What is Ethanol?
Ethanol is a clean-burning, high-octane motor fuel that is produced
from renewable sources. At its most basic, ethanol is grain alcohol,
produced from crops such as corn. Because it is domestically produced,
ethanol helps reduce America's dependence upon foreign sources of
energy.Unblended 100% ethanol is not used as a motor fuel; instead, a
percentage of ethanol is combined with unleaded gasoline. The most
common blends are E10 and E85.
How is Ethanol Made?
Ethanol can be made from any crop or plant that contains a large amount
of sugar or components that can be converted into sugar, such as starch
or cellulose. As their names imply, sugar beets and sugar cane contain
natural sugar. Crops such as corn, wheat and barley contain starch that
can be easily converted to sugar. Most trees and grasses are made of
cellulose, which can also be converted into sugar, although not as
easily as starch.
What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a mixture of fatty acid alkyl esters made from vegetable
oils, animal fats or recycled greases. Biodiesel can be used as a fuel
for vehicles in its pure form, but it is usually used as a petroleum
diesel additive to reduce levels of particulates, carbon monoxide,
hydrocarbons and air toxics from diesel-powered vehicles.
How is Biodiesel Made?
Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification
whereby glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil. The
process leaves two products: methyl esters (the chemical name for
biodiesel) and glycerin (a valuable byproduct usually sold to be used
in soaps and other products).