Bio Ethanol Fuel

Bio Ethanol Fuel Information and Tips

Within last few years, wherever you turn, you are “bombed” with information about green energy, green production, global warning, ozone layer, bio fuels and other similar topics. Most countries are trying to reduce their CO2 production. It is also important to mention that support for renewable sources of energy (the energy that is generated from natural resources) is increasing drastically within last few years. Tide energy, wind energy, biomass, bio fuels, and most notably, sun energy, are the main sources of renewable energy.  Bio ethanol fuel, though, is produced of plant materials. Many companies will have to increase production of this type fuel because of few reasons. The main reason is probably environmental harm that fossil fuels create. The other important reasons are decrease of world oil reserves, as well as oil price growth.

Let us further consider the pros and cons of the ethanol fuels. These fuels (ethanol gasoline, ethanol biodiesel, ethanol gas…) can be produced with existing technology. When producing bio fuel, the state is becoming less dependent on foreign oil. If you compare bio fuels and “regular” fuels, a gallon of the first can replace something less that the gallon of second. These facts bring economic benefits to the state itself. Regarding cons, most of the ethanol fuels are derived from corn. This brings upward pressure on the food prices, since the corn is diverted to produce fuel, rather than food. Since this is becoming excellent way of earning, more and more corn is being cultivated. Nevertheless, it is generally considered that this kind of fuel production out of corn will not last too long. The predictions say than the corn will be displaced with cellulose-based technology and this will occur within next 2-5 years. As a result of this displacement, there will be no more pressure on the food prices.

Regarding economics, it is important to mention that ethanol itself has only some 60 percent of gasoline fuel values. That means that if you want to equal a gallon of gasoline, you need 1.6 gallon of ethanol gasoline. If you consider current production methods, the production of 1 gallon of ethanol equals average 0.90$, but if you refine and isolate the ethanol, the cost rises until some 1.40$ per gallon. If you add expenses regarding transportation of the fuel to the gas pump, the overall expenses even rise. This means that ethanol fuels are not yet as economic as the gasoline fuels are.

As opposed to gasoline fuel, bio ethanol fuel is not easily transported. It absorbs the water from the atmosphere and it is corrosive. Because of this (and some more) characteristics, it is both unworkable and illegal to use this type of fuel in aviation. Car engines need modification, the existing pipeline infrastructure is unusable with this fuel, so all of these increases impracticality of bio fuel as a transportation fuel. Although bio fuels certainly have great benefits (ecological e.g.), they will only be replacement as soon as the efficient processes for its production from hydrocarbons, cellulosics or butanol will be developed.

We strongly believe that a change in the mentalety and behavour of people should be done today and not tomorrow if we want any future for our childrend. So take your time and get informed and decide if bio ethanol fuel is a solution that you can certainly adopt.