Ethanol as a Fuel

Ethanol can be made from virtually any starch feedstock, such as sugar cane, wheat or milo and other cereal grains; foods and other beverage wastes; and forestry by-products. Today, US ethanol is produced mainly from corn, an abundant and renewable source. Illinois ranks second in the U.S. corn production with more than 1.5 billion bushels produced annually. Illinois corn is used to produce 40% of the ethanol consumed in the U.S.

A bushel of field corn will yield 1.6 lbs of corn oil, 10.9 lbs of high protein feed, 2.6 lbs of corn meal, and 31.5 lbs of starch-which can be converted to beverages, sweeteners or 2.7 gallons of fuel ethanol.

• The US Department of Agriculture reports a net energy balance for ethanol production of 1.67. In other words, for every one unit of energy used to produce ethanol and its accompanying co-products, 1.67 units of energy results.
• However, the US Department of Energy reports that petroleum refining can actually have a negative energy balance. For example, every unit of energy expended in gasoline production is reported to result in only 0.79 units of energy in the form of gasoline.

Currently, a small amount of ethanol (10% by volume; E10) is added to much of the gasoline we currently use in order to fulfill federal oxygenate requirements for octane, and greatly extend the petroleum fuel supply.

Another ethanol fuel, E85 is gaining popularity and availability.

E85 fuel is a blend of 85% ethanol and just 15% gasoline and is intended for use in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). There may be over 100,000 FFVs operating in Illinois today.

• FFVs can be fueled on any blend of ethanol and gasoline, from 0% ethanol and 100% gasoline up to 85% ethanol and 10% gasoline.
• FFVs are fully warranted and are usually at no extra cost to the consumer. To safely and effectively operate a vehicle on E85, the vehicle must be compatible with alcohol use. Aftermarket conversion of gasoline-powered vehicles to ethanol-fueled vehicles, although possible, is not recommended because of the changes in component materials necessary, the high cost, and the need for extensive calibration.
• Lists of E85 compatible vehicles and E85 fueling station in Illinois are included below.

More About Ethanol & E85

• The Benefits of E85
• List of Flexible Fuel Vehicles By Make/Model
• Public E85 Fuel Stations in Illinois

Links to More Illinois & US E85 Info

• Illinois Corn Growers
• Clean Air Choice
• National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition