As many of you know I am skeptical that CO2 is a significant cause of global warming, but assuming it is, the following is interesting:

From http://www.intota.com/docs/ethanol-pollution.asp

Does Ethanol Pollute More than Gasoline? An Expert Reveals the Facts: By now you may have heard of the economic questions regarding using corn for ethanol production, but less attention has been paid to the environmental impact of using ethanol as an alternative to gasoline. Is ethanol more of a pollutant than gasoline? Surprisingly, the science says yes. According to our Expert, who holds a PhD in Biochemical Engineering, a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, and has over 40 years experience performing biotechnology, bioengineering, and bioprocess research, both ethanol and gasoline deliver the same amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere per gallon consumed. However, when compared on a per mile driven basis, burning ethanol actually produces 54% more CO2 as global warming pollutant than gasoline due to the fact that ethanol has lower fuel efficiency. For the science buffs out there, the energy production produced by burning materials is proportional to the molecules of oxygen used. Here are the chemical formulas for the energy produced by burning octane via gasoline and by burning glucose via ethanol. Octane (n-dodecane): C12H26 + 18.5 O2 → 12 CO2 + 13 H2O 18.5 x energy units. Glucose via ethanol: Glucose 2 C6H12O6 → 4 CO2 + 4 C2H5OH Ethanol: 4 C2H5OH + 12 O2 → 8 CO2 + 12 H2O ________________________________________ 2 C6H12O6 + 12 O2 → 12 CO2 + 12 H2O 12.0 x energy units What is the scientific conclusion? To reduce CO2 as a global warming pollutant, stop using ethanol as an automobile fuel substitute!

Corn is not a good crop for producing alcohol for fuel. We've done it simply because we have so much corn and it was a way to pump some money into a few corporate farmers but long term it's not a good solution. Better solutions will come from places like this: http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/11/colorado-company-to-take-algae- based-fuel-to-the-next-level/?scp=1&sq=Solix&st=cse Here crops and facilities are specifically designed to produce fuel, unlike corn which as has been pointed out uses a lot of fuel in its production and frankly doesn't have a high enough yield per acre. I'm not sure this technology is the final answer but it is a big step in the right direction. I see the involvement of oil companies as a good thing, it will get this into the system. Oil Companies need to go from oil companies to energy companies and if this helps so much the better. Bob -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of erikhansen@TheBlueZone.net Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 6:17 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Ethanol vs. Gasoline

Ethanol has its problems, we produce less food (corn and wheat) to begin with. Brazil has done a good job producing it with grasses, some swamp grasses might be better in US.

Erik As many of you know I am skeptical that CO2 is a significant cause of

global warming, but assuming it is, the following is interesting:

...

From http://www.intota.com/docs/ethanol-pollution.asp

Does Ethanol Pollute More than Gasoline?

An Expert Reveals the Facts:

By now you may have heard of the economic questions regarding using corn for ethanol production, but less attention has been paid to the environmental impact of using ethanol as an alternative to gasoline. Is ethanol more of a pollutant than gasoline? Surprisingly, the science says yes. According to our Expert, who holds a PhD in Biochemical Engineering, a Master$B!G(Bs degree in Chemical Engineering, and has over 40 years experience performing biotechnology, bioengineering, and bioprocess research, both ethanol and gasoline deliver the same amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere per gallon consumed. However, when compared on a per mile driven basis, burning ethanol actually produces 54% more CO2 as global warming pollutant than gasoline due to the fact that ethanol has lower fuel efficiency. For the science buffs out there, the energy production produced by burning materials is proportional to the molecules of oxygen used. Here are the chemical formulas for the energy produced by burning octane via gasoline and by burning glucose via ethanol.

Octane (n-dodecane): C12H26 + 18.5 O2 $B"*(B 12 CO2 + 13 H2O 18.5 x energy units.

Glucose via ethanol: Glucose 2 C6H12O6 $B"*(B 4 CO2 + 4 C2H5OH Ethanol: 4 C2H5OH + 12 O2 $B"*(B 8 CO2 + 12 H2O ________________________________________ 2 C6H12O6 + 12 O2 $B"*(B 12 CO2 + 12 H2O 12.0 x energy units

What is the scientific conclusion? To reduce CO2 as a global warming pollutant, stop using ethanol as an automobile fuel substitute!

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