Advantages and Disadvantages of Ethanol as Fuel

Advantages and Disadvantages of Ethanol as Fuel The top five producers and users of ethanol in 2005 were Brazil producing 4.35 billion gallons per year, The United States producing 4.3 billions gallons per year, China producing 530 million gallons per year, The European Union producing 250 millions gallons per year and India producing 80 million gallons per year. Brazil and The United States account for about 90 per cent of all ethanol production, although in the last few year the United States production of ethanol has grown to about 4.6 billion gallons per year and are now widely consider the worlds largest producer of ethanol. The advantages of ethanol use are: The fuel can utilise existing distribution outlets. Other fuel sources such as hydrogen would require the creation of distribution networks and technology with accompanying establishment costs It is a renewable resource and so would reduce the use of non-renewable materials. It could reduce green house gas emissions if solar energy was used to distil it from aqueous solutions. It reduces dependence on imported oil and the influence of the oil cartels that currently control oil production and price. This reduced dependence on imported oil also protects consumers from the economic variations that are caused by the political and social events in oil producing countries While it is very unlikely that ethanol will ever replace the worlds main energy source, it will reduce the total amount of oil the country would need to import. Disadvantages: There are claims that the production and distribution of ethanol as an alternative motor vehicle fuel source will in fact increase greenhouse gas emissions over those generated by conventional fuels. Large areas of agricultural land would need to be used to grow suitable crops, leading to soil erosion, deforestation fertiliser run off and salinity. There is just not enough land to produce the crops needed for ethanol to become a major alternative fuel, with crops at the moment only sustaining about 1 per cent of the worlds transport fuel. There is also a worry that the land needed for ethanol production will compete with food production. The disposal of the large amounts of smelly waste fermentation liquors after removal of ethanol would present major environmental problems. There is a cost involved in making ethanol is nearly twice as much as the cost of making gasoline. There is also a cost involved in modifying vehicles to use ethanol or methanol. Ethanol also has smaller energy density than gasoline, taking about 1.5 times more ethanol than gasoline to travel the same distance. However with new technologies the advancements in ethanol engines are improving every year. Although ethanol does reduce the toxicity of the car exhaust, it can also be corrosive. Ethanol can absorb water and dirt easily and if those contaminants are not filtered out successfully that can damage the inside of the engine block. The politics that surround the increased use of ethanol in Australia are uncertain. The major political parties have a clear policy position on this initiative at either State or Federal level. There is even debate within the minor political groups that usually defend the environment as to the long term benefits and consequences of increased ethanol consumption. With conflicting claims and a lack of clear evidence, a cautious approach has been adopted by politicians. At State Government level, it is the NSW Government that has principally supported the introduction of ethanol. It has been suggested that the NSW Labor governments position has been influence by donations from major ethanol producers and even the Rudd Federal Labor government is critical of a number of aspect of NSW expansion of ethanol production. Against this background, the NSW Government has consistently refer to the greenhouse benefits of ethanol as one of the reasons for its decision to require that 10% of all fuel sold is to be ethanol (E10) by 2011. There are claims that the long term uses of ethanol are as equally damaging to the environment as conventional fuels. For consumers acceptance of this alternative fuel source is as much about the price at which it will be delivered at the petrol pump, as it is about the environmental motivations. Fermentation and distillation have been used to produce ethanol for centuries, making it one of the earliest organic compounds to be obtained in nearly pure form. Fermentation is a process in which glucose is broken down to ethanol and carbon dioxide by the action of enzymes present in yeast. These enzymes act as biological catalysts, which first convert the starch or sucrose in the mixture into glucose and or fructose. Finally enzymes will convert the glucose and or fructose into ethanol and carbon dioxide. Yeast can produce ethanol contents up to 15 per cent. If the alcohol concentrations were above this level the yeast would be killed and further fermentation would be stopped. To further produce higher alcohol content, up to 95 per cent fractional distillation or even to 100 per cent more elaborate distillation procedures of the liquid are then needed. Plant materials suitable for fermentation must have a high concentration of simple sugars (sucrose, glucose and fructose). Starchy grains like corn, tubers like potatoes and fruits like grapes with high simple sugar contents are most commonly used. Cellulose and starch are biopolymers which are formed by condensation polymerisation of glucose monomers. Cellulosic ethanol is produced from woods, grasses and non-edible parts of the plants. There are two ways of producing ethanol from cellulose; gasification or cellulolysis processes. Gasification transforms raw lignocelluloses materials which are composed of cellulose, hemi cellulose or lignin into gaseous carbon monoxide and hydrogen. These gases can then be converted into ethanol by fermentation and distillation. Cellulolysis processes use hydrolysis, which is where enzymes are used to break up the complex cellulose structures of lignocelluloses materials into simple sugars which then followed by fermentation and distillation can be changed into ethanol. Bibliography: http://www.o2.org/ideas/cases/biopolymers.html http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-ethanol-fuel.htm http://www.pictonhigh.net/moodle/course/view.php?id=29 http://science.jrank.org/pages/2576/Ethanol-Disadvantages-ethanol-an-alternative-fuel.html http://www.ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article_id=2222 http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s1763365.htm http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s1763365.htm http://www.smh.com.au/execute_search.html?text=ethanolss=smh.com.au http://www.chemlink.com.au/ethanol.htm http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/01/20/ethanol-not-really-all-that-green/

