Are we prepared for the challenges associated with the broad introduction of ethanol?
Published: 07 July, 2010
In many countries the use of ethanol has increased significantly as a means to fulfil climate goals by replacing fossil fuels with renewable fuels. However, although ethanol is a well known product, it poses new fire-related challenges to the oil/fuel industry and first responders. Even if the industry and first responders are aware of these problems there is a lack of experience or regulatory guidance, in particular with regard to ethanol tank fires. This article describes what we know today and gives some suggestions concerning necessary research project to ensure safe implementation of ethanol on a broad basis. Such a research project is best suited to an international effort, both due to the magnitude of the work needed and to ensure that different national safety issues are dealt with appropriately and challenges solved. Henry Persson, from the SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden, writes.
