Adding ethyl alcohol to gasoline. Is it possible to refuel with gasoline and alcohol? Research results. How does alcohol gasoline affect the engine and fuel system: for corrosion

The first in Ukraine to sell such gasoline was the BRSM-Nafta network of gas stations, but in difficult times for fuel operators, other market participants also began to think about withdrawing such fuel.

In particular, one of the largest gas station networks, WOG, recently released a new fuel, A-95 eso +, with the addition of absolute bioethanol. The company claims that it is produced in factory conditions, and at a European plant. It should be noted that such an additive, unlike alcohol, can only be stored in special containers, and only under specialized production conditions.

So far, the choice of eco-gasoline is not particularly large - experts found alcohol fuel in five gas station networks - WOG, BRSM-Nafta, KLO and Avias. In general, the experts were surprised by the results, since only one sample showed, let’s say, not very good results.

How much alcohol is in the fuel?

Laboratory tests began with the main thing - with the determination of the volume fraction of bioethanol, the value of which determines the basic properties of alcohol fuel. It should be noted that alcohol fuel is divided into two categories - motor gasoline with a bioethanol content of at least 30% is classified as alternative fuel, if bioethanol is less than 30% - it is not alternative, but belongs to alcohol grades E5, E7, E10 (according to the Technical Regulations) and these brands of gasoline should not be confused with alternative fuels - they are produced according to different regulatory documents!

Based on the results of laboratory tests for WOG, BRSM-Nafta and KLO, ethanol was determined to be around 36 percent, which classifies these fuels as alternative. But gasoline from Avias showed a result of 26% alcohol content. It should be noted that fuel with such a content does not meet the requirements of the Technical Regulations - bioethanol content is allowed from January 1, 2016 up to 7% (E7), from January 1, 2018 up to 10% (E10). According to the Alternative Fuels Law, alternative fuels must contain at least 30% bioethanol, the rest are not alternative.

Well, the main news for motorists is that there is not so much alcohol in such fuel, which means that you can safely refuel with it in the winter.

Octane number.

Next, the octane number was checked in the laboratory. This indicator characterizes the fuel's resistance to detonation - premature combustion of gasoline in the combustion chamber. Detonation is harmful to the engine not only through increased fuel consumption and decreased power, but also through premature engine wear due to excess loads. Octane number was measured using the research method.

Once again, good news awaited the experts. All samples showed a fair margin of safety. The octane number varied, from 96.6 units for WOG to 97.2 for BRSM-nafta. But for Avias, the octane reached 98.8 units. This is a non-standard value that may even cause damage to the vehicle. This excessively high rate is due to the high octane number of the alcohol itself.

As you know, benzene and aromatic hydrocarbons are substances that can harm the fuel system and lead to its premature wear. In addition, without evaporating completely, benzene washes away the oil film in the engine, which leads to increased wear of the engine cylinders. And of course, they harm the environment.

However, without aromatic hydrocarbons it is impossible to produce high-quality gasoline, since aromatics are oil secondary refining processes that produce a high-octane component. Without them, it is impossible to make high-octane gasoline. The negative side is that it has a negative impact on the environment, so the content of these components is limited in regulatory documents. This cannot be done indefinitely. In alternative gasolines, due to the 30 percent bioethanol content, the content of aromatic hydrocarbons can be reduced, since alcohol has a high octane number.

Alcohol gasolines are produced according to specifications, so the manufacturer himself determines the limiting quantities of these substances, for example, benzene. For example, BRSM-Nafta allows up to 2.5%, and KLO 4%. Therefore, they were assessed according to the actual content, with an eye to DSTU for the improved “ninety-fifth”, which does not allow benzene content to exceed 1%.

There was a virtual absence of harmful substances (0.3% benzene and 10% aromatics) in the “factory” fuel 95 eso + from the WOG network. Such indicators really confirm the European origin of this gasoline. The KLO sample (0.61% benzene and 12.3% aromatics) was slightly behind the leader. In sample A 95 E Premium + from BRSM-naphtha, more benzene and aromatics were found (1% and 15%, respectively), but this falls within the standards of the specifications by a double margin. But in the sample of alcoholic gasoline Avias the situation turned out to be sad. If the aromatic content is still acceptable (22.1%), then with benzene everything is bad. Here it turned out to be as much as six percent!

