Ethanol Blended Fuels

Links on this page:
gasohol | e85 | ethanol blended diesel

Ethanol

Ethanol is a chemical compound that is also called ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol (CH3CH2OH). It is a clear and colorless liquid at room temperature.

Ethanol can be used as a fuel, as an additive to fuel or fuel extender, and as an industrial chemical. As a fuel additive, ethanol increases the octane level and adds oxygen that lowers carbon monoxide emissions during the combustion process. As a fuel extender, ethanol replaces gasoline.

Ethanol can be produced from a variety of biological sources that contain sugar, starch or cellulose. Sugar beets and sugar cane are sources of sugar. Wheat and corn are sources of starch. Forest industry waste, grasses or straw, and municipal solid waste contains cellulose. The production process varies but it usually involves fermentation of sugars by yeast to produce the ethanol. When materials such as starch or cellulose are the feedstock these are first converted to sugars before fermentation occurs. A variety of co-products can be produced and marketed along with the ethanol (e.g. animal feed supplements).

Environmental Reasons for Using Ethanol

When it displaces a fossil fuel like gasoline or diesel, ethanol produced from renewable sources and some waste products reduces net greenhouse gas emissions. The amount of the reduction will vary with the source of the ethanol. Ethanol produced by Mohawk in Minnedosa has 40 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than an equivalent amount of gasoline. Beyond the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions there can be both positive and negative changes in the emissions of various air pollutants. These changes vary with the fuel mixed with the ethanol.

Economic Reasons for Using Ethanol

Ethanol blended fuels used in Manitoba are produced with made in Manitoba ethanol. Producing and consuming ethanol has a number of economic benefits for Manitoba:

• Reducing imports of gasoline produced in other provinces.

• Stabilization of agricultural income.

• Creating alternative markets for agricultural products.

• Stimulating sustainable economic development and job creation in rural areas.

Government Initiatives

• The federal government incentives include an exemption of the excise tax on the ethanol portion in gasohol. This amounts to 1 cent per litre of gasohol sold in Manitoba.

• The Manitoba Government provides a reduction in the gasoline tax of 2.5 cents per litre for gasohol containing a 10 per cent blend of ethanol produced and sold in Manitoba.

Gasohol (10 per cent ethanol blend)

Ethanol blended gasoline or gasohol is a mixture of gasoline and ethanol. In Manitoba gasohol contains 10 per cent ethanol and 90 per cent gasoline.

Gasohol can be used in vehicle engines that use gasoline. Since 1988, all vehicles sold in Canada have been warranted to use gasohol.

Gasohol is considered to have positive environmental effects. Studies show that using gasohol, instead of regular gasoline, reduces carbon monoxide (CO) emissions by as much as 17 per cent, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 4.2 per cent, and hydrocarbon emissions by 5 per cent. Furthermore using gasohol also reduces emissions of benzene (a known carcinogen) and 1,3 butadiene.

The downside of gasohol use can be increased emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and aldehydes. The degree to which emissions increase depends on the vehicle and emission control technology used. The Environmental Choice Program of Environment Canada grants certain products the right to use the EcoLogo trademark. This trademark identifies products that help reduce the burden on our environment. Ethanol blended gasoline has been approved to carry this trademark. Mohawk Oil, the only producer and distributor of gasohol in Manitoba, displays the EcoLogo on their gas pumps.

In Manitoba, Mohawk and some Husky stations are currently the only suppliers.

E85 (85 per cent ethanol blend)

E85 is a mixture of 15 per cent gasoline and 85 per cent ethanol.

E85 can be used in vehicle engines that have been modified for the fuel. Some of the major automobile manufacturers offer some of their vehicle models as "flexible fuel vehicles" that can detect whether E85, gasohol or gasoline is placed in the tank and adjust themselves accordingly.

The benefits of using this fuel include reduced greenhouse gas emissions of up to 37.1% and reduced emissions of some air pollutants (notably particulate matter, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides).

Currently there are no suppliers of E85 in Manitoba. The nearest source would be service stations in the United States.

Ethanol Blended Diesel Fuel

Ethanol blended diesel fuel is a mixture of ethanol and diesel fuel. The ratio of these two fuel components varies with the manufacturer. In addition, a co-solvent is added to allow for the diesel to mix with the ethanol. The fuel E-Diesel that is currently being used in a pilot project of Husky Energy Ltd., Octel-Starreon/AAE, and Winnipeg Transit combines 91.5 per cent diesel fuel, 7.5 per cent ethanol, and 1 per cent co-solvent.

Currently ethanol blended diesel fuel is used by a variety of users in the United States and Europe. Winnipeg is the location of the first pilot demonstration of an ethanol-blended diesel fuel in Canada. This demonstration was facilitated by Manitoba Conservation and started in October of 2001. It involves 10 Winnipeg Transit buses that are used on regular routes. Users in other localities have introduced the fuel into regular use in both heavy vehicles (e.g. dump trucks) and transport trucks.

The benefits of using this fuel include a 3 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and reduced emissions of some air pollutants (notably particulate matter, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides).

At the moment there are no gas stations that sell ethanol blended diesel fuel. In a few years we may see it marketed to large fleet users such as transit systems and highway transport trucks.

Manitoba Energy, Science & Technology, Energy Development Initiative © 2003