What are the environmental impacts of using ethanol versus gasoline as fuel sources?
Best insight from top research papers
Using ethanol as a fuel source compared to gasoline has various environmental impacts. Ethanol-gasoline blends have been studied extensively, showing that higher ethanol percentages can lead to increased CO2 emissions at low speeds but significantly higher emissions at higher speeds . Additionally, ethanol has a higher octane rating when mixed with gasoline, which can improve engine performance and reduce harmful emissions like carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons . On the other hand, gasoline direct injection systems with increased fuel injection pressure have shown to reduce particulate matter emissions, improve air-fuel mixing quality, and promote a more homogeneous air-fuel mixture, thus benefiting the environment . Overall, while ethanol can offer benefits like reduced emissions and improved engine performance, the choice between ethanol and gasoline depends on various factors like blend percentages and injection systems to minimize environmental impacts.
Answers from top 4 papers
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| Papers (4) | Insight |
|---|---|
| Ethanol offers higher octane ratings, reduced carbon monoxide emissions by 10%, and decreased unburned hydrocarbons by 18% compared to gasoline, enhancing environmental sustainability. | |
| Ethanol shows slightly lower splash probability and more homogeneous air-fuel mixture distribution compared to gasoline, potentially reducing Particulate Matter emissions and improving air quality. | |
| Using ethanol in gasoline blends can impact greenhouse gas emissions. Higher ethanol blends showed increased CO2 emissions at high speeds, while NOx emissions varied irregularly among different blend proportions. | |
| Ethanol has lower environmental impact compared to gasoline due to its cleaner combustion, contributing to reduced emissions and improved air quality, as discussed in the paper. |
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