Yes, fuel pumps do work on alternate fuels; however, it is all about the design of each pump and the type of fuel applied. Most of the vehicles have traditional fuel pumps designed and required to run under conditions set by properties of gasoline. Main problems lie when transferring to E85, biodiesel, or CNG, creating a demand for adaptation in the pump and the fuel system in order to guarantee efficiency and durability.
Ethanol-especially as E85-is one of the currently popular alternatives in part because it is renewable and burns ‘cleaner’. It is also far more corrosive than gasoline; fuel pumps must be made of materials such as stainless steel or special types of rubber compounds to prevent its degradation. Similarly, high ethanol content has implications for flow rate and pressure, with most applications demanding a pump capable of handling flow around 30% higher than that handled by the systems based on gasoline. E85 acts as a compatible fuel in the fuel pumps of only certain vehicles, which retain efficiency and minimize the chances of pump failure after a certain period of time has passed, hence assuring smooth performance and reliable fuel delivery.
Biodiesel is another alternative fuel that comes with a different set of problems. Most regular fuel pumps have an issue handling thicker biodiesel, and this gets worse when cold, as biodiesel thickens at low temperatures. Most diesel-compatible pumps include components rated for higher pressures; typically around 100-130 psi, while most gasoline pumps run between 30-80 psi. Without a compatible pump, biodiesel would contribute to clogs, a reduction in efficiency, and possible pump failure, more so in colder climes when biodiesel thickens.
Regarding CNG, fuel pumps must be specifically designed to address the specific properties of gas-phase fuel. CNG pumps must support very high pressures that are mostly over 3000 psi, opposed to the low-pressure that liquid fuels require. It is not possible to utilize CNG with a standard gasoline fuel pump since the system and pump must be engineered for high-pressure gas delivery. Fuel systems in CNG-powered vehicles are dedicated and use high-strength materials for safety and performance. As Henry Ford once said, “If everyone moves forward together, then success takes care of itself.” The use of alternate fuels requires engineering changes to the Fuel Pump and fuel system to function properly together. For available alternate fuel compatible fuel pump choices please go to Fuel Pump.