It could be argued that burning ethanol made by fermentation doesn't add to global warming but hydation of eth

Question

ene does why? this is a six pointer! Im sorry, there wasnt ebough space in the question box. Thanks everyone!

Answer 1

Because the ethene used to make ethanol by hydration comes from petroleum.  Thus the carbon involved is fossil carbon.  When it is burned, the CO2 produced is additive to the atmosphere.

The carbon in ethanol made by fermentation was removed from the atmosphere by the plant as it grew.  When it is burned, it is returned to the atmosphere as a part of a short term, essentially annual cycle.

Of course all of this assumes that burning fossil carbon actually adds to global warming, which has not been proven.

Gengi is obviously out of his league here.  For him and others who do not understand the question:  Ethanol can be produced by combining ethene (H2C=CH2) with water.  The reaction is catalyzed with sulfuric acid.  It is a fairly common experiment in organic chemistry lab courses and is used for the commercial production of ethanol.

Answer 2

no. the water emitted comes from the growing of the plant. just as the CO2 comes from the atmosphere as the plant grows.

Answer 3

PLEASE don't get me started on the supposed "benefits" of ethanol--- the ONLY substance on Earth that negates the 2nd law of thermodynamics.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_law_...