No corrosion

One of the most important performance indicators of alcohol fuel is corrosion activity. The fact is that alcohol is a strong solvent and corrodes rubber and plastic parts of the fuel system. To avoid this, a special additive must be added to the biofuel to increase the acidic pH value. In general, this indicator should be from 6 to 9 units.

All participants passed this test, and the highest value (7.4 units) was found in the 95 eso + fuel sample from the WOG network. The rest of the participants also had a value of at least seven. Such indicators indicate that, in terms of its anti-corrosion properties, alcohol gasoline is practically no different from regular gasoline and is harmless to rubber engine parts.

So is it possible to refuel with alternative gasoline?

And what's the bottom line? Is it possible to refuel with “alcohol” gasoline without risk to your own car? Experts give a clear answer - yes. And the fact that such fuel has appeared in the flagship of the domestic market suggests that the potential is enormous, and competition in this segment will only intensify.

Results of laboratory tests of fuel

In any case, it is very encouraging that large chains such as BRSM-nafta and KLO, which have been selling similar fuel for a long time, have no problems with quality. Well, as for the new fuel from WOG, the study showed that there is no limit to perfection. Produced at a petrochemical production facility with appropriate technology, such fuel will set new quality standards.

Material provided by the Institute of Consumer Expertise.

Due to the poor state of the economy, many industries in Ukraine are experiencing a decline. It also affected the fuel market. Clients are trying to save money, and some have even given up their car altogether and switched to public transport. In order to regain at least some income and survive during the crisis, gas stations come up with various tricks to attract customers. One of the most popular ways is to sell a mixture of gasoline and biofuel. This fuel costs less than pure gasoline, and at the same time, as some companies claim, it is completely safe for the car.

However, there is one extremely important subtlety - bioethanol must be stored under special conditions, since it requires a special tank. The storage location matters - it is advisable to place them near production and in no case in the open air.

This circumstance prompted a large-scale inspection of alcohol gasoline samples by the Kyiv Institute of Consumer Expertise.
Since fuel of this type is not yet particularly widespread, the research was carried out on 4 samples taken at gas stations. WOG«, « BRSM-Nafta«, « KLO" And " Avias". Looking ahead, let's say that 3 of them showed results that fully met the standards, which greatly pleased the experts who expected the worst.

How much alcohol should be contained in gasoline: norms

The first and most important examination was to answer the question of the amount of bioethanol in the samples taken. This is an extremely important indicator, since such fuel is divided into 2 classes. If the amount of bioethanol is greater than or equal to 30%, then this fuel is called alternative. If this figure reaches 7% or less (from 2018 - 10% or less), then it is considered an alcohol grade of gasoline.

Accordingly, they have different technical regulations, storage conditions, etc. After carrying out all the necessary procedures, it turned out that 3 out of 4 samples were alternative fuels. Only gasoline taken from the tanks of the gas station network was pumped up " Avias“, since the mass fraction of bioethanol was only 26%. In other words, it cannot be called either alcohol gasoline or an alternative fuel.
Despite the fact that such gasoline contains a large proportion of alcohol (on average, 1/3), it can be poured into the tank in the cold season without the slightest fear - the fuel will not freeze or even thicken.

How does alcohol affect changes in octane number?

The next examination was designed to determine the octane number of the contestants. For fuel, this is perhaps the most important characteristic that determines the limit for the onset of detonation (i.e., too rapid combustion). This phenomenon has a very bad effect on the condition of the engine, since it significantly increases the wear of the crank mechanism and the cylinder-piston group, and can also harm the gas distribution mechanism. Side effects are increased fuel consumption while reducing power.

The octane number was measured using a research method. The experts were again surprised, since all the subjects were able to meet the standard indicators, and some were again “ Avias- even exceeded them. In practice, such an excess can threaten the car with the consequences indicated above. Apparently, the root of all evil is the alcohol component with too high an octane number.

Content of benzene and aromatic hydrocarbons in alcohol fuel

For any fuel obtained by refining oil, it is extremely undesirable to contain a large amount of benzene and aromatic hydrocarbons. The thing is that they cause some damage. The first of them accelerates the wear of the car’s fuel system, as it has the unpleasant ability to wash off the oil film, and without lubrication, the service life of the units is significantly reduced. The latter harm the environment - the more of them, the less environmentally friendly the exhaust is.

