Module 2 Chemical and Physical Characteristics of Ethanol and.pptVIP

* * * * * * * * * * * * * Module 2: Chemical and Physical Characteristics of Ethanol and Hydrocarbon Fuels * Objective Upon the successful completion of this module, participants will be able to describe the chemical and physical differences between pure gasoline and gasoline-ethanol blends. * Introduction This Module will address: The characteristics of polar solvents hydrocarbons, their differences, and how they interact; Conditions under which ethanol-blended fuels will retain certain characteristics of conventional types of fuel; Facility responsibilities to help emergency responders mitigate various incidents according to conditions found on-site. * Characteristics of Gasoline Hydrocarbon Similar characteristics whether flammable / combustible liquids Produced from crude oil by fractional distillation Characteristics of Gasoline Hydrocarbon * Gasoline’s Greatest hazard is flammability: Fairly narrow range of flammability. Characteristics of Gasoline Hydrocarbon Not considered poisonous: Harmful effects after long-term high-level exposure Can lead to respiratory failure Smoke from burning gasoline is thick, black has toxic components * * Characteristics of Ethanol  Polar Solvent Ethanol is a renewable fuel source produced by fermentation distillation process The most common feedstock for this fuel in the U.S. during 2008 was corn Ethanol is commonly used as a high-octane racing fuel, e.g. Indy Racing League * Characteristics of Ethanol  Polar Solvent Pure ethanol at ethanol production facilities exhibits the same physical and chemical properties as ethanol intended for use in motor fuels that has been denatured with up to 5% gasoline / similar hydrocarbon for transport Denaturant has minimal effects on product handling and performance characteristics. Characteristics of Ethanol  Polar Solvent * Ethanol’s Greatest hazard as motor fuel component is flammability: Wider flammable range than gasoline. Characteristics of Ethanol  Polar Sol