What is Ethanol blended petrol?
Ethanol is a type of alcohol, produced from the plants such as sugarcane, corn, rice and other corps. This ethanol is then add into the petrol called as ethanol blend petrol.
Depending upon how much is added into petrol is classified as,
- E10 – 10% ethanol + 90% petrol
- E20 – 20% ethanol + 80% petrol
- E85 – 85% ethanol + 15% petrol
- E100 – 100 percent ethanol with no petrol
How this Ethanol is made?
Ethanol is made from the process such as extraction, fermantation, distilation and dehydration.
Sugar is extracted from sugar cane, and the starch from the corn and grains is convert into the sugar via enzymes. Then yeast is added into it, it fermantate it and make ethanol from sugar. This process releases carbon dioxide. Then it is boiled at higher temperature, so water is evaporated and pure ethanol is remain there.
This production of ethanol is not completely environment friendly. This process creates carbon dioxide while fermantation process and boiling process.
During the boiling of watery ethanol, they produce carbon dioxide, and combustion process release nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide and other small matter.
But, it depend on how factories burn it, and also the scale. So, yes it is not totally environment friendly when it is polluting the environment while production.
Why is India adding Ethanol to Petrol?
Indian Ministry, Esp. Nitin Gadkari has emphasis following points to add the ethanol in the petrol,
- To reduce the crude oil imports burden over a nation
- To support farmers via buying sugar cane, rice and remaining surplus food
- To decrease pollution from petrol and support greenhouse gas emission
Disadvantages of Ethanol Blended Petrol
- Ethanol decreases mileage because it contains less energy than petrol
- Absorbs more water causing engines to stuck if vehicle is remain unused for long period of time
- Ethanol factories also produced much of the pollution that overall causes the higher pollution
Frequently Asked Questions?
- Which is better, ethanol or petrol?
For current scenario, petrol is better, because ethanol is decreasing mileage and causing problems in some vehicles. When the bikes will be ethanol friendly then it can be better to use it.
- Can an E20 damage engines?
It depends on use. Frequent or less use of vehicle can result in ethanol convert to petrol in small quantities due to moisture lock so this can damages the engines. Or it can cause issues to vehicle engines like difficult to start, not running effectively.
- Can a car run on 100% ethanol?
Yes, but vehicles need to be built for ethanol blend petrol. It gives less mileage as compared to petrol.