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Oil - production: 7.61 million barrels per day Oil - exports: 1.05 million barrels per day Oil - imports: 13.15 million barrels per day
So what does that translate to for gasoline usage? A barrel of oil measures 42 gallons. Of that 42 gallons, refining produces about 19-20 gallons of gasoline. That's nearly 400 Million gallons per day. Over a year's time we use approx. 140 Billion gallons of gasoline!
Ethanol is an American made renewable fuel that is high octane and burns cleaner than petroleum. The use of ethanol provides many benefits to the economy and environment of the United States. Regrettably, there are numerous myths regarding ethanol that we would like to discuss.
Ethanol is not a new fuel. In the 1850s, ethanol was a major lighting fuel. During the Civil War, a liquor tax was placed on ethanol to raise money for the war. The tax increased the price of ethanol so much that it could no longer compete with other fuels such as kerosene in lighting devices. Ethanol production declined sharply because of this tax and production levels did not begin to recover until the tax was repealed in 1906. In 1908, Henry Ford designed his Model T to run on a mixture of gasoline and alcohol, calling it the fuel of the future. In 1919, when Prohibition began, ethanol was banned because it was considered a liquor. It could only be sold when it was mixed with petroleum. With the end of Prohibition in 1933, ethanol was used as a fuel again. Ethanol use increased temporarily during World War II when oil and other resources were scarce. In the 1970s, interest in ethanol as a transportation fuel was revived when embargoes by major oil producing countries cut gasoline supplies. Since that time ethanol use has been encouraged by offering tax benefits for producing ethanol and for blending ethanol into gasoline. In 1988, ethanol began to be added to gasoline for the purpose of reducing carbon monoxide emissions.
1.It's renewable Now, let's discuss the misunderstandings:
Net energy balance is a term used to describe how much energy is needed to produce a product versus how much energy that product provides. Two professors that are long-time critics of ethanol claim that ethanol has a negative energy balance, but this is simply not true and has been debunked again and again by science. Scientific study after study has proven ethanol's energy balance to be positive. The latest USDA figures show that ethanol made from the drymill process provides at least 77% more energy as a fuel than the process it takes to make it, while the production of gasoline has a 19.5% energy loss, according to a 2004 USDA study. The bottom line is that it takes about 35,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of energy to create a gallon of ethanol, and that gallon of ethanol contains at least 77,000 BTUs of energy. The net energy balance of ethanol is simply a non-issue.
In 2005, the American Coalition for Ethanol conducted a study comparing gas mileage between unleaded and E10, E20, and E30. On average, the difference between straight unleaded and E10 was only 1.5% - a negligible amount. Some believe that lower BTU value has a one-to-one impact on fuel economy - this research proves that is not the case. In light of this finding, more research is underway to examine the fuel economy of E85. Estimates range from 2%-15% reduction in mileage.
In 2005, 14 percent of the U.S. corn crop went for ethanol production, and for the '06 crop that figure is expected to rise to 20 percent. By no means is the U.S. ethanol industry using up all the corn, and by no means is the U.S. ethanol industry going to create a food shortage. Certainly there is a world hunger problem, but the ethanol industry and the availability of corn are not to blame for this. Distribution problems and geopolitical instability in impoverished nations often stand in the way of better nutrition for the world's hungry. (2007) Corn farmers will grow 15% more corn this spring than they have in more than 60 years, driven by the increased demand for use in ethanol. Corn acres will rise 90.4 million acres, the U.S.D.A. said, which will build more inventories and bring corn prices down again.
Ethanol blends are likely to reduce carbon monoxide emissions in vehicles by between 10% - 30%, depending upon the combustion technology. (U.S. EPA) The American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago credits ethanol-blended fuel with reducing smog-forming emissions by 25% since 1990. The use of 10% ethanol blends reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 12-19% compared to conventional gasoline. (Argonne National Lab) In 2004, ethanol use in the U.S. reduced CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 7 million tons, equal to removing the emissions of more than 1 million cars from the road. (Argonne National Lab) Research shows a 35-46% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a 50-60% reduction in fossil energy use due to the use of ethanol as a motor fuel. (Argonne National Lab) Ethanol contains 35% oxygen, making it burn more cleanly and completely than gasoline. E85 has the highest oxygen content of any fuel available, making it burn even more cleanly and even more completely than any other fuel. E85 contains 80% fewer gum-forming compounds than gasoline. Ethanol is highly biodegradable, making it safer for the environment. View test results:
What is OBD-II? On-Board Diagnostic systems are in most cars and light trucks on the road today. During the '70s and early 1980's manufacturers started using electronic means to control engine functions and diagnose engine problems. This was primarily to meet EPA emission standards. Through the years on-board diagnostic systems have become more sophisticated. OBD-II, a new standard introduced in the mid-'90s, provides almost complete engine control and also monitors parts of the chassis, body and accessory devices, as well as the diagnostic control network of the car. Where'd it come from? To combat its smog problem in the LA basin, the State of California started requiring emission control systems on 1966 model cars. The federal government extended these controls nationwide in 1968. Congress passed the Clean Air Act in 1970 and established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This started a series of graduated emission standards and requirements for maintenance of vehicles for extended periods of time. To meet these standards, manufacturers turned to electronically controlled fuel feed and ignition systems. Sensors measured engine performance and adjusted the systems to provide minimum pollution. These sensors were also accessed to provide early diagnostic assistance. At first there were few standards and each manufacturer had their own systems and signals. In 1988, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) set a standard connector plug and set of diagnostic test signals. The EPA adapted most of their standards from the SAE on-board diagnostic programs and recommendations. OBD-II is an expanded set of standards and practices developed by SAE and adopted by the EPA and CARB (California Air Resources Board) for implementation by January 1, 1996. Why do we need it? The Environmental Protection Agency has been charged with reducing "mobile emissions" from cars and trucks and given the power to require manufacturers to build cars which meet increasingly stiff emissions standards. The manufacturers must further maintain the emission standards of the cars for the useful life of the vehicle. OBD-II provides a universal inspection and diagnosis method to be sure the car is performing to OEM standards. While there is argument as to the exact standards and methodology employed, the fact is there is a need to reduce vehicle emitted pollution levels in our cities, and we have to live with these requirements. |
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