Energy - How Is Gasohol Made?

How is gasohol made?

Gasohol is a mixture of 90 percent unleaded gasoline and 10 percent ethyl alcohol (ethanol). Its performance as a motor vehicle fuel is comparable to that of 100 percent unleaded gasoline, with the added benefit of superior antiknock properties (no premature fuel ignition). No engine modifications are needed for the use of gasohol, which has in recent years gained some acceptance as an alternative to pure gasoline.

Corn is most often used to produce ethanol in the United States, since it is the nation's most abundant grain crop. However, ethanol can be made from a wide range of organic (living) raw materials, such as oats, barley, wheat, milo, sugar beets, and sugar cane. Potatoes, cassava (a starchy plant), and cellulose (material taken from the cell walls of plants) are other possible sources.

The first step in making ethanol from corn is to grind and cool the corn starch. In the process, the...

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