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Supposedly ethanol is CO2 neutral as the volume of CO2 created by its combustion is equal to the CO2 removed from the air to produce it.

The simplicity of this thinking falls apart when you consider the CO2 generated from:

  • the removal of forests from long term carbon sequestration to develop farmland
  • the manufacture of the fertilizers used to grow the crops
  • the emissions from the equipment used to plant, till, fertilize, and transport raw crops
  • the emissions generated during fermentation
  • the energy required for distillation
  • the transportation of the alcohol to the sales point
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Does ethanol release carbon dioxide when it is used as a fuel source?

Yes, ethanol releases carbon dioxide when it is used as a fuel source.


Why is normal diesel not carbon neutral?

Normal diesel is not carbon neutral because it is a fossil fuel derived from crude oil, which releases carbon dioxide when burned. This carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere. To be carbon neutral, diesel would need to come from renewable sources that do not release additional carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.


How does ethanol reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by producing less carbon dioxide when burned compared to traditional gasoline. This is because ethanol is made from plants that absorb carbon dioxide during growth, offsetting the emissions produced when it is used as fuel.


What does it mean to say that algae fuel is carbon neutral?

Carbon neutral means that algae fuel does not affect the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Algae takes in carbon dioxide as it grows, then, when the fuel is burnt, this same carbon dioxide is released. No increase, just exactly the same amount. This is why biofuel is so much better than fossil fuel which releases carbon that had been hidden underground for millions of years, so adding to the levels in the atmosphere.


Is wood a carbon fuel?

Wood is considered a biomass fuel rather than a fossil fuel. When burned, it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. This makes wood a source of carbon emissions, though it is often considered more carbon-neutral compared to fossil fuels due to the carbon cycling process.

Related Questions

Does ethanol release carbon dioxide when it is used as a fuel source?

Yes, ethanol releases carbon dioxide when it is used as a fuel source.


Is ethanol carbon neutral or not?

No Ethanol is not carbon neutral as I am about to show you Photosynthesis: 6H2O + 6CO2 => C6H12O6 + 6O2 Fermentation: C6H12O6 => 2C2H5OH + 2CO2 Combustion: 2C2H5OH + 6O2 => 4CO2 + 6H2O by looking at this it would appear that Ethanol is carbon neutral because Photosynthesis uses 6CO2 per mole of glucose, fermentation and Combustion produce 2CO2 and 4CO2 making 6CO2 per mole of glucose but what makes ethanol not carbon neutral is that you have to burn fuel to grow and harvest the crops for fermentation, fermentation requires heat for the reaction to take place, heat comes from energy and energy comes from fossil fuels. ----====---- Only industrial scale ethanol fermentation requires additional heat. Fermentation is a biological process, in which yeast consuming sugars generates alcohol and heat. Small scale ethanol production with hand picked feedstock, is indeed Carbon Neutral.


Alcohol contains ethanol gasoline or carbon?

Alcohol contains ethanol, a type of organic compound that is also used in gasoline as a fuel additive. It does not contain carbon itself, but ethanol is a carbon-based molecule.


How can ethanol reduce carbon emissions?

Ethanol is a fuel made from plants. When we burn this fuel, it does emit carbon dioxide, but of course this was originally absorbed from the atmosphere by the plants, so there is no net increase in the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide no matter how much ethanol we use (apart from a small amount produced by generating electricity used in the production of the ethanol). A disadvantage of using ethanol for motor fuel is that its production competes with food crops.


What is the difference between ethanol and butanol?

Ethanol is a two-carbon alcohol, while butanol is a four-carbon alcohol. Butanol has a higher energy content and is less volatile than ethanol, making it a better fuel alternative. However, ethanol is more commonly used as a renewable fuel source due to its lower production costs and availability.


What important fuel is made from sugar cane?

It is ethanol fuelSugarcane ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel produced by the fermentation of sugarcane juice and molasses.Because it is a clean, affordable and low-carbon bio-fuel, sugarcane ethanol has emerged as a leading renewable fuel for the transportation sector.


What is the difference between ethanol and Carbon Dioxide?

Ethanol is a type of alcohol that can be used as a fuel or beverage, while carbon dioxide is a gas that is produced during combustion, respiration, and fermentation. Ethanol contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, while carbon dioxide consists of one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms.


Do fuel additives work?

Yes, the fuel additives work by helping clean out the deposits left by carbon and ethanol.


How is cannabis good on the environment?

It can be used as a carbon neutral fuel.


When ethanol reacts with oxygen what product is formed?

When ethanol reacts with oxygen, carbon dioxide and water are produced. This reaction typically occurs during combustion, such as burning ethanol as fuel.


How is ethanol and oil the same?

Ethanol and oil for fuel are both rather simple liquid hydrocarbons. Both can be used as fuel for internal combustion engines, turbines, and heating units. In many cases, equipment can be designed or retrofitted to burn either. Both burn to form carbon dioxide and water, but their carbon footprints are different. Petroleum is a fossil fuel, but ethanol is not. Petroleum predictably has a pretty specific carbon footprint, but the carbon footprint of ethanol varies according to how it is produced and is somewhat controversial. The production of ethanol could produce very little global warming gas, but it could also produce a lot.


What is ethanol family name and characteristics?

Ethanol belongs to the alcohol family. It is a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic odor and is commonly used as a solvent, fuel, and in alcoholic beverages. Ethanol is flammable and can be ingested, but it is also commonly used in pharmaceuticals and personal care products.