What is Ethanol Fuel, Advantage, Disadvantage and Future of Ethanol Fuel in India

Ethanol: What it is?

Since the last decade, many governments have been pushing for the reduction of fuel emissions. Most people are now seeking ways to reduce their negative impact on the environment in an effort to reduce their collective carbon footprint. Ethanol has become more popular in many countries due to the situation described above. Many people are confused about Ethanol when switching from conventional power to alternative power. The vast majority of these complaints are related to what this fuel is and how significant an impact it has on our lives and wallets.

The odour of ethanol is characteristically agreeable; it is clear, colourless, and odourless. Generally speaking, it has a sweet taste in a dilute aqueous solution, but a burning taste in more concentrated solutions. Typical ethanol density is 0.789 g/ml at 20°C, and it melts at -114.1°C and boils at 78.5°C. Alcohol made from corn, sugarcane, grain, or paper waste can be called ethanol and is also known as ethyl alcohol. The main component of these beverages is made up of the alcohol that is produced during the fermentation of a mash of grains (gin, vodka, whiskey, and rum). Additionally, it is often blended with gasoline at the gas pump to oxidize the fuel. It is also possible to drive with ethanol fuel on its own.

Our lives are filled with more ethanol than we think. Ethanol is present in all alcoholic beverages. There is another name for it called ethyl alcohol; however, it is best known as pure alcohol. A variety of reasons have led to its popularity as an alternative form of fuel. Blending ethanol with gasoline is the most common way to use it. Thus, fewer emissions are released into the environment, resulting in a mix that is considered cleaner in nature. Fuel with a higher octane rating also maintains the car in better condition. As a whole, it is widely accepted by the people, governments, and auto manufacturers alike since it offers so many benefits.

The natural occurrence of ethanol in any ecosystem is not known. Distillation and fermentation are the processes by which it is produced. Though ethanol fuel has been used in energy form for quite some time, it has been part of our everyday lives for quite some time. Using our forefathers' knowledge, sugar becomes ethanol when fermented. Modern-day sugars come from crops and plants with high sugar content or that can be converted to cellulose and starch. Among the common crops used for production are sugarcane, barley, sugar beets, wheat, and corn.

Methods for Converting Ethanol to Fuel: 

Crops and plants for production are pulverized before being used. As a result of this grinding process, the ground material is refined to produce sugar, cellulose, or starch. During fermentation, sugar transforms into ethanol and carbon dioxide from plant material. In the same way that alcoholic beverages are produced, yeast is usually added to speed up fermentation. Purified ethanol can be used immediately after distillation and purification. Ethanol fuel is being used more and more in our economy because of this four-step process that makes it relatively cost-effective.

Distilling sugarcane juice into ethanol fuel requires squeezing it out of the stalk, fermenting and then reprocessing it. Ethanol burns cleanly and is free of particulates, unlike unleaded gasoline. It produces carbon dioxide and water when burnt with oxygen.There's no evidence that ethanol fuel will disappear soon as it isn't a new trend. It is gaining significant acceptance from governments and automobile manufacturers, who are seeking to integrate it into daily life. Now, many vehicles are fitted with engines capable of burning gasoline and ethanol simultaneously. Using biofuels has many known benefits, which is why many people opt to use them.

Using Ethanol as Fuel: Some Facts

• As the highest-quality fuel on the market, ethanol contains 113 octanes to ensure the smooth operation of high-compression engines.
• Those emissions are reduced since the ethanol molecule contains oxygen, allowing the motor to generate more complete combustion.
• Ethanol is also considered a renewable fuel since it is derived from plants that harness the sun's power.
• Its gummy content does not leave deposits in the fuel system, so ethanol-based fuel performs optimally.
• A gas line antifreeze made from ethanol prevents problems during the winter months.

An Indian Perspective on Ethanol as Fuel:

Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Saturday that 100% ethanol should be used in all vehicles across the country, and the Center is willing to enter into Ethanol Purchase Agreements for five years with producers to boost ethanol production. Fuel can be saved by ethanol production, according to the minister. The Minister said ethanol and electricity should be used in vehicles like they are in Brazil. According to the Energy Information Administration, last year our country produced 4,65 billion litres of ethanol, while we need 16.5 billion litres. As a result, the government will absorb the amount of ethanol produced. As the Minister called for all vehicles to run on ethanol, he argued that ethanol is a greener, cheaper alternative to petrol.

