Ethanol fuels ozone pollution

Shifts in use between petrol and ethanol in São Paulo’s cars creates unique atmospheric chemistry experiment.
Running vehicles on ethanol rather than petrol can increase ground-level ozone pollution, according to a study of fuel use in São Paulo, Brazil.
Ozone (O3) is a major urban pollutant that can cause severe respiratory problems. It can form when sunlight triggers chemical reactions involving hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted by vehicles.

Ethanol has been promoted as a ‘green’ fuel because its combustion tends to produce lower emissions of carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and NOx than petrol. But the impact on air quality of a wholesale transition from petrol to ethanol has been difficult to assess, with different atmospheric chemistry models predicting a variety of consequences.

Nature.com

Another reason ethanol is not going to solve driving and pollution issues.

Interesting. Ethanol makes more sense in Brazil rather than the US because it is a lot easier to turn sugar cane into ethanol than corn. Should have known it was a bad idea, make rum out of sugarcane instead?

... make rum out of sugarcane instead?

Sugar cane farmers have known what to do with sugar cane for a very long time, often to the detriment of Pirates and Sailors who might enjoy the Rum just a little too much.

So, I guess this news should ultimately result in more corn and cane sugar coming on to the agricultural market in abundance at record low prices. Five pound bags of tortilla chips and quart jars of salsa suddenly become single a serving. Translation - more fat kids that grow up to become fat young adults that will suffer from all of the maladies that come with a bad diet and obesity. Following that line of logic a bit farther, there should be a bumper crop of fresh dead people year round. People will keep eating and maybe fiction becomes the truth:



In the meanwhile I find myself wondering if any of the bi-products of Soylent Green might contain a previously unknown, untapped energy resource. Under that scenario your dead uncle might be worth more if he was morbidly obese; the amount of fat that could be rendered and refined into fuel could drive market prices.

Either way, it sounds like the most noble use of sugar cane will continue and perhaps thrive. Sure we're getting fatter and sicker but at least they'll be tasty snacks and beverages to enjoy along the way. lol

Generation X and Y dying young will leave more Social Security for the Baby Boomers who are living longer than expected. So I think I will have a double shot of rum with my nachos.

FredHayek wrote: Generation X and Y dying young will leave more Social Security for the Baby Boomers who are living longer than expected. So I think I will have a double shot of rum with my nachos.

:rofllol