lao shi said.. Just had a quick look and unless I have missed something there should be no FAME in E10. It is ethanol so cannot make fatty esters which come from the oils used in the manufacture of Biodiesel. Different stuff.
The solvent properties of the ethanol dissolving residues can be an issue.
Methanol impurities can cause corrosion as can water content.
Also Copper (from
www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/f83ff2dc-87a7-4cf9-ab24-6c25f2713f9e/files/international-feul-quality-standards.pdf)
The committee’s view is that copper is a very active catalyst for low temperature oxidation of hydrocarbons.
Experimental work has shown that copper concentrations higher than 0.012 mg/kg in commercial gasolines
can significantly increase the rate of gum formation.
And all this relies on you getting what it says on the tin!
G'day Mark,
Yes I stand corrected on FAME and ethanol, thanks for the paper which is now added to my Bio fuels library.
Found the article re ethanol and chemical resistance from one of the papers I have.
2.7 Material Compatibility
2.7.1 Polymers
Ethanol induces the swelling and weakening of rubber components, due to the absorption of fuel into rubber. Once
absorbed into rubber, the oxygen of the alcohol breaks the rubber’s carbon-carbon double bonds. The consequence of
swelling and weakening can be a fuel leak that can endanger car users
[17]. Swelling and component breakdown can all be solved by the use of compatible materials such as highly fluorinated rubbers (Viton®)
[18]. Nylon can also be resistant, but only at low temperature (< 30°C)
[19]. This polymer can consequently be used for intake fuel line, provided the fuel temperature remains low.
2.7.2 Galvanic Corrosion
Galvanic corrosion happens when 2 metals are in contact, generally through a conducting electrolyte. For instance, stainless steel and aluminum can undergo galvanic corrosion when placed side by side.
Typical fuels (with no additives) have an electrical conductivity between 10–8 to 10–6μS/cm.
Ethanol electric conductivity is 1.35 10–3μS/cm.
Moreover, the oxidation of ethanol into acetic acid induces a rapid increase in electrical conductivity (41μS/cm for a 0.1M acetic acid solution).
The presence of acetic acid can consequently enhance galvanic corrosion and chemical attack. The metals recommended for use with ethanol include carbon steel, stainless steel and bronze. Metals such as magnesium, zinc casings, brass and copper are not recommended
[14].The previous paragraph assumes that ethanol is dry ”,which means it contains no water. Yet, as water is miscible in ethanol, ethanol with very high water content has been found in the past (up to 5%vol), with ion concentrations that make it much more aggressive than pure ethanol
[15]. The use of anhydrous ethanol is consequently mandatory to avoid engine corrosion. This is the most important limitation to ethanol development, as far as fuel logistic and storage are concerned.
If your car ain't got the sticker on the fuel lid then don't use it.
Still would only use Biodiesel on someones vehicle whom I loathe
