02 Chemical and Physical Characteristics of Ethanol and Hydrocarbon Fuels

8/13/2019 02 Chemical and Physical Characteristics of Ethanol and Hydrocarbon Fuels

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Module 2: Chemical and PhysicalCharacteristics of Ethanol and

Hydrocarbon Fuels


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Objective

Upon the successful completion of thismodule, participants will be able todescribe the chemical and physical

differences between pure gasoline andgasoline / ethanol-blended fuels.


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Introduction

Characteristics of polar solvents &hydrocarbons, their differences, &how they interact

Conditions under whichethanol-blended fuels will retaincertain characteristics of types of fuel

Help emergency responders mitigatevarious incidents according toconditions found


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Activity 2.1 Definitions

Purpose:

To allow participants to identify thedefinitions related to ethanol & ethanol-

blended fuels.


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Characteristics of Gasoline(A Hydrocarbon)

Similar characteristics whetherflammable / combustible liquids

Produced from crude oil by fractionaldistillation

Immiscible

Flash point -45F


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Vapor density between 3 & 4:

Gasoline vapors seek low levels /remain close to ground level

Specific gravity of 0.700.78:

Will float on top of water

Auto-ignition temperature > 530F

Boiling point between 85F & 437F


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Not considered poisonous forplacarding purposes:Harmful effects after long-term &

high-level exposureCan lead to respiratory failure

Smoke from burning gasoline is black& has toxic components

Greatest hazard is flammability:Fairly narrow range of flammability


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Immiscibility Gasoline / Ethanol

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Figure 1Figure 2

Figure 3Copyright 2009, IAFC


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Characteristics of Pure Ethanol(A Polar Solvent)

Ethanol used with motor fuels mustbe denatured with 25% gasoline /similar hydrocarbon before transport

to bulk storage facilities

Denaturant has minimal effects oncharacteristics


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Renewable fuel source produced byfermentation & distillation process

Most common source in U.S. is corn

Polar solvent

Totally miscible

Flash point 54F

Property of Wikimedia Commons, reprinted with permission


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Vapor density of 1.60:

Heavier than air

Vapors do not rise

Specific gravity 0.79:

Lighter than water

Miscible: thoroughly mix with water

Auto-ignition temperature 685F


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Boiling point 173F

Less toxic than gasoline / methanol

Carcinogenic compounds not presentin pure ethanol

Greatest hazard as motor fuel

component is flammability:Wider flammable range than gasoline: (3.319%)


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Flash Point Exercise

2.4% denatured(E-98) ethanol

15F temperature

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Property of Steve Hergenreter, reprinted with permission


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Video

Watch the video clip Flash PointTest:

Ethanol with an MSDS-listed flash point

of 49F being lit at 15F

14Property of Wikimedia Commons, reprinted with

permission


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Table 2.1: GasolineEthanol Blended FuelsPure EthanolGasoline E-10

Blended Fuel

E-85

Blended Fuel

E-95 / E98

Fuel Grade Ethanol /

Denatured Ethanol

E-100

Pure

Ethanol

Flash Point -45F -45F -20 - -5F -5F 54FAuto Ignition

Temperature

Highly

Variable;

>530F

Highly Variable; >530F >790F >689F 685F

Specific Gravity @

60F

0.700.78 0.700.78 0.79 0.79 0.79

Vapor Density

Air = 1

3.04.0 3.04.0 2.0 - 4.0 1.6 1.6

Vapor Pressure 275475

mmHg @ 68F

275475 mmHg @ 68F 340560 mmHg @

68F

181 mmHg @ 32F 44mmHg @

68F

Boiling Point 85 - 437F 85 - 437F 96 - 170F 165 - 175F 173F

Flammable Range

(LEL-UEL)

1.4% - 7.6% 1.4%7.6% 1.4% - 19.0% 3.3%19.0% 3.3%

19.0%

Conductivity None No Information Found

(Consider as Possible)

No Information Found

(Consider as Possible)

Yes Yes

Smoke Character Black Black Slight to None Slight to None None

Solubility

(In Water)

Immiscible Partially miscible

(gasoline immiscible)

Highly miscible (gasoline

immiscible)

Highly miscible (gasoline

immiscible)

Totally

miscible

Copyright 2009, IAFC


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In pure form no visible smoke &visible flame

In denatured form little to no smoke

& slight orange flame will be visible Ethanol & some ethanol blends can

conduct electricity

Large amounts of water required todilute ethanol to no longer supportcombustion


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Invisible Flames Pure Ethanol

Incorporate use ofthermal imagingcamera into SOPs

Taken at a foam

comparison exercise Shot taken after

non-AR foamdissolved

Watch the video clipInvisible Fire:E-100

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Copyright 2009, IAFC


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Shot of Ethanol Fire Through ThermalImaging Camera

18Property of Steve Hergenreter, reprinted with permission


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Activity 2.2 Comparison of Gasolineand Pure Ethanol

Purpose:

To allow participants to discuss thedifferences & similarities in the chemical

& physical properties of pure ethanol &gasoline.


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Characteristics of Ethanol-BlendedFuels

Ethanol increases the ability ofgasoline to burn cleaner:

Lower emissions from unburned

hydrocarbons

Minimal amounts of water will drawethanol out of blend away from

gasoline:Ethanol & gasoline more suspension

than solution


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Gasoline floating on layer ofethanol / water solution

Resulting ethanol / water solution still

flammable

Property of Wikimedia Commons,

reprinted with permission


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Blending fuels alters physical &chemical characteristics of originalfuels:

Visual difference of smoke & flamecharacteristics:

Higher content of ethanol, less visible blacksmoke content & orange flame production


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Blending fuels alters physical &chemical characteristics of originalfuels:

When foam / water flowed on burningproduct, gasoline tends to burn off first:

May have no visible smoke as thehydrocarbon burns off leaving only theethanol burning


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Summary

Polar solvent miscible & flammable

When blended with gasoline, producesslightly cleaner burn than gasoline alone

Blend of gasoline & ethanol can easily gounnoticed by emergency responders:

Ethanol will be last fuel to burn

Ethanol can burn without visible smoke

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02 Chemical and Physical Characteristics of Ethanol and Hydrocarbon Fuels