This short video below discusses some interesting facts about ethanol; its production; how its better than gasoline for the environment; and how its also good for the farmers that grow the corn used in ethanol production. 

What is E85 Ethanol & How is it made

Rising gasoline prices have heightened consumer awareness about E85 ethanol. These days, there is much ado about this fuel, and why shouldn’t there be? After all, it costs close to thirty five percent less than gasoline and is quickly becoming the preferred choice for motorists at the pump stations.  E85 ethanol is already widely used in Sweden and pump stations in America, with states like Minnesota and Illinois having the highest rate of E85 fuel pumps servicing motorists.

What is E 85 Ethanol?
When 15 percent of leaded gasoline is combined with eighty five percent of ethanol, the result is the low-cost E85 ethanol fuel.  Widely available in the US, it is an alcohol-based fuel that can be produced from employing the use of two methods. The first source of production involves the fermenting and distilling of starch-like feedstock. They include corn, barley, and wheat. The next method, which is referred as bio-ethanol, involves extraction from trees and grasses.

Although the price of the Ethanol E85 may be foremost on consumer’s minds, it also gets the nod from earth activists because it is an environmentally friendly product.  It burns clean and its key ingredient source is renewable.  Ethanol E85 also eliminates the import of crude oil because it is locally produced and is also known for increasing the octane rating in fuel while decreasing the harmful emissions caused by gasoline.

Ethanol E85 will run well in flexible fuel vehicles like those manufactured by Daimler Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Isuzu and Nissan to name a few.  But, if you don’t own a vehicle by one of the above-mentioned manufacturers, you need not fear. Some people are not aware that many other cars manufactured today are Ethanol E85 compatible. It is best to find out from your car dealer if you have a flexible fuel vehicle. 

How is E85 Ethanol Made? 
The method for producing Ethanol E85 is long and complex. The maker has to first extract sugar from biological feedstock in order to begin the process.  Corn is the leading ingredient in Ethanol E85 gas. And the starch in it can easily be converted into sugar. Sugar for this fuel can also be extracted from cellulose, which is a sugar based ingredient found in trees and grasses.

Once the feedstock is collected, it goes through a grinding process to extract the sugar. Sugar fed into microbes quickly produces ethanol and carbon dioxide, which finally endures purification stages to get the ethanol to the right consistency.

There is another method of manufacturing Ethanol E85 oil or grain alcohol, as it is also known, and this is through a wet-milling process. This is also the method that large-scale manufacturers use when producing high-fructose corn sweetener.

Ethanol E85 is an innovative and renewable resource with many positive characteristics, making it one of the leading topics of discussion for those looking to help the earth and looking to keep a few extra bucks in their wallet.

Featured Article: