# Presentation: 867076

## E85

**as a **
**Vehicle Fuel**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Module 1

**Introduction **
**to**
**E85**** **

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## What is E85?

**A mix of 85% ethanol and just 15% petroleum, E85 is a leading gasoline alternative in the U.S. and in other countries. Nearly 4 million E85-capable vehicles will be on U.S. roads in 2004, and E85 may be found at about 250 stations nationally. When E85 is not available, “flexible” fuel vehicles operate on any blend of ethanol or gasoline.**

- Courtesy NEVC

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Little Known Fact

**Approximately 30% of all U.S. gasoline will be ethanol-blended in 2004. The ethanol molecule contains oxygen, and allows for more complete combustion, resulting in fewer emissions. Ethanol-blended gasoline is used in engines that require gasoline. Approval for ethanol is found in the owners' manual under references to fueling or gasoline. **

- Courtesy NEVC

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Why E85?

**Domestically produced**
**Renewable, most U.S. ethanol is made from the starch of corn**
**E85 is an EPAct Alternative Fuel**
**More OEMs available than any other alternative fuel**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Why E85? - 2

**10% ethanol blends reduce carbon monoxide by as much as 25%. **
**Ethanol-blended fuel shows a 35-46% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a 50-60% reduction in fossil energy use. **
**Ethanol contains 35% oxygen by weight, allowing ethanol-blended fuels to burn more completely than conventional gasoline. **

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Why E85? - 3

**E85 contains ~80% fewer gum-forming compounds than conventional gasoline. **
**E85 contains ~80% less sulfur than typical gasoline, which helps protect a vehicle’s catalytic converter - allowing it to function properly.**
**Ethanol is highly biodegradable, making it less of a risk in to the environment. **

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## E85 Economics

**Fleet fuel costs may be slightly higher than unleaded gasoline.**
**Fueling station costs comparable or virtually the same as gasoline**
**No or minimal vehicle price premium **
**A range of light duty “flexible fuel vehicles” are produced**** **

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## E85 Economics – 2 

**Total operating costs approximately 13% higher**
**Fuel:**
**E85 may cost 6%-18% higher per GGE than regular gasoline**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## E85 Economics – 3

**Oil**
**DaimlerChrysler **
**Special motor oil still recommended when using E85 100% of the time**
**GM, Ford & Others**
**Standard motor oil**
**Normal oil change frequency**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## E85 Performance

**Fuel economy up to 75%-85% of gasoline’s MPGs based on fuel volume **
**Range: Typically 80% to 85% of gasoline**

*2004 Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra*

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## E85 Performance

**Power, acceleration, payload and cruise speed comparable to gasoline**
**Fueling time: same as gasoline**
**Pure, 100% ethanol has an octane rating of 113. **
**Adding 10% ethanol to unleaded gasoline raises the octane by 2 - 3 points. **
**Ethanol is used in racing because of these high-performance characteristics. **

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Module 2

**Properties **
**and **
**Characteristics **
**of E85**** **

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Module 2Learning Objectives

**Understand E85 and how it compares to other fuels**
**Be familiar with E85 characteristics**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Production

**Ethanol is a renewable fuel produced from corn, other grains or ‘starchy’ wastes**
**Fermentation into grain alcohol**
**Denatured with addition of gasoline or ‘drip gas’ (product of natural gas refining)**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

##  Production - 2

*source: NEVC*

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Chemical Composition

**Ethyl alcohol or EtOH**
**E85 refers to 85% ethanol/15% gasoline**
**Petroleum added to:**
**Improve cold-start**
**Increase flame luminosity**
**Denature or ‘poison’ ethanol**** ****(grain alcohol)**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## E85 Characteristics

**Make no mistake . . . E85 is poisonous!**
**Ethanol is less of a risk to ground water or soil**
**Ethanol used as **
**E85 (85% E85/15% gasoline blend) **
**E70 during winter months is important**
**Raises the vapor pressure**
**Improves starting in cold temperatures**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Appearance and Smell

