Why no methanol at Crowder?

[wuli]

Someone tell me why, with all the methanol plants being built throughout the state, Crowder College is not involved in producing methanol?

They have been at the forefront of alternative energy for years!

[Dragonrider2024]

Prolly cus it makes too much freakin cents er sense.....

[john]

for Moark should mask any smell from the ethanol production

[zziggy]

Methanol is Racing Alcohol
It has about 130 octane and 1/2 the heat energy of gasoline.

Methanol is typically made from natural gas.
Methanol is poisonous and absorbs water quickly.
Also mixes well with Nitromethane!

Ethanol is made from corn (Thank you Jack Daniels) is not poisonous,,, well Maddog 20/20 is,,, But can be made from many plants.
Ethanol has 120 or so octane and about 66% of the heat energy of gasoline.

[Scutter]

I think you just brought up another problem Zziggy. If corn production is diverted to ethanol, then how will that affect the price of a gallon of whiskey? I ain't about to start drinking "sugar whiskey" and would much rather suffer an increase in the price of gasoline than an increase in the price of whiskey.

[kay9_medic]

Originally posted by Scutter
If corn production is diverted to ethanol, then how will that affect the price of a gallon of whiskey?

Law of supply and demand. Whatever the market will bear. What's worse is they could plant every square foot of cropland in this country in corn (where will the water come from and fertilizer, cultivation and delivery use huge amounts of oil), the net gain will literally be a drop in a bucket and won't affect the price of a gallon of gas. Yet will divert corn from other industries (food mostly, yes and whiskey). Ethanol isn't the answer.

I'm growing corn this year though, and if you'd like to have some for "special purposes" I'd be happy to donate a pickup truck full for the cause.

[Scutter]

You got it kay9. Hell I need a new project and even think I have an old radiator lying around someplace.

[mnorm]

Whiskey needs good water, aging and flavor while ethanol is an indstrial product. I think there is enough corn for everyone. Maybe we'll go back to sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup if more people buy ethanol. Cheaper gas and smaller butts all in one!
Right now, part of the problem with our gas prices is that there is not enough ethanol to go around for the new ethanol mix-in regulations. Choose companies that already used ethanol (Casey's and Valero) to save a few cents per gallon. I saw E85 in Colorado this spring for $1.99 with gas at $2.50 at the same place. Often they run out of E85. Also, remember that corn does not magically become ethanol and usually coal is burned to power the conversion plants. I think Crowder is more wind and solar power oriented and more forward thinking than just making ethanol. Ethanol is more "feel-good" than problem solver, but it'll help in the short run while allowing us to further bury our heads in the sand on our energy issues.

[kay9_medic]

Some 'shine would be more "feel-good" than problem solver too :-)

[wuli]

Can anyone led me to information on what needs to be done to a 2000 5.9L Dodge magnum to run E85?

If anything!

[Scutter]

You can run it without doing anything Wuli for short periods of time. The problem with long term usage is that E85 is corrosive and will eat the fuel lines eventually. You will also notice a small loss of power and get a decrease in mileage. E85 just ain't all it is touted to be.

[wuli]

Ok. Thanks Scutter.

I’m sure it is not the great savior but my thought is any money I spend on alcohol is not going to end up back in Arabia. I would rather get screwed by a US farmer any day; at least most of them work for a living!

I assume it is corrosive due to the hydrophilic nature of alcohol.

FYI: Don’t use any of the alcohol blends in a two strokes unless you want to burn it up!

[Scutter]

I assume the problem with the two stroke engines has something to do with the oil to gasoline ratio Wuli and the fact that ethonol may actually break down the oil in the mixture. Just a guess on my part but will definately not use ethonol mix for mowers, weed eaters or chain saws. But wait, our fair young Governor has issued a decree that ethoinol must be sold in Missouri, so we may not have any choice but to burn out those engines.

[Scutter]

Does the City of Neosho buy gasoline in bulk and do they have any large storage tanks? Also, are there any plans to convert City vehicles to alternative fuels?