Ethanol 

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FAQ - Ethanol Basics and Myths about Ethanol

What is ethanol?

Ethanol is ethyl alcohol produced from fermenting grains or other starch or sugar feedstocks. Fuel ethanol has been ‘de-natured’ with 5% gasoline, so that it cannot be consumed by people. Most ethanol produced in America is made from corn: the kernels are ground, cooked in a mash to convert the starch to sugar, then fermented and distilled into pure ethyl alcohol. Only the starch is converted to ethanol. The remaining protein, fat and minerals in the spent grains are fed to cattle. This ‘distillers grain’ is a nutritious feed for animals, and displaces much of the corn in cattle rations.

Ethanol is:

Non-toxic
Biodegradable
Water soluble
Has higher octane
Contains oxygen
Is heavier than gas
Contains 72% the energy of gas
Conducts electricity (gas does not)
Has an invisible flame
Vapor is more flammable than gas at 32 degrees but less flammable than gas at room temperature

Currently ethanol can be used in two blends – E10 (10% ethanol) and E85 (85% ethanol)

What is cellulosic ethanol?

Cellulosic ethanol is produced from biomass – crop residues, sawdust, wood chips, other forestry residue, urban waste wood and yard debris, as well as energy crops like hybrid poplar, switchgrass and other fast-growing plants.

There are a few processes to produce cellulosic ethanol. Furthest along in development are enzymatic processes that use specially bred fungi and other organisms to break down the cellulose, hemi-cellulose and lignin of biomass into fermentable sugars. Some pilot plants are in operation, and the first commercial-scale production plants are in construction and development.

Myths about Ethanol

Myth: Ethanol consumes more energy than it produces

Fact: Gas has a negative energy balance, ethanol has a positive energy balance

                                Energy in                     Energy Out

Ethanol                     .74                                     1.0

Gas                         1.23                                     1.0

The production of ethanol has a 34% energy gain, while the production of gasoline has a 19.5% energy loss, according to a 2004 USDA study. In June 2004, the U.S. Department of Agriculture determined that the net energy balance of ethanol production is 1.67 to 1.1. For every 100 BTUs of energy used to make ethanol, 167 BTUs of ethanol is produced. The USDA findings have been confirmed by additional studies conducted by the University of Nebraska and Argonne National Laboratory. These figures take into account the energy required to plant, grow and harvest the corn—as well as the energy required to manufacture and distribute the ethanol.

Myth: Corn ethanol causes food prices to increase

Fact: Price increases for food have less to do with ethanol or biodiesel production, than they do with the five fold increase in petroleum price over the past five years. Several studies have shown that record petroleum prices, which permeate the entire food system for all types of food, have added three times the food price impact as biofuels.

U.S. corn ethanol is made from field corn, not corn consumed directly by humans. The prices farmers receive for corn has a very marginal effect on retail food prices. There is less than a nickel’s worth of corn in a box of cornflakes, and less than 2 cents worth of corn syrup in a can of soda. Eighty percent (80%) of the average retail price of food is added after it leaves the farm, with about half of that in labor costs. The foods with the highest price increases in 2007 were fruits and vegetables which have little to do with biofuels. A increasing standard of living in China and India, droughts in Australia and Europe, regional natural disasters/pests/diseases, increases in labor and fuel costs globally, a declining dollar driving exports, and corporate profits at retail have all contributed to higher food costs.

Myth: Ethanol uses more carbon than petroleum due to its land use

Fact: Biofuels have been criticized as a “carbon debt” under the assumption that for every acre of land dedicated to biofuel crops, another acre of land must be put into food production elsewhere in the world. Recent reports assert that increasing production of biofuels in the U.S. is driving destruction of ecosystems in South America and Asia for food production and attributes a carbon debt to biofuels from the clearcutting of rainforests and cultivation of native ecosystems.

This assertion is based on assumptions and models that are not and cannot be verified. This “secondary land use impacts” assumption counters all current, verified analyses showing substantial greenhouse gas emission reductions for biofuels. The assertion is flawed for several reasons. It inappropriately assigns all of the impact to growth in biofuels, ignoring the effects of a growing world economy, increased demand for food, and urban sprawl. It fails to account for advances in seed and processing technology that are providing greater yields for each acre of biofuel feedstock. It also ignores the value of the feed co-products that are produced at today’s biorefineries such as distillers grain (from corn ethanol plants) and canola and soy meal (co-products of biodiesel), all of which are used to feed livestock.

