Comparing Ethanol and Hydrogen as Alternatives to Oil

In summary, the conversation discusses the feasibility of using ethanol or hydrogen as alternatives to traditional oil for internal combustion engines. The advantages and disadvantages of each are mentioned, including the potential for increased farmland and combustibility with ethanol and the difficulty of storing hydrogen. The success of Brazil in producing ethanol from sugar cane and the option of making fuel from coal are also mentioned. Ultimately, it is noted that ethanol may be a more renewable option compared to coal, but there are concerns about the difficulty of storing and handling hydrogen.
  • #1
deadhouse
3
0
I was just wondering (with all the oil supposedly running out) how feasible is running our internal combusion engines on ethanol as apposed to say hydrogen? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Seeing as ethanol would require a massive increase in the amount of farmland for suger or corn to produce the fuel. Where as hydrogen is much much more combustible and it requires a much larger tank which takes up space and weighs more.
 
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  • #2
there seems to be some debate if its even reasonable to make ethanol out of corn. I remember reading a article stating you use more fuel to produce ethanol from corn than you get back.

Brazil is pretty succsefull though in using sugar canes to produce ethanol.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel_in_Brazil

and this might be worth a short I guess?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulosic_ethanol

Allthought you didnt ask about it making fuel out of coal is always a (dirty)option considering the wast ammounts of coal in the world.
 
  • #3
brazil seem to de very well on ethanol seeing as they have no natural oil resources and are not rich enough to import a lot of it.

using coal is fine but it's not renewable like ethanol can be.

hydrogen is fairly difficult to store and accidents would be bad if it got near a naked flame as I'm sure you know what would happen in that case.
 

1. What are the benefits of using ethanol and hydrogen as alternatives to oil?

Both ethanol and hydrogen are renewable and produce significantly less greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels. They are also domestically produced, reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

2. How do the costs of producing and using ethanol and hydrogen compare to oil?

The cost of producing and using ethanol and hydrogen can vary depending on factors such as production methods and availability of resources. However, in general, they tend to be more cost-effective in the long run due to their renewable nature and potential for reduced maintenance and repair costs.

3. Which is more efficient - ethanol or hydrogen?

It is difficult to compare the efficiency of ethanol and hydrogen directly, as they have different properties and are used in different ways. However, both have the potential to be more efficient than oil in terms of energy production and usage.

4. Are there any drawbacks to using ethanol and hydrogen as alternatives to oil?

One potential drawback of using ethanol as a fuel is its lower energy density compared to oil, which may result in reduced fuel efficiency. Hydrogen, on the other hand, is highly flammable and requires careful storage and transportation. Additionally, the infrastructure for producing, storing, and distributing these alternative fuels is not yet as widespread as that for traditional fossil fuels.

5. What is the current state of research and development for ethanol and hydrogen as alternatives to oil?

The research and development for ethanol and hydrogen as alternatives to oil are ongoing and constantly evolving. There are many ongoing projects and initiatives aimed at improving the production, storage, and usage of these alternative fuels. However, more research and investment are needed to fully realize their potential as viable alternatives to oil.

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