Realistic alternatives
Transcript of Realistic alternatives
Blue and Grey
The Ethanol Future?
Ethanol as Fuel
Derived from starch or sugar rich Biomass
Mass ProductionPretreatment to remove impurities (non sugars)
Fermentation by microbes
Distillation
Dehydration
U.S. refineries produce 7 billion gallons annually
Currently serves 5.4% of world fuel consumption
Why Ethanol?
The Cheap StuffBy far the cheapest auto-revamp option - Conversion kits (to E85) ranging $300-$900
Tax credits for station owners (EPA act, 2005) up to 30%
Tax credits for Ethanol-based crop production, up to $0.49 cents per gallon.
Better range than all-electric vehicles
Burns with less emissions than gasoline, renewable
Plants remove CO2 from the atmosphere
Ethanol Now
Averages 10% of current gasoline volume (E10)Most cars can safely burn up to E15 (85% gas)
Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFV, E85) are the most widely available non-gasoline cars
Emissions and Efficiency
Toxic EmissionsGasoline: Particulate matter, carbon oxides, nitrous oxides, methane
Ethanol/Methanol: Particulate matter (down 50%), gaseous
aldehydes, nitrous oxides (reduced), methane, Carbon oxides(down
21%, 30%)
Efficiency after production (feedstock)
Gasoline (Petroleum) 100%
Ethanol (Biomass) ~73%
Methanol (Biomass) ~51%
Hydrogen (Petroleum) ~35-40%
Problems with Ethanol
Oil dependent for pesticides and insecticides
Global genetic diversity loss in plants
Food prices increase
Little to no extra farming room (deforestation)
Ideal plants for production are nutrient intensive (soil depletion)
Up to 68% of FFV owners are unaware of Flex-Fuel technology
Most E85 pumps are in the Western U.S.
Problems with Ethanol
Tax credit (0.49cents/gallon) very likely to expire in 2011
Require larger tanks than gasoline models for equal range (lower energy/volume)
Transportation of biomass still bound to high gas prices
Cold StartingAlcohol fuels have a much higher freezing point than gasoline
Cold-start conversion kits, manipulate fuel flow for better ignition spray ($200-$350)
Corn Alternatives
Cellulosic EthanolUp to 85% harmful emissions reduction
Derived from cell walls, mostly inedible plant parts and wood chips
Could dispose of plant matter waste in the US (more than 50 million tons annually), and produce up to Cons
Much more expensive to process (~$380 million/refinery) than conventional Ethanol production (~$80 million/refinery)
Corn Alternatives
Switch grassHailed by some as a miracle for bio fuels
Can be harvested with 5 times total energy return
Requires less fertilizers and pesticides than most plants
Can grow in a wide variety of soil
FFV Alternatives
Electric carsNo harmful emissions
Supported over Ethanol by Honda
Can be coupled with other fuel-intake systems for amazing efficiencyBreak heat recycling
Cons:
Intimidating Recharge Infrastructure (electric grid)
Range Inefficiency, range anxiety
Large production change required, auto overhaul
FFV Alternatives
Mass Transit (USA)Considerable initial and upkeep cost (difficult to find investors)
Not as flexible on a landmass with scattered urban centers
Gov. Rick Scott's denial of High Speed Rail funding (2011)
The Future of Fuel
If we venture into an Alcohol Economy...
Domestic food prices will rise, trading with developing nations may become viable-Hydroponics in urban centers (solar power innovation)