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Politics : Bush-The Mastermind behind 9/11?
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To: Raymond Duray who wrote (479)4/30/2003 4:33:33 PM
From: Don Earl  Read Replies (1) of 20039
 
<<<You can extract methanol, but not ethanol.>>>

Alternate fuels is an interesting topic if you have time to do some research. Methanol is typically made from natural gas (which surprised me when I first ran across the information) and is the prime ingredient in MTBE, which up until recently was the main additive in gasoline; very toxic stuff and a major source of pollution. Methanol is very corrosive to aluminum parts and just about everything commonly used for fuel lines, plus breathing the fumes is not even a little bit good for you.

It's been awhile since I researched the subject, but ethanol can be produced from trees (which also surprised me). I don't recall the details of the process, just that it can be done that way.

The corn belt lobbyists certainly have an agenda, but sugar cane and sugar beets would be better crops for ethanol production. Brazil has been using ethanol for fuel for at least 20 years that I know of, so it's pretty hard to pretend it isn't a practical solution.

I know I'm getting off the topic on this one, but I think it's an interesting subject for anyone who gets curious about stuff and just wants to learn more about it. The only practical drawback at this time as far as ethanol is concerned is one of logistics. We currently don't have the capacity to produce enough to meet demand. Cane fields in tropical areas such as Asia, some venture capital; and it's a done deal.
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