The Ethanol Papers - Paperturn manuscript - Flipbook - Page 579
opponents widely use this simple formula to create flashy algebraic equations
and other graphical displays of what they think is irrefutable proof of ethanol’s
inferiority to gasoline based upon the law of physics.
There’s one problem, and it is a major one: The so-called energy content of
ethanol and gasoline is irrelevant when it comes to internal combustion engines.
The law of physics, in this case, is out of its jurisdiction.
BTU measurement is used to explain and calculate how much energy is required to heat water. If we were discussing a steam-powered engine, heating
water is a significant issue. But internal combustion engines are not dependent
on heating water.
Using ethanol in a typical gasoline-powered engine will produce fewer miles
than gasoline because the engine is optimized to run on gasoline, not because
there is a difference in BTUs. Using ethanol in a similar engine that is optimized
to run on ethanol will deliver at least the same mileage along with greater horse
power. This principle has been known and understood for more than a century.
For example:
In 1906, during the hearings before Congress on the FREE ALCOHOL BILL,
the legislation that would finally remove the $2+ per gallon tax on alcohol production, this issue was testified to several times by different witnesses.
Also in 1906, the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted experiments with
ethanol and gasoline and concluded that the power from ethanol is materially
higher than gasoline.
In 1907 and 1908, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Geological Service jointly conducted 2,000 tests on ethanol and gasoline and concluded: “While gasoline carries about one-third more energy than an equal amount of alcohol, the higher
engine compression ratios allowed by the latter made the two fuels highly comparable.”
In 1906, the Edison Electric Testing Laboratory and Columbia University began
testing ethanol. Elihu Thomson, who worked with Thomas Edison and was a
co-founder of General Electric, reported that despite a smaller heat or B.T.U.
value, “a gallon of alcohol will develop substantially the same power in an internal combustion engine as a gallon of gasoline. This is owing to the superior
efficiency of operation.” Thompson became acting president of MIT in the early
1920’s.
