Something that others on this list have mentioned about net energy of ethanol. Didn't notice a emphasis on humanure, methane, fertilizer, insecticides, herbicides or other..... plastic ides (sp?).
From this site: Northwest Iowa Community College (NWICC) Sheldon, Iowa "Ethanol - As A Fuel" http://www.nwicc.cc.ia.us/etsp.htm Note: linked to Keith's site www.nwicc.cc.ia.us/contacts.htm Excerpts: "WHAT'S IN A BUSHEL OF CORN? Each bushel of corn can produce up to 2.5 gallons of ethanol fuel. Only the starch from the corn is used to make ethanol. Most of the substance of the corn kernel remains, leaving the protein and valuable co-products to be used in the production of food for people, livestock feed, and various chemicals. For example, that same bushel of corn (56 lbs.) used in ethanol manufacturing can also produce the following:" <snip> "ENERGY One of the most controversial issues relating to ethanol is the question of "net energy" of ethanol production. According to the Institute for Local Self Reliance research in 1995, the production of ethanol from corn is a positive net energy generator. If corn farmers use state-of-the-art, energy efficient farming techniques, and ethanol plants use state-of-the-art production processes, then the amount of energy contained in a gallon of ethanol and the other co-products is more than twice the energy used to grow the corn and convert it into ethanol. This study indicated an industry average net energy gain of 1.38 to 1. The industry best existing production net energy ratio was 2.09 to 1. If farmers and industry were to use all the best technologies and practices the net energy ratio would be 2.51 to 1. The following chart indicates the percentage gains and gains in BTU's. Energy Gain in Making Ethanol from Corn BTU's Percentage Ratio Industry average 30,589 38% 1.38:1 Industry best 62,857 109% 2.09:1 State-of-the-art 72,413 151% 2.51:1 Current research prepared by Argonne National Laboratory (a U.S. Department of Energey Laboratory), indicates a 38% gain in the overall energy input/output equation for the corn-to-ethanol process. That is, if 100 BTU's of energy is used to plant corn, harvest the crop, transport it, etc., 138 BTU's of energy is available in the fuel ethanol. Corn yields and processing technologies have improved significantly over the past 20 years and they continue to do so, making ethanol production less and less energy intensive." http://www.nwicc.cc.ia.us/Module2.htm ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Stock for $4 and no minimums. FREE Money 2002. http://us.click.yahoo.com/orkH0C/n97DAA/Ey.GAA/FGYolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://archive.nnytech.net/ Please do NOT send "unsubscribe" messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
