Green Bioethanol Fuel | the bioflame (2023)

FAQs

How effective are bio ethanol fireplaces? ›

Bioethanol fuels burn with 98% efficiency, creating the same amount of CO2 as burning a candle. So, the environmental impact is very low. Bioethanol fireplaces don't use logs or coal, meaning that there's no cleaning or sweeping after use.

How Much Heat Do Bioethanol Fires Give Off? In general, bioethanol fires produce around three kilowatt-hours of heat when the gauge is fully open. For some perspective on heat levels, an electric heater generates around two kilowatt-hours of heat, so a bioethanol fireplace will keep you suitably warm.

Formulated for use in ventless bioethanol fireplaces, e-NRG is the cleanest, most efficient liquid ethanol fuel on the market and produces the best flame each and every time.

Typically, 1 litre of bioethanol fuel burns for around 3.5 to 4 hours (with the shutter fully open). Closing the fuel box lid halfway increases the burn duration, but reduces the heat output and the flame size.

Disadvantages of bioethanol include its lower energy density than gasoline, its corrosiveness, low flame luminosity, lower vapor pressure (making cold starts difficult), miscibility with water and toxicity to ecosystems. The main sources of sugar required to produce ethanol are derived from fuel or energy crops.

Bioethanol fireplace disadvantages

Probably the main disadvantage of bioethanol fireplaces is that they don't produce as much heat as a wood- or coal burner. Bioethanol fireplaces produce roughly 3kWh of heat when the fuel slider is fully open.

However, what we can say is that an Imagin Bioethanol fireplace will heat an average sized living room by around 3 to 5 degrees. This is approximately the same as having an electric heater on a medium setting. You can of course adjust many of the Biofires so that the flame is larger or smaller.

Bioethanol Fuel Cost

A liter of bioethanol costs $11 and burns for around four hours, making it cost around $2.75 per hour to keep your bioethanol fireplace running. For comparison, natural gas costs around $0.50 per hour, and propane costs around $1.60 per hour.

Bioethanol fuel doesn't create smoke, ash, or soot when burnt. This means a bioethanol fireplace under a TV poses no smoke risk to your equipment.

High-quality bioethanol doesn't have a strong ethanol smell during combustion at all. However, some cheap products may emit a mild paint-like odour. The vast majority of our customers are delighted with the aromas emitted from our biofires; especially when they use one of our very lightly fragranced fuels.

Are indoor bioethanol fires safe? ›

Bioethanol flame-effect fires have the same look and feel as 'living' flames but don't need to have a chimney or flue. They don't emit smoke or ash, but they're flammable and can cause serious harm.

Using denatured alcohol is perfectly acceptable for bioethanol fireplaces and recommended. Check the purity of your bioethanol fuel for a longer and cleaner burn.

Biodiesel is a domestically produced, clean-burning, renewable substitute for petroleum diesel. Using biodiesel as a vehicle fuel increases energy security, improves air quality and the environment, and provides safety benefits.

Gas fireplaces offer a very cost-effective way to heat your home. Gas is one of the cheapest fuels available for use in our homes, plus, is also one of the cleanest and most convenient.

Can my car use biofuel? You won't be able to fill up your car on pure bioethanol or biodiesel, but your car will run perfectly on blended unleaded and diesel as there are no compatibility issues at such low percentages.

The energy content of ethanol is much lower than that of petrol gasoline. Burning a liter of ethanol produces 34% less energy than burning a liter of petrol. Implementing more bioethanol would require modifications to many vehicles. Many older engines cannot even use 10% ethanol-petrol mixtures.

Because of their chemical composition, i.e. carbohydrate sources, they mostly form three groups: (i) sugar-containing raw materials: sugar beet, sugarcane, molasses, whey, sweet sorghum, (ii) starch-containing feedstocks: grains such as corn, wheat, root crops such as cassava, and (iii) lignocellulosic biomass: straw, ...

