Thursday, 5 March 2015

The Possible Risks Of Ethanol Transport

By Leslie Ball


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.

There had been studies that show how biofuel production can impact the environment negatively. Ethanol transport needs to undergo specific processes and strict policies in order to avoid possible accidents related to contamination. Leakage, spills, and explosions that will result to huge fires must be avoided. Because of this, the transport can only be possible through barges, car tanks, and tanker trucks. However, this may still not be completely safe.

Depending on the cycles of the supply chain, the biofuel can be produced as one hundred percent ethanol or combined with certain amounts of gasoline. When transported, these are denatured. Little do communities like Denmark, TN know about the health and environmental risks of the transport process.

This biofuel has a tendency to attract vapor from the atmosphere and can easily degrade seals. If ethanol is combined with gasoline, it can burn lethally and the flame is almost invisible. This is because the two fuel compounds have very different properties, especially when it comes to electrical conductivity, solubility, boiling point, and density.

Corn is being produced widely because this is the raw product for ethanol. Scientists say that if the corn is not grown properly or if it has too much pesticides and fertilizers, it can also affect the process of producing the biofuels. The final products must be tested for purity and thus, must be refined.

This can greatly contribute to air and water pollution. The moment it leaks, it emits gaseous particles in the atmosphere and in water. Once the humans, plants, and animals breathe in the air or take in the water, they will definitely get sick. Dispensing, storing, and blending the fuels must be done by professionals and away from public places because they can explode if exposed to very hot areas.

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.

There are government agencies that issue protection protocols to storage tanks. They use a detection technology to monitor the leaks and contamination in the storage material. However, this does not fully support biofuels. Hence, there is little known technology to lessen the negative environmental and health effects of ethanol.

According to reports, petroleum has lesser damage than that of ethanol and gasoline combined. The chemical combination can cause widespread destruction because it can stay longer in the atmosphere and in water, it is more toxic, and it is more pollutant. Its carcinogenic characteristic makes it survive in air and water for longer periods than petroleum and other known commercial gases and fuels. Thus, the government must do more action regarding this.




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