Ethanol Technology

By now, you probably heard about ethanol technology and for good reason. Ethanol is a form of alternative fuel that some believe may help solve the gas crisis. This alternative fuel is usually made from natural plant ingredients such as grain. In the USA, ethanol is typically made from corn. In other locations such as Brazil the ethanol fuel can be made from sugarcane. The material being used is dependent on the ecosystem of the particular area producing the ethanol fuel. Fuel made from plant materials is one of the hottest topics for discussion and debate these days because of the growing focus on conserving the environment and making the most of our available resources.

The most common way ethanol is used right now is as part of a mixture. The average ratio is around 85 percent gas and 15 percent ethanol. This blend of gasoline and ethanol can be used in any gas engine. It is often preferable to 100 percent gasoline because it produces less pollution and conserves gasoline. Of course not everything is perfect and that includes this bio-fuel. Ethanol gives less miles to the gallon as compared with gasoline because of its lower energy density. And, it can be harder to start a vehicle in freezing temperatures when using ethanol.

Ethonal is sometimes used to oxygenate gasoline. Before the innovation of ethanol fuel, a chemical abbreviated MTBE served this purpose. The problem with MTBE, or methyl tertbutyl ether, is that it is a hazardous material and is bad for the environment. Luckily ethanol does the same thing without the dangerous downsides. By using ethonal to oxygenate your gasoline, you are boosting the quality of the octane and reducing the level of carbon monoxide produced by your vehicle. These are certainly plus sides to using ethanol because you are helping your vehicle performance along with the world in which you live.

When researching ethanol technology you may come across critics that claim it is not the most efficient process because the energy it takes to make corn into fuel is practically the same as the energy of the fuel itself. One thing to remember is that innovations take place all the time and the process of making ethanol fuel can be improved. Some countries, like Brazil, have already adjusted to ethanol fuel and have as many as 50 percent of their cars using an ethanol gasoline blend and twenty percent using ethanol only. As this technology becomes more efficient and accessible these numbers are expected to rise.

People & Power - Ethanol & Bio-fuels - 17 Sep 07 - Part 1

 

 

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