Advantages of Ethanol Over Petrol, Hydrocarbon Emission, Heat of Vaporisation, Octane Rating, Gasohol

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	Advantages of Ethanol Over Petrol- 1. Ethanol has a much higher latent heat of vaporisation (855 MJ/kg) than petrol (293 kJ/kg). As a result, the fuel mixture entering the cylinder is much cooler and hence denser in case of ethanol than in the case of petrol. 2. Ethanol has a higher octane number (99) than petrol (80-100). As a result, 'pre ignition' does not occur when ethanol is used.
3. Higher octane rating of ethanol allows the compression ratio of the engines to be increased; this results in increased production of power. 4. Ethanol is burnt more completely so that hydrocarbon emission is drastically lower as compared to that in case of petrol. 5. Ethanol is much less likely to catch fire and explode in cases of fuel leakage, e.g., during accidents. 6. In can be mixed with petrol; this increases the octane rating of petrol. In USA a 20% ethanol: 80% petrol mixture is being marketed as 'gasohol'.