Ethanol is a renewable non-fossil biofuel produced in Australia, and other countries, by either taking one of the by-products of the sugarcane industry (molasses), wheat or other grains such as corn and processing it to produce ethanol.
Shell Unleaded e10
Ethanol, when used in vehicles, can help maximize the performance and acceleration potential of many modern cars. It is a cleaner burning, renewable component that helps reduce Greenhouse gas emissions. It also helps to achieve low benzene and sulphur levels.

Shell has over 25 years of global experience successfully formulating and testing ethanol based fuel in markets including US, Sweden and Brazil, selling over 1 million tonnes of ethanol-based fuel each year.


More Links:
What is L-Carnitine ?
Saturn Moon has Liquid on Surface
Food to Feed Your Brain


Myth 1. Ethanol burns hot due to an earlier ‘pre-detonation ratio’ (i.e. it explodes too soon) and can corrode engines over time.

Ethanol has a high octane (Research and Motor Octanes) and as such ethanol based fuels have a natural tendency to resist compressive precombustion in engine combustion chambers. Its incorporation into fuel, in controlled quantities, will have the effect of lifting octane and allowing exposure to greater heat and compression in engines without 'pinging' (precombustion).

The potential for corrosion due to ethanol has, in the past, been due to improper use by other retailers of lower quality ethanol at inappropriate blend ratios without corrosion protection.

Along with this standard, Shell fuel-grade ethanol contains a corrosion inhibitor additive to ensure that corrosion due to trace impurities naturally present in ethanol is minimised.



Myth 2. Ethanol fails to lubricate the engine like petrol so there is a potential for pistons and other moving parts within the combustion chamber to ‘seize up’ over time.

Lubrication of piston rings in spark ignition 4 stroke engines is a result of traces of lubricating oil trapped between rings and combustion chamber wall. It is not due to the lubricating qualities of the motor spirit, so the impact of ethanol in this part of the engine will be negligible.

Lubrication of other components such as fuel pumps of moving fuel system components is, however, dependent on the lubricating property of the fuel. In these cases ethanol contents of up to 10% have not been shown to cause excessive / noticeable wear in any other countries where Shell markets ethanol containing fuels.

Shell has extensive experience with biofuels and is the largest global retailer of ethanol containing fuels. Shell markets ethanol containing petrol in several countries and has no records of adverse lubrication issues relating to these fuels. Also, a review of the available literature / studies also does not indicate that fuel system wear due to lack of lubrication is an issue.


Forex 101



Myth 3. Ethanol can corrode fuel lines or anything rubber, including seals.

Ethanol in high concentrations has been known to affect some plastic and rubber fuel system components. However, it is advisable to check the FCAI web site or contact your vehicle’s manufacturer to determine if there are any compatibility issues with particular makes and models.



Myth 4. Ethanol always reduces fuel economy.

10% ethanol petrols, or E10 fuels, are known to result in a slight reduction in fuel economy in comparison to the same base fuel without the ethanol content. It has been documented that there is an approximate loss of 3.5% economy for E10 fuels and 1.5% for E5 fuels. Economy losses of this size are difficult to detect under typical driving conditions due to the impact on economy of other factors such as tyre pressure, driving style and driving situation (city vs. freeway driving).


TECH NEWS ONLINE




Source: Shell