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Ethanol is a clear, colorless alcohol fuel made from the sugars found in grains. We have routinely used it for centuries. In the mid-1800s it was used as a lighting fuel for lamps. However, the Civil War’s liquor tax increased the price of it so much that it was replaced by other lamp oils such as kerosene.

Henry Ford designed his Model T to run on an alcohol and gasoline mix. Prophetically, he called it the “fuel of the future.” Ethanol was banned again during Prohibition unless it was mixed with petroleum.

When oil became scarce during World War II, ethanol production was increased. Ethanol production became popular again in the 1970s when major oil-producing countries cut gasoline supplies. Tax benefits have been offered ever since to companies producing and blending ethanol into fuel. However, its only been since the late 1980s that a concern about reducing carbon monoxide emissions, air quality, and air pollution have been considered.

Ethanol is safe and biodegradable. It reduces toxic pollution and keeps engines running without the need for lead or other chemical additives. And it is part of the carbon cycle process.

Ethanol is simply “alcohol” created by fermenting sugar. Sugar crops are the easiest to convert into ethanol. Corn is the main crop used to make ethanol in the U.S. It is abundant and relatively inexpensive. In other parts of the world, ethanol is produced from sugar cane and sugar beets. Brazil uses sugar cane, and is the world's largest producer of ethanol.

"Cellulosic ethanol" is an experimental process that breaks down cellulose in woody fibers. Rather than committing food crops and land, to fuel crops, the cellulosic process is able to make ethanol from trees, grasses, and crop wastes. These crops require less energy than grains and do not need to be replanted every year. Trees that grow to size in ten years have been scientifically developed, and many grasses can produce several harvests a year.



Jason Grace
on behalf of the
BascoTec Internet Limited
Technologie Park 13
33100 Paderborn
Germany

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