Zeons Corporation (ZEON)

[r_engineer]

JR testing E-Diesel, USSE Biofuel and ethanol? USSE Biofuel & Bio-Diesel and ethanol? Why are they doing this by an airport?


The ethanol-diesel blend, better known as E-diesel, may not have as much energy content as pure diesel, but politically it packs a lot of punch. Backers see E-diesel as a major new market for ethanol and midwestern corn, not to mention an effective way to help engine manufacturers meet tough new emission standards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. According to Hansen, emissions tests performed at national laboratories have shown consistent results: "With a 10 percent blend, you can expect as much as a 25 to 30 percent reduction in particulate emissions—soot and smoke."

The prognosis for E-diesel is good, Hansen notes, but there are still many hurdles to surpass before engine manufacturers will feel confident backing warranties for engines that run on the blend. In particular, concerns revolve around durability, safety, and performance. University of Illinois researchers, led by Hansen, fellow agricultural engineer Qin Zhang and agricultural economist Rob Hornbaker, have been conducting in-lab durability tests since 1999 on engines running on E-diesel. Funding and support have been provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, the Great Lakes Regional Biomass Energy Program, and the Illinois Corn Marketing Board.