But at the same time, there is a downside to the coin in the case of aromatic hydrocarbons. These substances are obtained as a result of secondary oil refining, and only thanks to them can gasoline be made high-octane. Their content in fuel is clearly stated in all kinds of technical regulations.

In the case of bioethanol, there should be less aromatic hydrocarbons than in regular gasoline due to the presence of alcohol, because it itself has a high octane number.

Currently, there is no state standard in the production of bioethanol. This means that it is produced based on technical conditions, and for each manufacturer they differ, albeit slightly. It was not very clear how to evaluate the competitors, so the DSTU for AI-95 gasoline was chosen as a guideline. It says that the benzene content should not exceed 1%. Judging by this criterion, then all samples, with the exception of the notorious “ Aviasa", again met the standards, and the fuel was from " WOG“It turned out to be a record holder, since it contains only 0.3% benzene and 10% “aromatics”! As for the outsider, it contains as much as 6% benzene, and as much as 22.1% aromatic hydrocarbons.

How does alcohol gasoline affect the engine and fuel system: for corrosion

Unlike ordinary gasoline or diesel fuel, for bioethanol such an indicator as corrosiveness is very important. This is due to the properties of alcohol, because it is a solvent, which means it can potentially corrode rubber seals or hoses. To neutralize these negative effects, a special substance is necessarily added to bioethanol, which increases acidity. In finished fuel, this parameter should range from 6 to 9 pH. Based on the results of the examination, it was found that for all participants the value was in the region of 7 – 7.4 pH. Regular gasoline shows approximately the same figures, from which the following conclusion can be drawn: these brands of bioethanol are not capable of causing damage to components of the car’s fuel system made of rubber.

Let's summarize. New types of fuel have appeared on the Ukrainian market, and in the future, apparently, they will constitute a real alternative to traditional ones, and over time, competition among gas stations will gradually increase. However, it is still better to refuel exclusively at large gas stations belonging to large chains.

As for the leaders and outsiders of the test, the first place was taken by a sample of fuel from WOG, clearly demonstrating the high quality of European fuel. But Avias bioethanol came in last because it does not meet most of the requirements for this type of fuel.

Every year, natural resources are increasingly depleted. Gasoline is constantly increasing its cost, so scientists are increasingly thinking about creating an alternative source of fuel. Today, few people know what alcohol gasoline is, but this product has long been considered as a replacement.

Importance of the issue

The need to find a replacement fuel arose due to the developing oil crisis. But for these purposes, not only ethyl alcohol, but also methyl alcohol is considered. As is known, the latter is highly toxic, and its fumes are extremely dangerous for the environment and humans. In accordance with the standards, the concentration of this substance in the air should not exceed 5 mg/m3. But scientists are not stopped by this indicator and they continue research with methanol.

The main goal of such work is to compensate for the depleting resources of the oil field. According to research, the fuel crisis should begin within 50 years. In practice, it was discovered that a mixture of alcohol and gasoline is considered the most optimal option.

Adding alcohols

This idea of replacing gasoline is not considered new. It was first announced in Paris in 1902, when 70 ethyl-based engines were presented. Since then, this idea has been regularly discussed.

This was put into practice in 1906, when the addition of alcohol to gasoline became the basis for public transport in Paris. Many were immediately attracted by the low cost of the new product and its reduced fire hazard. Later, this method began to be used in Germany for ordinary cars. Research has shown a clear benefit, since with 1 liter of the resulting mixture it was possible to travel 7.5 km, but with pure gasoline - 5.8 km.

Attention to the new product

Similar studies were carried out in Russia in 1914. Then a whole series of new engines were produced for this purpose. Brillin's work concluded that the use of ethyl as an alternative to classic gasoline shows a significant increase in power. Later, it was even decided to develop special heating vents that would improve the starting of the car and the removal of exhaust gases. America also did not lag behind, conducting a large amount of research.

Nowadays, alcohol is added to gasoline primarily not to improve the environmental friendliness of transport, but to save petroleum products. In America, the most common fuel is ethyl based, because it can be obtained from recycled products (waste from corn cultivation, biomass, sawdust and straw). In the vastness of Europe, methanol, which can be extracted from gas, has won the championship in the choice of alternative fuel.