Are bioethanol fires expensive to run? The short answer is no; bioethanol fires are not expensive to run compared to the cost of running wood or gas fires. However, the cost of running a bioethanol fire can vary depending on the cost of the fuel you use and how far open the box slider is during use (if applicable).

Bioethanol fireplaces are more expensive to operate than electric varieties.

MYTH: In terms of emissions, biofuels emit the same amount as gasoline or more. FACT: Biofuels burn cleaner than gasoline, resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and are fully biodegradable, unlike some fuel additives. Cellulosic ethanol has the potential to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 86%.

Are bioethanol fires better than electric? ›

Compared to an electric and gas fire, a bioethanol fire is slightly higher maintenance because you will be required to purchase suitable fuel for the fire, but on the other hand, the fumes produced by a bioethanol are negligible, so they are quite safe, and their other advantages easily make up for the extra ...

Bioethanol fireplaces do not require a venting system with a chimney or flue as they do not emit harmful emissions, unlike a traditional wood burner. We suggest you refresh the air if using regularly by opening a small window in between refills. Whether wood, coal, gas, or bioethanol, all fires produce carbon dioxide.

If however, there is a spillage of fuel, then always ensure you mop it up (using a clean sponge or paper towel etc) before lighting the biofire. The fire is meant for use as a secondary heat source and is not suitable for cooking food or boiling water.

Bioethanol Fires – Create a small amount of carbon dioxide when burnt, bioethanol fires are considered safe to use both in and outside of the home. It is worth noting that this type of burner does create real flames, so precautions must be taken to ensure the safety of children around the unit.

In addition to their pretty looks, ethanol fireplaces do provide heat. Although they are not intended to be the primary heat source in a home, they are ideal as a supplement or on evenings when there is a slight chill in the air.

Can you cook over the flame created by bioethanol for example roasting marshmallows. Answer: Yes, you could roast marshmallows with it. It gives off a good flame.

Bioethanol fires provide the look of 'real' flames, have a lower (and adjustable) heat output and don't need a chimney. There is something missing, they don't have the smell or noise of a crackling log fire, but they get close to meeting that primordial need.

The good news for the many homeowners who have wood-burning fireplaces that they don't want or don't use is that they can indeed convert it to an eco friendly ethanol one. The process is easier than you may think.

Bioethanol fuels burn cleanly, leaving no residue, ash, smoke, or any of the mess associated with wood or coal-burning fires. As such, there's no need for fireplace venting. Bioethanol uses oxygen in the room to combust, emitting a small amount of carbon dioxide and some water vapour.

Bioethanol doesn't create carbon monoxide, a dangerous, poisonous, odourless gas. However, if you're worried, install a carbon monoxide alarm in the same room as your bioethanol fireplace to set your mind at rest.

Can you put a TV above a bioethanol fire? ›

We recommend leaving at least 45cm between the television and the fireplace if you're installing a TV above a bioethanol fireplace. And while bioethanol fireplaces don't get as hot as traditional wood or coal burners, they still give off plenty of heat, which could damage a TV if hung too close.

High-quality bioethanol doesn't have a strong ethanol smell during combustion at all. However, some cheap products may emit a mild paint-like odour. The vast majority of our customers are delighted with the aromas emitted from our biofires; especially when they use one of our very lightly fragranced fuels.

Drawbacks of bioethanol include: The amount of arable land needed to grow the crops in order to produce a large amount of fuel is immense. This could greatly impact the biodiversity of our environment as we could see natural habitats being overrun, including forests.

Can my car use biofuel? You won't be able to fill up your car on pure bioethanol or biodiesel, but your car will run perfectly on blended unleaded and diesel as there are no compatibility issues at such low percentages.

Can I install a bioethanol fireplace into my existing fireplace with a chimney? Absolutely. If you have an existing chimney but are concerned about burning fossil fuels, such as wood or coal, a bioethanol fireplace makes an excellent alternative heat source for your room.