What effect does the ethanol have in gasoline?
Ethanol is an alcohol made from corn, grain, sugar cane, switch grass cellulose, and other common farm produce. The state of Florida allows a maximum of ten percent ethanol in gasoline (E10). There are benefits to using ethanol in gasoline as well as drawbacks. Currently, although very small, ethanol does show the potential to offset our dependence on foreign oil. Ethanol effectively increases the octane level two to three points, and is also a particulate-free burning fuel which helps to combat greenhouse effects. However, ethanol is a solvent that can degrade rubber and plastic fuel system components if present in high concentrations. Ethanol also attracts water, and when an excess amount of water is present, it will pull the ethanol out of the gasoline and settle to the bottom of the tank as a water-ethanol mixture. This separation leaves the body of gasoline with a reduction of two to three octane points. E10 fuel must be keep free of water and typically has a shelf life of no more
