Many people should be blamed on the inertness of the mind, which prevents them from seeing new opportunities and using ordinary things. For example, an engine for alcohol. Let not the best solution among all possible, but quite working. Moreover, there are a large number of embodiments. There is alcohol gasoline. But not only him. Let's talk about everything in order.
Introductory information
When talking about an engine using alcohol fuel, they usually mean a situation where 5-10% of technical or wine substance is added. If gasoline ultimately turned out to be less than 30%, then it is better to remove this word from the name. For to call fuel like that when there is little such fuel in it is wrong.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the designation. For this, the letter E and the number are used. The latter indicates the percentage of alcohol. That is, the finished substance can be designated as E5, E10, E20, E30 and so on. It should be noted that such a designation is not used everywhere. Sometimes they can add the letter E to the designation of gasoline. For example - A-95E. It is not an ordinary and familiar fuel. This marking indicates that you have to deal with alcohol-containing fuel, in which the octane number is equal to 95th gasoline.
Refueling the engine with alcohol has its advantages and disadvantages. Only by familiarizing yourself with them, you can decide whether it makes sense to use such fuel or not. It should be noted that alteration of the gasoline engine to alcohol is not required. Of course, you can’t do without some preparation, but much less needs to be done than it might seem at first glance. But let's talk about everything in order.
What are the advantages and disadvantages?
The engine for alcohol, although it attracts strengths, also has a number of limitations in use. Let's take a closer look at this. Highlight such advantages:
- Low price. Alcohol fuel costs 5-15% less than its oil counterpart.
- Compared to gasoline, it pollutes the environment less.
- The engine can operate at sufficiently low temperatures, which positively affects its wear.
- The chance of fire in a serious accident is reduced.
- When driving in the heat it is easier to keep the engine at a low temperature.
- It increases the resource for using engine oil, so you can travel a greater distance without resorting to replacing it.
- Such fuel has a milder odor.
- The engine generates less noise when driving.
But it is always necessary to take into account the disadvantages. They in this case are as follows:
- It is not recommended to use such fuel in old cars. This is due to the fact that their fuel systems are not designed to use gasoline, in which technical alcohol is added.
- Fuel consumption is growing slightly.
- It is necessary to provide special conditions for the transportation and storage of fuel. Otherwise, its quality will significantly deteriorate.
- Cannot be used in carburetor vehicles. This increases fuel consumption, in addition, parts made of rubber and plastic are corroded.
- Gas stations of this type are not widespread in the CIS, so there are problems with replenishing fuel.
- The car starts worse in the winter season.
- Increased warm-up time at sub-zero temperatures.
- Alcohol fuels are more expensive.
- The presence of a large number of bad reviews from people who have dealt with engines for alcohol.
- With an increase in the percentage of alcohol in the fuel, the driving performance of cars deteriorates.
A few more cons
Among the negative points, one should recall the following:
- When driving in the heat, the car can significantly lose power.
- Low-quality fuel may form water. And in this case, the internal combustion engine on alcohol can become clumsy and fail.
- The engine may slow down, stall, and not start for no apparent reason.
- The fuel system is often clogged.
- Fuel hoses may burst (relevant for prolonged use on older cars).
- Some manufacturers provide fuel of unsatisfactory quality (however, this can be said about conventional gasoline).
- To use alcohol products, you must upgrade the system. This means adjusting the fuel pump, as well as replacing parts that are susceptible to corrosion.
Summing up, it should be said that before pouring such a substance, you need to think carefully about whether it is worth doing it. For old cars (2010 and beyond) and carburetor cars it is contraindicated. In other cases, the use of such fuel should be at your own peril and risk. If this does not scare, then an engine running on alcohol is a very real thing.
What is there now?
Disputes about the use of this fuel do not subside. Nevertheless, at the gas station you can increasingly find cheap fuels that are positioned as the development of a new generation. Commercially sold products are a mixture of dehydrated ethyl alcohol (from 30% of the total volume), light fractions of hydrocarbons, esters, gasolines, stabilizers and additives. The latter are necessary in order to prevent corrosion and preserve the rubber parts of the engine and fuel system.
Ethyl alcohol engine allows you to spend less money on refueling. And given the emerging trend in the content of biocomponents, it is quite possible to assume that soon such fuel will be more widespread. But there are some nuances. So, one car will be able to continue to operate normally without any changes, while a similar car, released a year earlier, will stall and slow down. Therefore, it is necessary for each person to decide on the advisability of using such fuel.
It is recommended not to refuel at small gas stations, if there is no confidence in them. Indeed, very often their fuel quality is slightly worse, which can lead to serious damage. Therefore, despite all its advantages, numerous shortcomings do not allow to completely switch to the use of fuel for alcohol. Although this engine is gradually gaining popularity.
And what is in world practice?
If you travel to the United States and Western Europe, you can see that there is widespread use of bioethanol. The most popular low-fuel fuel, designated as E5, E7, E10. Theoretically, it can be poured into any new car. If the number is more than ten, then it is advisable to clarify whether the automaker allows the use of biofuels. In Brazil, the USA and some countries of the European Union they even sell E85. As you might guess, such fuel contains 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline.
