol variant of regular gasoline, with the “E” in E85 standing for ethanol, and the number representing the percentage of ethanol in the blend.
Flex-fuel vehicles can burn any proportion of the fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. They are equipped with electronic sensors that gauge the blend and make necessary adjustments for optimal fuel injection and combustion timing. These vehicles have modified engines and fuel systems to handle the ethanol blend, but are otherwise very similar to gasoline-only models.
E85 is considered more environmentally friendly as it burns cleaner than gasoline, reducing toxic fumes and greenhouse gas emissions. It is also cheaper per gallon, but vehicles using it tend to travel fewer miles per gallon. It is not available at all filling stations, and using it in a car not designed for flex fuel can be harmful.
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Ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline, reducing toxic fumes
Ethanol, a common ingredient in flex fuel, is widely acknowledged to burn cleaner than gasoline. This means that flex-fuel cars emit fewer toxic fumes. One source states that for every gallon of ethanol burned, there is a reduction of 45-50% in CO2 emissions, as well as the production of water, and none of the hydrocarbons that come from gasoline emissions. Gasoline, on the other hand, produces a complex mixture of hydrocarbons and other compounds, including aliphatic hydrocarbons (hexane, octane), aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene), and cycloalkanes (cyclopentane and cyclohexane).
However, there is a dispute regarding the carbon emissions produced in the manufacturing process of ethanol from corn. Some sources claim that ethanol plants produce more than double the harmful emissions per gallon of fuel produced compared to oil refineries. This is due to the energy required to heat a large distiller for ethanol, as well as the water usage and fossil fuels needed for the process.
Despite this, ethanol is still considered to have a better emissions profile than gasoline when completely burned. It only produces CO2 and water, and carbon monoxide is much less likely to be produced during combustion. Additionally, the use of ethanol as a fuel can reduce a country's dependence on foreign oil and provide economic benefits to rural communities.
In terms of flex-fuel vehicles, these are equipped with advanced technology, including electronic sensors and microprocessors, that allow them to adjust to the fuel blend and determine the most efficient proportions. While there are concerns about the potential for ethanol to corrode engines and reduce gas mileage, modern cars are generally considered capable of handling higher-ethanol blends.
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Ethanol can function as a fuel cleaner, clearing deposits
Flex fuel, or flexible fuel, is an alternative fuel made from a combination of gasoline and methanol or ethanol. Ethanol is also known as 'alcoholic corn juice' and is made by fermenting and distilling starchy crops like corn, barley, and wheat. Modern flex-fuel vehicles can contain 10 to 85 percent ethanol.
To limit the negative effects of ethanol, fuel cleaning products can be used to keep engines running smoothly. These products can remove water from the fuel system and clean build-up from carburetors and fuel injectors. While ethanol may have been less safe in older vehicles, most modern cars are capable of handling higher-ethanol blends. There is at least a 10% blend of ethanol in regular pump gas.
Ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline, which means flex-fuel cars produce fewer toxic fumes. Additionally, ethanol is made from sustainable sources like cane sugar and corn, providing an alternative to purchasing foreign oil. However, using crops for fuel production could drive up the price of animal feed, and corn is susceptible to disease and weather conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Flex fuel is a gasoline-based fuel that is a mixture of gasoline and another fuel, most commonly ethanol. It is also known as E85.
Flex fuel can contain anywhere from 10% to 85% ethanol. The blend varies depending on the season and geographic region of the distributor.
Ethanol is typically made from renewable sources such as corn, sugarcane, or switchgrass. However, in the US, corn is the most common source of ethanol.
Flex fuel is considered more environmentally friendly than gasoline as it cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions and reduces dependence on fossil fuels. It is also cheaper than regular gasoline.
The production of flex fuel uses crops that could be allocated to other sources, potentially driving up the price of animal feed. Ethanol also absorbs dirt easily, which can damage a car's engine.
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