| 5.
According to a study by Cornell University, for every gallon of Ethanol
produced, 1.4 gallons of energy is consumed in the process, compared to
0.15 gallons used in the manufacture of Gasoline.
Ethanol
Response: The widely touted, and tragically flawed Cornell University
Study has been discredited in numerous ways. For one, many of the assumptions
made in the study have been shown to be inaccurate. For example, the study
uses numbers that portray all the corn grown in the United States as having
come from irrigated fields. In reality, only 15% of the corn grown in
the United States is grown under irrigation. Secondly, many other credible
studies show that there is much more energy in a gallon of Ethanol than
it takes to produce it, including a benchmark study by the United States
Department of Agriculture.
6. It takes 1.5 gallons of ethanol to drive as many miles
as one gallon of gasoline.
Ethanol Response: This is a misleading statement since
no one drives on pure Ethanol. Most motorists will not notice any difference
in mileage using the standard 10% Ethanol blend. For trivia purposes,
it takes only about 8 ozs. of MTBE to pollute an Olympic-size swimming
pool and make the water virtually undrinkable.
7. Ethanol increases the vapor pressure of Gasoline by
1 psi, resulting in higher evaporative emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds,
while tailpipe emissions of Acetaldehyde increase 150%.
Ethanol Response: This is another example of twisting
the truth. All Gasoline, whether it has Ethanol in it or not, has to meet
relevant/government Standards with regards to vapor pressure and Gasoline
is produced and blended accordingly.
Therefore, Ethanol blends do not exceed any such Standards for vapor pressure.
On the other side of the car, Ethanol blends significantly reduce tailpipe
emissions, including reducing carbon monoxide emissions by up to 33%.
In fact, such Ethanol blends are being progressively being made mandatory
in many Metros around the World to help their clean air goals.
While Acetaldehyde emissions may increase due to the higher oxygen content
of Ethanol blends, the flip side is that Ethanol blends reduce Formaldehyde
emissions significantly and Formaldehyde emissions are 50% more toxic
then Acetaldehyde emissions, which are still very low.
8. Ethanol permeates the hoses and lines of automobile
fuel systems resulting in a 50% increase in VOC emissions for pre 1995
cars.
Ethanol Response: Again, not true. Ethanol compatible
materials have been used by the automotive industry since the late 1970's
when Ethanol began to be blended with Gasoline.
9. Ethanol dissolves oxide scale from the walls of pipes
and tanks, subjecting the systems to internal corrosion, which leads to
leaks.
Ethanol Response: Again, this accusation is not true.
While Ethanol has good detergent qualities, it actually helps keep tanks
clean and prevents leaks. Since Ethanol has been used in many parts around
the world, the various tank and pipe component manufacturers have developed
products that work well with Ethanol blends.
Content
generated by S. K. Gupta. - 11/’02. |