But it is not so simple. This system is relatively new, therefore, an ethanol engine should be preserved in some cases. Why? The fact is that there may be certain deviations from the established number. So, for E5 (7,10,15,20,25) this is not allowed. But if the inscription says that the fuel is E30, then the percentage may vary in the range of 30-40. For E60 it is 50-60. And by E85 they mean 70-85. And if it is found, for example, A-95E, then it will not be superfluous to inquire about the percentage of such fuel. For the octane number is one thing, but the amount of alcohol per liter is another.
Additionally, other types of designation may be introduced. In this case, you should find out all the details. And not just confine yourself to asking the refueling workers, but to request a fuel quality certificate and make sure that it complies with established standards.
Answers to the questions "why?" and why?"
The gasoline engine for alcohol originates from the zero years. The fact is that gasoline itself is a major source of artificial carcinogens. When bioethanol is added, it is enriched with oxygen and burns better. This reduces the amount of carbon monoxide plus or minus by 30%. Given this situation, in 2005 it was established by law that gasoline should contain 2% alcohol. In 2010, this figure increased to 5%. And by 2020 they plan to increase it altogether to ten percent! Although there are certain concessions for the non-adapted car industry. That is, for older cars, the supply of gasoline without bioethanol is allowed. But at the same time, it is very important that water does not enter its composition.
In practice, such a result is difficult to achieve, therefore, the standard established that it should be no more than 0.2% in bioethanol. For this affects the quality of fuel, and this problem is especially relevant in the winter. It must be borne in mind that alcohol is an extremely hygroscopic substance. And this creates a certain danger. There is a theoretical risk that the mixture in the motor will split into water-alcohol balls and gasoline. As a result, you can observe an excessive consumption of fuel (because water does not generate energy), detonation, or the car may not start at all. The quality of fuel should be closely monitored, otherwise alcohol saturated with water will quickly turn into ice.
A little bit about fuel
Engine operation on alcohol has its own characteristics. Very much attention in this whole scheme should be given to the fuel used. Ethanol is an excellent solvent and oxidizing agent. Because of this, when it is present in large quantities in gasoline, gaskets and other plastic parts are damaged. To prevent this, it is necessary to use stainless steel.
In addition, if the car fails due to alcohol-containing gasoline, the prescribed insurance amounts may not be paid (or even the guarantee itself will be canceled). And again, one should not forget that such fuel is used in a slightly increased amount. And with the onset of cold weather, it is better to switch back to ordinary gasoline.
How to make an engine on alcohol do it yourself?
In general, there can be many options. In order not to go into the wilds to create our own designs, we will use the easiest way - adaptation of the internal combustion engine. Usually, two options are provided: partial or complete replacement of diesel fuel and gasoline. Under the first is meant to bring the proportion of alcohol to an indicator of 20%. To obtain high antiknock qualities, it is necessary to use forced (spark) ignition. It will also be useful to flush the fuel system and eliminate all contaminants in it. A significant advantage is that standard engines do not need to be changed in a constructive way in order for them to work on a benzo-alcohol mixture.
So, for example, AvtoVAZ conducted the AI-95 tests, in which there was 10% ethanol without over-adjustment of the engine. Of interest were toxicity, fuel consumption, car dynamics. And in this case it was found that the additive leads to a depletion of the air-fuel mixture, slightly impairs driving performance (in all operating modes). But 5% did not affect AvtoVAZ products. Therefore, if you do not get too carried away, you can safely create a working engine for alcohol.
What about the diesel?
This option is more complicated. Admittedly, adapting a diesel engine to use alcohol-containing mixtures is not as easy as we would like. Why? The fact is that ethanol has a low cetane number. To improve the situation, an electronic ignition system is used, and the cylinder head is modernized in order to place them there. New high-pressure fuel pumps, nozzles, and a fuel supply system may also be needed. It is possible that it will be necessary to refine the geometric shape of the combustion chamber in the piston crown. It should be said that it works almost without smoke.
The temperature also decreases, due to the fact that the heat of evaporation increases. Although there may be some problems with some waste after work. Most attention is deserved by CH. But, however, it can be radically reduced if you use the simplest oxidizer. Do not forget about increased fuel consumption. In addition, a high smoke level is characteristic of a recycled diesel engine. That is, as you see, this is not an easy matter. An engine for cars is much easier.
And for small equipment what?
Motorcycles, scooters, mopeds and similar vehicles also deserve attention. Can a two-stroke engine for alcohol be organized for such a small equipment? Yes, that’s quite real. And not very difficult. Thanks to the design features and the fundamental similarity to car engines, you can make scooters, motorcycles and mopeds work on alcohol. And if someone thinks that after that there will be an unpleasant smell of alcohol - this is not true. You can deal with such changes, being well acquainted with the design of the vehicle, as well as having a complete understanding of what needs to be done to switch to biofuel.