Can I buy pure ethanol?

zmoz · Oct 24, 2005

I know E-85 fuel is becoming popular right now in many states, but they don't sell it in Oregon. I know not nearly as much is produced here as there is in the midwest. Is it possible for someone who doesn't own a gas station to buy around 100 gallons of fuel grade ethanol? Most gas is 10% ethanol around here, so they must sell it cheaply in bulk somewhere.

I'm going to be swapping a "flex fuel" engine into my truck soon, I'd like to try running around 50% ethanol if it's cheap enough. I'm not swapping the engine just because it's flex fuel...

ronjhall · Oct 25, 2005

When I raced go-karts in the 60's. Purchased barrels of ethanol for modified engines from a manufacturer of windshield washer solvent. Alway wanted to purchase it when they got a fresh supply in.

SkyPup · Oct 25, 2005

It is illegal to purchase 100% Ethanol without a US Treasury tax license. I have one for scientific and medical purposes.

You can get the 99% Ethanol with benzene adulterant without a license though it is more expensive than commerical gasoline.

zmoz · Oct 25, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( It is illegal to purchase 100% Ethanol without a US Treasury tax license. I have one for scientific and medical purposes.

You can get the 99% Ethanol with benzene adulterant without a license though it is more expensive than commerical gasoline. )</font>

Well, the ethanol they use in fuel has to be denatured, otherwise we would all be paying something like $50/gallon tax. I know you don't need a license to buy that, I can go to home depot and buy all I want - it's just about $20/gallon.

Surely there has to be some place around here that deals with it in bulk for fuel use, all the gas stations have to get their 10% somewhere. It must be close to or less than the price of gas or they wouldn't be using it voluntarily.

mffarmall · Oct 25, 2005

I'm not sure about ethanol but the price of beer has gone up. Anyone got a good reciept for bath tub gin?

kensfarm · Oct 26, 2005

"It is illegal to purchase 100% Ethanol without a US Treasury tax license. I have one for scientific and medical purposes."

Does that mean you have a still in your back yard? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

SkyPup · Oct 26, 2005

I use the 100% Ethanol to precipitate human DNA with, denatured will not hack it.... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

tswirka · Nov 1, 2005

100% pure scientific ethanol is made by distilling in a vacuum and chemically treating it to remove water, ethanol has an affinity for water and will abosb some, so an open bottle of ethanol can only be 96.5% or something like that pure. I think the reason they are blending ethanol into gas is the emissions controls and the gov. is requiring stricter controls. another reason is to subsidize U.S. farmers.Just because we use it doesn't mean its cheaper.
I think it could be cheaper to make if the gov. didn't tax ethanol so much.
Todd