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In this document I would like to outline some of the deficiencies in the use of ETHANOL as a proposed
“alternative” carbon-free, low-gas emission fuel.
Let’s start by taking a look at where ethanol comes from, how it is produced, and why it is being touted as an energy efficient environmentally friendly biofuel.
Ethanol can be produced as a petrochemical via the hydration of ethylene, and biologically, by fermenting sugars with yeast. In this paper we will leave aside the ethanol produced petrochemically and digest some facts relating to the field crops required to produce ethanol.
In the U.S.A ethanol as a fuel is derived mainly from maize (corn). According to the “Renewable Fuel Association, in October ‘07, there were 131 grain ethanol bio-refineries in the U.S.A. with a further 72 refineries under construction. So lets ask how much maize will these refineries consume just to produce a biofuel?. Well America alone produces 270 million metric tons annually which is almost half the worlds harvest.
It has been calculated that 500lbs of maize is required to provide one full tank for the average american car; simple arithmetic will show that equates to approximately 12 tons of maize for 1 car for 1 year. If America is producing 270 million tons p.a., which is the approximate amount required to keep 20 million cars on the U.S roads for one year then ALL of America’s maize production is used on the production of fuel and there is none left to use as FOOD.
Brazil now has a policy of supporting ethanol as a car fuel which is provided from domestically grown sugar cane, which not only has a greater concentration of sucrose than corn (approx. 30% better) but is also much easier to extract.
The policies of both the Brazilian and the U.S.A. governments who supply 69% of the worlds ethanol- regarding the production of ethanol biofuels is directly at the expense of the food supply chain. Both sugar products and corn have soared up in price as a direct result of these policies and the huge subsidies paid to farmers and industrial conglomerates. In fact the Asian Development Bank stated on Monday the 21st April this year “that developed nations should stop paying agricultural subsidies to encourage biofuel production because those payments are making staple foods more expensive.”
Sweden does not help this situation either as its said that 13% of new cars sold there now run on biofuel and practically every other car maker in the world is trying to make their own version of a biofuel car.
In following their policy to produce ethanol biofuel systems they have turned their backs to the fact that this policy has a negative effect on the environment by removing crops (food) from the food chain and where it is the case (Brazil,S America) where tropical forests are being demolished to plant biofuel producing crops, they are removing those vital trees from from the land which themselves can literally absorb a ton of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in their lifetime.
Finally, a recent article in Science magazine states: “the use of US croplands for biofuels causes increased greenhouse gas emissions through emissions from land use change”.
Having read the above it is incredible how anyone could perceive ethanol to be an ethical alternative fuel.
There is an ethical, environmentally friendly system available NOW, but nobody in government nor anyone in the oil industry supports it. WHY, - simply because they have a vested interest in the status quo.The big conglomerates with government officials aiding them have invested BILLIONS in the aforementioned so called alternative fuels and they have made huge mistakes, but their shortsightedness in trying to protect their bad investments at all costs, is at a cost to the world’s precious delicate environment.
As mentioned we do have an alternative system that is eco-friendly and it is available NOW; it is the water to fuel conversion system which for a very small fee is yours to benefit from immediately.
What are the immediate benefits of installing a water to fuel conversion system?
a)..Your vehicle will dramatically produce significantly cleaner gas emissions thus reducing the amount of carbon dioxide discharged into the air.
b)..You will reduce the amount of land required for crops to convert to biofuel which can then be re-utilized for growing vital food crops.
c)..Reduced petrol/diesel consumption via improved m.p.g.
d)..Both a & b help to provide a better, healthier environment, and incidentally and very happily with c) you will find you have more cash left in your pocket.
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