We know that gasoline isn't just pure petrolium distillates. It has other additives, cleaning agents, octane boosters, volatility modifiers, and other things. Last I heard, there are 24 different seasonal blends of gasoline available.

So I ask the question, why is ethanol burned straight? Couldn't we blend it to increase vaporization, and thus cold start performance? Maybe blend in some biodiesel to increase BTU's?

I was thinking, blend in some acetone to help it vaporize, and some biodiesel for a mild increase in BTU's. The acetone has an octane of around 150 last I hear too. What the biodiesel would do to octane I dont know though.

And yes, I've heard of E85. That seems like the easy way out. You reduce the octane of the ethanol that way, and I personally dont think it's the optimal way to blend it.

Anyone got ideas?

 

Yeah, Reynolds and Donaldson have ideas. They have been testing some E85 blends with just those items, acetone and biodiesel, and have been getting very good results. I personally would like to run it pure, but pure ethanol scares the bejeebers out of the gov't. They are terrified that someone might drink it without them collecting beverage tax on it. DF

 

Cool! So it is workable, as in things wont separate out. Sounds like I'll do some experimentation when the ethanol motor is up and going.

So, would either of those two ingredients qualify as a denaturant as per federal specs? I'd like to not have to buy some goofy chemical to mix in to keep it legal. I wouldn't be opposed to putting some kind of an identifier dye in it, though.

 

To denature your moonshine, just splash a bit of gasoline in it. Perfectly legal and pretty cheap considering the amount you would be adding.

 

I think that 2% gasoline is standard for denaturing ethanol. You can get a permit to set up a still, and make your own as long as you denature all of your ethanol.