Topic: Some Gas Stations Offer E17 and E24 Blends

[Dan M]

Not very in depth artcile but interesting of note..

Because ethanol prices are cheaper than gasoline, some fuel marketers now offer unconventional blends of ethanol such as E17 and E24.

http://www.nebraska.tv/Global/story.asp?S=8347948&nav=menu605_1

Very Odd blends

[DragonWhip]

I guess the only good part of the story is people are getting exposed to higher levels of Ethanol and might even realize this is a good thing if the price spread is there. Later. 

[Dan M]

OK I got a hold of Steve S with the Nebraska Ethanol Board.. basically what is occuring is simply a few stations adding higher concentrations of ethanol up-to 24% and NOT labeling for FFV's only..a big non no with the EPA

The REASON it is happening is because ethanol is cheaper than gasoline..

So it appears a few rogue stations are increasing their margins $$$ by adding cheaper ethanol to higher priced Gasoline..and of course selling at the higher Gasoline Price  ...thats really the bottom line..

 ..weights and measures caught the higher ethanol concentration and the EPA gets them for not Labeling for FFV's only.. which if labeled would have been a clue to ethnaol savy that the fuel should be priced lower ..thats my read

[Dan M]

Another story today..it almost sounds like they are saying  E17,E24 are  NOT at blender pumps ..not choice but rather just blended and not labeled at a "regualr" puump

Steve Sorum, ethanol project manager for the Nebraska Ethanol Board, said the board heard about the problem from the Nebraska Department of Weights and Measures. It had been investigating complaints that a number of stations were increasing the amount of ethanol mixed into gasoline without properly labeling it."


http://www.theindependent.com/news/x489860766/Drivers-may-be-getting-more-ethanol-in-their-fuel-than-they-expect

When I get back this morning I'll make a call and see if we cant sort out whats going on.  It may be that it E17, E24 are at blender pumps but the problem is it is lacking "proper" labeling for FFV's only type thing ?

[Dan M]

I too find the E17 and E24 blends an odd choice but I guess it doesnt really matter.

As I recall there is a study someplace that picks those two blends as being usable in all cars currently in manufacture.
Must search more !

Holy carp that was easy, first hit on the search engine --- http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy03osti/32206.pdf

Larry

Interesting Read..although it must be noted that it predates by at least 5 years the Australian Study that seems to be the
"case study"  used by opponents of E20

[hotrod]

I too find the E17 and E24 blends an odd choice but I guess it doesnt really matter.

As I recall there is a study someplace that picks those two blends as being usable in all cars currently in manufacture.
Must search more !

Holy carp that was easy, first hit on the search engine --- http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy03osti/32206.pdf

Larry

[1outlaw]

The E blend description sometimes seems hopelessly wrong. After i spoke to a large group today a guy came up and asked me what E85 was- while I was speaking broad based replacements to liquid fossil fuels this is somewhat excusable on my part- but I obviously missed the mark on explaining the basics So many people think E85 is 85 octane- after all octane is part of the product name in gasoline.

I too find the E17 and E24 blends an odd choice but I guess it doesnt really matter. I think if I had enough hose positions I would go E10, E20, E30, E50, E85. I have seen 5 hose blenders in a station but they must be costly.

[TinkerFreak]

That's interesting. Of course they're giving the typical warnings with anything higher than E10. It does prove that the "E" nomenclature can become more commonplace for blended fuels. It'll take time for people to get used to it and get educated on its use.

[furball64801]

Thanks for that article on the blender pumps.  I think more would be willing to try ethanol in a blend.