Approximately 12 lakh crores worth of crude oil and natural gas is imported. Fuel pump installations for ethanol are already permitted in India. In other words, all sugar mills should install ethanol pumps in their areas, said the Minister. 310 lakh tonnes of sugar were produced last year, while India needs 240 lakh tonnes of sugar. According to the Minister, ethanol should be made from this additional sugar of 70 lakh tonnes.As an ethanol purchase agreement, the Government of India is also ready to sign a five-year power purchase agreement. During the near future, ethanol production will mean a reduction of imports and farmers will earn a profit of Rs 5 lakh crore on the money spent on imports of crude oil. The sugarcane market would become more competitive, therefore farmers would no longer be poor,” Gadkari said.

Since 2003, ethanol has been used as an automobile fuel in India. From 2003, 9 major sugar-producing states and four union territories will be required to blend 5 % ethanol, according to a notification from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG). An ethanol scarcity during 2004-05 forced the government to make blending mandates optional in October 2004. It was resumed in October 2006 with a gradual increase to 10% blending to offset the supply shortage.

According to their policy, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy established a National Policy on Biofuels in 2008 with the aim of limiting the country's reliance on foreign oil in the future. Starting from October 2008, at least 5 % of the oil should be blended with bio-ethanol. This will be achieved by blending oil at 20 % with bio-ethanol by 2017. Additionally, it laid out a timeline for implementing the program in stages. Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) is currently being implemented by the Government in which oil marketing companies provide petrol blended with ethanol up to 10%. Since 01st April 2019, this programme has been implemented throughout India, with the exception of the Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands, to promote alternative and renewable transportation and environment-friendly fuels. Providing relief from energy import dependency and boosting agriculture are also the goals of this intervention. 

• The sugar mills and grain-based distilleries were the major sources of ethanol supplied to OMCs, which was about 173.03 crore litres in the supply year, 2019-20. During the next decade, the government hopes to blend 10% ethanol with petrol by 2022 and 20% ethanol with petrol by 2030 while blending 5% biodiesel with diesel in the entire country by 2030.
• During Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2020-21, we will revise the Ebp Programme ethanol price accordingly. We are making this adjustment to get ready for the sugar season 2020-21.
• It is proposed to increase the price of ethanol from the C heavy molasses route from Rs.43.75 per lit to Rs.45.69 per lit
• An increase in the price of heavy-molasses-produced ethanol from Rs.54.27 to Rs.57.61 per litre is proposed
• Ethanol can be priced at Rs.62.65 per litre when made from sugarcane juice/sugar/sugar syrup rather than Rs.59.48 per lit currently.
• Further, you will be required to pay GST and transportation fees. It has been recommended that OMCs fix reasonable transportation charges to prevent disincentives to long-distance transportation of ethanol

Some of the key steps taken to increase ethanol production for blending are as follows:

• Developing sugarcane juice and sugar/sugar syrup for the production of ethanol.
• Reliable ex-mill price determination for ethanol produced from various feedstocks.
• Distilleries are being subventioned on their interest.
• Denatured ethanol for Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, proposed by law to an amendment to industries (development and regulation) act of 1951.
• Ethanol at 18% will be reduced to 5% as part of the EBP.
• UT of Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep will be excluded from EBP's coverage with effect from 1.04.2019.
• Oil Marketing Companies' storage of ethanol is being enhanced.\
• EBP (Ethanol Blended Petrol) Programme - Development of an "Ethanol Procurement Policy on a long-term basis".

India's Problems with Using Ethanol as a Fuel:

• As a by-product of sugarcane, molasses is used as the major feedstock for bioethanol production in India. It is therefore cyclical in nature and is determined by cane and sugar production.
• In addition to its uses in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, ethanol is also used as potable alcohol. Therefore, fuels made from ethanol compete fiercely with these uses.

Ethanol Fuel Has the Following Advantages:

A. It Is Easy to Access Ethanol:

Biofuels like ethanol are accessible to nearly everyone since it is a biofuel. Sugarcane, grains, and corn are examples of plants used as biofuels. Tropical climates promote the production of these plants. The world produces grains and corn. Most African countries even rely on corn as their staple food source.

B. Using Ethanol Climate Change can be Reduced by:

Oil, natural gas, and coal use (which are found in more than 90 per cent of the world's energy consumption) is the primary cause of global warming. Changing weather patterns, rising sea levels, and overwhelming heat are among the effects of global warming. Ethanol fuel combustion is merely responsible for the release of carbon dioxide and water. These emissions are ineffective in terms of degrading the environment.

C. Fossil Fuel Dependence Can be Reduced With Ethanol:

An economical method of sustaining any economy is to get fuel from corn or biomass instead of having to rely on imports of fossil fuels such as oil and gas. An economy can benefit greatly from incorporating ethanol fuel in its fuel supply. In addition to decreasing dependence on foreign oil and greenhouse gas emissions, ethanol is produced domestically from domestically grown crops. Using 100% ethanol as fuel would make a significant difference to our vehicles.

