Leveraging the benefits of ethanol in advanced engine-fuel systems

Ethanol is one of the most desirable fuels for spark-ignition engines. It offers high-octane quality and a latent heat of vaporization that is four times greater than gasoline on a stoichiometric basis. Anhydrous ethanol can also readily be blended into oil-based fuels, thereby enabling improved engine efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the use of ethanol is currently constrained by low yield production processes and...