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

Al,
You are correct, I believe because any oxidizer carried in the fuel
volume must
be replaced to allow the engine to run correctly. The best example is
the most
extreme, a top fueler running nitromethane consumes about 1 gallon every
300
feet! Fuel MUST be added with any oxidizer. If you run NO2, you must have a
means of adding extra fuel or the oxidizer will consume engine parts. It
wants
to react with something.
Bill Jepson



The Rotary Engine NewsLetter. Powered by Linux.
ACRE NL web site. http://www.rotaryeng.net
Copyright 1998-2006 All world wide rights reserved.