Ever
since the discovery of fossil fuels, we are still constantly looking
alternative sources of energy. Now that fossil fuels become harder to obtain,
the need for alternative or renewable sources of energy becomes much more
urgent. However, these sources of energy may have harmful effects to our
environment such as greenhouse gas emissions. Enter corn ethanol.
Corn ethanol is ethanol produced from corn that
is used as a biomass. It is produced by a process of ethanol fermentation and
distillation wherein the corn grain is milled, then mixed with water to create
a “mash.” Enzymes are then added to the mash and
this mixture is cooked to hydrolyze the starch into glucose sugars. The yeast
then ferments these sugars into ethanol and is purified through a combination
of distillation and molecular sieve dehydration to create the fuel ethanol.
What
are the favorable effects of corn ethanol? For one, corn-based ethanol reduces
greenhouse gas emissions by 18% to 29% per mile traveled compared to
petroleum-based fuels. Using corn ethanol will definitely reduce the greenhouse
gases being emitted by vehicles and is a step in the right direction in saving
the environment. Another good effect brought about by corn ethanol is that is
is biodegradable. Since the ethanol is made with organic materials, it is
highly biodegradable, making unfortunate events like spills far less worrisome
as compared to petroleum spills. When spilled, 74% of the ethanol is already
broken down within 5 days. Last but certainly not the least, the process of
producing corn ethanols yields usable by-products. Two of these are
carbon-dioxide and DDGS (Dried Distillers Gains with Solubles) which are usable
in other industries. The carbon-dioxide can be captured for use in the food and
beverage industry while the DDGS can be used for cattle feed or further broken
down to extra corn oil, and for food or biodiesel production uses.
By
using corn ethanol instead of using petroleum-based or fossil fuels, we will begin
to decrease the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Although it is
already being mass-produced, it has yet to make a significant impact in our
society as we continue to consume fuel sources which we are used to using but
the least we can do is accept this with open arms for the betterment of our
environment and our world.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corn_ethanol
http://greenthefuture.com/ETHANOL_PROSCONS.html
Image Source:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/williampentland/2012/07/28/the-coming-food-crisis-blame-ethanol/
[By: Gian Fernando]
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