Ethanol Performance for General Aviation

From: Lance (Aviation Research)
Date: 29 Jul 2003
Time: 02:51:48
Remote Name: 66.82.48.1

Comments

Ethanol has been available for nearly a century. But we are now finding ways to use it for more things and to help us on our reliance on foreign oil. Baylor University the same school basket ball player Patric Denehey played at has done numerous tests on ethanol in acrobatic general aviation aircraft as well as passenger high and low performance aircraft. The Bellanca Decathlon a symetrical winged Citabria for aerobatics, was tested with 100% hydrous ethanol which was gotten from an M & M Mars Candy Manufcaturing plant. Ethanol was thought to be dangerous when it was 10-15% mixed with water due to the condensation aspects of water in aircraft engines another good reason for preflight inspections. It was found that with a 100% hydrous ethanol there was no decrease in performance and to the contrary a slight increase in less knocking under demand for power. When put into a Pitts Special S1S where the compression ratios were 10:1 the ethanol had a higher performance when temperatures were over 100 degrees. The 50/50 blended fuel had a decrease slightly of up to 15-20%. But did comperable under hotter temperatures of air intake or ambient air. Eleven aircraft were tested at Baylor University the larger the engines the better the ethanol did. Ethanol alos increased the TBO, total time to recommended or predicted overhaul by 50% meaning less wear on the engine, probably due to less knock. The FAA certfide the IO-540 a very popular general aviation engine in March of 1990. So much of this is nothing new. The FAA even stating that it exceeeded the tests. aviation fuel is the last fuel available with lead in it. This has taken some 22 years to develop and now it appears aircraft with piston engines can use ethanol and perform better in many instances. This is especially good for those states which grow corn such as Nebraska, ND, SD, Iowa and others. http://johnson.senate.gov/~johnson/releases/200112/2001C04C26.html -------- http://www.eerc.und.nodak.edu/features/EBAF.html ------ The push for this type of fuel is coming predominantly from the areas in the US where corn grows which elevates the price of corn for farmers. Corn, a commodity can also be used to eat obviously and of course like oil can be used to make plastics and other important materials for a myriad of uses. Here are just a few: http://www.ohiocorn.org/about_use_many.htm -----.----- http://www.ilcorn.org/Corn_Products/corn_products.html -------- http://www.ncga.com/education/unit7/u7l4.html ------- http://www.corn.org/web/bioprod.htm . Next time you think of corn, think of more than just food. The Navajo Indians made it into food by pounding the crap out of it, they were on to something there. Corn is a big deal to many states where it can be grown in abundance. Mean while we can wash the tractors which make the corn http://www.tractorwashguys.com

Site hosted by CCG

Site design by CCG Studio

DISCLAIMER:
Although we exert control over all articles written by our staff and consultants, we are in no way able to assure the accuracy of any content generated by our readers. Any information or advice provided by our readers should be used cautiously, and should be considered as an opinion of such, and not the views, ideas, opinions, or advice of Washguy.com. Washguy.com., its staff, and consultants shall in no way be held liable or responsible for any false or misleading information or injurious advice obtained from our readers, including any information posted to this Bulletin Board forum. Any information or advice obtained from other readers through Bulletin Board postings shall be used at the reader's own risk. The Bulletin Board forum functions as a discussion group for the exchange of views, information and opinions on issues related to the Car Wash Guys, Franchising and their associated topics. Washguy.com, its staff, and consultants will not be held liable for any incidental or consequential loss or damage sustained as a result of this information or advice. No user shall be entitled to claim detrimental reliance on any views received from the staff, consultants or other readers. By using this Bulletin Board and it's related forums, you agree to indemnify and hold Washguy.com, its staff and consultants harmless from any claims arising as a result of your use of the information or materials you download from or upload to the Bulletin Board.