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Ethanol Not A Total Loss
blamanj writes "It has been argued that using corn-derived ethanol as a fuel costs more in energy than what is produced. However, it is being reported that a new study that calculates the energies to include processing by-products reports a net gain in energy such that every BTU of existing liquid (fossil) fuels spent produces a 6 BTU return. While this doesn't address the environmental impact of large-scale farming, it's good news for Iowa farmers."
Actaully I was thinking of crusing over and seeing the guy later this week - a friend an I are thinking of starting a diesel to veg-oil conversion business. If anyone else is interested in this you can email me on palfreman at ntlworld.com and we pay him a visit.
I mentioned this in the article on shipping CM corn out of the US, but it is important to note that the production of corn in the US is highly artificial, and the press release from the USDA does not provide enough information to verify that the overall equation is reasonable. If the efficiency of the farms is high enough to produce ethanol only because of other subsidies (specificly for cattle feed), it doesn't suggest that the net equation (Is the use of corn based ethanol a truely renewable fuel) is really positive Also, it ignores the other issues relating to our other problematic uses of corn which enable the mass production of corn efficiently. See the discussion that was hosted on US GM production on The Connection recently for a full discussion. The same program also discussed the corn production problems during a discussion of fast food beef production. Also, NPR reported on 'All Things Considered' that ethanol has negitive enviromental impacts (by releasing volital organic compounds) during processing. Also, note this bill. From my perspective this is probobly more a Bush/Republican PR push to demonstrate both their 'environmental friendly' policies and garner farm state votes.
Interesting, since the major oil companies have invested in Ethanol research and most declaired it worthless. While it is an alternative there is little, or no net benefit to using it.
swapping one for the other without a netgain in an environment like ours is actually a net lose as there is pre-existing infrastructure to deal with. New markets, moving towards industrialization could take advantage of it but for the rest of us it doesn't make sense.
Here in Brazil, ethanol is a government-sponsored alternative to lessen our air pollution problems and economic dependency on imported oil.
:)
It is sold in nearly every gas station (at least in the major cities) for 65% of the gas price, maximum. In the 70's-80's it was such a success that few wanted a gas-powered car.
In the 90's, due to more reasonable oil prices, ethanol (also popularly known here as alcohol) fell in disgrace. Some even believed it was doomed.
It's making a coming back, now. I'm using an old ethanol-powered car (a Ford) and considering buying a new one in the near future.
The increased mileage is IMHO more than enough balanced by many advantages:
a) the motor works better, accelerates more (ethanol is a better fuel);
b) pollution is much reduced and doesn't smell bad like gasoline;
c) there's a law that ensure that ethanol will be sold at 65% of gas price maximum (currently around 50%) -- this makes ethanol cars cheaper on a mile-by-mile basis (YMMV -- well, not really, *it is cheaper*, but I thought it would be funny here... hahahaha);
d) gas-fuelled cars have a slightly heavier tax burden;
e) some modern cars are built "reversible", I think, and can go both on gas and on ethanol. It seems the electronic injection can adjust to any mixture of both -- or so I've heard.
BTW, ethanol is produced from sugar -- more exactly sugarcane -- contact us if you want to acquire the technology...
I'm very surprised that corn can also be used... but then again IANAChemist.
I could go into further detail, but the beauty is this: you go to a gas station and the serviceman there asks you: "Gas or alcohol?" and you say "Alcohol, fill it, please", with the assuring feeling that your wallet won't be emptied.