By the logic used in these reports, any non-food crop is to blame for the destruction of ecosystems. A large percentage of land in the U.S. is planted in seed crops, nursery products, hay, pasture, and farm forest products. For example, 45% of agriculture production in Oregon is non-food such as Chris tmas trees, grass seed, and nursery trees. If one is to argue that a crop used for a biofuel displaces food, then one has to also accept that a crop grown for anything other than food is displacing food. Also, every new subdivision or greenfield commercial, industrial, or residential development would be responsible for creating a “carbon debt” by taking potential food-producing land out of production.

From a broad perspective, land use is affected by many influences, including urbanization, which is eating up millions of acres of agricultural land per year (at the rate of two acres of agricultural land being lost to development every minute of every day ). Further, grains are less efficient at nutritional output per acre than other crops, such as potatoes, which have the highest nutrient and calorie output per acre of nearly any crop. Yet, not everyone wants to eat potatoes all the time. Farmers respond to pricing signals from consumers and from various government incentives -- in all countries around the world. Biofuels are hardly unique in this sense and singling them out as a land use focus is folly without looking at the larger picture of all land use, including urbanization impacts, local/national land use zoning laws, non-food production of all types, etc.

Productivity increases in U.S. agriculture have enabled farmers to produce 500% more today than 60 years ago while using less land. Technology and efficiencies will continue to enable these advances. Biofuel crops grown in the U.S. are not displacing forests, wetlands, or other native plants. These are lands that have been farmed for decades and will continue to be. The mix of crops grown on them changes in response to market price signals. It is also important to remember that certain crops grow in certain areas because of soils, rainfall, and climate. Land use in other nations is complex, but the linkage to biofuels production is marginal. The increase in soybean acreage in Brazil is due to China and India ’s growing populations rather than biofuels.

Corn acreage in the U.S. peaked in 1917 with 116 million acres planted, compared to 93 million acres in 2007. During that period yields have increased by more than 1 bushel/acre/year, from 29 bushels/acre to 200 bushels/acre. During a time of increased corn ethanol production, the U.S. is harvesting more than 10 billion bushels of corn, and exports are rising. In 2007, farmers planted more additional acreage in corn than all corn used in ethanol production. U.S. corn ethanol production is not causing a need for increased grain production in the world.

Myth: Ethanol is worse to the environment than petroleum

Fact: Every gallon of biofuel produced today requires less land, requires less water and is less energy intensive than a decade ago, while the opposite is true for oil production. Every new gallon of oil produced is more energy intensive and requires more water than before. The “easy” sources of oil have been found and are being depleted. What is left are more remote, costlier and more environmentally damaging nontraditional sources such as Canadian tar sands or Rocky Mountain oil shale.

Current technologies in agriculture and biofuel processing have dramatically increased efficiency, lowered inputs, and help to conserve our soil and water resources (such as direct seed, no or low till practices). Biofuels have lower greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels and they improve our air quality through lower tailpipe emissions. Ethanol has replaced MTBE as an oxygenate for gasoline due to the health impacts of MTBE contaminating groundwater.

Ethanol Benefits

Reduces our dependence on foreign petroleum

Over 60% of our petroleum is imported

In 2007, ethanol reduced oil imports by 228.2 million barrels, saving $16.5 billion from being sent to foreign countries.

Decreases tailpipe emissions, better for the environment

E10 has 30% less carbon monoxide than regular gasoline, 25% less particulate matter

Gasoline contains more than 150 chemicals including numerous toxics and carcinogens while ethanol is non-toxic and biodegradable

Ethanol replaces toxic additives which prevent fuel system freezing and reduce fuel system deposits while increasing octane

Increases U.S. economic development

The ethanol industry alone accounts for 238,000 jobs, $47.6 billion in GDP and saves consumers $12.3 billion.

Cleaner-burning fuel

Unlike gasoline, ethanol creates no carbon, sulfur, and other residues that often clog combustion chambers and dirty engines.

Ethanol-enriched fuel burns cleaner, does not leave gummy deposits in fuel systems and helps to keep engines cleaner for optimal performance.

Ethanol Fun Facts

Ethanol was first used as a motor fuel in 1826 in an engine that ran on ethanol and turpentine

Henry Ford’s first automobile (late 1880s) was designed to run on pure ethanol

60 million gallons per year of ethanol were used during World War I

56% of all gasoline sold in the U.S. is blended with some percentage of ethanol

1 bushel of corn equals approximately 2.8 gallons of ethanol

Octane

The octane number on the gas pump is called the Anti-Knock Index (AKI). It is the average of two octane ratings, the Research Octane Number (RON) and the Motor Octane Number (MON).

RON affects low to medium speed knock and run-on (dieseling).

MON affects high speed, under-load knock.

AKI = (R + M)/2 = Octane Rating

Fuel Typical octane rating

Regular gasoline 87

E10 89

Premium 93

E85 105

Ethanol has a much higher octane rating than gasoline.

