P-series. Haven’t heard of them yet? You’re not alone—P-series fuels are not yet widely used or manufactured even though they were added to the list of Energy Policy Act (EPAct) recognized alternative fuels in 1999.
Formulated to be used alone or mixed in any concentration with gasoline, P-series fuels are clear liquid fuels, between 89 and 93 octane, designed to be used in flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs). They are a blend of 35 percent natural gas liquids (pentanes plus) and 45 percent ethanol, with the remaining 25 percent a biomass-derived co-solvent methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF). The biomass portion is utilized from grass and paper waste in addition to agricultural waste.
Pros: A Yes Vote
- P-series can be used straight: They don’t need to be mixed with gasoline.
- They’re 70 percent renewable: The ethanol and biomass can be grown and replenished yearly.
- Cleaner and less toxic: They boast reduced emissions in comparison to gasoline.
Cons: What to be Aware of
- Restricted availability: They’re not widely manufactured or used.
- Requires a flex-fuel vehicle: You can’t just pump them into any car’s tank.
Safety & Handling
With the relatively high ethanol content, safety and handling would be on par with other ethanol blends.
Potential
The outlook is good: These fuels can be a direct gasoline replacement and have only a slight negative power ratio in comparison. The real plus is the biomass component which utilizes waste agricultural products and turns them into useable fuel.