Using Corn Ethanol as a Fuel Source

Corn Is Ethanol’s Main Source

Corn ethanol is widely being used in the transportation industry as a supplement to gasoline. Ethanol is made from corn and other naturally renewable substances, while gasoline is made from fossil fuels, which are not easily renewable. Corn ethanol has the added benefit of being better for the environment in that it burns much cleaner than gasoline due to its chemical composition.

Corn ethanol is made by in a long and complex process. First, the corn is milled, or ground into a fine powder. Water is then added to make what is known as meal. The sugars of the corn are then isolated and prepared in order to release their inherent energy. The alcohol is then removed from the corn ethanol meal, having a purity of about 95% pure alcohol. Further purity is achieved when the remaining water is removed in a process of evaporation, leaving the alcohol 100% pure, or, as some say, 200 proof. The corn ethanol is then mixed with a toxic substance such as alcohol so that it becomes unfit for human consumption, yet leaving it viable as a new source of fuel.

“The way that ethanol is made out of corn is not so important to the consumer as the fact that it is environmental friendly and very available.”

There are different types of ethanol fuels that are made from corn. E10 is a blend of 10% ethanol and unleaded gasoline. This is a popular fuel in the American Midwest, as well as in several other countries like Columbia and Brazil. All motor vehicles that have been manufactured since the 1970’s can run on E10, which makes its integration into modern society that much easier. E85, another form of corn ethanol, is 85% alcohol and 15% unleaded gasoline. Unfortunately, this fuel is not compatible with most cars, though it is estimated that over six million cars on the road today are able to burn E85, which is good news for the environment.