BioTenn - A Partnership for Homegrown Energy
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and Answers about E85 and Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Q: What is Ethanol?
A: Ethanol is alcohol used in transportation fuels. It is a high octane, liquid, renewable fuel, produced by the fermentation of plant sugars. In the United States, ethanol is typically produced from corn and other grain products, although in the future it may be economically produced from other biomass resources such as agricultural and forestry wastes, specially grown energy crops, or even municipal garbage!
Q: What is E85?
A: E85 is the term for motor fuel blends of up to 85 percent ethanol and just 15 percent gasoline. E85 also has a much higher octane (ranging from 100 to 105) than gasoline. It is sold at normal gas stations and is always labeled so you know when you are pumping it.
Q: Why should I use ethanol?
A: Besides its superior performance characteristics, ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline; it is a completely renewable, domestic, environment friendly fuel that enhances the nation's economy and energy security. Today the U. S. imports more than half of its oil, and overall consumption continues to increase. By supporting ethanol production and use, U.S. drivers can help reverse that trend.
85% ethanol can reduce pollution. Government tests have shown that E85 vehicles reduce harmful hydrocarbon and benzene emissions when compared to vehicles running on gasoline.
E85 can also reduce carbon dioxide (CO2), a harmful greenhouse gas and a major contributor to global warming. Although CO2 is released during ethanol production and combustion, it is recaptured as a nutrient to the crops that are used in its production. Unlike fossil fuel combustion, which unlocks carbon that has been stored for millions of years, use of ethanol results in low increases to the carbon cycle.
Ethanol also degrades quickly in water and, therefore, poses much less risk to the environment than an oil or gasoline spill.
Q: What is a flexible fuel vehicle?
A: A flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) is specially designed to run on any ethanol blend up to 85% ethanol. Special onboard diagnostics "read" the fuel blend, enabling drivers to fuel with E85 or gasoline in any combination from a single tank. There are no switches to flip, no mixing or blending. The computer adjusts the FFV's fuel injection and ignition timing to compensate for the different fuel mixtures.
Q: Will I hurt a gasoline-only vehicle if I use E85?
A: Yes. Longer-term use of E85 in gasoline-only vehicles may cause damage because of the incompatibility of the alcohol fuel with the parts in gasoline-only engines. Performance and emissions will also be compromised.
Q: What happens when E85 is not available?
A: The FFV system allows the driver to use any combination of gasoline or ethanol-from 100 percent unleaded gasoline to 85 percent ethanol. A driver can therefore use unleaded gasoline if ethanol is not available.
Q: How will my car's mileage per gallon change with E85?
A: Ethanol has less energy content than gasoline. Because of this, most cars experience a 5% to 20% drop in fuel economy. This will vary based on temperature and driving conditions. For comparison purposes, aggressive driving habits can result in a 20% loss and low tire pressure can reduce mileage by 6%.
Q: What are the differences in an FFV compared to a regular gasoline-only model? Are different parts used?
A: There is only one major additional part that is included on an FFV-the fuel sensor that detects the ethanol/gasoline ratio. A number of other parts on the FFV's fuel delivery system are modified so that they are ethanol compatible. The fuel tank, fuel lines, fuel injectors, computer system, anti-siphon device and dashboard gauges have been modified slightly. Alcohols are corrosive. Therefore, any part that comes in contact with the fuel has been upgraded to be tolerant to alcohol. Normally, these parts include a stainless steel fuel tank and Teflon lined fuel hoses.
Q: Does an FFV cost more than a gasoline-only model?
A: When manufacturers offer a flexible fuel engine as an option in their vehicles, there is no additional cost. In model year 1998, manufacturers began making flexible fuel engines standard equipment on certain makes and models, therefore with a specific model you can only get an E85 flexible fuel engine-no gasoline-only engines are available, therefore no additional cost is incurred. You might be driving a FFV right now and not know it!
Q: Will we deplete human and animal food supplies by using corn and other grains for fuel production?
A: No, actually the production of ethanol from corn uses only the starch of the corn kernel, all of the valuable protein, minerals and nutrients remain. One bushel of corn produces about 2.7 gallons of ethanol AND 11.4 pounds of gluten feed (20% protein) AND 3 pounds of gluten meal (60% protein) AND 1.6 pounds of corn oil.
