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Russell Duffy wrote:
A gallon of ethanol has an energy content of 83,333 BTU. A gallon of gasoline has 123,222 BTU of energy (varies a bit by octane). So gasoline has an approx 48 % advantage in energy. So assuming an engine was equally efficient on either fuel (which as you point out they are not likely to be), you could produce more power and fly further|Faster on gallon of gasoline than a gallon of ehtanol. Hi Ed,
I officially predict that you'll go looking for Saab info right after you read this:
http://www.age85.org/PressReleases/Detail.cfm?Ap=6
This isn't going to be another one of those MAP things is it :-) Cheers,
Rusty (stirring up trouble again)
Way to go, Rusty.
I'm no engineer, but I'm a pretty fair troubleshooter & recognize the need to ask the right questions & properly evaluate empirical evidence.
In the '60s when I paid attention to auto racing, there were gas dragsters & then there were alcohol dragsters. (then nitro dragsters, but that's hardly relevant to aviation) The alky cars were noticeably faster, enough for a separate class. Indy cars in the '60s & early '70s were alky powered. Don't know if that's still the case. This seems to run counter to 'conventional wisdom' I'm seeing here. (Sorry; I'm currently reading 'Freakonomics' & couldn't resist.)
The knocks against alcohol for potential damage to engines/fuel system components is deja vu to unleaded gas in the '70s. Anybody having problems with no-lead gas in their cars today?
Charlie
(trying for whitecaps)
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