Nursing Homes are a Haven for the Elderly Essay -- Nursing Homes Perso

Nursing Homes are a Haven for the Elderly A.) Security 1.)Curfews 2.)Lost faculties (No need to drive) 3.)Away from con-artists B.) Activities 1.)Entertainment/Songs (Brownies example) 2.)Activities/Crafts (Beta Club example) 3.)People of similar age C.)Health Care 1.)Takes stress off of the family 2.)Help with prescriptions and medicine 3.)In case of emergency... The Nursing Home: A Haven for the Elderly Today's nursing homes are excellent environments for our elderly. These establishments provide health care, entertainment, security, and above all, a home for over 1,000,000 American citizens over age 70. There is no better place for an individual who is slowly losing his or her faculties. During one's "golden years," one should not have to worry about daily chores like washing the dishes or mowing the lawn. One should be able to relax and enjoy life. Nursing homes give the elderly a chance to do just that. Security is a primary focus in most nursing homes. Curfews exist to insure the safety and protection of the residents. Also, busses take the senior citizens to places of common interest, such as the grocery store and local shopping malls. This alleviates the everyday stress of driving for those residents who are losing some of their basic faculties, and creates a safer driving environment for everyone. In addition, these ol...

Katherine and Bianca Essay

Kate and Bianca clearly do not get on with each other, when Bianca comes onto the scene she is harsh straight away, the third thing that she says is commenting on Bianca’s behavior. â€Å"A pretty peat! It is best put finger in the eye and she knew why†. Kate calls Bianca a spoilt child and then goes on to say that the best thing that Bianca could do if she could not think of an excuse would be to make herself cry so that Kate got the blame. Bianca mocks Kate by using words that have a hidden depth â€Å"sister, content you in my discontent† After the comment from Katherine â€Å"A pretty peat† Bianca tells Kate not to feel bad, and then goes on to talk sweetly to Baptista. This leads me on to talking about Bianca’s speech. She says what she thinks is right in front of her father, even if she does not really mean it. â€Å"What you command me to do I will do†, in this she is talking to Baptista, she is pleasant and obedient. She also says later on â€Å"so well I know my duty to my elders†. At the start of the play people would have thought that this remark was of her politeness but when it gets into the play some people think that it is suggesting something, as she is saying it to Kate, it may be a sarcastic hint that she is older than Bianca and not as fair as she is. Bianca always comes across as if she is saying sweet and kind things but underneath the original meaning it is almost as if there is a hidden depth to her speech and it goes back to the original meaning behind the play of deception and disguise. After Bianca’s’ wooing scene she says â€Å"farewell, sweet masters both, I must be gone† she comes across to be flirting with them, but she is not interested in either of them and is confusing them. Shakespeare gets the point across about the two sisters by using how others react to them and also what others say about them, either to them or about them. Kate does not have a very good reputation and so people are used to what she is like. They are horrified at some of the things that she says but not at all surprised because everyone knows Kate as the Shrew. When Petruchio first meets Kate he thinks that he can tame her; â€Å"For I am he am born to tame you, Kate†, he thinks that underneath the ill-tempered behaviour and the bad mannered speech that there is something else there that no one can see, he thinks that it needs bringing out. He wants to have a wife so he thinks that she will be a perfect challenge. Baptista gives up hope on Kate because he thinks that she will never calm down and be like Bianca, he asks her â€Å"Why, how now, daughter Katherine in your dumps? † This is because she has been shouting so much that she is left feeling low spirited and out of temper. Petruchio woos Kate and she tries to fight back, he says â€Å"Twas told me you were a rough cay and sullen, and now I find report a very liar† he tells her that she is beautiful and how she is perfect and all she does is fight back.

