The Expert Says About Etanol Makes Fuel Waste And Fast Machines Damage

A number of energy experts assess concerns that the Public Fuel Filling Station (SPBU) owned by the private sector such as BP-AKR, Shell and VIVO on the content of ethanol in Pertamina's basic fuel oil (BBM) is baseless.

According to Professor of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Dirgantara, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Tri Yus Widjajanto, said that the energy content of ethanol is indeed lower than gasoline, which is in the range of 26.8'29.7 megajouleper kilograms (MJ/kg), while gasoline is around 40 MJ/kg. However, this has no effect on the engine and vehicle performance.

"So if the ethanol content is only 3.5 percent, the energy has decreased by only about 1 percent. This means that the engine power has only decreased by about 1 percent, and that will not be felt. Consumption of fuel will not be more wasteful, the vehicle will still be comfortable (performance), it will not be felt because internationally, the decrease in power will only be felt when it reaches 2 percent, it will be felt by motorists. So if it is only 1 percent, it will not affect the consumption of fuel or vehicle (performance)," Tri said in a statement, Monday, October 6.

Tri explained that ethanol is known to have a high Research octane number (RON) value, which is around 110 120. As a result, with the addition of ethanol of 3.5 percent into gasoline, RON can increase by 3.85 4.2 points.

This ethanol content, he continued, is considered to be well below the threshold commonly used by many countries. In the United States (US), for example, ethanol levels in gasoline can reach 10 percent, while in Brazil it even reaches 85 percent.

Even Shell in America sells gasoline mixed with 10 percent ethanol, and there is fine, there is no problem with vehicle engines. Even in Brazil the ethanol levels are up to 85 percent, Australia has also used it," he said.

He considered that the rejection of a number of private gas station operators such as Shell, BP-AKR and Vivo against Pertamina's base fuel was too excessive. "I see this as more of an issue used to pressure the government to issue their import quota again," said Tri.

In line with Tri, Lecturer at the Department of Engineering and Gas at the Sumatra Institute of Technology (ITERA), Muhammad Rifqi Dwi Septian, said that the use of ethanol in fuel actually had a positive impact on air quality.

"Ethanol has a high oxygen content, so the burning is more perfect. It makes the level of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons not burned can be reduced, meaning it is more environmentally friendly," said Rifqi.

He added that ethanol can also increase the number of octane or Research Octane Number (RON) fuels to higher, in the range of 108 113. The higher the octane, the more efficient the combustion process in the engine. This is actually good for vehicle performance," he said.

Rifqi assessed that concerns about ethanol which is said to cause carat or damage to the machine tends to be excessive.

"If the production is according to standards and the storage system is good, the risk is very small. Moreover, modern vehicles are now compatible with Ethanol mixture fuels," he said.

Etanol is known to be a chemical compound also known as ethyl alcohol or alcohol obtained from fermented plant materials such as sugar cane, corn, or cassava, which is then mixed into fuel as additive. In Indonesia, the addition of ethanol to fuel is carried out in order to support the renewable and environmentally friendly energy programs launched by the government.

Etanol is used to increase the number of octane (RON) in fuel, so that the quality of combustion in vehicle engines becomes better and exhaust emissions can be suppressed. The United States and Brazil are examples of countries successfully implementing ethanol as part of the components that must be present in their engine fuel mixture.