$3 Billion Ethanol Pipeline Coming

A significant problem with ethanol is that it corrodes current pipelines due to its solubility in water. This makes it difficult to transport the fuel long distances as this is a hurdle the industry desperately needs to overcome.

Good news, though, is that Magellan Midstream Partners - a company that pipes gasoline - is planning on constructing a $3 billion ethanol pipeline. "The line would bring ethanol from production facilities in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and South Dakota to terminals in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and the New York harbor."

If done, this would greatly benefit the net energy of ethanol as the current use of trucks and trains for transportation are inefficient - both economically and environmentally.

Coincidentally, Brazil's Petrobras today announced that it plans on building the world's first ethanol-only pipeline. Petrobras says the "pipeline will carry ethanol that is mainly destined for exports to countries such as Japan."

Comments

[haydete:]

Error: ethanol is extremely soluble in water. Go to a bar and order "scotch & water"; it does not separate into two layers.

Since ethanol absorbs water it enhances rust everywhere it travels. Gasoline does not absorb water, so wherever the water accumulates, it can be drained from the bottoms, hence not allowing rust.

Aside from the pipeline corrosion issue, the greater technical issue not generally known is that should ethanol enter the pipeline system and cause rust or sediments, it potentially contaminates jet fuels which also travel in the same pipelines. Failing fuel quality tests or worse, risk of planes dropping out of the sky due to plugged fuel systems, is what prevents ethanol in the pipeline system.

2008 Feb 21 08:12 AM

[haydete:]

Apologies; I could have sworn it originally said "insolubility." Or you were really quick to correct it!

2008 Feb 21 08:14 AM

[robert99:]

Good news for ethanol investors. Bad news for the US taxpayer. Ethanol sucks.

2008 Feb 21 09:29 AM

[wheels14:]

Dear Robert,

The true defenition of "Sucks": Buying oil from Chavez and terror supporting coutries.

2008 Feb 27 04:46 PM

[HilBily:]

Good news not just for ethanol investors, but the whole country. Why is this bad for US taxpayers, NI123?

2008 Mar 27 08:21 AM