I have never seen a gas station with filtration system to remove condensation. But then, I live in Texas...what do I know!

I lived in Iceland for two years and part of the routine of filling-up was adding a can of Dry Gas.
That kept the fuel lines from freezing and it really worked. The difference that made our cars start and go all the time.

 

No specific reply to your question. But I find this report interesting:

Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois, 1304 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA
b School of Bioresources Engineering and Environmental Hydrology, University of Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa

Received 8 July 2002; Revised 30 March 2004; accepted 6 April 2004. Available online 15 June 2004.

Abstract
Ethanol is an attractive alternative fuel because it is a renewable bio-based resource and it is oxygenated, thereby providing the potential to reduce particulate emissions in compression?ignition engines. In this review the properties and specifications of ethanol blended with diesel fuel are discussed. Special emphasis is placed on the factors critical to the potential commercial use of these blends. These factors include blend properties such as stability, viscosity and lubricity, safety and materials compatibility. The effect of the fuel on engine performance, durability and emissions is also considered. The formulation of additives to correct certain key properties and maintain blend stability is suggested as a critical factor in ensuring fuel compatibility with engines. [sup]However, maintaining vehicle safety with these blends may entail fuel tank modifications. [/sup]Further work is required in specifying acceptable fuel characteristics, confirming the long-term effects on engine durability, and ensuring safety in handling and storing ethanol?diesel blends.
Author Keywords: Alcohol; Ethanol; Blend; Biofuel; Diesel engines

 

Erm, nothing in there to suggest that ethanol corrodes anything... Only that proper materials need to be used, and that stability of the mix is something to watch.

If you put petrol (gas) into a new generation Diesel engine, it will seize. Not because petrol corrodes, but because the lubrication afforded by Diesel oil is not there.

BTW - interesting that the article seems to refer to ethanol/Diesel blends, not ethanol/petrol. Never heard of ethanol used in Diesels. Any other materials on that?

 

Sorry I should have said DRY GAS. But you get my point about water in the gas, it can freeze.
cheers
vern

 

Dry Gas IS Ethanol right?

ABC

 

Dry Gas = ethanol (+ isopropanol and/or methanol).

 

Indeed, hence my question. With the big "IS"...

http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl677e.htm

I assume one only "adds" "dry gas" to appropriate fuels which do not already have ethanol added. Otherwise, what's the point?

ANC

 

Only things I can surmise are:

a) Owner may not know that there is ethanol in the fuel already
b) Increasing ethanol (or other alcohol) content will increase the amount of water that can be kept in suspension in the fuel.

(BTW I did not know you had suddenly turned into a rep of the African National Congress)

 

ANC = A nuther comment.

I assume that unkowingly adding dry gas (more ethanol) to a fuel mix that was already at the maximum recommended concentration of ethanol for "healthy" running of a gasoline engine could conceivably affect the engine adversely either in the short or long term - though perhaps the increased concentrations wouldn't be significant.

ABC

 

It's probably appropriate to bring up http://www.toptiergas.com

BMW is part of this consortium, and stipilates the following fuel base:


1.3.1.2 Base Fuel. The base fuel shall conform to ASTM D 4814 and shall contain commercial fuel grade ethanol conforming to ASTM D 4806. All gasoline blend stocks used to formulate the base fuel shall be representative of normal U.S. refinery operations and shall be derived from conversion units downstream of distillation. Butanes and pentanes are allowed for vapor pressure adjustment. The use of chemical streams is prohibited. The base fuel shall have the following specific properties after the addition of ethanol:

1. Contain enough denatured ethanol such that the actual ethanol content is no less than 8.0 and no more than 10.0 volume percent.
2. Contain no less than 8 volume percent olefins. At least 75% of the olefins shall be derived from FCC gasoline as defined by CARB (advisory letter, April 19, 2001).
3. Contain no less than 28 volume percent aromatics.
4. Contain no less than 48 mg/kg sulfur. At least 60% of the sulfur shall be derived from FCC blend stock.
5. Produce a 90% evaporation distillation temperature no less than 290?F.
6. Produce IVD no less than 500 mg averaged over all intake valves.



Take note of #1. 10% volume is fine and is the blend in use in the US. Mind you, BMW helped start this consortium of manufacturers, and established these and other requirements based upon what it deemed was best for its automobiles. I personally only use Shell, which has the most stations in my area.


List of all top-tier gas vendors:

QuikTrip
Chevron
Conoco
Phillips
76
Shell
Entec Stations
MFA Oil Company
Kwik Trip/Kwik Star
The Somerset Refinery, Inc.
Chevron-Canada
Aloha Petroleum
Tri-Par Oil Company
Shell-Canada
Texaco
Petro-Canada