1.) What is Fuel Ethanol?
Fuel ethanol is a high-octane, water free alcohol produced from the fermentation of sugar or converted starch. It is traditionally used as a blending ingredient at 10% concentrations in gasoline or as a raw material to produce high-octane fuel ether additives.

Most modern gasoline vehicles can run on blends of ethanol and gasoline. A 10% blend requires no engine modification while making a contribution in reducing emissions. In North America, Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV) are currently available that will operate on blends of up to 85% ethanol with gasoline (called E85). Brazil uses a 24% blend.

2.) What is the primary source of Fuel Ethanol?
Ethanol is made primarily from sugarcane, corn, wheat, sorghum, and other feedstock. In the Philippines, sugarcane is the most readily available feedstock. Cassava and sweet sorghum are also potential feedstock.

3.) Why Fuel Ethanol?
Fuel ethanol makes an ideal motor fuel for spark ignition engines for many reasons:
- Ethanol has a high natural octane rating that prevents premature detonation under load
- Ethanol burns more cleanly because it contains oxygen, hence less carbon monoxide emissions
- Ethanol burns slightly cooler, extending engine life
- Ethanol has a higher 'volumetric efficiency' - contributes to increased power

Renewability
Ethanol is a renewable fuel source. It is produced from plants that process and store energy from the sun. In a sustainable cropping system, plant feedstock can be produced year after year. Regions of the world that are without crude oil deposits could consider fuel farming as a long-term solution to offset their energy needs and foreign oil dependency.

Environmental benefit
Pure alcohol fuel such as ethanol has nearly complete combustion. This means that very little carbon monoxide is formed. Alcohol does not contain contaminants commonly found in gasoline such as sulfur and benzene. Compared to gasoline, harmful emissions and pollution are greatly reduced. When blended with gasoline, ethanol contributes a reduction in most emissions according to its percentage in the blend.

Economic benefit
Fuel ethanol expands the market for Filipino farmers, particularly the sugar sector thus enhancing rural economic development.

Fuel economy
Changes in fuel economy are minimal. While a 10% blend contains about 97% of the energy of "pure" gasoline, this is compensated by the fact that the combustion efficiency of the ethanol-blended fuel is increased. The net result is that most consumers do not detect a difference in their fuel economy, although many people using ethanol-blends have said their fuel economy has improved.

4. What are the properties of Fuel Ethanol?
The properties of Ethanol are tabulated below: