Ethanol production has been increasing rapidly over the decade. In two thousand, there are two billion gallons distributed and in less than a decade, it reached to nine billion gallons. In the next decade, it is expected to rise in triple.
The production of gases and fuels can be risky to the health and the environment if not processed meticulously. Ethanol transport may also prove to be risky if there are accidental leaks, explosions, spills, and fires during the process. These are transported through tanker trucks, barges, and rail tanks. Other kinds of fuel like petroleum already have pipelines through which they are transported from one place to another. Pipelines still cannot support the level of chemical contents of bioethanol.
The supply chain has increased in demand for a blend of ethanol and gasoline. Others also want it to be plain ethanol at one hundred percent. The chemical combination has the capacity to denature which may possibly mix with the atmosphere and ground water. Communities like Denmark, TN, where these chemicals can be transported know little about their fatal effects.
No matter how sealed a container or trailer is that contains the biofluel, the seal can still be degraded because of the tendency of the mixed compounds to attract water from the atmosphere. The combined gases can burn the skin and the victim may not be warned of its presence because it can hardly be seen by the naked eye. The two different fuels have a lot of differences in their characteristics concerning conductivity, density, boiling point, and solubility.
The raw product used in this production is corn. It has to be grown properly so that the resulting product will also have good properties fit for fueling vehicles. Transporting the corn to the production centers must be done carefully. The end product must be contained in trailers and properly sealed containers or else, there will be high risks of contamination and leakage.
Pollution is an apparent environmental risk. It can add to the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. Hence, storage, dispensing, and mixing of the compounds must be done very carefully. An unlikely explosion may occur and there had been recorded incidents regarding this.
Transporting these through the train is one of the most recommended ways. But many are still wary of this because it can still pose a threat to public safety, especially in places where the population is really dense. A lot of people may not be aware but there may already be some of these gaseous particles mixed with oxygen affecting normal breathing.
Government agencies have been alarmed so they have come up with some detecting devices. These devices help monitor contamination. But these are only applicable to petroleum and other gases. Biofuels still do not have the appropriate devices that can support its chemical characteristics.
Comparably, the damage of this kind of fuel, especially when blended with gasoline, is even more dangerous than that of petroleum. This is because it can reach a relatively higher toxicity since the chemical components are mixed with that of gasoline. Thus, it can cause more pollution. In addition, the chemicals are carcinogenic and can linger for a long time in water and air.
The production of gases and fuels can be risky to the health and the environment if not processed meticulously. Ethanol transport may also prove to be risky if there are accidental leaks, explosions, spills, and fires during the process. These are transported through tanker trucks, barges, and rail tanks. Other kinds of fuel like petroleum already have pipelines through which they are transported from one place to another. Pipelines still cannot support the level of chemical contents of bioethanol.
The supply chain has increased in demand for a blend of ethanol and gasoline. Others also want it to be plain ethanol at one hundred percent. The chemical combination has the capacity to denature which may possibly mix with the atmosphere and ground water. Communities like Denmark, TN, where these chemicals can be transported know little about their fatal effects.
No matter how sealed a container or trailer is that contains the biofluel, the seal can still be degraded because of the tendency of the mixed compounds to attract water from the atmosphere. The combined gases can burn the skin and the victim may not be warned of its presence because it can hardly be seen by the naked eye. The two different fuels have a lot of differences in their characteristics concerning conductivity, density, boiling point, and solubility.
The raw product used in this production is corn. It has to be grown properly so that the resulting product will also have good properties fit for fueling vehicles. Transporting the corn to the production centers must be done carefully. The end product must be contained in trailers and properly sealed containers or else, there will be high risks of contamination and leakage.
Pollution is an apparent environmental risk. It can add to the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. Hence, storage, dispensing, and mixing of the compounds must be done very carefully. An unlikely explosion may occur and there had been recorded incidents regarding this.
Transporting these through the train is one of the most recommended ways. But many are still wary of this because it can still pose a threat to public safety, especially in places where the population is really dense. A lot of people may not be aware but there may already be some of these gaseous particles mixed with oxygen affecting normal breathing.
Government agencies have been alarmed so they have come up with some detecting devices. These devices help monitor contamination. But these are only applicable to petroleum and other gases. Biofuels still do not have the appropriate devices that can support its chemical characteristics.
Comparably, the damage of this kind of fuel, especially when blended with gasoline, is even more dangerous than that of petroleum. This is because it can reach a relatively higher toxicity since the chemical components are mixed with that of gasoline. Thus, it can cause more pollution. In addition, the chemicals are carcinogenic and can linger for a long time in water and air.
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