Guwahati: As the Supreme Court of India has recently rejected a public interest litigation against the standardization of 20 percent ethanol blending with pure petrol across the country, an Assam-based graduate engineers’ forum cautiously appreciates the initiative with caveats for the owners of old vehicles, which were calibrated for zero to 5 % ethanol mixing. Ethanol20 fuel is now made available across the country that create no problems for the cars and two-wheelers, manufactured after 2022. However, All Assam Engineers Association (AAEA) said, in a statement, most of the old vehicles were not designed for E20 fuel and hence, the owners need to be a little careful running their vehicles with the current standard of fuel.
Ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH), a biofuel introduced in the market as a renewable and eco-friendly alternative to hydro-carbon has a hygroscopic character (meaning, even after mixing with petrol, it can absorb moisture from the air). So any contact with water molecules (because of loosely placed tank-knobs during the rainy season) and vapour, the blended fuel may absorb it. Thus, a distinct layer of water may be formed in the bottom of fuel tanks, which would create starting problems and even jerks during the ride. The experts suggest keeping the fuel tank relatively full (with less air inside), igniting the engine frequently to avoid storing E20 in the tank for months, especially during the monsoon and go for a timely and careful servicing.
“We support the government’s flexi fuel policy that aims to reduce the burden on imported crude oil and greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Assam has over 15 ethanol projects, including the Numaligarh Refinery Limited’s bamboo-based biorefinery. It’s understood that the policy has been helping the farmers financially with no corrupt middlemen in the circuit. However, for the north-eastern region with higher humidity and frequent rains, a special awareness program for the old vehicle owners should be organized,” said AAEA president Er Kailash Sarma, working-president Er Nava J. Thakuria and secretary Er Inamul Hai, adding that a study on the impact of all vehicles after using E20 becomes the need of the hour, as New Delhi plans for a higher volume of ethanol blending with petrol in the coming days.
