The Ethanol Papers - Paperturn manuscript - Flipbook - Page 250
Reply from MARC:
Robert, first, what does testing fuel in a test tube have to do with something
being hygroscopic?
Second, if you place any fuel in an open container and water appears after a
few hours it is the result of condensation, not hygroscopic characteristics. There
is a difference. If you don't know this then it's proof that you don't know what
you are talking about.
Third, ethanol breaks water down. If water formed in an open container that has
E10 in it, the water would mix with the ethanol and you would not be able to see
the water unless the water content became too great to mix with the ethanol.
Gasoline does not have the same miscible characteristics of ethanol, so if any
condensation forms in a container with ethanol-free gasoline it will separate
from the gasoline over time.
Fourth, your understanding of the word "hygroscopic" is the classic misunderstanding of what the word means. A hygroscopic substance does not absorb
water from thin air. A hygroscopic substance attracts water from its environment. The word "environment" does not mean "thin air." It means "adjacent." It
works in a "wicking" fashion. If you don't know what "wicking" means, look it up.
Fifth, you make it sound like only ethanol is corrosive. All liquids are corrosive,
including and especially water. Air, wind, solar rays are also corrosive. Gasoline
is of course corrosive, which is why certain materials cannot be legally used to
hold gasoline. The solution to the problem is to use materials that are resistant
to the liquid being used. Modern vehicles use metal, rubber, and plastic that are
resistant to ethanol corrosion. Vehicles produced prior to the modern ethanolfuel generation used materials that were not susceptible to gasoline or diesel.
These are extremely basic principles. If you don't know these things then it not
only proves that you don't know what you are talking about, it means that you
should have your certification revoked. It's funny how some mechanics use their
ASE certification as if it were a medical degree.
Lastly, ethanol has more octane than gasoline. This delivers more power, not
less power. It's why race engines favor ethanol or methanol fuels. It delivers
more power because you can use higher compression engines with longer piston strokes. Even in an engine that is not optimized for longer piston strokes,
ethanol will provide additional horse power. You should be ashamed at yourself
for even bringing this point up.
