E85Forum.com

stylin99 · Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 85 Location: Charlotte, NC

I am extremely interested in building and operating an alternative fuel fueling station with E85, Biodiesel for trucks, and other potential fuels right here in North Carolina.

Is anyone on here a station owner that would like to share your experiences to help me understand what is involved in getting one up and running. I, of course, have never opened a gas station before, so there's lot of research I'm beginning to read, but it's overwhelming.

I see there are state grants available, and gov't credits for retailers of ethanol, but what else is there?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Feel free to contact me offline... email@e85mustangs.com
_________________
'99 Mustang GT, Vortech Supercharged, now running E85 full time.
www.e85mustangs.com

Best Quarter Mile on E85:
10.52 at 135 mph

hotrod · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 872 Location: Colorado

The first thing I would suggest you do, is contact NEVC they have a phone number you can call for assistance with that sort of thing.

http://www.e85fuel.com/index.php

Larry

Fredster · Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 111

I heard that you would need to have a custom built fuel tanks for e85 as fuel components in the tanks in the regular fuel stations are built from materials that will corrode overtime ... !
_________________
I guess Hubert Reeves thinks this is an important matter
Cost of Can. Gov. studies on global warming ? xx M$
Cost of industrial scientific studies for alternative energy sources ? x M$
Cost of a 100$ batch of distilled ethanol ?
Priceless

hotrod · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 872 Location: Colorado

1outlaw · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Central Wisconsin

I agree Hotrod- too much is made of the corrosion issue. Mild steel is fine and is used in all commercial ethanol operations after the point alcohol is dehydrated, same for oil company blend terminals. Aluminum is avoided if possible (unless annodized) yet all the trucks carrying it are aluminum and they are not affected- the main concern with aluminum would be that if the fuel became hydrated and the aluminum was slightly dissolved- fuel injectors could be affected (not likely to happen due to dry fuel and short dwell times).
Single wall fiberglass tank are avoided due to a warranty issue with Owens Corning 12 years ago who was not sure how resins would be affected.
Seals are important- but most seals that work for gasoline and diesel are acceptable for ethanol especially if you do not convert back to fossil fuels.

Fredster · Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 111

so corrosion is not a problem ... ?
_________________
I guess Hubert Reeves thinks this is an important matter
Cost of Can. Gov. studies on global warming ? xx M$
Cost of industrial scientific studies for alternative energy sources ? x M$
Cost of a 100$ batch of distilled ethanol ?
Priceless

cessna · Joined: 06 Nov 2006 Posts: 52 Location: Iowa

Fredster, I've been using E85 to make a 50/50 blend in my "92" Toyota 4x4 for the last six years without a problem. Right now it actually has ~60% ethanol in it. Yesterday it was around zero and it started but I did put a magnetic heater on the oil pan for a little bit to warm the syrupy oil.
Marty

Fredster · Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 111

1outlaw · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Central Wisconsin

Fredster- on corrosion for underground fuel tanks- No it is not an issue of concern- i use steel inner tanks with fiberglass outer tanks (double wall) for both NL gas and ethanol. Double wall tanks are not required here but I have experienced environmental cleanups in the past with single wall tanks holding diesel or gas-so I have peace of mind w/ double wall tanks.

I think what Cessna was saying is that in cold weather he used an electric heater that magnetically mounts on his oil pan to heat the lube oil.

stylin99 · Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 85 Location: Charlotte, NC

This is great stuff. Thanks for the advice guys. (on and off the public forum)
_________________
'99 Mustang GT, Vortech Supercharged, now running E85 full time.
www.e85mustangs.com

Best Quarter Mile on E85:
10.52 at 135 mph

Fredster · Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 111

1outlaw · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Central Wisconsin

[

so you recommend using double walled tanks ?[/quote]

Fredster- Yes I do for all underground fuel tanks regardless of what they are containing. The cost difference between a fiberglass clad steel tank (double wall) and a steel single wall tank is very minimal- plus you can put a leak sensor in the interstitial space between the tanks to let you know the inner tank has failed. Tank leak insurance is easier to get and cheaper. You can sleep at nite without worrying about polluting someone's well. Smile