3)Importance and difficulties of ethanol as a fuel

3)Importance and difficulties of ethanol as a fuel

Advantages

§  a renewable fuel extracted from plants that contain glucose then processed

It will reduce the need for non-renewable sources.

§  The technology is widely studied and has already been proven.

Scientists have already made their calculations and experiments hence the method is available.

§  it is greenhouse friendly(neutral effect)

The atmosphere won't be affected because CO2 emission are absorbed by the plants; hence becomes part of a cycle

§  Up to 20% can be mixed with petrol and used without any modification to the current engine.

Disadvantages

§  75% of agriculture land is needs to be devoted for sugar crops to use as an alternative fuel.

This means that the land used to grow food crops will decrease, dedicating only 25% for human food. A shortage of food supplies and economic problems will be caused including an end to export and import exchanges of crops and other problems such as famine.

§  Distillation process requires huge amount of energy.

The energy needed for distillation is used from coal so greenhouse is still affected. Also, the disposal of large amounts of fermentation liquids would have major environmental problems.

§  New engines need to be designed and produced for pure Ethanol fuel which will end up deteriorating rubber and plastic materials in the tank therefore it cannot be used in unmodified tanks.

§  The cost for manufactures and motor owners is too high.