This paper assesses the use of E85 fuel in Brazilian flex fuel light duty vehicles. E85 is composed of 85% of anhydrous ethanol and 15% of gasoline in volume base. Advantages and disadvantages of the E85 use are presented in comparison to hydrated ethanol (H100) that is currently available in the Brazilian market.
Additionally, the blend H81 made by 81% of hydrated ethanol and 19% of E22 gasohol (gasoline with 22% of anhydrous ethanol), resulting on a fuel with 15% of gasoline was also investigated. The main difference between E85 and H81 is the water content due to the use of hydrated ethanol. As the E85 is not available in Brazil, this is the correspondent feasible mixture with commercial fuels in the country.
Both fuels were assessed and compared to hydrated ethanol regarding cold start, cold driveability, speed recovery, pollutant emissions, fuel economy and deposit formation with engine and vehicle tests performed in the Petrobras Research Center (CENPES) laboratories.