Re: Butanol

Butanol C4H9OH v Ethanol C2H5OH

The BuOH does have a smaller percentage of oxygen than EtOH, and that does give it an advantage in the KCal/mol (or BTU/lb) ratio.

It's always been more of a byproduct than a primary goal.  About 4-5 months ago the phrase "bio-butanol" was all the rage. It quieted down really fast.

It may catch on as a fad-fuel, or perhaps some scientist will create a GMO that can actually churn the stuff out from any farm waste.  The only problem I can see with that is if the wee-beasties get out.  Did you know that the molecule that gives vomit it pungent aroma is butyric acid?  Vile chemical!

I gotta say I hope it doesn't catch on.  Last thing I want to think about at the gas station is "What is that horrible smell? Did someone get sick or is fuel leaking all over the ground?"

I have been thinking about pulverized & pelletized biomass as a possible fuel source for general heating purposes.  I'm trying to constrain myself to 400lb of "hardware" to be able to produce 100,000 BTU/Hr in a burner/boiler with cold dry clinkered ash removal... It's getting very interesting!