Ethanol as an Alternative Energy Source Essays -- Biofuel Bio Fuel Ess

Biofuels: Ethanol an Alternative Energy Source Abstract In today's society, when someone wants to go to the movies, work, school, library, or mall, they drive to their destination. The average amount of gasoline consumed per year is about 146 gallons in the U.S. (Biofuels for Transportation, p1). Discoveries of huge petroleum deposits kept gasoline cheap for decades and biofuels were forgotten (Leen, p1). However, with the recent oil prices, along with growing concern of global warming caused by carbon dioxide emissions, biofuel regained popularity (Leen, p1). Ethanol, a renewable fuel made from plants was added to gasoline to increase octane and help the engines burn more efficiently and cleanly (West,p1). Introduction Ethanol or ethyl alcohol (EtOH) is an alternative energy source which produces a fuel with higher octane rating and fewer emissions than unblended gas (West, p1). Some sources used to make ethanol are sugar canes, maize, sorghum, fruit and vegetable waste, barley, wheat, potatoes, molasses, cotton, or any other plant that contains a large amount of sugar. But the leading U.S fuel crop is corn. Corn byproducts allow more fuel to be made from the same amount of corn by breaking down the starches in its cell walls (Benefits, p3). The enzyme Tran 2 increases production of alcohol from corn by 2% to 3% (Benefits, p3). There are four steps toward making ethanol. First, the feedstock is ground for easier processing, then when the sugar is dissolved from the ground materials, the microbes feed on the sugar producing ethanol and carbon dioxide as byproducts (West, p2). Lastly, the ethanol is purified to achieve the correct concentration (West, p3). This grain alcohol is a colorless and flammable as well as drin... ...http://journey tofor ever.org/ethanol.html>. 2. Martinez, Scott. Ethanol. 12 Sept 2005. WiseGeeks, Wisegeek.com/ what-is-ethanol-fuel.htm>, 22 July 2008. 3. Sunshine John. What is Ethanol Fuel? 8 July 2008. Ethanol. 20 July 2008. . 4. Unknown. Biofuels. Alternative Energy. 25 July 2008. . 5. Unknown. Genomes to Life. 2007 July 10. Biofuels for Transportation. 19 July 2008. . 6. Unknown. The Benefits of Biomass. 2006 Sept 18. Bioenergy. 18 July 2008. . 7. West, Lester. What is Ethanol? 13 March 2005. About. 17 July 2008. ethanol.htm>.