I see thread after thread here on the evils of ethanol in gasoline. Why not just remove the ethanol? There is not much to it. Ethanol is extremely hygroscopic, meaning it loves water. We can exploit this simple property to remove ethanol from our fuels, or at least a huge majority of it, leaving only traces behind. Gasoline itself is a non-polar solvent and is not miscible in water. I don't have a masters in chemistry, but I know enough to be dangerous. I have tried this method and it does appear to work as expected. It can easily be tested. Just a side note, use premium fuel for this process as removing ethanol from your fuel does in fact lower it's octane rating.
Start small if you like, but the process pretty much mirrors a simple wash many of us probably did in highschool.
You will need some way to separate the phases. Use your imagination. Any PTFE 3 container would work, just install a drain at the bottom.
Grab a gallon of premium gasoline and 3 gallons of distilled water, I repeat, DISTILLED water.
Add the fuel to your sep funnel, container, etc... Add a gallon of water to the fuel, shake violently. As the ethanol meets the water it will bind and drop out of the fuel. Allow the mixture to settle. The fuel will rise to the top of the water because it is a non-polar solvent. The ethanol will remain trapped in the water phase below. Drain off the water layer and discard. Repeat the wash two more times.
Fuel does not readily absorb water on its own, but trace amounts may remain. To remove trace water from the fuel you can "dry" it using any disectant. Damp Rid is readily available and works well. using a disectant however means you then need to filter the disectant from the fuel. Coffee filters and an additional container would work.
How do I know the ethanol is removed? If you do a small scale trial, weigh the fuel first. After the washes and dry the remaining fuel will weigh 8 to 15% less, depending on how well you separated your phases.
Edit:::::
Keep in mind, any additives and detergents the fuel companies add will also be removed if they are polar or miscible in water!
Start small if you like, but the process pretty much mirrors a simple wash many of us probably did in highschool.
You will need some way to separate the phases. Use your imagination. Any PTFE 3 container would work, just install a drain at the bottom.
Grab a gallon of premium gasoline and 3 gallons of distilled water, I repeat, DISTILLED water.
Add the fuel to your sep funnel, container, etc... Add a gallon of water to the fuel, shake violently. As the ethanol meets the water it will bind and drop out of the fuel. Allow the mixture to settle. The fuel will rise to the top of the water because it is a non-polar solvent. The ethanol will remain trapped in the water phase below. Drain off the water layer and discard. Repeat the wash two more times.
Fuel does not readily absorb water on its own, but trace amounts may remain. To remove trace water from the fuel you can "dry" it using any disectant. Damp Rid is readily available and works well. using a disectant however means you then need to filter the disectant from the fuel. Coffee filters and an additional container would work.
How do I know the ethanol is removed? If you do a small scale trial, weigh the fuel first. After the washes and dry the remaining fuel will weigh 8 to 15% less, depending on how well you separated your phases.
Edit:::::
Keep in mind, any additives and detergents the fuel companies add will also be removed if they are polar or miscible in water!
hereismylife
Active member
Great if you ride around your house/local.....
You can try this but when you are on the trail and need gas what do you do....
This is why I just add the quick shot to the gas and keep on going. No more problems with the ethanol and carbs stay nice and clean.....
You can try this but when you are on the trail and need gas what do you do....
This is why I just add the quick shot to the gas and keep on going. No more problems with the ethanol and carbs stay nice and clean.....
Good Point on trail use...
http://www.fuel-testers.com/is_gas_additive_safe_with_e10_list.html
Most fuel additives are pure BS!
Most fuel additives are pure BS!