Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/147181
(CH3)2CHCH2OH The post-ethanol fuel future? Industry testing shows potential for isobutanol in marine engines By Jonathan Sweet i t's no secret the marine industry has been worried about E15. From lawsuits to lobbying, many of the trade groups have been working to make sure it doesn't end up in marine engines. Testing by the National Marine Manufacturers Association shows that the 15-percent ethanol gasoline blend damages marine engines. Several bills have been introduced in Congress to stop the use of E15. The NMMA, Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and others have filed suit with the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the Environmental Protection Agency's waiver that allows E15. While the EPA says that E15 should not be used in marine engines, industry advocates are concerned about the potential damage from misfueling if E15 is available at gas stations across the country. But the industry is also hoping to come up with a technological solution to the E15 problem. A multi-year research project into the use of isobu- 18 | Boating Industry | July 2013 P18x20-BI13JUL-AlternateFuels.indd 18 tanol as an alternative to ethanol is showing great potential for fuel, producing a potentially more ecofriendly product that is easier to make and doesn't cause the engine damage of ethanol. Test drive Isobutanol, like ethanol, is a biofuel that can be mixed with gasoline to produce a blend that uses less fossil fuels. The isobutanol now being produced is derived from corn, but unlike ethanol, isobutanol can be derived from any biomass or cellulosic feedstock, such as switchgrasses. That could eventually mean less corn being diverted from food and feed to fuel. It's just one of several benefits the testing is showing for isobutanol, said Jeff Wasil, engineering manager for emissions testing and regulatory development at BRP Evinrude. Wasil is one of the lead researchers into isobuta- www.BoatingIndustry.com 6/5/13 10:16 AM