Ethanol Production

• Fermentation:

  C6H12O6 (aq) ————> 2C2H5OH (aq) + 2CO2(g)

  
  

  Conditions:

  Yeast(Enzyme)

  35-40 degrees - to not denature enzyme

  In anaerobic conditions (absence of O2)
• Advantages of Fermentation:

  Economic: Low equipment costs and running costs and limited fossil fuels burnt

  Environmental: Renewable resource effectively carbon neutral

  
  

  Disadvantages of Fermentation:

  Slow batch process low yield (15%)

  Takes up large area of crops which could be used to grow crops for food this results in food prices increasing
• Hydration of Ethene:

  CH2CH2(g) + H2O(g) === CH3CH2OH(g)

  
  

  Conditions:

  300 degrees(heat)

  6500 kpa

  Concentrated sulphuric acid catalyst
• Advantages of hydration of ethene:

  Economic: High yield(99%), Fast continuous process

  Environmental: Land not required to grow large amounts of crops so it can be used on food

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  Non-Renewable resource, large quantity of Fossil fuels required leads to global warming

  High equipment and running costs
• Advantages of Biofuels:

  They are effectively carbon neutral as amount of CO2 produced through photosynthesis = to amount released

  Renewable so sustainable

  Only release CO2 and H2O therefore no Sulpher impurities

  Disadvantages:

  Land used to grow crops for fuels instead of food can lead to food shortages and prices rising

  Need to convert car engines to run a high concentration of ethanol

  Deforestation in order to make room for crops for fuel