Q: Does it take more energy to produce a gallon of ethanol than the energy we get out of it?
A: No. Current research indicates an approximate 38% gain in the overall corn-to-ethanol process and use of that ethanol for fuel. Corn yields and processing technologies have improved significantly over the past 20 years and they continue to do so, making ethanol production less and less energy intensive.
Q: Is E85 more toxic or dangerous than gasoline?
No. 100% ethanol can be and is ingested by human beings. However E85 contains 15% petroleum gasoline, which is toxic, so it should be handled the same way as you would gasoline.
Questions and Answers about Biodiesel
Q: What is Biodiesel?
A: Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Pure biodiesel (B100) contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. Blends typically range from B5 (5% biodiesel and 95% petroleum diesel fuel) to B20 (20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel fuel). It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.
Q: Why should I use biodiesel?
A: There are several advantages to using biodiesel and biodiesel blends:
- It's better for the environment! Biodiesel has a lower toxicity level than petroleum diesel and lower emissions of carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides and particulates.
- It's better for your engine! Biodiesel has a greater lubricity and reduces engine wear.
- It's renewable! Unlike petroleum, we can produce more biodiesel every year.
- It increases national security! Using biodiesel helps reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
- It is produced domestically! Biodiesel production stimulates local economies and promotes local agriculture, both of which put money back into the U.S. economy.
Q: How do biodiesel emissions compare to petroleum diesel?
A: Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act. The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter compared to emissions from diesel fuel. In addition, the exhaust emissions of sulfur oxides and sulfates (major components of acid rain) from biodiesel are essentially eliminated compared to diesel.
Of the major exhaust pollutants, both unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides are ozone or smog forming precursors. The use of biodiesel results in a substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons. Emissions of nitrogen oxides are either slightly reduced or slightly increased depending on the duty cycle of the engine and testing methods used. Based on engine testing, using the most stringent emissions testing protocols required by EPA for certification of fuels or fuel additives in the US, the overall ozone forming potential of the speciated hydrocarbon emissions from biodiesel was nearly 50 percent less than that measured for diesel fuel.
Biodiesel emissions have decreased levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitrited PAH compounds that have been identified as potential cancer causing compounds. Test results indicate PAH compounds were reduced by 75 to 85 percent, with the exception of benzo(a)anthracene, which was reduced by roughly 50 percent.
Q: Can I use biodiesel in my existing diesel engine?
A: Typically biodiesel blends up to 20% (B20) can be operated in any diesel engine with little or no modification to the engine or the fuel system. Biodiesel has a solvent effect that may release deposits accumulated on tank walls and pipes from previous diesel fuel storage. The release of deposits may clog filters initially and precautions should be taken to change them when needed. Ensure that only biodiesel meeting the Tennessee Department of Agricultures' specification is used.
Q: How do I make the switch to biodiesel?
A: If you plan to switch to B100 (100% biodiesel), it is often recommended that you start with B5 (5% biodiesel) and gradually increase the biodiesel concentration over a period of several months. The reasons are two-fold. First, biodiesel has strong solvent properties. It tends to clean fuel tanks and lines of built-up residues, which will then accumulate in the fuel filter. So you may have to change your filters more frequently when first using biodiesel. Second, it allows you to optimize the diesel to biodiesel ratio for your weather conditions. You should be aware that in the coldest months of the year, the biodiesel ratio will probably have to be decreased, unless you add an external heating device to your engine. However, as the temperature rises, so can your biodiesel concentration.
Q: Will I void the manufacturer's warranty if I use biodiesel?
A: Warranties vary significantly from one manufacturer to the other. Most will not categorically void a warranty if you use biodiesel. However, most warranties will not cover damage that was caused by a fuel (be it biodiesel of any other fuel) because those damages were not caused by a defect in the machine. For instance, if you damage a diesel engine by accidentally putting gasoline in the tank, the manufacturer will probably not repair the engine under warranty. Therefore, it may be more difficult to get warranty coverage for problems that may been caused by biodiesel. Furthermore, many manufacturers are reluctant to recommend use of blends higher than B5 in their engines. Check carefully with the individual manufacturer to verify what is covered and/or recommended.
