Ethanol-Blended Diesel Fails Safety Tests as Flash Point Drops Sharply
Tests by state-run oil firms found ethanol lowered diesel’s flash point below safety limits, leaving wider use on hold unless the technical issue is fixed.
- On Monday, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi announced that ethanol-blended diesel failed required safety specifications because ethanol sharply lowered the fuel's flash point, effectively ruling out wider use.
- Public-Sector oil marketing companies conducted scientific evaluations through their research centres in collaboration with accredited laboratories and automobile manufacturers, observing that ethanol drastically lowered the fuel's flash point.
- Addressing alternative fuels, Gopi clarified that isobutanol is "presently not being blended with diesel," and confirmed the government has not decided to increase ethanol blending in petrol beyond the existing 20% target.
- With diesel blending stalled, the government is examining ethanol as a potential cooking fuel alternative to reduce India's dependence on imported LPG while utilizing surplus domestic ethanol production capacity.
- The LPG Equipment Research Centre, a joint venture of Indian Oil Corp, Hindustan Petroleum Corp, and Bharat Petroleum Corp, is developing ethanol-based clean cooking alternatives aligned with the government's objective of promoting cleaner fuel options.
10 Articles
10 Articles
E20 implementation: Ethanol blending in diesel fails flash-point test, experts warn of E20's effects on environment
The findings come in the wake of the Indian government wanting to implement its E20 policy across the country as the primary transport fuel. While E20 for petrol has been implemented across the country, the fate of E20 diesel now looks dim.
Ethanol Blending in Diesel: Amid the uproar over ethanol blending in petrol, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi stated in the Rajya Sabha that ethanol blending in diesel will not be permitted. Tests have found that this blending significantly lowers the fuel's flash point.
The Economic Times
Times of IndiaEthanol-blended diesel fails safety tests as flash point drops sharply
Ethanol-blended diesel failed safety specifications, which sharply lowered its flash point. This technical issue effectively rules out wider use of the fuel. India seeks to expand ethanol use as a transport fuel and explore new outlets. The government is also examining ethanol as a potential cooking fuel alternative. This initiative aligns with promoting cleaner cooking fuel options.
Ethanol blending in diesel fails flash-point test: Government
Tests found that ethanol-blended diesel did not meet the required diesel flash-point specification because the flash point fell sharply in the presence of ethanol, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said
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