Ethanol and the Environment

Reduction of Exhaust Emissions Ethanol burns cleaner and is more efficient

than gasoline – reducing carbon monoxide released into the atmosphere

Exhaust Ethanol contains oxygen which provides a

cleaner burn Gasoline contains many hydrocarbons,

some of which are known to be cancer causing agents

The release of hydrocarbons results in smog

The following pictures were taken from the same angle in Mexico City showing effects of smog

No Smog Low Smog High Smog

Exhaust These hydrocarbons are released into the

atmosphere through exhaust and when refueling the vehicle

The release of hydrocarbons is greatly reduced when ethanol is mixed with the gasoline

Ozone Pollution According to the American Coalition for ethanol:

“Ozone is formed in air when hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide or nitrogen oxides react in the presence of sunlight and heat”.

“Ground level ozone causes human respiratory stress, and damages many plants, significantly reducing farm crop yields and the "health" of trees and other vegetation”.

Ozone The ozone production when burning

ethanol is less than the ozone released when burning gasoline

Aldehyde Emission Ethanol combustion does increase

aldehyde emission Some forms of aldehydes are suspected to

be cancer causing Catalytic converters on cars are designed

to reduce aldehyde emission

Carbon Monoxide (CO) A colorless, odorless, toxic gas formed as a

product of incomplete combustion of carbon.

Using ethanol-blended fuels will reduce the amount of CO released into the air.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) A heavy, colorless gas that does not support

combustion Excess carbon dioxide may contribute to global

warming Ethanol combustion results in near zero net CO2

production because the gas that is released is offset by the gas that is consumed by plants grown for ethanol production

Carbon Dioxide

References Argonne National Laboratory,

Transportation Technology R&D Centerhttp://www.transportation.anl.gov/fuels/index.html