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| What is Bioethanol |
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Like biodiesel, bioethanol is a liquid biofuel. It is made from starch plants (like corn, wheat and cassava), sugar plants (beet and cane) and sometimes cellulose plants (trees). It is produced first by fermentation, followed by distillation and finally dehydration and requires a chemical plant to convert it to alcohol (ethanol) in the same way as drinking alcohol is made. Additives are put in to stop it being used for drinking purposes.
Bioethanol can be used as a fuel in a number of different ways:
- As a blend (ranging between 5% and 85%). As a 5% blend it can be used in all petrol engines. However, higher E85 blends require some modifications.
- As a direct substitute for petrol in cars with appropriately modified engines.
It is generally accepted that on a like for like basis, bioethanol gives a 70% carbon dioxide reduction versus petrol. This means that a 5% blend produces 3.5% less carbon emissions, whilst an 85% blend (like E85) would achieve a 50% reduction.
The availability of bio-ethanol in the UK looks set to increase as car manufacturers begin to produce vehicles that can run on all blends up to 85%.
Brazil is the world's largest producer of bioethanol, with 45% of all fuel used in cars there being bioethanol. Brazil has two fuels - petrol containing 25% ethanol and 100% ethanol. 60% of new cars sold are 100% ethanol fuelled.
The USA and Sweden also have well-established bioethanol networks. The USA, for example, has 6 million E85 vehicles. |
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