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Analysis of gasohol energetics

Conference · · ACS Symp. Ser.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6341803

The question of energy utilization and energy efficiency in the gasohol program has generated much discussion and considerable controversy. The purpose of this paper is to present a detailed energy balance associated with the components of the gasohol program, i.e., grain production, fuel alcohol production and the replacement of gasoline with ethanol to produce gasohol. The overall energy balance involves a comparison of a gasohol fuel economy with a gasoline fuel economy including the energy impact of the distillers dried grain which becomes available to the livestock feeding industry. Based on this analysis, it has been demonstrated that replacement of gasoline with gasohol in the automotive fuel market will result in a reduction of fossil fuel consumption. This reduction is present whether or not gasohol provides greater fuel economy than gasoline and whether or not beef cattle gain additional weight when distillers dark grains (DDG) are included in their diet. The saving in petroleum that results from the production and use of gasohol has the potential to reduce significantly our trade deficit.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
OSTI ID:
6341803
Report Number(s):
CONF-790415-P8
Journal Information:
ACS Symp. Ser.; (United States), Journal Name: ACS Symp. Ser.; (United States) Vol. 144; ISSN ACSMC
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English