The E-Fuel MicroFueler™ is the world's first portable ethanol micro-refinery system; it replaces the traditional ethanol reflux column system with a solid state distillation technology, making it possible for homeowners and small businesses to safely and cost-effectively create their own fuel, on-site.
The E-Fuel Corporation's technological breakthrough significantly reduces the size and weight of traditional fermentation and distillation systems needed to produce ethanol. Dedicated to the "produce where you consume" energy model, E-Fuel allows consumers to produce ethanol at the point of consumption, eliminating many problems associated with large-scale ethanol production, namely inefficient transportation and distribution, and the use of coal-fired electrical plants.
The MicroFueler
has two main physical components: (1) a distillation apparatus combined with
the pumping station and a 50 gallon E-Fuel100™ pethanol holding tank (collectively
referred to as the MicroFueler); and (2) a 250 gallon Organic Fuel Tank to hold
organic waste for processing into E-Fuel100 ethanol by the MicroFueler. Reduced
to an appliance-sized unit, the MicroFueler has the same user-friendly LCD
interface found at most gas stations and is enhanced with touch screen
technology. This remarkable product uses micro sensors and state-of-the-art
semiconductor technology to keep the unit size small and the operation combustion
free. Eliminating combustion in the production of ethanol is a major
breakthrough in the MicroFueler design over convention ethanol production
techniques. True to its portable design, having a combustion free process makes
the unit safe for placement and operation in virtually any location*. To
further simplify the E-Fuel100 ethanol production for consumers, the
MicroFueler supports a variety of organic waste as fuel (among them are discarded
liquids rich in sugar, waste sugar, liquids with residual alcohol, cellulosic
materials** and even algae**). Processing organic waste material through the
MicroFueler is the ultimate environmentally friendly solution, as it uses
materials otherwise bound for landfills and converts them into fuel for your
home and business.
Late in 2009 E-Fuel
will begin shipping our revolutionary new GridBuster electric generator. Homes
and business will be able to drop off the conventional and expensive electrical
grid and generate their own electricity. Through a direct connection to the
MicroFueler, the GridBuster is provided a supply of uniquely formulated
E-Fuel100 ethanol. The control circuitry of the MicroFueler manages the
GridBuster for optimal performance. The GridBuster is connected to the
household current through a special "Y" cable. When demand for electricity
exceeds the capacity of the GridBuster, electricity is automatically pulled
from the public electricity grid. The GridBuster dynamically calculates
electrical requirements and adjusts its operation to meet the demands. When
very little electricity is needed, the GridBuster drops down to an idle
operation saving fuel and revs up as demand increases.
The E-Fuel
Global Network (EGN) is a necessary and important component to the operation
and monitoring of the MicroFueler. The EGN maintains a communications link with
all MicroFueler worldwide, 24x7, checking vital statistics, operating norms, as
well as billing and reporting for customers. In the event the EGN identifies a
condition which requires attention, a notification is sent to the responsible
party (dealer, distributor, end user, etc.). The EGN continues to monitor
notifications to insure timely follow-up so as to insure uninterrupted
availability of E-Fuell100 to the consumer. The EGN may be accessed on the internet
through its Dashboard interface. Customers may log into their account at the
E-Fuel web site (www.microfueler.com)
and view the Dashboard for each of their MicroFuelers. Data available includes
fuel available, system status, event log, account information, etc. The EGN is
by subscription. The first year is provided at no cost with the purchase of a
MicroFueler. Subsequent years are priced at $9.95 billed monthly or $99.95
annually in advance.
Ethanol fuel is ethyl alcohol, the same type of alcohol
found in alcoholic beverages, but when used as a fuel it has been de-natured so
as to make it unsuitable for human consumption (NOTE: E-Fuel100 ethanol
produced by the MicroFueler is NOT suitable for human consumption and is
poisonous). As a fuel, it is a biofuel alternative to gasoline, and is widely
used in cars in Brazil among other places. Because it is easy to manufacture
and process, and can be made from very common materials such as sugar cane, it is
steadily becoming a promising alternative to gasoline throughout much of the
world.
Ethanol, similar to alcohol, blends easily with water.
Unlike gasoline, you may add water to ethanol under certain circumstances to
"stretch" the ethanol for various applications. For example, the direct GridBuster Generator Port on the MicroFueler blends water with E-Fuel100 ethanol (50%/50%
blend) before it is supplied to the E-Fuel GridBuster electric generator. This
blend results in optimal efficiency in powering the generator -- providing fuel
rated at very high octane (220+). E-Fuel scientists have experimented with
multiple blends of ethanol and water and have determined, contrary to conventional
wisdom, small amounts of water improve the efficiency of burning ethanol.