The United Nations Security Council International - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1418 Downloads: 5 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Law Essay Type Narrative essay Did you like this example? The United Nations Security Council (henceforth SC) is the executive arm of the United Nations (UN). The SC consists of five permanent members (P-5), namely: the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China. In addition it has ten non permanent members which are chosen by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The United Nations Security Council International" essay for you Create order Calls to reforming the most dominant organ of the United Nations, the Security Council have gained an increased consideration in the last few decades. The Reform proposals about mainly discussed about changing the membership or the working methods and other procedures adopted by the current SC. However, the question which arises from the proposed reforms is whether a change in the structure or the procedures will enhance the credibility of this institution. Hence the use of the journal and the two consecutives articles will play an integral in the dissertation process. It will give an insight how I will proceed in investigating why the SC should be reformed, why it is difficult to reform the SC and also the problems with present reform proposals. 2. C. Eduardo Vargas Toro  [1]  , UN Security Council Reform: Unrealistic proposals and viable reform options, 25 November 2008, American Diplomacy This article evaluates that the majority of reform proposals that have been b rought forward by different nations so far are either due to their quest for a permanent seat in the SC or to their will to prevent their rival from joining the security council. The author that claims that in any way, these motives will not bring along any reform to the Security Council, which he described as being flawed from the beginning. He mainly concentrates on the shortcoming of an enlarged membership of permanent members. According to him, an increased membership does not essentially mean an efficient SC as a larger group might slacken serious negotiations while at the same time being too small to represent todays world. the author also argue that it is merely self-interest and not democracy issues which lies behind these membership claims. Therefore it might prove difficult to reach a conciliation when it comes to political issues since each member state will be fighting for their own national interests. He claims by adding new members with veto powers will only hinder the SC from acting proficiently. The writer support this argument by stating that P-5 national interests already impede the SC from addressing issues closest to them and adding new veto members will further decrease the odds of a specific issue from being addressed. This editorial constitutes vital source on this subject that will help me in-depth analysis of the reform and veto issues since its proposed reforms are more focused on attainable objectives that eventually render the Security Council into a more effective and competent organization. Indeed, the scheme set forward by the writer are mainly to limit the use of the veto. he also claims that without the veto the SC might lack the necessary political and military might to carry out the functions for which it was created. However, the author adds that countries invoking the veto should be required to state and defend their reasons for using it. Unlike other reform proposals, the author points out that a set of well-de fined standing rules of procedures by the SC will be an effort to ensure that the power struggle over interpretation does not fall exclusively into the hands of the P-5, thereby avoiding their use of the double veto. moreover, the author proposes a triumvirate- institutionalised presidency. He emphasize a that such a presidency will allow the leadership of the SC to rest into an institution, He also believes that having a secretarial body provided for by the P-5 or E-10 groups of friends having a systematic experience to act as an institutional memory by providing a better understanding of the procedures which will be beneficial as well as an essential tool in creating an efficient SC. Finally the writer claims that the reforms of the UN Security Council has to look forward for more realistic objectives for the P-5 to accept as any amendment to the Charter obviously require their votes and its evident they will not go against proposals which will hinder their interest or power s. Thomas G. Weiss  [2]  , The Illusion of the UN Security Council Reform, Autumn 2003, The Washington Quarterly, 26:4 pp 147-161 Unlike the above piece of writing, the writer here consent that SC does not reflect the actual distribution of the 21st century power but he stressed on the fact that reform proposals deriving from diplomats have not yet addressed the imbalance between seats at the SC and the actual military capacity outside the SC chamber. He states that with a US global presence as great as that of any empire in history, it can be said at present that there are in fact two worlds organizations: The UN- global in membership and the US global in reach and power.(pg 152) he further states that jostling about the UN charter reform is a mere distraction, as the US will certainly not agree to take part in an organization whose aim will be to limit its big powers. the author prove his point by stating the UNs powerful capacity is only on loan, and UN led or UN approved military operations are carried forward only after the signature of Washington. He asserts that this fact wont alter until the Eur ope an steps in investing particularly on their defense system in order to acquire an equivalent independent military capacity as US. After having analysed the bombastic fireworks over the proposed reforms of the SC, the author is of the opinion that adaptation to the actual SC behaviour, rather than any formal alterations to either its membership or procedures, will rather improve the SC credibility. He refers to the steps taken by member states in enabling more transparency and accountability within the SC as a pragmatic modification in the SCs procedures. The author concludes by stating that the SC should preserve the aim for which it has been set up and that any change brought in the structure of this institution will not fight against its main weaknesses, among which the veto and complete reliance upon the US military force in projecting military power across the globe. Nico Schrijver Reforming the UN Security Council in Pursuance of Collective Security (2007) Journal of Conflict and Security Law 12 (1) 127 138 Unlike both articles, in this journal the author summarize the functions of the SC and says how the drafters wanted to set up an institutions unlike from the L.O.N  [3]  . He develops his arguments on how the SC enlarged after the cold war. With the challenges and tensions to security such as refugees and terrorism for example, urge the need of expansion. Throughout these recent threats he observed that the council took up a quasi-legislative role, by ratifying legislation that repeatedly applied to national law of the member states. He therefore raise the question of the SC taking on a more semi-judicial part. Schrijver responds to the main task of the SC which he decided should be an organ of limited membership capable of acting timely, decisively and with the power to enforce its decisions. nevertheless the major challenge to the SC is how to form a council adequately small for effective and efficient action  [4]  and large enough to work and its choices acceptable. T he writer look at the approaches to achieve this perfect council through Article 23 which distinguished between permanent and elected members  [5]  and refers to the expansion of elected seats in 1963 as a more adequate geographical representation and making it a more effective organ for carrying out its functions under the charter of the UN.  [6] He also looks for reform, arguing how they would increase to a council of 24, and would have a distinct view of geographically equalising membership. Nico examines Annans 2005 report and how none of the proposals put forward gained enough support. In the end the writer search for different ideas to those proposed for representativeness and effectiveness of the council. He also disputes if expansion is what is needed, would a council of 15 members not be as efficient as one of 24. Or even a change to membership this could be a way of giving substance to Article 23.  [7]  besides, he repeat on his expansion comments and aga in calls for an alternative method, an instance would be by bettering the way the council works. He notes that an increased council will not do any better unless it provides for more transparency, accountability and inclusiveness.  [8]