Q: Where can I purchase biodiesel?
A: Biodiesel is available in over 30 refueling stations across Tennessee.
An up to date listing of East Tennessee biodiesel refueling stations can be found at https://www.etcfc.org/refuel.html#biodiesel.
An up to date listing of West Tennessee biodiesel refueling stations can be found at https://cleancities.energy.gov/coalitions/locations/.
Q: Is Biodiesel the same thing as raw vegetable oil?
A: No! Biodiesel can be produced from any fat or vegetable oil (most U.S. biodiesel is made from soy bean oil), through a refinery process called transesterification. All vegetable oils have different properties that make them either a good source for biodiesel or not. Biodiesel can be made from fresh oil or even used cooking oil from restaurants.
The transesterification process is a reaction between the oil and alcohol, which removes the glycerin. Glycerin is a by-product of biodiesel production. Fuel-grade biodiesel must be produced to strict industry specifications (ASTM D6751) in order to insure proper performance. Biodiesel that meets ASTM D6751 and is legally registered with the Environmental Protection Agency is a legal motor fuel for sale and distribution. Raw vegetable oil cannot meet biodiesel fuel specifications, it is not registered with the EPA, and it is not a legal motor fuel.
Q: Is it approved for use in the U.S. and Tennessee?
A: Biodiesel is registered as a fuel and fuel additive with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and meets clean diesel standards established by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Pure (B100) biodiesel has been designated as an alternative fuel by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the US Department of Transportation (DOT). In most applications, if the biodiesel conforms to the ASTM International D6751 standards it can be used in the same equipment as other diesel fuels. Contact your equipment manufacturer or refer to your owner's manual for biodiesel use guidance for your equipment.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is currently testing biodiesel being sold and has developed fuel quality standards that provide a level of quality assurance necessary to protect diesel equipment when blends up to 20 percent are used.
Q: What type of certification process must I go through to produce or sell biodiesel in Tennessee?
A: The Tennessee Department of Agriculture tests all grades of biodiesel produced and sold in Tennessee. Their requirements are as follows:
- All Biodiesel blend stock intended for blending with diesel fuel shall meet the most recent version of ASTM D 6751, "Standard Specification for Biodiesel Fuel (B100) Blend Stock for Distillate Fuels."
- Blends of biodiesel and diesel fuels shall meet the following requirements: the base diesel fuel shall meet the most current requirements of ASTM D 975, Standard Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils; the biodiesel blend stock shall meet the most current requirements of ASTM D 6751, Standard Specification for Biodiesel Fuel (B100) Blend Stock for Distillate Fuels, with the following exception: Biodiesel may be blended with diesel fuel whose sulfur, lubricity, or aromatic levels are outside specification ASTM D 975, Standard Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils, Grades 1-D, low sulfur 1-D, 2-D, or low sulfur 2-D, provided the finished mixture meets pertinent national and local specifications and requirements for these properties.
- Biodiesel blends up to 5% by volume shall meet the most recent version of ASTM D 975, "Standard Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils". At such time that an ASTM standard specification is developed for blends up to 5%, the ASTM standard shall prevail as rule.
- Biodiesel blends more than 5% and up to 20% by volume shall meet the most recent version of ASTM D 975, "Standard Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils", except that the maximum temperature of the 90 percent volume recovered distillation point shall be five degrees centigrade greater than that specified in Table 1 of ASTM D 975. At such time that an ASTM standard specification is developed for blends greater than 5% and up to 20%, the ASTM standard shall prevail as rule.
- All biodiesel blends must meet the tenth percentile minimum ambient temperature values for low temperature operability as published in ASTM D 975 Appendix X.4. Low temperature operability may be qualified by either ASTM Standard Test Method D 4539 or ASTM Standard Test Method D 2500.
- Biodiesel conveyed at retail sale points that are available to the general consuming public shall not exceed 20% by volume.
Q: How much biodiesel has been sold in the US?
A: Sales of biodiesel have dramatically increased in less than one million gallons in 1999 to approximately 75 million gallons in 2005. The National Biodiesel Board has released the following sales volume estimates for the US:
