| For many people, the mention of biomass as a fuel | | | | [plant pulp] is turned to mush. The mush is converted |
| source was a new concept. Little did they realize | | | | to base sugars and those sugars are fermented just |
| they have already been putting it into their cars. | | | | like wine and beer. The ethanol is then separated |
| Nope, that isn't your dad's gas anymore. | | | | from the sugars giving you instant fuel. This process |
| There are Plants in My Gasoline? | | | | is considered a biomass production because the |
| In his State of the Union speech, President Bush | | | | starting point is a plant. , and most is made using a |
| made much of the alternative fuel sources available | | | | process similar to brewing beer where starch crops |
| these days. While he should be commended for | | | | are converted into sugars, the sugars are fermented |
| promoting their use, he perhaps was a bit vague in | | | | into ethanol, and then the ethanol is distilled into its |
| regard to how far along we are in using biofuels for | | | | final form. |
| cars. Most people don't realize that most government | | | | In 1990, numerous cities and states were suffering |
| vehicles are already using bioethanol and have been | | | | massive pollution problems. Politics being what it is, |
| doing so for a number of years. Yep, the | | | | nobody at the state level was doing much about the |
| government has already switched to bioethanol to | | | | problem. Enter the Clean Air Act Amendments of |
| improve vehicle performance and reduce air pollution. | | | | 1990. These acts included language mandating the |
| Now, how often does that occur? | | | | sale of oxygenated to cut down on carbon monoxide |
| Ethanol is the most widely used biomass fuel for cars | | | | emissions from cars. The oxygenation was produced |
| these days. In excess of 2.8 BILLION gallons of bio | | | | by adding bioethanol to the gasoline. |
| ethanol were used as a gasoline additive in the U.S in | | | | When you're filling up your car, have you ever notice |
| 2003. Ethanol is a form of alcohol. It is produced | | | | the patch on the pump with oxygenation language? |
| through a process strikingly similar to the beer you | | | | If so, you were using gasoline with bioethanol in it. |
| find in your local tavern or store. Cellulosic biomass | | | | And they didn't even tell you. |