**Colorless to slight tint**
**Odor – pleasant smell**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## E85 Properties

**Fuel value**
**Octane **
**E85: 100-plus octane (as high as 105 or more)**
**Typical Gasoline: 86-94**
**Lower heating value (~27% less energy)**
**E85: 87,250 BTU/gal**
**Gasoline: 114,000 BTU/gal**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Module 3

**E85 Fueling **
**Stations**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Module 3Learning Objectives

**Understand similarity to normal gasoline fueling**
**Be familiar with safety practices**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Fueling

**No high pressure fueling as in CNG or H2**
**E85 fueling practices are identical to gasoline fueling**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Fueling Station Components

**E85 storage**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Fueling Station Components

**Dispenser(s)**
**Station Controls**
**Emergency shutdown                   system**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Fueling Station

**Aluminum parts should be replaced with stainless steel:**
**Especially the nozzle.**
**Teflon hose**
**1- or 2-micron dispenser filter**
**~$2,500 to convert typical gasoline system for dispensing E85**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Facility Layout Plan

**May exist for private stations**
**Designates important information such as:**
**Fuel storage tank locations**
**Emergency equipment switches**
**Fire extinguishers**
**Pre-planned evacuation routes**
**Designated assembly areas**
**Street address of facility**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Module 4

**Safety Practices and Emergency **
**Action Plan**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Module 4Learning Objectives

**Know basic safety practices**
**Understand purpose and content of Emergency Action Plan**
**Be familiar with signage and emergency equipment**
**Understand emergency actions**** **

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Safety Practices

**Same as gasoline**
**Emergency telephone numbers**
**Fire department**
**Emergency medical help**
**Police**
**Maintenance**
**Adjoining facilities**
**Safety Signs**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Safety Practices – 2

**Equipment condition and inspection**
**Before using, inspect**
**Hoses, joints, break-away valves, etc.**
**Fueling nozzle and receptacle**
**Do not use defective or equipment incompatible with high-blend alcohol**
**Report defective equipment**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Safety Practices – 3

**Turn off/do not use cell phone or other distractions while fueling**
**Do not re-enter vehicle during fueling **
**Keep ignition sources away from E85**
**Do not light matches or smoke cigarettes**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Purpose of Emergency Action Plan

**Identification of emergencies**
**Action items**
**Notification procedures**
**Evacuation procedures**
**Safety systems**
**Emergency event action items **

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## If There’s a Fire Involving E85

**Do not attempt to disconnect nozzle from vehicle**
**Evacuate immediate area of fire**
**Trigger ESD button**
**Contact fire department**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Module 5

**What Makes an FFV Different?**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Module 5Learning Objectives

**Understand Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV) Basics**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs)

**Run on any ethanol blend up to 85%**
**Any mix of gasoline or E85 from 100% gasoline to all E85 – interchangeably.**
**On E85 10% to 25% mileage reduction vs. gasoline.  In practical terms, this may be:**

|  | Gasoline Range | E85 Range |
| --- | --- | --- |
|   Model A | 340 | 250 |
|   Model B | 470 | 340 |

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

**Notes:**
Gasoline 
E85 range E85 Range:  250-340 miles
 Gasoline Range:  340-470 miles

## How FFVs Work - 1

**Engine Control Module (computer) determines fuel blend **
**FFVs may fuel with any E85 or gasoline combination**
**Uses same fuel gauge**
**Uses same fuel filler entry point**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## How FFVs Work - 2

**Computer adjusts fuel injection and timing for different fuel mixtures**
**No switches, no mixing or blending required**
**All fueling in same fuel system**
**No special training needed**
**No additional fuel tanks needed**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## How FFVs Work - 3 

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## Module 6

**E85 **
**in**
**Review**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute

## E85

**Fewer tailpipe & evaporative emissions**
**Renewable-based, domestic fuel**
**Little or no incremental cost on FFVs**
**85% ethanol/15% gasoline**
**Safety practices similar to****	****	**** gasoline**
**ESD is key safety device**

- Developed for DOE by AFV Institute