Ethanol: Fermentation of Sugar Crops, Fruits, Starch

Ethanol
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Ethanol
Ethanol is a fermentation of sugar crops, fruits, starch, and corn leftovers after distillation. Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, has a chemical formula of C2H5OH. Ethanol is used in transportation fuel through blending it into gasoline. The percentage of blending concentration is between five to ten percent (Chiras, 2010). Gasoline supplied in the states contains around six percent of ethanol. Ethanol has various characteristics as a transportation fuel. It has lower energy content compared to gasoline. It has a high octane rating that enables it to increase engine performance and efficiency.
Ethanol has both advantages and disadvantages as a transportation fuel. One of the benefits is that it reduces greenhouse emissions. Ethanol burns more cleanly compared to petroleum, therefore, produces less carbon and carbon (II) oxide. Secondly, ethanol is a renewable resource, produced from crops or recycled wastes. Thirdly, ethan...