Property Gasoline No.

2 diesel Methanol Ethanol

Chemical formula C
4
to C
12
C
3
to C
25
CH
3
OH C
2
H
5
OH
Physical state Liquid Liquid Liquid Liquid
Molecular weight 100105 200 32.04 46.07
Composition (weight %)
Carbon 8588 87 37.5 52.2
Hydrogen 1215 13 12.6 13.1
Oxygen 0 0 49.9 34.7
Main fuel source(s) Crude oil Crude oil
Natural gas, coal, or
woody biomass
Corn, grains, or
agricultural waste
Specific gravity (60 F/ 60 F) 0.720.78 0.85 0.796 0.796
Density (lb/gal @ 60 F) 6.06.5 7.079 6.63 6.61
Boiling temperature (F) 80437 356644 149 172
Freezing point (F) -40 -4030 -143.5 -173.2
Autoiginition temperature (F) 495 600 867 793
Reid vapor pressure (psi) 815 <0.2 4.6 2.3
Property Propane CNG Hydrogen
Chemical formula C
3
H
8
CH
4
H
2
Physical state Compressed gas Compressed gas Compressed gas or liquid
Molecular weight 44.1 16.04 2.02
Composition (weight %)
Carbon 82 75 0
Hydrogen 18 25 100
Oxygen n/a n/a 0
Main fuel source Underground reserves Underground reserves
Natural gas, methanol,
and other energy sources
Specific gravity (60 F/ 60 F) 0.508 0.424 0.07
Density (lb/gal @ 60 F) 4.22 1.07 n/a
Boiling temperature (F) -44 -263.2 to -126.4 -423
Freezing point (F) -305.8 -296 -435
Autoiginition temperature (F) 842 900-1,170 932
Reid vapor pressure (psi) 208 2,400 n/a
Source:
Alternative Fuels Data Center, Properties of Fuel, www.afdc.doe.gov/pdfs/fueltable.pdf and Fuel
Comparison, www.afdc.doe.gov/fuel_comp.html, February 2009.
Note: n/a = not applicable.
Properties of Conventional and Alternative Fuels
Table 6.5