Any alcohol burned as a fuel. If available, any alcohol may be used as a fuel, but ethanol and methanol are the only ones which are sufficiently inexpensive. Alcohols are useful fuels, even though the oxygen atom in any alcohol molecule reduces its heating value, because the molecular structure increases the combustion efficiency. See also Combustion; Gasoline.

Ethanol burns well in engines designed for gasoline and has a high octane rating. However, because of the high cost of the raw materials required, or of their conversion, it costs much more than gasoline. Gasohol is produced by dissolving 5–15% absolute (water-free) alcohol in gasoline. The 5% water fraction in 95% alcohol causes phase separation because of its insolubility, making 95% alcohol unsuitable for use in gasohol. See also Ethyl alcohol; Octane number.
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