Accordingly, E-Fuel100 ethanol natively has up to 5% water for optimal
formulation. E-Fuel100 ethanol freely mixes with gasoline without any
separation of water from the ethanol and may be used with any combination of
gasoline if needed.
Ethanol is produced by microbial fermentation of sugar. In
fact, all biomass must first be converted to sugar before fermentation into
alcohol may occur. Intuitively, the more sugar in the organic fuel processed by
the MicroFueler, the sooner ethanol is produced since the steps and time to
convert the material to sugar is significantly reduced.
Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, is emitted during
fermentation and combustion. However, this is largely canceled out by the
greater uptake of carbon dioxide by the plants as they grow to produce the
biomass processed into ethanol. Once fermentation is complete, the mixture is
ready for distillation by the MicroFueler. The alcohol is separated from the
remaining liquid and stored in the E-Fuel100 ethanol storage tank ready for
pumping.
Groundbreaking Study Finds that Certain Ethanol Blends can
Provide Better Fuel Economy than Gasoline.
"Optimal Blend" Is Likely E20 or E30;
Coalition Calls for Further Government Research
Sioux Falls, SD (December 5, 2007)--Research findings
released today show that mid-range ethanol blends--fuel mixtures with more
ethanol than E10 but less than E85--can in some cases provide better fuel
economy than regular unleaded gasoline, even in standard, non-flex vehicles.
Previous assumptions held that ethanol's lower energy
content directly correlates with lower fuel economy for drivers. Those
assumptions were found to be incorrect. Instead, the new research strongly
suggests that there is an "optimal blend level" of ethanol and
gasoline--most likely E20 or E30--at which cars will get better mileage than
predicted based strictly on the fuel's per-gallon Btu content. The new study,
cosponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the American Coalition for
Ethanol (ACE), also found that mid-range ethanol blends reduce harmful tailpipe
emissions.
Initial findings indicate that we as a nation haven't
begun to recognize the value of ethanol, "said Brian Jennings, executive
vice president of the American Coalition for Ethanol." This is a
compelling argument for more research on the promise of higher ethanol blends
in gasoline. There is strong evidence that the optimal ethanol-gasoline blend
for standard, non-flex-fuel vehicles is greater than E10 and instead may be E20
or E30. We encourage the federal government to move swiftly to research the use
of higher ethanol blends and make necessary approvals so that American
motorists can have the cost-effective ethanol choices they deserve at the pump.
The University of North Dakota Energy Environmental
Research Center (EERC) and the Minnesota Center for Automotive Research (MnCAR)
conducted the research using four 2007 model vehicles: a Toyota Camry, a Ford
Fusion, and two Chevrolet Impalas, one flex-fuel and one non-flex-fuel.
Researchers used the EPA Highway Fuel Economy Test (HWFET) to examine a range
of ethanol-gasoline blends from straight Tier 2 gasoline up to 85 percent
ethanol. All of the vehicles got better mileage with ethanol blends than the ethanol's
energy content would predict, and three out of four actually traveled farther
on a mid-level gasoline blend than on unleaded gasoline.
In addition to the favorable fuel economy findings, the
research provides strong evidence that standard, non-flex-fuel vehicles can operate on ethanol blends beyond 10 percent. The three non-flex-fuel vehicles tested
operated on levels as high as E65 before any engine fault codes were displayed.
Emissions results for the ethanol blends were also favorable for nitrogen
oxides, carbon monoxide and non-methane organic gases, showing an especially
significant reduction in CO2 emissions for each vehicle's "optimal"
ethanol blend.
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Laws and ordinances may apply which may restrict placement options.
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Additional processing outside of the MicroFueler may be required.
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- Replaces the dangerous combustion heating elements used in
commercial ethanol plants and home grown stills with a patent pending,
non-combustion distillation system, making the MicroFueler process a safer and
environmentally friendly way to produce ethanol
- Portable and light weight design using ultra-tough polyurethane
- Fifty-foot fueling retractable hose, nozzle and pump system
- User-friendly LCD touch interface
- Dual key electrical and mechanical pump locking system
- Compatible with numerous organic fuel materials for use as
feedstock, including liquids rich in sugar, discarded beverages with residual
sugar and/or alcohol, fermentable liquids, cellulosic material and algae
- "Set-it-and-forget-it" operation, the E-Fuel
Global Network does the monitoring 24x7, you just pump the E-Fuel100 ethanol
- The MicroFueler is the ultimate green machine taking waste
destined for our overburdened landfills, and converting that waste to energy to
fuel your vehicles or power your home
The EFuel MicroFueler™
The Organic Fuel Tank
The EFuel GridBuster™
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