Bioethanol: A reliable aviation fuel

Bioethanol: A reliable aviation fuel

Part of: Prelims and GS-III – Economy; Environment 

Context According to the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Bioethanol can be a sustainable fuel for the aviation sector.

• It can provide 80% savings on greenhouse gas emissions and be blended up to 50% with conventional jet fuels without any modification. 
• It has already been tested and approved by the Indian Air Force. 
• With the roll out of flex-fuel vehicles that run 100% on bioethanol, the demand for ethanol will jump four to five times.

What is Bioethanol?

• The principal fuel used as a petrol substitute for road transport vehicles is bioethanol. 
• Bioethanol fuel is mainly produced by the sugar fermentation process, although it can also be manufactured by the chemical process of reacting ethylene with steam.
• Ethanol or ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH) is a clear colourless liquid. Ethanol burns to produce carbon dioxide and water.

• Energy Crops required to produce ethanol: 

• • corn, maize and wheat crops, waste straw, willow and poplar trees, sawdust, reed canary grass, cord grasses, jerusalem artichoke, myscanthus and sorghum plants.

• Benefits: 

• • Renewable; biodegradable
  • Less toxic
  • Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
  • greater fuel security
  • Boost to farmers