Ethanol Fuel and Bio Diesel

Ethanol is a clear, colourless non toxic but highly flammable alcohol (or hydrocarbon) produced by fermenting fossil fuels into alcohol by using enzymes i.e. sugars or starch from grains. It burns cleanly and completely and is water soluble and biodegradable.

In its purest form ethanol can be drunk by humans and has been used in that way for thousands of years. Ethanol is also used as a solvent in the chemical, industrial and pharmaceutical industries because it has non-toxic alcoholic properties. It is also used as an industrial solvent and disinfectant.

It also can be used to produce fuel. Anhydrous ethanol is a product that is 99.7% pure ethanol which is known as 'fuel ethanol'. Fuel ethanol is blended with traditional petroleum products for use in transport cars. The most common is E10 which consists of 10% ethanol and 90% petrol. In Australia 90% of ethanol is produced from the flour and sugar industry. Over 100million litres in biofuels have already been sold in Australia already. Ethanol produced locally is definitely a cheaper alternative to gasoline, as it does not rely on imported oils or fluctuating foreign market prices.

What is this E5, E10 business?
There are many different types of ethanol blends. E5, E10, E85 (85% ethanol) and E100 (100% ethanol) are all available in different parts of the world. In Australia the government has restricted blends to a maximum of 10% ethanol.

Freedom Fuels is a 100% Australian owned company which moves some 8 million litres of renewable fuel a month. Freedom Elite 95 and Freedom Elite 98 are two unleaded ethanol blends offered by Freedom Fuels. These have 10% of ethanol blended in to it. The key difference between these two fuels is that Elite 98 is a premium grade with an Octane rating of 98. 65%.

E10 is a renewable fuel which is cleaner burning and it emits less carbon dioxide emissions (for up to 30%) resulting in fresher air. Using ethanol will reduce harmful exhaust emissions like benzene (27% reduction) and butadiene (19% reduction). Additionally if ethanol leaks and contaminates soil or water, it will quickly and naturally biodegrade.

Ethanol isn't just environmentally friendly; it is a natural octane enhancer, it adds more oxygen to the fuel allowing it to burn more efficiently. An Octane Rating (RON) represents the 'antiknock' qualities of the fuel - the bigger the number, the slower the engine's fuel burns, making it less likely of your engine knocking or pre igniting. The bigger the RON number is the better.

- Elite 95 has a rating of Octane rating of 95
- Elite 98 has a rating of Octane rating of 98.
- Standard unleaded petrol has an Octane rating of 91.

Can I use ethanol blends in my car?
Ethanol will clean out the fuel system of carbon deposits and improve the engines efficiency. It can loosen contaminates (left by gasoline) and clog your fuel filter initially. However by replacing the fuel filter the car will run like a dream. V8 Supercars motor racing series will now run on 85% ethanol blended fuel (E85). This fuel is not only beneficial to the environment it is also more fuel efficient for their cars.

Cars built after 1986 can use 10% ethanol blended fuels with no need for modifications. NB: A carburetted engine may need an adjustment to take full advantage of the fuel. You can use E10 on most devices that use unleaded petrol i.e. lawn mowers or motorcycles.

With Freedom Fuel you can easily switch between the normal unleaded petrol and E10 fuels. Alternating between petrol and ethanol many believe is a good way to get the best mileage and engine performance from their vehicle.

The reason why some manufacturers' recommendations differ in regards to Ethanol is because of the model of car and make. Generally European cars or cars built with European specifications will not be compatible with ethanol blends of over 5% (E5). NB: Always check your car manual to see if the manufacturers believe your car is compatible.

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, Peter Sturrock, comments while most vehicles and many older cars will run safely on E10, they recommend checking the car manual or with the manufacturer. There has been a huge change in car manufacturers backing E10, with more companies now backing this environmentally friendly fuel. Many manufacturers have begun producing cars to take advantage of ethanol fuels e.g. Toyota, Saab, Ford.

Bio Diesel
Bio Diesel is a lightly distilled fuel for use in cars (travelling on or off road), road haulers, and railroad mining and industrial applications. It is made from renewable sources like vegetable oils, oil seed crops or animal products such as tallow. Freedom Fuel also supplies Elite Diesel (B20 is a 20% diesel blend), a cleaner burning blend of biodiesel fuel. It can be used in place of petroleum diesel and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, at a 25% blend every 25 litres saves 12kg of greenhouse gases.

Diesel fuel has the extra benefit of cleaning your fuel system and there is no need for any modifications to be made on your vehicle to be able to use it - diesel engines were originally designed to run on peanut oil!!

Links to check out for more information:
- Freedom Fuels
- Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries