How to determine the alcohol content of gasoline
Pioneer4x4 (Talk | contribs) m (→Water extraction) |
(ASTM spec for E85 has changed from min of 70% to 51%) |
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==E85 specifications== | ==E85 specifications== | ||
| − | At a minimum, E85 should meet ASTM Specification D 5798. By definition, this means that '''fuel labeled "E85" will have an ethanol content between | + | At a minimum, E85 should meet ASTM Specification D 5798. By definition, this means that '''fuel labeled "E85" will have an ethanol content between 51% and 85%'''. |
| + | [https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/ethanol.shtml Basic info on E85 fuel] | ||
[http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/E85 More on E85 fuel] | [http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/E85 More on E85 fuel] | ||
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Subtracting the original 50ml of water that was added at the start of the test from what is now there is the percentage of alky that has been added to the gasoline. | Subtracting the original 50ml of water that was added at the start of the test from what is now there is the percentage of alky that has been added to the gasoline. | ||
| − | {{Note1}} Be aware that if there is also water in the test sample, the water will be included in the amount seen at the bottom of the graduated vessel. One would assume that any amount seen in the test sample that ''exceeds'' the listed amount of alcohol (either 85% for E85 or 10% for E10) would be water. But unfortunately, the regulations for alcohol content of our gasoline is such that there can be anywhere from | + | {{Note1}} Be aware that if there is also water in the test sample, the water will be included in the amount seen at the bottom of the graduated vessel. One would assume that any amount seen in the test sample that ''exceeds'' the listed amount of alcohol (either 85% for E85 or 10% for E10) would be water. But unfortunately, the regulations for alcohol content of our gasoline is such that there can be anywhere from 51% to 85% for E85, and cannot be above 10% alcohol for E10, but it CAN be lower. If it IS lower, there can be water in the fuel that will appear to be just alcohol, unless the quantity in the layer is above 10%. Even then, the amount of water could be easily assumed to be less than what is actually contained in the fuel. |
Larger amounts of water will cause two layers to separate out at the bottom of the vessel when testing alcohol-containing fuel if the amount of water is sufficient to saturate the alcohol. The bottommost layer will be water, then water/alcohol, then gasoline. | Larger amounts of water will cause two layers to separate out at the bottom of the vessel when testing alcohol-containing fuel if the amount of water is sufficient to saturate the alcohol. The bottommost layer will be water, then water/alcohol, then gasoline. | ||
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