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Ethanol and the Environment

Ethanol and the Environment. Reduction of Exhaust Emissions. Ethanol burns cleaner and is more efficient than gasoline – reducing carbon monoxide released into the atmosphere. Exhaust. Ethanol contains oxygen which provides a cleaner burn

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Ethanol and the Environment

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  1. Ethanol and the Environment

  2. Reduction of Exhaust Emissions • Ethanol burns cleaner and is more efficient than gasoline – reducing carbon monoxide released into the atmosphere

  3. Exhaust • Ethanol contains oxygen which provides a cleaner burn • Gasoline contains many hydrocarbons, some of which are known to be cancer causing agents

  4. The release of hydrocarbons results in smog • The following pictures were taken from the same angle in Mexico City showing effects of smog No Smog Low Smog High Smog

  5. Exhaust • These hydrocarbons are released into the atmosphere through exhaust and when refueling the vehicle • The release of hydrocarbons is greatly reduced when ethanol is mixed with the gasoline

  6. Ozone Pollution • According to the American Coalition for ethanol: “Ozone is formed in air when hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide or nitrogen oxides react in the presence of sunlight and heat”. • “Ground level ozone causes human respiratory stress, and damages many plants, significantly reducing farm crop yields and the "health" of trees and other vegetation”.

  7. Ozone • The ozone production when burning ethanol is less than the ozone released when burning gasoline

  8. Aldehyde Emission • Ethanol combustion does increase aldehyde emission • Some forms of aldehydes are suspected to be cancer causing • Catalytic converters on cars are designed to reduce aldehyde emission

  9. Carbon Monoxide (CO) • A colorless, odorless, toxic gas formed as a product of incomplete combustion of carbon. • Using ethanol-blended fuels will reduce the amount of CO released into the air.

  10. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) • A heavy, colorless gas that does not support combustion • Excess carbon dioxide may contribute to global warming • Ethanol combustion results in near zero net CO2 production because the gas that is released is offset by the gas that is consumed by plants grown for ethanol production

  11. Carbon Dioxide

  12. References • Argonne National Laboratory, Transportation Technology R&D Centerhttp://www.transportation.anl.gov/fuels/index.html

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