Posted on 04/27/2006 11:21:18 AM PDT by John Geyer
Edited on 04/27/2006 11:47:26 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
I would assume that ethanol, being produced by fermenting American grown corn into a useable fuel, would make gas cheaper, not more expensive. Instead of making the price of gas rise, I would believe that it would fall because we are using a renewable, home grown form of fuel. I guess I'm an idiot for not understanding the reasons behind this, but I ask for someone with more experience to explain it for me. I was telling my father how ethanol would make gas cheaper, and now I feel like a complete moron. Help me understand.
There was no provision ot have a supply line for ethenol! Replacing the millions of gallons of the MTBE was no match for what supplys we had in place. this is the Senates fault. The companys had no alternative but to discontinue the additive to avoid lawsuits.
As of 5 minutes ago, worldwide gasoline spot market price (for June delivery) is $2.12/gallon. Worldwide spot market price for ethanol (May delivery) is $2.62/gallon!
It's a good thing our cars don't run on 100% ethanol--or we'd be paying about 50 cents/gallon more than we are for just gasoline.
I guess that the ethanol companies are 'ripping us off' even more than the oil companies then, right? (sarcasm--off)
This is the congessional solution to all problems. MAKE THEM WORSE.
Another thing to consider is the btu rating of ethanol as compared to gasoline.
I don't know exactly, but I think gasoline is somewhere around 120,000 btu per part. Ethanol is only about 70 to 80,000 btu per part. That means that your engine needs to burn more ethanol to get the same performance as gasoline.
I'm doing this from memory. I don't remember the exact numbers, I read this in one of the popular science or mechanics mags.
As Ronald Reagan used to repeatedly say, "Government is not the solution, government is the PROBLEM"!
Exactly. That makes gasoline even CHEAPER when compared to other energy sources. Again, another example of government intrusion (due to environmental issues) increasing the price of gas.
The withdrawal of MTBE's from the market had the effect of reducing domestic fuel supplies. While ethanol now replaces MTBE's, previously both were available. The withdrawal of MTBE's also has the effect of making ethanol production wildly profitable, which will cause its production to expand, which will moderate the price.
If ya ride, ya gotta pay the Piper.
I operate an ethanol "plant". I have two varieties as output: wine and beer. The yeast I use produces an alcohol content of around 13% by volume for the wine, and 6% for the beer. Now if the feds would only remove the restrictions for distilling it I would be a much happier brewer!
To achieve such a result—as if alcohol has NO thermal energy?—I can only guess your pickup's ECM is a Southern Baptist.
I took for granted he meant the E-85.
The 30% reduction in the energy of the molecule translates to a 30% reduction in mileage.
I am convinced, as well. that a 90/10 blend reduces mileage in my Silverado by at least 10%.
And I track my mileage nearly every fillup.
We've experience her in Denver with the 10% blends and I despise them for the reduced mileage.
Uh...because it's a political sollution to a scientific problem!!!!!!!
A tax exemption is not a subsidy.
Always look for empiracle evidence---not what you think should be so.
In chemistry the phenomenon that may be in play here is what is called the mechanism of the reaction.
Should does not necessarily equal will.
I keep track of my mileage, geeze and have been doing so for years.
I also have an educational background in the sciences.
That's inaccurate: Argonne National Laboratory Ethanol Study
I have no great fondness for ethanol, but there are a lot of myths circulating, and many of them come from "deep ecology" types who want us to stop driving cars, or better yet, die off.
The radio host mentioned that it costs about 70¢/gallon to make ethanol. He also mentioned one needs a Federal license to produce it legally.
Since it happens I just bought a flex-fuel minivan, ... ;)
Okay then. You're the scientist.
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