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The effects of alcohol composition on gasohol vehicle regulated emissions and fuel consumption were investigated in PETROBRAS tests. Four formulations of gasohols were prepared with the same base gasoline and 22% by volume of alcohol. Two formulations with ethanol from carbon hydrates fermentation; one using corn and the other sugar cane feedstocks. The other two using synthetic alcohol one from coal and the other from natural gas as feedstocks to the synthetic plants. Four Brazilian gasohol vehicles were tested over a Brazilian emission cycle. Changing alcohol composition will alter gasohol CO emissions compared with ethanol from sugar cane used as reference gasohol. The effects of ethanol composition on CO emissions have different responses for a particular vehicle model. HC, NOx, Aldehydes, CO2 and fuel consumption did not vary significantly.

This paper presents the evolution of the scenario regarding the use of alcohol in Brazil, South America's largest producer and main market for automobiles. It describes the different steps involved since implementation of the national program-PROALCOOL, by Brazilian Government in 1975. The use of pure hydrated1 ethanol and anhydrous2 ethanol mixed with gasoline is highlighted, which also goes for recent studies on mixtures and emulsions of ethanol and diesel fuel. The considerations are based on product quality analysis and comparative data in terms of performance and pollutant emissions obtained through engine tests. Considering the Brazilian fleet of passenger cars, it was possible to increase the ethanol content in gasoline, from 22% to 24% by volume. Additionally, the studies of diesel-ethanol mixtures show that the benefits in terms of pollutant reduction, are associated with the drop of power instead of ethanol addition.