What are some problems surrounding the production of corn ethanol?
corn ethanol, biofuel produced by fermenting and corn processing, was often offered as an alternative to oil -based fuels. However, this Wonder fuel attracted considerable controversy, especially as a result of its increased popularity, emphasizing the fact that there is no simple solution to energy needs. In other words, how much fuel is obtained per unit of sources. Gasoline may not be an ideal fuel in many ways, but is extremely effective with a very high yield of usable gas on barrel oil. This is not the case of corn; With regard to all steps involved in the process, the production of corn ethanol brings about 30% more energy than it is consumed in the fuel production process, which is not very impressive. People focus on the production of corn ethanol and people should turn to other crops to use as fuel. This increase in efficacy would make ethanol a more viable alternative to oil made of oil.
Some people have also raised concerns about environmental costs for the production of corn ethanol. Ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline, but when one is responsible for all emissions created during production, the difference between ethanol and gasoline is not very remarkable. Increasing the production of corn also led to concern about the pollution of groundwater from fertilizers and excessive use of water to irrigate corn crops.
Food argument versus fuel also plays a role in the production of Ethanol corn. Some people argued that by diverting maize to the production of fuel, the ethanol society contributes to hunger and rising fuel prices, especially in the developing world. This is the use of usable food in the form of corn is not available and because the field previously used for food crops have been devoted to increasing corn to produce ethanol. Rising food prices have been attributed to increasing demand for corn and other crops from Ethanol companies. Torti crisisLly in 2007, in which the prices of cubes tortilla grew radically, as the production of ethanol maize increased, is an example of food versus fuel debate.
Ethanol production costs are also very high compared to the sales value. Many governments provide subsidies to farmers who increase the maize for the production of ethanol to make it worthwhile to be a controversial practice.