Can We Remove Alcohol From Gas ?

[RockyMeLad]

Consider:
1.When using the poor man's alcohol detector (mix 1 part water with 10 parts gas, shake, let settle, see if there is more “water” than before), it appears that the alcohol and water combine (pulls the alcohol from the gas).
2.During normal pre-flight we check for and eliminate any water in the sump. Presumably the gas left in the tank is now fully usable.

During discussions with my son on the processes of “cleaning” home-made biodiesel, it seems intuitive that we could “clean” the alcohol from our gasoline.

1.Mix 1 part water with 10 parts gasoline
2.Figuratively speaking... stir well.
3.Let stand, allowing separation with the water/alcohol at the bottom.
4.Drain the water/alcohol.
5.Pour off the usable gasoline.

Empirically this seems possible since I have run the decanted gas after the alcohol test through a Mr.Filter and no new water is found.

It seems to good to be true, so probably is. Can anyone see the obvious gottcha that I have missed so far?

[automan1223]

My only concern is what your octane rating after you pull the ethanol from the fuel. Ethanol acts as an octane booster. I would also be concerned with the water absorbing other parts of the fuel that are critical fuel performance. Low octane can toast an engine faster than your perceived alcohol woes.

J

[RotoPlane]

I found this: http://www.fuel-testers.com/expirati...hanol_gas.html

and this is what one guy does: http://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=78525

[All_In]

Right on Jonathan!!

Alcohol fuels such as methanol or ethanol may have octane ratings of 110 or significantly higher – ethanol's RON is 129 (116 MON, 122 AKI)

Also Typical "octane booster" gasoline additives like ethanol include MTBE, ETBE, isooctane and toluene. We are not sure if water also acts as a solvent / binder and may wash out too?

It's a great idea if you can test the octane and add a booster to replace any additives you lost.

[scottessex]

This has been discussed time and time again, do a search for "ethanol", I have posted numerous links to articles, etc. Rocky what you are left with is water, ethanol, and substandard octane fuel that is only good for burning brush. Lawnmowers wont even run on it once it phase separates. If you used this in your gyro, it would detonate and blow holes in the tops of your pistons as soon as you go to full power, all you will hear is the nice quiet swish of the rotors as your engine has already trashed itself in a few seconds.

[coolbaldguy]

Originally Posted by scottessex

This has been discussed time and time again, do a search for "ethanol", I have posted numerous links to articles, etc. Rocky what you are left with is water, ethanol, and substandard octane fuel that is only good for burning brush. Lawnmowers wont even run on it once it phase separates. If you used this in your gyro, it would detonate and blow holes in the tops of your pistons as soon as you go to full power, all you will hear is the nice quiet swish of the rotors as your engine has already trashed itself in a few seconds.

I agree. But as a side note you can remove water from oil and or diesel fuel by using vacuum. In a sealed vessel water boils at 72 degrees F when it is put under a vacuum of 20 inches of Mercury

[scottessex]

Sure you can remove it, then you are left with 2 useless liquids that kill weeds.

[Heron]

The hard question is: WHY?
heron

[scottessex]

Why what? Why ethanol mixed with gasoline?

[Heron]

Just say it! I promise it ain´t gonna hurt . . .
Heron

[scottessex]

Ethanol is a SCAM there I said it!
The only thing Ethanol is good for is if you are a corn farmer, or a politician.


You know that Heron, Brazilian Ethanol is a different story all together.

[StanFoster]

24% of our corn is used for ethanol. There is a huge plant 12 miles west of me. They have a gigantic well that is just 1/2 mile from my shop. They pump that water 12 miles to the plant. I read it takes 1700 gallons of water for each gallon of ethanol.

It does benefit the farmers, just ask my dad. The grain is at record prices. Its all a bunch of lobbyists getting this stuff through. I am against it even though it helps the family farm considerably.


Stan

[Heron]

The entire energy matrix today is a scam, why do you think they fight Iran?
This pre-salt thing down here sounds pretty much like another scam . . .there is no technology to drill it out today, but the are already making money on it.
And you know who owns the rights don´t you? (starts with hali ends with . . . )
Why fret? just fill the tank and have fun . . .
Heron
Ammending for Stan´s post (after my clic)
Why not make sugar cane ethanol in Mexico, keep more people there and help solve a few problems?
All combustion engines today are prepared for alchool.

[StanFoster]

Heron- You are absolutely correct. Just fill your tank.....there isnt a thing any of us can do to change things.


Stan

[hillberg]

Ethanol is a crappy fuel,Burn 40% more for the same power as gasoline, burns clear and a spill after a crash that lights off cant be seen, Racers used to add nitro for more power but the exhaust hurts the eyes. Corrodes aluminum,Drink it you go blind, Add it to gas? Does nothing but change the profit at the pump and reduce milage.