"Scam" is a little harsh I think - Saab NG900 & OG9-3 Bulletin Board - Saabnet.com
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"Scam" is a little harsh I think
Posted by Drew in Houston [Email] (more from Drew in Houston) on Sat, 22 Apr 2006 16:43:21
In Reply to: Re: Exxon/Mobil now 10% ethanol - turbo concerns ?, Dean, Thu, 20 Apr 2006 16:52:26
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The problem with simply running ethanol with current equipment is that yeah, the energy density is lower (about 2/3 I think depending upon the "E" number), but you have to remember that a regular SI (spark ignited) engine running effective CR's designed for relatively lower octane gasoline can't possibly begin to take advantage of the higher octane of ethanol and the efficiency gains available through that.
I'm going to try to post an EPA study here showing tested thermal/mechanical return efficiencies close to 40% when burned in a more optimized setup (closer to diesel technology effiencies achieved). To me it looks like compared to an approximate 25% conversion efficiency of gasoline engines, a purpose built and optimized high compression alcohol engine could pretty easily be more economical overall.
Granted, the supply side of the equation is still being debated and the net energy IN may very well be more than the energy OUT considering overall production, but I think it's waaay to early to write off the seed money and subsidies needed for further development as a simple "scam". Alcohol is renewable after all and although the technology is old, I would bet that there are some synergies that have yet to be exploited on a large scale that could easily tip the balance the other way...if that hasn't happened already... For me, I'm excited about the potentials offered in further development.
posted by 67.10.240...
EPA Ethanol SI Study
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