Industrial base

There is a large base for creating alcohol-based fuel in Russia, which includes technological and raw materials advantages. Even at this stage, it is possible to produce more than 160 thousand tons of ethanol per year and 1.4 million tons of methanol. In practice, only a small number of companies actually use the resulting technology, adding 5% ethanol to gasoline.

During the 80s, large-scale tests were carried out, which showed high efficiency, but for its full operation it would be necessary to change the design features of the car.

All the pros and cons

Despite all the features and advantages, the addition of alcohol to gasoline is indirectly different from conventional fuel. In particular, these are:

detonation resistance;
heat of vaporization;
heat of combustion.

Due to the fact that ethyl mixtures have a lower detonation threshold, they can be subjected to stronger compression. Due to this, the engine power increases, which is a definite plus. Because of this property, mixtures of gasoline and alcohol are now being created to improve its performance characteristics.

It is also worth noting the lower calorific value of alcohol (40%), which allows saving on vehicle resources. The heat of evaporation is high, which improves the filling of the engine cylinders and ensures efficient combustion of mixtures, making the engine 10% more powerful.

Possible disadvantages

In practice, problems are observed when starting the engine cold. This is caused by the increased heat of vaporization. If you add alcohol to gasoline, it can be detrimental to your car. That is why when testing such fuel it was necessary to change some materials in the design. When using mixtures of ethyl alcohols, an increased concentration of formaldehydes is released, which have a detrimental effect on non-ferrous metals, plastics and some types of rubber. Under normal conditions, these materials are resistant to simple fuel.

Another significant drawback is fuel stratification, which occurs when water gets into it. To solve this problem, special stabilizers are used in the form of complex alcohols. Regular use of fuel requires frequent cleaning of internal mechanisms from various deposits. Also, the octane number of alcohol and gasoline has significant differences (85 and 15%), and this causes difficulties in its use.

Based on the above, we can conclude that the development of alternative fuel sources has great prospects. This could be a real way out of the oil crisis, but such an industry requires serious improvement of the technological base, which is being actively carried out today. At the same time, manufacturers continue to add small proportions of alcohols to fuels to improve their performance.

Every year there are fewer and fewer mineral resources left on the planet. Since oil reserves will soon be exhausted, many motorists today prefer to switch to alternative fuel sources. The use of alcohol is considered the most profitable, but this technology is not yet sufficiently developed, so it is rarely used for full use.

What are the benefits of alcohol-based gasoline, and what are the pitfalls?

The debate over whether ethyl alcohol in gasoline is good or bad does not subside. Firstly, cheaper types of gasoline appear at gas stations, positioned as a new generation fuel, which is a mixture of dehydrated ethyl alcohol (30% or more), light fractions of gasoline, ethers, hydrocarbons, stabilizers and additives that prevent corrosion and ensure the safety of rubber tires. engine parts and fuel system of the machine. This fuel costs 1–1.5 UAH cheaper than usual. Tempting! Especially if you take into account the current cost of fuel. Secondly, since the beginning of this year in Ukraine, in theory, the legislative norm on the mandatory content of biocomponents - at least 5% - in motor gasoline has been in force.

So what is good about alcohol-based gasoline, and what are the pitfalls? Let's figure it out.

World practice

In developed countries, bioethanol fuel has long been the norm. All over the world, gasoline containing alcohol is designated by the index E (ethanol - ethanol), and next to the letter there is a number indicating the amount of alcohol content as a percentage. For example, E5, E7, E10. Such gasolines are considered low content. In theory, they can be poured into any bucket. If the content number is higher than “tens”, then it is better to clarify whether the automaker allows the use of biofuel. In Brazil, the USA and some EU countries they sell a mixture of E85 (it’s not hard to guess, it’s 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline). It can be poured into cars with a Flex-Fuel, Flexifuel, BioFlex, Tri-Flex fuel system and other multi-fuel options.

Percentage of ethanol content in alternative fuels

In Ukraine, for example, you can find alcohol-containing gasoline at various gas stations under the following names: A-95E Premium+, Gepard95, Innovative E95, EXTRA Ab-95, etc. As you can see, the designation is not European and does not immediately reflect the percentage of ethanol. In such cases, it is best to ask the station workers again, or better yet, ask for a fuel quality certificate and make sure that it complies with one of the listed international standards. Simply, in Ukraine there are no rules regulating the principle of naming fuel based on the percentage of ethanol. Hence such creativity - the main thing is that the name catches the eye.

