ALCOHOL/ETHANOLCheyAnn May and Amanda Murrillo

A domestically produced renewable energy source made from plant material such as corn, wheat, etc. (feedstocks)

The same alcohol made from dinking beverages

WHAT IS ETHANOL FUEL?

Ethanol can be mixed with gasoline to make E 10-E85 which contain a different ethanol to gasoline ratio. Ethanol as a Transportation Fuel: Ethanol only works in flex fuel vehicles, which are surprisingly common.

WHAT USES DOES ETHANOL FUEL HAVE?

Ethanol comes from feed stocks

Ways to produce ethanol:Dry milling Wet MillingCellulose Biomass

HOW ETHANOL FUEL IS PRODUCED:

DRY MILLING

Process:A) milling- After corn, wheat

or barley is cleaned it will pass through hammer mills that grind it into a powder

B) Liquification: it is mixed with water and enzymes and then cooked.

C) The starch is seperatedD) Left to fermentE) DistilationF) DehydrationG) Added to gasoline

WET MILLING

1. The corn is cleaned and then seeped (soaked) to start beginning of breakdown of the starches.2. The corn is ground up and seperated by parts, creating by-products.3. The corn is more finely ground out using an attrition impact mill.4. The starch and gluten are separated using a centrifuge to make the much denser starch fall to the bottom of the mix. 5. Enzymes and water is added and then left to ferment6. Added to gasoline

CELLULOSE BIOMASS

7 TOP USERS OF ETHANOL (2013)

Country Billions of Gallons

United States 13,300

Brazil 6,267

Europe 1,371

China 696

India 545

Canada 523

Other Countries 727

IN 2000, the U.S. consumed 5.9% of the corn stock for ethanol fuelIn 2010, the U.S> consumed 34% of corn stock for fuel.

CONSUMPTION

EFFICIENCY

In comparison to gasoline, 1 gallon of gasoline=1.5 gallons of ethanol. In E10, 3-4% less efficientIn E85, 6-7% less efficient. 34% lower energy output than gasolineNet energy is positive at 1.25 meaning it requires less energy than what is produced to make it.

COST:Pure Gas: 2.28E85: 1.79

The tools to convert the ethanol into a useable form are expensive (most expensive in wet milling but can be reused)

Price of corn has increased to $7.60 a bushel from a decade ago being $5.40 a bushel.

Renewable Resource Unlike Petroleum and other fossil fuels, ethanol is produced from feed stocks,

which can be regenerated

Emits fewer greenhouse gases Emits fewer carbon monoxide and dioxide than other fossil fuels

Economic Standpoint Ethanol Fuel can be domestically grown, meaning less imports of oil, more job

opportunities, and lower fuel costsFlex Fuel Vehicles are available

ADVANTAGES

Ethanol has a lower heat of combustion Large amounts of land are required to produce the feedstocks Environmental problems from fermentation of liquorEngine corrosion Gas stations that offer E85 are still rareThe energy output compared to petroleum is 34% lessIncreases fuel enthalpy of vaporization34% miles per hour reductionFood vs. FuelCan only be used in flex fuel vehicles

DISADVANTAGES

ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS:

Fuel vs. FoodCorn can become depleted, inflation could arise from the need of corn and such products. With a growing need for fuel, the amount of arable land could be used for fuel instead of food sources. Stats:Wheat acreage: decreased 13.7%Sorghum: decreased 42.6%Hay: decreased 5.5%Cotton: decreased 18.6%Barley: decreased 46.3%Oats: decreased 31.7%These can only get worse as the need for fuel increases. Less land will be available for food.