D. Employability in the Country is one of the Benefits of Ethanol Fuel:

Sugarcane, corn, and grains are planted more often when ethanol fuel is used. The use of ethanol for fuel also means that there will be more ethanol fuel processing plants, which means more jobs. In addition to the production of ethanol, alcoholic beverages can also be produced, resulting in the creation of new jobs in the hospitality industry.

E. In comparison to other Biofuels, Ethanol is Cheaper:

Almost every country has the capability to produce ethanol, making it the least expensive energy source available. The production of corn, sugar cane, or grain is economical compared to fossil fuels because corn, sugar cane, or grain grow in almost every country. Some countries have difficulties exploiting fossil fuels, especially developing nations that lack the infrastructure to explore for them. For these growing economies to reduce their dependence on fossil fuel, it makes sense that they look into the production of ethanol fuel to reduce their consumption of fossil fuel.

F. Untapped Agricultural Sector Opens with Ethanol Fuel:

Since ethanol is primarily produced from agricultural products, it is likely to uplift a country's economy since it enables individuals to tap into the untapped agricultural sector. Such a measure ensures the availability of ethanol fuel for a long period of time. As corn and grains are needed for increased production, the agriculture industry has boomed.

G. The Raw Materials for Ethanol are Diverse:

A variety of crops and plants possessing starch and sugar can be used to produce ethanol fuel. The two most common raw materials are corn and sugarcane.

H. Renewable Energy Sources include Ethanol:

Solar energy comes from the conversion of the sun's energy into useful energy, which makes it a renewable resource. Sugarcane is able to flourish through photosynthesis and later produce ethanol fuel through the process.

I. Effective from an Ecological Perspective:

It has the advantage that it does not pollute the environment when compared with other fuel sources. In the environment, ethanol fuel emissions are substantially low since it is used as a fuel in automobiles. Blending ethanol with gasoline is a common method of converting ethanol to fuel. This is done at a ratio of 85:15 between ethanol and gasoline. An ignition source is provided by gasoline, and the rest of the work is performed by ethanol. Due to its clean-burning properties, ethanol burns more cleanly than gasoline, which in turn reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Fuels Derived from Ethanol Have Several Disadvantages:

A. There Are Environmental Problems With Distillation:

Fermented corn or grain must be distilled over a long period of time and with a lot of heat output. During distillation, fossil fuels are mainly used for heating, and this causes greenhouse gases to be released into the atmosphere.

B. Price Increase for Food:

It is corn that is used to make ethanol. The price of corn would also rise if the demand for ethanol fuel increases dramatically, which would increase the cost of making ethanol. The corn used in animal feed, for example, will suffer as well since other uses of corn will be affected. In addition, the lucrative prices of ethanol fuel might lead most farmers to abandon food crops to produce ethanol, which could also raise food prices.

C. An Abundance of Land is Needed for Ethanol Production:

Corn, sugarcane, and grains are the main components of ethanol production. Farms are required to grow all of these crops. A large scale of ethanol production is required to meet the increased demand. In essence, this means that such crops will need to be grown on a large scale, which consumes vast acreages of land. It's not everyone who can afford that kind of land, so we have to rent or lease, causing a budgetary impact. In addition, destroying habitats for plants and animals is another factor that could be negatively impacted.

D. The affinity of Ethanol for Water

The high affinity of pure ethanol for water means that it has the ability to absorb any trace of water anywhere around it or from the atmosphere. Fuels such as gasoline and ethanol blend that power vehicles you are therefore likely to experience a number of small and large engine problems in your vehicle. so suffer from this problem. As ethanol attracts a lot of water, the highest quality form is difficult to obtain since there will be traces of water in it. A manufacturer will usually state that ethanol is 99.8% pure. Marine users are more at risk than those who drive on roads. In contrast to fuel, water is denser than water so it sinks to the bottom of a tank. This will lead to a plethora of small and big engine problems for your vehicle.  Transporting ethanol by rail or auto is possible because of its water attraction property.

E. Ethanol Vaporization is Difficult

The vaporization of ethanol is difficult. In cold weather, starting a car becomes impossible, so many vehicle owners keep a little petrol in their vehicles, such as E85 cars, which consist of 15% petrol and 85% ethanol. The most commonly used fuel blend these days is E85, which is composed of 85% ethanol and 15% petrol. Blends containing this amount of ethanol reduce mileage compared to pure gasoline. By using E85 blends for your automobile, you will enjoy clean oil, lower wear of the engine and a lower need for maintenance. These small benefits help compensate for lower gas mileage. The one benefit of ethanol fuel everyone should aim for is the overall reduction of their carbon footprint.