The practice of “crossbreeding” gasoline with ethanol in Europe began in the 2000s. Fuel experts believe that gasoline is the largest source of artificial carcinogens, and if bioethanol is added to it, it is enriched with oxygen, which means it burns better and emissions of carbon monoxide (evil CO2) are reduced by 30% or more.

Following this belief, by 2005 in Europe, according to established standards, 2% alcohol was added to gasoline, by 2010 - already 5%, and by 2020 this figure is planned to increase to 10%. But at the same time, according to established standards, in all regions of the European Union the availability of infrastructure must be guaranteed that would ensure refueling and supply of gasoline without bioethanol content for non-adapted vehicles. Oops! What is meant by the term “unadapted”? According to experts, this gasoline is more suitable for cars manufactured in 2008 and later. Such cars are already adapted for benzoethanol. Even if the car is older, 5-7% ethanol in the fuel will not affect the operation of the engine or the integrity of the fuel system, experts say, but they advise not to experiment with high levels. And with buckets from the Soviet era and old foreign cars, of course, it’s better not to take risks at all.

Also, if the car is older than five years and has never used detergent additives, experts advise flushing the fuel system and tank before trying new fuel. This can be done at a service station. Why is this necessary? There is a possibility that the fuel pump may fail - due to a clogged filter, it will work under load.

Risks, fears

Experts note that it is extremely important that bioethanol contains no more than 0.2% water, as this seriously affects the quality of the fuel, especially in winter. Alcohol is very hygroscopic and there is a theoretical risk that the mixture will separate into gasoline and water-alcohol pellets in the engine. And as a result, the following may be observed: excessive fuel consumption (water does not produce energy), detonation, and in general the bucket may not start, because the alcohol saturated with water will turn into ice. Ty... But how do countries in the EU live with this? For example, in frosty Scandinavia? Rumor has it that in winter there are buses running on 100% bioethanol. It’s simple: at every stage - from the factory to the refueling - they make sure that more H2O does not get into the alcohol than it should. Whether we care about this as scrupulously is a moot point...
Ethanol is an excellent solvent and oxidizing agent, which is why in gasoline (in large quantities) it can damage sealing gaskets and other plastic parts of the interior of a car. To prevent this from happening, stainless steel and plastic must be used.
Another point is that if something in the car breaks down due to alcohol-containing gasoline, most services do not provide parts to vehicle owners under warranty. And in general, the warranty may become invalid.
Cars consume more of this fuel than regular fuel. Not significantly, but still. So the savings due to price may be negated. Plus, in winter it will take longer to warm up the engine. And carburetor cars require fine and precise carburetor tuning to operate on ethanol.
Gas stations with alcoholic gasoline are not yet available everywhere in our country. Therefore, when traveling intercity, a situation may arise when you cannot find the gasoline you need.

Advantages

Ethanol is cheaper than gasoline, which means fuel containing it is cheaper.
The mixture of gasoline and alcohol contains less sulfur, benzene and other “garbage” that is harmful to the engine. Accordingly, the amount of combustion products, which lead to increased wear of the unit and oxidize the oil, is reduced. In general, the engine oil, engine, and spark plugs last longer. And you save money and enjoy the increase in the service life of the engine. Well, the exhaust becomes more environmentally friendly.
Ethanol burns more efficiently, has lower thermal conductivity and a high octane number. This means that the engine runs more stable, the risk of overheating is reduced, and the combustion chamber, cylinder exhaust valves and other parts of the internal combustion engine operate in more favorable conditions.
The engine does not overheat in extreme heat or in city traffic jams. The decrease in coolant temperature at the engine outlet reaches 15-20 °C.
The octane number of ethanol can reach 113 units, which makes it suitable for engines of all compression ratios of the fuel mixture running on gasoline of all brands: 76, 80, 92, 95, 98. Professionals have the opportunity to increase the compression ratio to 11.5-12.5 units and get an increase in engine power, efficiency, torque and efficiency.
Ethanol is less likely to explode in serious accidents.

