Bill and Doc,


    So the bottom line is that all of the oxygen in ethanol is available
    for oxidation. That is why an engine running on ethanol makes more
    power, even though the heat energy in the fuel is lower.

    The reason is that the extra oxygen in the ethanol allows you to run
    a richer mixture, thereby adding more carbon and getting more total
    heat.
-----------------------------------

I agree with all the discussion of oxidation.  Very well explained -  until
we get to this part.  While true, by itself, it is misleading. The engine
will make more power, but only at a higher fuel burn; even for the same
power at the low altitudes it will take a higher volumetric burn. Isn't the
bulk of the power coming from oxidation of the carbon, and there are fewer
carbon atoms per gallon of ethanol? Yes; at higher altitudes where there is
less O2 available in the incoming air, the ethanol can have an advantage.

Or did you already say that?

AL


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