| OCR Text |
Show mm mmm GASOHOL-LIMITATIONS AS FUEL SUPPLEMENTS Long taken for granted as an intangible in-tangible and even inexhausitble resource, energy is today given high priority in the nation's economy and in the day-to-day lives of its citizenry. The causes and effects of a developing energy shortfall have been well documented, and proposed solutions abound. Basically, current efforts to alleviate pur energy shortage are being mainly directed at reducing our dependence upon crude oil in whatever its ultimate refined form takes. GASOHOL DEFINED One oil extender is known as gasohol, a fuel mixture for internal combustion engines containing 90 percent unleaded gasoline and 10 percent theyl alcohol (ethanol). As in the production of alcohol for distilled spirits, the feedstock for ethanol in this country is generally corn, although other grains and certain crops may also be utilized. Brazil, short on fossil fuels, has developed a major capacity for producing ethanol using sugar cane as feedstock. In contrast to Brazil, the U.S. ethanol-for -gasohol is relatively new on the scene and in limited production. Gasohol itself is available in only about 3 percent of the nation's 175,000 service stations. Many of the gasohol outlets are in the midwest where consumption was established by usage in farm vehicles. Demand for gasohol today involves output of some 60 million gallons of ethanol yearly, with a projection of up to 600 million gallons by mid-decade. ECONOMICS OF GASOHOL To reach the projected 1985 ethaaol-for-gasohol goal, using corn as feedstock, feed-stock, it will require nearly twice the current grain-for-food production. Even this will attain only a near-token 10 percent reduction in the consumption of gasoline. In addition to the tenfold increase in corn, a factor must be included in-cluded to provide the energy for conversion con-version of the corn into alcohol. As to the conversion process itself the technology is well known, but the cost of production in terms of energy is about equal to the energy value of the end product, thus resulting in a zero gain in this respect In financial terms, the combined cost of production of ethanol and unleaded gasoline on a 10-90 basis will exceed the cost of the gasoline itself. It should be noted, however, that what is in effect a production subsidy comes from many states and the federal government in the form of various 'ax exemptions. To the motorist at the gasohol pump this means paying only a few cents more per gallon over the price of straight unleaded. GASOHOL PROPERTIES As to energy value, gasohol has about 3 percent less BTS content per gallon than does gasoline alone. Essentially, this would mean that gasohol will not reduce gasoline requirements by the desired 10 percent. This is based on present-day automobile engine con-bustion con-bustion and carburetor systems not generally designed to fully accomodate gasohol. So, even though gasohol is considered to be of higher octane content, performance per-formance may not be up to expectations. ex-pectations. Future engine design will undoubtedly compensate for present gasohol shortcomings. Similar qualifications govern engine exhaust emissions with the use of gasohol, depending on the type of engine, car-buretion, car-buretion, and calibration. GASOHOL OUTLOOK However, there is no question but that gasohol has a place in the national energy profile. Although, of course, it does have some limitations and problems of cost, it is in fact further developed than are synthetic fuels, for example, from shale or tar sands. These processes are at this time still in the wings, but will undoubtedly make a valuable and economical contribution to our energy resources. In the interim, gasohol should naturally be pressed forward to the fullest practical degree. the Harold Ashby funeral. Tod Merkley had surgery at the LDS Hospital in Salt Lake Cily last Wednesday. Wednes-day. Theron has been with him. At last report, he was doing fine. Don and Betty Bowden have a new granddaughter born April K), 9 lbs 5 oz. to Jack and Carolyn Fulkerson. Her name will be Rachel Paige. The other grandparents are Clark and Doris Fulkerson, Davis; great grandparents are May Howden, Maeser, Martha Smith Clark, Sr. and Lanetla Fulkerson of Nickerson, Kansas. Jamie, 9, and Carrie, 4, were happy for a new sister. Dan Phyllis Turner have a new grandson born on April 10, weighing 7 lb. 3 oz. to Donna Turner. His name will be Donald Wesley. New residents in Maeser are lloyce and Karen (Winn) Coombs from Sail Lake Cily children, Kami V and Cody 1 year. Mr. Coombs is an accounlanl wilh Terry Caldwell company. They are living in the Half Mile Subdivision. |
