Is Butanaol A Better Fuel Alternative than Ethanol?

Butanol is a four carbon alcohol. Alcohols are a family of chemical compounds that also include methanol (1-carbon), ethanol (2-carbon) and propanol (3-carbon). Some of the more common uses for alcohol are alcoholic beverages (ethanol), propanol is commonly used for rubbing alcohol, chemical solvents - paint thinner and fuels. Initially, EEI will produce and market butanol as a solvent, with the future intent of selling butanol as a fuel."


How does butanol compare with ethanol as an alternative fuel?

Butanol has many superior properties as an alternative fuel when compared to ethanol. These include:

• Higher energy content (110,000 Btu’s per gallon for butanol vs. 84,000 Btu per gallon for ethanol). Gasoline contains about 115,000 Btu’s per gallon.
• Butanol is six times less “evaporative” than ethanol and 13.5 times less evaporative than gasoline, making it safer to use as an oxygenate in Arizona, California and other states, thereby eliminating the need for very special blends during the summer and winter months.
• Butanol can be shipped through existing fuel pipelines where ethanol must be transported via rail, barge or truck
• Butanol can be used as a replacement for gasoline gallon for gallon e.g. 100%, or any other percentage. Ethanol can only be used as an additive to gasoline up to about 85% and then only after significant modifications to the engine. Worldwide 10% ethanol blends predominate.