Ethanol Blending in Petrol
What is ethanol blending in petrol?
- Ethanol is a biofuel, that is, a fuel produced by processing organic matter. The auto fuels we commonly use are mainly derived from the slow geological process of fossilisation, which is why they are also known as fossil fuels.
- Mixing ethanol in auto fuel can result in savings and also protect against climate change.
- Ethanol in India is obtained primarily from sugarcane via a fermentation process. Ethanol is high in oxygen content, which therefore allows an engine to more thoroughly combust fuel.
- It can be mixed with fuel in different quantities and can help reduce vehicular emissions. Also, since it is plant-based, it is considered to be a renewable fuel.
Which countries are doing it?
- Given the constraints of finite sources of fuel, frequent fluctuations in prices and their overall impact on the environment, alternatives like ethanol in fuel are being explored by countries. Ethanol is considered to be highly suitable for blending.
- Brazil has mandated that ethanol content in gasoline sold in the country should be in the range of 18 percent to 27.5 percent while the European Union has a target for 10 percent of transportation fuel for each member country to come from renewable sources, such as biofuels, by 2020.
Why in News?
- Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri has said that 20 percent ethanol blended petrol, E20, will be available across India by 2025.
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