Ethanol, myths and realities

[slowrev]

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/may2006/tc20060519_225336.htm


One thing of note. this article says that producing 1 million BTU's of ethanol is more efficient than producing 1 million BTU's worth of gas ?

 

[slowrev]

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/may2006/tc20060519_225336.htm


One thing of note. this article says that producing 1 million BTU's of ethanol is more efficient than producing 1 million BTU's worth of gas ?

 

[Humbleto]

Excellent article. Seems to be totally non particent. I know my local Exxon now has the pumps labeled 10% ethanol.

 

[Humbleto]

Excellent article. Seems to be totally non particent. I know my local Exxon now has the pumps labeled 10% ethanol.

 

[Hib]

Those ethanol plants are popping up like dandelions here in Iowa. I would think transportation cost would be dramatically reduced with more plants. Kinda a point of use analogy.
I think the most important point he missed when speaking of Brazil was the fact that within a 15 year period they have become totally (100%) independent of foriegn oil imports. Just think where that would leave Iraq or Iran if the US was in that position now /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Hib]

Those ethanol plants are popping up like dandelions here in Iowa. I would think transportation cost would be dramatically reduced with more plants. Kinda a point of use analogy.
I think the most important point he missed when speaking of Brazil was the fact that within a 15 year period they have become totally (100%) independent of foriegn oil imports. Just think where that would leave Iraq or Iran if the US was in that position now /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[cowboydoc]

Ethanol and biodiesel are significant resources to draw on to help solve the energy problem. Unfortunately as seen in other threads people want to go by data from 25 years ago on it's use. With new technology it's use is parellel with fossil fuels in terms of btu's. There are kinks but they all have a solution. As with any new technology there is growing period. Change is always met with resistance. The other factor not mentioned is that currently 200 bushel/acre corn is common. There are hybrid/genetic types that are capable of producing 400 bushel/acre with more energy content. Until now there has not been a market for it due to human consumption. But if farmers can get contracts directly with ethanol plants and the restrictions on genetic corn can be changed you will see ethanol production being signficantly greater than fossil fuels.

 

[cowboydoc]

Ethanol and biodiesel are significant resources to draw on to help solve the energy problem. Unfortunately as seen in other threads people want to go by data from 25 years ago on it's use. With new technology it's use is parellel with fossil fuels in terms of btu's. There are kinks but they all have a solution. As with any new technology there is growing period. Change is always met with resistance. The other factor not mentioned is that currently 200 bushel/acre corn is common. There are hybrid/genetic types that are capable of producing 400 bushel/acre with more energy content. Until now there has not been a market for it due to human consumption. But if farmers can get contracts directly with ethanol plants and the restrictions on genetic corn can be changed you will see ethanol production being signficantly greater than fossil fuels.

 

[Bird]

Tommy, if I'm not mistaken, all the gasoline sold in Texas service stations now is having ethanol added in place of the MTBE that they can no longer use. All the pumps I've noticed lately have a sticker saying the gasoline contains "up to 10% ethanol".

 

[Bird]

Tommy, if I'm not mistaken, all the gasoline sold in Texas service stations now is having ethanol added in place of the MTBE that they can no longer use. All the pumps I've noticed lately have a sticker saying the gasoline contains "up to 10% ethanol".