How Ethanol is Made
What is Ethanol?
Ethanol is a corn-based alcohol with a chemical formula of C2H5OH. Because of its chemical formula, it burns cleaner than gasoline but it is a less efficient fuel. Ethanol is used as a fuel additive and as an alternative to gasoline. E10 is a mix of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline. It is used as an alternative to MTBE to prevent engine knocking. Engine knocking is damaging to the engine because the pistons don’t run smoothly due to an explosion in the chamber. The ethanol prevents this by retarding the combustion. This low amount of ethanol doesn’t affect cars and can be run in any kind of vehicle.
Ethanol is also mixed as E85, 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. This formula is used as an alternative fuel to reduce the amount gasoline we use. E85 requires a special engine as it is corrosive and will destroy a regular engine. Many car companies are now making flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) which can run on either E85 or regular gasoline.
There are three methods for creating ethanol: dry milling, wet milling, and ethanol production from cellulosic biomass. Dry milling is the most common production method in the United States. Wet milling breaks down the corn and utilizes each part creating many more byproducts then dry milling. Cellulosic biomass production is still being researched but it is expected to be the most energy efficient and cost efficient method if it reaches mass production.