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Is ethanol, either e10 or e85 really a better choice than non-blended gasoline? The author of this article feels ethanol is an excellent fuel choice and explains why in the article below.
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Why Should I Use Ethanol
Dorrie Ruplinger
There are a number of reasons why people should use ethanol. The benefits of using ethanol not only help you as a consumer, but can help the entire country, and the entire planet.
The use and production of ethanol fuel benefits all three states of the economy: local, state and national. The communities that produce the crops used in ethanol help advance the growth of the economy. In 1997, a study by the Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management found that a total of 4370 jobs are created for every ethanol plant in the United States. In 2002, the AUS Consultants and SJH & Company revealed that an ethanol plant expands the local economy base by around $110 million each year.
Economic growth is not the only benefit of ethanol. The production of ethanol helps to build the agriculture industries which leads to rural economic development. The ethanol is grown on farms around the country and since the demand increases for their crops, the farmers are able to make more money. In some cases, the local price of corn can increase by 5-10 cents per bushel.
Another important reason why people should use ethanol is that it will lead to energy independence. Currently, the United States is dependent for most of its energy.
The current production of ethanol in the United States has a capacity of approximately 4 billion gallons per year. This would reduce the gasoline imports by nearly one-third. It would also extend the gasoline supply if ever there is a shortage of oil.
Currently, the United States imports approximately two-thirds of its oil. Experts believe this number will increase consistently if nothing is done about the mass oil consumption.
Another main reason why people should use ethanol fuel is to protect the environment. According to the U.S. EPA, fossil fuel-based gasoline is the number one source of toxic emissions. Not only is ethanol renewable, it is an environmentally friendly fuel that much cleaner than regular gasoline. Ethanol made from corn can reduce emissions that contribute to global warming by as much as 20%. Tree and grass-based ethanol can reduce these emissions by up to 80%. Naturally, the E-85 is better for the environment than the E-10, but E-10 is a step in the right direction.
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What is E85
Ethanol & How is it made
Rising gasoline prices have heightened consumer awareness about E85
ethanol. These days, there is much ado about this fuel, and why
shouldn’t there be? After all, it costs close to thirty five percent
less than gasoline and is quickly becoming the preferred choice for
motorists at the pump stations. E85 ethanol is already widely used in
Sweden and pump stations in America, with states like Minnesota and
Illinois having the highest rate of E85 fuel pumps servicing motorists.
What is E 85 Ethanol?
When 15 percent of leaded gasoline is combined with eighty five percent
of ethanol, the result is the low-cost E85 ethanol fuel. Widely
available in the US, it is an alcohol-based fuel that can be produced
from employing the use of two methods. The first source of production
involves the fermenting and distilling of starch-like feedstock. They
include corn, barley, and wheat. The next method, which is referred as
bio-ethanol, involves extraction from trees and grasses.
Although the price of the Ethanol E85 may be foremost on consumer’s
minds, it also gets the nod from earth activists because it is an
environmentally friendly product. It burns clean and its key ingredient
source is renewable. Ethanol E85 also eliminates the import of crude
oil because it is locally produced and is also known for increasing the
octane rating in fuel while decreasing the harmful emissions caused by
gasoline.
Ethanol E85 will run well in flexible fuel vehicles like those
manufactured by Daimler Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Isuzu and Nissan
to name a few. But, if you don’t own a vehicle by one of the
above-mentioned manufacturers, you need not fear. Some people are not
aware that many other cars manufactured today are Ethanol E85
compatible. It is best to find out from your car dealer if you have a
flexible fuel vehicle.
How is E85 Ethanol
Made?
The method for producing Ethanol E85 is long and complex. The maker has
to first extract sugar from biological feedstock in order to begin the
process. Corn is the leading ingredient in Ethanol E85 gas. And the
starch in it can easily be converted into sugar. Sugar for this fuel can
also be extracted from cellulose, which is a sugar based ingredient
found in trees and grasses.
Once the feedstock is collected, it goes through a grinding process to
extract the sugar. Sugar fed into microbes quickly produces ethanol and
carbon dioxide, which finally endures purification stages to get the
ethanol to the right consistency.
There is another method of manufacturing Ethanol E85 oil or grain
alcohol, as it is also known, and this is through a wet-milling process.
This is also the method that large-scale manufacturers use when
producing high-fructose corn sweetener.
Ethanol E85 is an innovative and renewable resource with many positive
characteristics, making it one of the leading topics of discussion for
those looking to help the earth and looking to keep a few extra bucks in
their wallet.
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