Usually higher compression engines need higher octane fuel (as compression rises, so do the octane requirements). Higher compression engines also raise cylinder temperatures. Ethanol provides an advantage for higher compression engines because it is cooler burning.

Ethanol blends increase engine power output while reducing problems with knocking.

Air-Fuel Ratio

The air to fuel ratio varies by fuel and by the load. More fuel is needed when ethanol is used which provides more power and a cooler-running engine (ethanol provides a cooler combustion process).

Ethanol and Fuel Economy

Ethanol has less energy (BTUs) than gasoline. However, how this interacts with fuel mileage is more complicated.

Use of E10 ethanol blend in spark-ignited automobile engines has not affected, and may have improved, fuel economy (miles per gallon) in recent EPA field studies. This is partly because modern automobile engines benefit more from the increased octane content in E10 than the slight energy content reduction. Recently, Volvo has released an E85 Flex Fuel vehicle that produces about the same fuel economy with E85 as it does with standard unleaded gasoline. This is because the engine has been optimized to run on both gasoline and E85, unlike most American vehicles optimized only for gasoline.

Another recent study (2007 ACE and State of Minnesota) illustrates that non-Flex Fuel vehicles may get better fuel economy with increased amounts of ethanol (E20 to E55) as they do in other countries (like Brazil). Lower fuel economy may still occur in older, carbureted vehicles, especially those operating at higher elevations. Modern engine controls compensate for these fuel variations and result in little or no difference in mileage. Therefore E10 does not affect fuel economy in most newer vehicles. Even in older vehicles, the mileage is usually only reduced by about 3%.

Tests run on current vehicles show that certain models run optimally on higher blends of ethanol such as the Toyota Camry on E30 and certain GM models on E20.

EPA has identified the single largest factor in fuel economy is driver operation, and that proper operation can reduce fuel use (and increase fuel economy) by 26%.

Energy comparison (the amount of energy a fuel contains is measured in BTUs)

Fuel British Thermal Units (BTUs or heat energy) per gallon

Gas 114,000

E10 107,000

E85 81,700

Seasonal blends may cause fluctuations in fuel economy as well. Winter gas may contain only 108,500 BTUs per gallon and the summer blend may contain up to 117,000 BTUs per gallon.

Flexible Fuel Vehicles

Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) can use anywhere between 0 and 85% ethanol.

In 2006, there were 5 million Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) on the road

How do I know if a car is a Flexible Fuel Vehicle?

Go to www.drivingethanol.org

Check the owner’s manual

Look for the E85 label near the gas cap

Higher Blends of Ethanol with Non-FFVs

E85 can potentially corrode certain materials over time. This is NOT a concern with E10. FFVs have ethanol-compatible parts - in their fuel tank, fuel lines, fuel fittings and gaskets, and fuel injectors - so materials compatibility is not an issue.

Can any gas-fueled vehicle be converted to a Flexible Fuel Vehicle?

Yes, but no conversion kit has been EPA-certified except for Flex-Box Smart Kit for fleet vehicles.

What blend level can be used with non-FFVs?

This depends on the model and age of the vehicle. Tests run on current vehicles show that certain models run optimally on higher blends of ethanol such as the Toyota Camry on E30 and certain GM models on E20.

What impact will increased use of ethanol have on air quality?

According to the Renewable Fuels Association, the use of ethanol significantly reduces tailpipe emissions of carbon monoxide, an ozone precursor, VOCs and fine particulates that pose a health threat to children, seniors and those with respiratory ailments. Importantly, renewable fuels help to reduce greenhouse gases emitted from vehicles, including carbon dioxide, methane and other gases that contribute to global warming.

What vehicles can use ethanol?

Any internal combustion engine can use E-10 (gasoline with 10% ethanol, also called gasohol) or a lower ethanol blend. Many cars can also use E-85, and are called ‘flex fuel vehicles’ for their ability to adjust ignition timing and air intake based on the fuel. E-85 compatible cars should have a sticker by the gas cap or on the door. See these links for details: www.e85fuel.com/ and www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/flextech.shtml.

Does ethanol save energy?

Yes. The Dept of Agriculture and the Dept of Energy have clarified the controversy caused by one widely publicized study that claimed a negative energy balance. “The most recent findings show that corn ethanol fuel is energy efficient and yields an energy output:input ratio of 1.6 to 1.” This analysis accounts for all non-solar energy used to grow, harvest and process corn, produce ethanol in modern facilities, and also the value of the by-product cattle feed.

(See: US Dept of Energy, www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/eth_energy_bal.html and US Dept of Agriculture www.usda.gov/oce/reports/energy/net_energy_balance.pdf )