From Ecopedia

Overview

Ethanol, also known as grain alcohol or Ethyl alcohol or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, combustible colorless liquid most commonly used in alcohol preparation.

Ethanol is a powerful psychoactive recreational drug used from ancient times. The first attempts at synthetic preparation of the compound started in 1826 by Henry Hennel, while in 1828, ethanol preparation through ethylene’s acid-catalyzed hydration, was performed by Michael Faraday.

Ethanol as Fuel

Ethanol is used as transportation fuel, chiefly as gasoline’s biofuel additive.

Recent surge of alternative fuels as eco-friendly sources of transportation fuel, led to increased use of ethanol as a transport fuel source. During 2007-2008, ethanol’s share in worldwide gasoline fuel use improved from 3.7% to 5.4%.

Ethanol as a fuel is extensively used in countries including the US and Brazil, which are responsible for most ethanol production globally (89% of total production in 2008).

Ethanol Production

Ethanol can be produced from sugar cane, wheat, or soy bean plants or in fact, from any plant matter.

Bioethanol, being a renewable form of energy, can be easily made from agricultural feedstock or from other common crops such as potato, maize or manioc. Agricultural feedstocks are considered to be renewable as feedstock energy is obtained from sunlight through photosynthesis.

Ethanol from petroleum is prepared by ethylene’s catalytic hydration with sulfuric acid acting as a catalyst. Around two million tons of petroleum derived ethanol (synthetic ethanol) is produced annually in the US.

Ethanol-fueled Vehicles

Most cars in countries including the US use ethanol mixtures of up to 10% in gasoline fuels. In countries such as Brazil, governments made mandatory rules for using ethanol blended gasoline fuels (bioethanols) with 25% of ethanol and 75% of gasoline.

Environmental Benefits

Ethanol as a renewable liquid fuel is considered to be much cleaner than gasoline (petrol). Ethanol fuel would contribute significantly in reducing harmful exhaust emissions.

Ethanol is not a fossil fuel. So, ethanol production and combustion does not contribute to greenhouse effect or global warming phenomenon.

Being biodegradable, ethanol causes little harm to the environment.

Compared to other oxygenates, the compound’s high oxygen content minimizes carbon monoxide levels significantly.

Ethanol aids in considerable reduction of hydrocarbons emissions, which are chiefly responsible for ozone layer depletion. Ethanol also contributes to reduction of particulate matter and sulphur dioxide emissions.

High-level ethanol blends could contribute to reduction in nitrogen dioxide emissions by a maximum of 20% and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by about 30%.

On a full life cycle basis, ethanol could minimize carbon dioxide (CO2) emission levels by a maximum of 100%.

As per the observations of American Coalition for Ethanol, ethanol production is extremely energy efficient with a 125% positive energy balance as against gasoline’s 85%. At present times, ethanol usage for the production of liquid transportation fuels is growing consistently.

A recent study conducted by the University of California-Berkeley, observed that ethanol could contribute to energy and environmental goals very effectively as ethanol production would drastically minimize petroleum use by 95% as against gasoline refining.

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel http://www.journeytoforever.org/ethanol.html http://www.ttb.gov/alcohol/permits.htm http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/biofuels/ethanol-fuel/ http://www.greenlivingtips.com/blogs/8/Ethanol-and-the-environment.html http://environmentalalmanac.blogspot.com/2005/10/ethanol-and-environment.html http://www.ethanolrfa.org/resource/facts/environment/