Ethanol Free

Well, there you have it: cellulosic ethanol...actually I see they have a cellulosic ethanol plant coming up in Florida where they gasify the wood and convert the CO +H2 into ethnaol via "fermentation", but that's a funny idea to me fermenting gases? And I have biochemical training.

 

I remember seeing various fuel prices at the EIA web site. Take a peek.

I don't follow the technology closely but I remember seeing in "GreenCarCongress" something about using a partial vacuum distillation. At lower pressures, the temperatures don't have to be so high and they can pre-heat some of the feedstock from the condensate. There are significant energy savings by engineering an efficient distillation versus the 'hillbilly' models.

Bob Wilson

 

I have to laugh when people start talking about burning wood or other carbon fuels to make Ethanol, then claim its a cleaner fuel.

 

Wonder if the Liberty in Leesburg sells Ethanol free Gas. Maybe have to check this week.

 

What better use do you suggest for waste material?

We don't need to eliminate carbon; the goal is to become neutral.

Also, don't dismiss the smog reduction aspect of non-petroleum renewable fuels.

 

According to pure-gas.org, you have to go to Charles Town Winchester or Front Royal, but check it out.

 

...well with corn it tends to be carbon neutral but you are reducing dependence on petroleum by using more nat gas, elec etc. The weakness with that argument is there are many ways to reduce dependence on petroleum and growing corn for ethanol is not necessarily the best way to go. IN Brazil with sugar cane I believe ethanol actually reduces carbon emissions, assuming we don't account for the deforestation impact. Bottom line: ag sources of fuel is something governments like a lot.

 

You can believe what you wish, but it does nothing of the sort. Deforestation is a HUGE impact. By the time that Ethanol reaches your gas tank, more pollution and carbon has been released than if you just burned regular gas in the first place. Burning the Ethanol after the fact does not negate that.

 

I dont think it's cool to start bashing hybrid cars on a hybrid forum. I will tell you I paid just over 20k for my prius c that I drive lots of 2.5 mile to 6 mile trips. in town mpg is holding at a calculated mpg of over 61 on oregon e10. how does your car compair to that

 

Ethanol is to gas what water is to your dinner....it'll fill you up but not give much of value.

It's nowhere near as energy potent as the gas it replaces, so you actually burn more of it in the long run. All it does is cut out 10% of the fuel you buy with a cheaper substitute which gives the illusion that you are paying less for the energy you use.

 

Doesn't ethanol also increase the oxygen content to reduce emissions? I know CA had that issue when they were still using MTBE in gas years ago, and they were trying to find a suitable substitute. I thought ethanol ended being the replacement.

 

Yes. Many of those thinking they are buying "pure gas" aren't.

http://www.epa.gov/OUST/oxygenat/LL36ETH.pdf