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Usage of Corn and Ethanol: Benefit or Loss?

By: Editor

Corn production has been subsidized by the U.S. government over the past years, and mainly it is due to the fact that corn is used to make ethanol. The use of ethanol has been encouraged; not only can it be added to petrol as a fuel in itself, but also helps to burn petrol more efficiently and cleanly. But the use of corn and ethanol is somewhat arguable and can be viewed from both positive and negative sides.

The Benefits of Using Corn and Ethanol

The use of ethanol is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also help reduce America’s dependence on Middle East oil. It is estimated that as many as ten million acres of land are needed to grow corn and make ethanol.

In U.S., ethanol is mainly produced from corn, and this has provided an economic stimulus to U.S. agriculture and has created a new market for corn. The expanded production of ethanol would not only develop the ethanol industry, but increase farm income as well as reducing farm program payments and also lessen the dependence on imported fuels. Furthermore, there is more energy efficiency achieved through use of corn and ethanol; it also achieves a net gain in a better form of energy since converting corn and ethanol means using abundant domestic supplies of coal and natural gas, and at the same time replaces petroleum imports.

Negative Aspects and Problems Concerning Usage of Corn and Ethanol

There are certain problems with using corn and ethanol since it requires fuel to make the corn in the first place. It has been found that an acre of U.S. corn can be used to make 328 gallons of ethanol; at the same time, the planting as well as growing and harvesting of that amount of corn will need 140 gallons of fossil fuels that in itself amounts to $347 per acre which translates to $1.05 per gallon of ethanol being spent even before the corn leaves the farm. This may be further compounded by the crushing and fermentation of corn at processing plants, all of which consumes energy. The total cost of producing ethanol and using corn works out to be more expensive than that of petrol.

There is also a point of view that doubts energy efficiency of corn and ethanol. In fact, it gives up a third or slightly more percentage energy than it does to make it in the first place. Studies have even shown that the net energy value or NEV of corn and ethanol is rising with the passage of time and this may be due to advances in technology relating to converting ethanol as well as for better production of corn.

Article Source: http://www.topicinfo.com

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