ethanol and the environment. reduction of exhaust emissions ethanol burns cleaner and is more...
TRANSCRIPT
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 Gasoline contains many hydrocarbons,
some of which are known to be cancer causing agents
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
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
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”.
Ozone The ozone production when burning
ethanol is less than the ozone released when burning gasoline
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
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.
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
Carbon Dioxide
References Argonne National Laboratory,
Transportation Technology R&D Centerhttp://www.transportation.anl.gov/fuels/index.html