Such arguments “for” and “against” are given by fuel experts. What can you say? Do you have experience with this type of fuel? We are waiting for your feedback in the comments!

Alcohol gasoline, as you might guess from the name, contains some amount of technical or wine alcohol. Typically 5-10% alcohol is added, but other alcohol fuel options exist. Gasoline fuel with an alcohol content of more than 30% should not be called gasoline, since it contains too much industrial alcohol and not enough gasoline.

It is quite simple to identify such gasoline by its name; its name consists of the letter E and a number indicating the percentage of alcohol, for example E5, E10, E30, etc. You must be careful, since not all gas stations use standard designations for alcohol gasoline, in some cases, the letter E is added to the name of regular gasoline. An example of this would be A-95E gasoline, which is not regular 95 gasoline. The name of such gasoline means that it is an alcohol-containing fuel with an octane number equal to 95 gasoline. Alcohol fuel has its advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of alcohol gasoline

Low price. Alcohol gasoline is approximately 5-15% cheaper than its petroleum counterpart.
This fuel is environmentally cleaner than regular gasoline.
The engine operates at fairly low temperatures, which has a beneficial effect on wear.
The temperature inside the engine decreases when driving in hot weather.
In the event of a serious accident, the chance of gasoline catching fire is reduced.
When used on a modern car, the engine life increases.
The service life of the engine oil increases. Thanks to this, you can travel a longer distance without changing the oil.
Has a slightly milder scent.
Less engine noise when driving.

Disadvantages of alcohol gasoline

This fuel is not recommended for use in older cars, since their fuel system is simply not designed to use gasoline with the addition of technical alcohol.
The need to ensure special conditions of storage and transportation on the part of suppliers, otherwise the quality of alcohol gasoline will greatly deteriorate.
It cannot be poured into carburetor cars. Otherwise, fuel consumption increases, and the alcohol contained in the fuel “corrodes” the carburetor due to the presence of plastic or rubber parts in it.
Slight increase in vehicle fuel consumption.
Gas stations with alcoholic gasoline are not very common in the Russian Federation and CIS countries, so you won’t be able to refuel your car everywhere.
A car filled with alcohol-based gasoline is less likely to start in the winter.
The time required to warm up the engine when driving in winter increases, which may call into question the advisability of using alcohol fuel at sub-zero air temperatures.
Cars designed to run on gasoline with a high alcohol content are more expensive than regular gasoline cars.
The higher the percentage of alcohol in gasoline, the worse the driving performance of the car.
If the amount of alcohol gasoline in the tank is low, the car may simply not start.
A large number of bad reviews from people who tried to use alcohol gasoline.
Water may form in low-quality alcohol-containing fuel. Water should not be allowed to appear in the fuel system.
When driving in hot weather, the car can noticeably lose its power.
In Russia and the CIS countries, the quality of alcohol gasoline is much worse than in the USA or EU countries.
Some car manufacturers will refuse warranty service if traces of alcohol gasoline are found.
When combining alcohol fuel with regular gasoline, the engine may begin to constantly slow down, stall, or fail to start for no apparent reason.
The vehicle's fuel system may be severely clogged.
If used for a long time in an old car, the fuel hoses may burst.
Some manufacturers of alcohol gasoline do not meet quality requirements, but this can also be said about regular gasoline.
To use alcohol gasoline in older cars, it is necessary to modernize the fuel system (adjusting the fuel pump and replacing parts susceptible to corrosion).

Results

In conclusion, we can summarize the following: before pouring this gasoline, you need to think carefully - is it worth pouring it? It is definitely not recommended for use in cars with a carburetor or very old cars (2010 and below). In other cases, pouring such gasoline into a car is “at your own peril and risk”; even a car of the same model but of a different year of manufacture can react differently to alcohol fuel.

One car will continue to operate normally without any visible changes, while a similar car produced a year earlier may begin to stall or slow down. Each car enthusiast must decide for himself the advisability of using alcohol gasoline. If you choose alcohol-containing gasoline as the main fuel for your car, you should stop refueling at small gas stations. The quality of their alcohol gasoline is somewhat worse, and low-quality fuel can cause very serious damage.

Despite all the advantages, such gasoline has many different disadvantages that do not allow a complete switch to this type of fuel.