1.0 ETHANOL

Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, EtOH) is a clear, colourless liquid with a characteristic, agreeable odor. In dilute aqueous solution, it has a somewhat sweet flavour, but in more concentrated solutions it has a burning taste. Ethanol (CH3CH2OH) is a group of chemical compounds whose molecule contains a hydroxyl group, -OH, bonded to a carbon atom. Ethanol made from cellulosic biomass materials instead of traditional feedstocks (starch crops) is called bio-ethanol.

The Clean Air Amendments of 1990 mandated the sale of oxygenated fuels in areas with unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide. Since that time, there has been strong demand for ethanol as an oxygenated blended with gasoline. In the United States each year, more than 1.5 billion gallons are added to gasoline to increase octane and improve the emission quality of gasoline. In some areas ethanol is blended with gasoline to form an E10 blend (10% ethanol and 90% gasoline), but it can be used in higher concentrations such as E85 or in its pure form.

1.1 Production

The production phases in Ethanol production are shown in the following line diagram (Fig-1):

Fuel ethanol is denatured with small amount (2%-5%) of some product such as gasoline, to make it unfit for human consumption. Two main co products of ethanol production are CO2 and distillers grain. Many ethanol collect the CO2, clean it of any residual alcohol, compress it and sell it for use in carbonate beverages or to flash freeze meat.

1.2 Emissions Characteristics:

Emission results of a test conducted by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), USA are given in the following table. The test was conducted on Taurus 1998 model with both E85 and gasoline RF-A (industry average gasoline). Table-1 shows the comparative emissions from ethanol and gasoline fuelled vehicle.

Emissions of total potency weighted toxics (including benzene, 1-3,butadiene, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde) for the E85 were 55% lower than that tested on gasoline.

A recent Australian study with E10 gives the following emission results:

- Decreased emissions of CO by 32%.
- Decreased emissions of HC by 12%.
- Decrease in non-regulated toxics: 1-3 butadiene decrease by 19%, benzene decrease by 27%, toluene decrease by 30% and    xylene decrease by 27%.
- Increase in non-regulated toxics: acetaldehyde increase by 180% and formaldehyde increase by 25%.
- 1% increase in NOx

Recent Australian life-cycle analysis work has revealed that E10 blends are considered greenhouse neutral. The same study revealed that E10 decreased tail pipe emissions of hydrocarbons and NOx (25% and 15% respectively), but particulates (PM10) remained unchanged.

1.3 Advantages of Ethanol:

Some of the advantages of Ethanol as an automotive fuel are:

- It reduces our dependence on imported fuels.
- It reduces air pollution.
- Ethanol is renewable.
- Refueling is akin to that of gasoline or diesel.
- Is applicable for both light and heavy-duty vehicles.
- More energy density compared to gasoline with optimized compression ratio.
- Maintenance assistance required is more or less identical to that of conventionally fueled vehicles.

1.4 Disadvantages of Ethanol:

Some of the disadvantages of Ethanol are:

- Demands frequent refueling keeping the volume of the tank unaltered.
- Use of special compatible lubricants required.
- Ethanol, especially E85 requires special replacement parts.

1.5 Operation and Performance:

- High energy density compared to gasoline.
- No loss in power, acceleration and payload.
- Special lubricants are required.
- Special parts required.

It is estimated that the US automakers have about 250,000 light-duty E85 vehicles on the road by the year 2000.

1.6 Storage & Distribution:

Storage and distribution of ethanol is quite similar to that of gasoline and diesel. E95 is available only through bulk suppliers.

1.7 Indian Initiatives on Ethanol:

In the year 1980, IIP and IOC, R&D conducted a study with ethanol as the fuel in some 13-passenger cars including army vehicles. The test included city driving, highway driving and hill driving conditions. Some of the findings of this study are:

- Loss in volumetric fuel economy of 1% and 3.9% with E10 and E20 fuels respectively under city driving conditions and 3.5% and   4.3% under highway driving conditions.
- Improvement in fuel economy in Ambassador and standard cars under hill driving conditions ranged from 4% to 13%.
- Cold starting at ambient temperatures from 0 deg C to 30 deg C remained unaffected.
- Hot startability and driveability demerits found higher with ethanol blends.
- No compatibility problems observed with metallic and non-metallic components.

Moreover a committee to look into all the aspects of introduction of Ethanol-Gasoline blend as an auto fuel was constituted by the MoP&NG. The committee was heading with the preliminary aim to introduce ethanol blends in the NCR but considering the economics and logistics, the committee could not mandate the introduction sometimes in the year 1999.

Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas launched three pilot projects in the country. The first project at Mirja was initiated on 15.4.2001; the 2nd at Bareilly on 22.6.2001 and the 3rd was launched at Manmad on 24.6.2001. Other technical and R&D activities are also been carried out in various parts of India.

Based on the experience of the pilot projects, Government of India on 29.11.2001 has taken a decision to introduce petrol blended with 5% ethanol for use in motor vehicles all over the country in a phased manner. In the first phase, the 5% ethanol blended petrol will be introduced in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharastra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. Rest of the States/Union Territories will be taken up in the second phase.

On the other hand, India is also working to blend 10% ethanol in petrol. The pilot projects and R&D initiatives are also lined up to study the feasibility of 10% ethanol-gasoline blend. Amendment in BIS specification to accommodate this 10% blend is being pursued