For those who find it hard to accept the spiraling high costs of gas there is hope yet in the form of being able to make ethanol on your own. If you have ever tried to make your own beer or wine, making ethanol should not be difficult since you can ferment any starchy or sugary food or even waste product into a mash that can further be distilled to produce 190 proof alcohols.
This ethanol could be used in your car and there may be no modifications necessary, as the vehicle is already suited for E85 ethanol.
Using dry corn or sugar in sufficient quantities.
The first ingredient ethanol makers use is either dry corn, which is widely available, or even sugar cane, however, buying the right amount is important.
The corn will have to be broken down into tiny pieces using a grain mill, then boiled in water at a high enough temperature to turn it into a liquid and finally you add enzymes to change the corn starch into sugar. Mashing as well as fermenting is also required for making ethanol.
When making ethanol, you should make sure that all water content is removed by using a molecular sieve. A molecular sieve is a very fine form of strainer that will ensure a better end product.
You may also use Zeolyte that is a granulated product, which soaks up the water and leaves the slightly longer ethanol molecules alone. When using Zeolyte, you can let it dry out in the sun or boil it on a backyard grill in order to remove the water. A hydrometer can be use to check if the ethanol is 200 proof and if any water remains, when gasoline is add the water will settle to the bottom.
Two to five percent of alcohol is a Federal regulation in making ethanol, however the alcohol needs to be denatured before adding gasoline in order to obtain E85. Prior to using E85 in your car, it is necessary to ensure the car is ethanol compliant.
Before using this E85 in a car one should ensure that the vehicle is ethanol compliant. Following these easy steps should provide you with the knowledge and skill to start making ethanol for yourself, and pave the way to your fuel independence.