Alcohol to Electric Conversion

[kach22i]

A remark in another forum has cause more quesions to pop up, please try to answer or just lay back and enjoy the ride.

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=9432&page=3

There are "direct-methanol" fuel cells, currently being developed for laptops and cellphones, which work directly off the simpler methanol (methyl alcohol). No larger versions that I know of can do so.

The "E" in E-85" is ethanol which is a type of alcohol, right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E85

E85 is an alcohol fuel mixture that typically contains a mixture of up to 85% denatured fuel ethanol and gasoline or other hydrocarbon by volume.

1. Are there any Fuel Cells which use ethanol?

2. Whats the largest version of an "alcohol based" fuel cell out there?

 

[mgb_phys]

There are direct ethanol fuel cells, they don't work as well as methanol but ethanol is nicer stuff to work with. They are R+D scale but could be good since the membrane ones don't need fancy catalysts.
Direct fuel cells work directly on the compound, most current fuel cells split the ethanol to get the hydrogen which is then used as a fuel.
Wiki as quite a good list of fuel cell types.

 

[kach22i]

FYI, on the PBS TV program "Autoline Detroit" this weekend Bob Lutz of GM talked about the Chevy Volt. It's powertrain is pretty what I have been asking about and looking for. Its a classic disruptive technology although Lutz is quick to point out there are no conceptual hurdles to overcome (without whispering the word "Hydrogen"), it's pretty much using technology that's already out there - just making it better.

Watch the interview here (The Shock of the New):
http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/show/1133

Link to the "Volt":
http://www.chevrolet.com/electriccar/

Introducing a new kind of electric vehicle — Concept Chevy Volt. It’s unlike any previous EV (electric vehicle), thanks to its innovative rechargeable electric drive system and range-extending power source. It can be configured to run on electricity, gasoline, E85 or biodiesel. So you have at least a couple of options for the most efficient drive — all made possible by GM’s innovative E-Flex Propulsion System.