Figure 1
Figure 1 shows the chemical compound of an ethanol molecule, CH3CH2OH . The red components make up the oxygen, the black components make up the two carbon molecules and the grey components make up the six hydrogen molecules.
What is Ethanol?
Ethanol is a liquid two-carbon molecule containing hydrogen, oxygen and carbon created from the fermentation of sugars such as starch. It is apart of the alcohol family, and therefore ending in the suffix "-ol". Ethanol is most commonly known as the drinking form of alcohol, it is probably the oldest recreational substance that humans consume. However ethanol also serves other purposes such as medical uses and as a source of fuel for automobiles, air-crafts and even rockets. It is also a base chemical for other organic compounds (ex. ethyl halides, ethyl amines, acetic acid, etc.) which have industrial purposes of their own. Common characteristics of ethanol are that is has a strong odor, it is a colorless liquid that is volatile and highly flammable, and it has a low boiling point. Its chemical formula is: C2H6O or C2H5OH or CH3CH2OH. In Canada, other than being produced for consumption, ethanol is mainly used as a source of fuel. Ethanol production in Canada is mostly made from corn and wheat (Natural Resources Canada, 2014) both of which contain a lot of starch. For ethanol to be used as a fuel it must be distilled and dehydrated to produce alcohol that is water-free because if it contained water it would not be able to mix with gasoline.
Fuel Ethanol Advantages
Compared to gasoline and other fossil fuels ethanol is a lot more environmental. Because ethanol is a renewable fuel that comes from organic substances (corn, wheat, starch) there is no limitation to how much can be produced, it is also more accessible than underground oil reserves for example. It also burns more cleanly and thoroughly than gasoline, it results in less waste products such soot and carbon monoxide thus reducing greenhouse gas emission. "Low-blend ethanol from corn produces about 3 to 4 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline." (Natural Resources Canada, 2014) Such a reduction in pollution would have a huge impact on the environment over-time if applied nation-wide. Other than environmental advantages fuel ethanol production also has economic benefits. Rural areas in ethanol is produced have an increase in economic growth and job opportunities by creating construction and operation jobs. Established farmers can simply grow crops specifically for ethanol production and capitalize on the new market.
Fuel Ethanol Disadvantages
Although ethanol is a renewable fuel source large areas covering hundreds of acres are required for harvesting crops for ethanol production, which could possibly result in the deforestation of large areas. Even the production of ethanol from starch requires energy which produces emissions, therefore a reduction in greenhouse emissions would depend on the production processes and how much waste by-product is created. Compared to gasoline ethanol has a lower heat of combustion meaning more would be required to get the same result as lesser gasoline. Again it would seem that ethanol's environmental purposes are being overridden by its own production and use.