Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post

RedDevil · 01-28-2014, 08:22 AM

All I can say is that this hE15 blend they sell over here has 0.6% water content to protect against ethanol erosion.

Ethanol in its purest form is very volatile, but just 4% (volume) of water binds it enough to make it behave more like a fluid. As it is quite hard to extract the last bit of water out, they just leave it; reducing the cost of production as a bonus.
While a high percentage of water is detrimental, as you can imagine, matching the ethanol content with 1/25 of water does take the sharp edge off.

My car was approved for E10 (even without water content). I think it'll be fine.

This scare news is old, I'd like to see proof rather than opinions or I won't believe it.
It would have been banned long since if it were that bad.

01-28-2014, 08:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
RedDevil Master EcoWalker Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Nieuwegein, the Netherlands Posts: 4,001 Red Devil - '11 Honda Insight Elegance Team Honda 90 day: 55.8 mpg (US) Thanks: 1,714 Thanked 2,249 Times in 1,457 Posts	All I can say is that this hE15 blend they sell over here has 0.6% water content to protect against ethanol erosion. Ethanol in its purest form is very volatile, but just 4% (volume) of water binds it enough to make it behave more like a fluid. As it is quite hard to extract the last bit of water out, they just leave it; reducing the cost of production as a bonus. While a high percentage of water is detrimental, as you can imagine, matching the ethanol content with 1/25 of water does take the sharp edge off. My car was approved for E10 (even without water content). I think it'll be fine. This scare news is old, I'd like to see proof rather than opinions or I won't believe it. It would have been banned long since if it were that bad. __________________ 2011 Honda Insight + HID, LEDs, tiny PV panel, extra brake pad return springs, neutral wheel alignment, 44/42 PSI (air), PHEV light (inop), tightened wheel nut. lifetime FE over 0.2 Gigameter or 0.13 Megamile. For confirmation go to people just like you. For education go to people unlike yourself.