Nama: Mochammad Muchyidin

NIM

: 14640010

Kelas : Fisika A
Ethanol Fuel
(Discussion)
There is now a debate over the use of alternative fuel sources,
and one of the most controversial alternative fuel options is ethanol
fuel. Ethanol fuel is an alcohol fuel derived from grains and other
plant-based matezrials. Kusher (2014:1) says that production of
ethanol fuel began in the 1970 as a supplement to petroleum.
Lately, environmental protection agencies have been promoting the
use of ethanol fuel, which was responded to negatively by some
experts who highlight the disadvantages of ethanol fuel. So, before
you decide to make the big switch, it pays to be informed about
ethanol fuel advantages and disadvantages.
One of the biggest problems faced by the industrial revolution
is the long-term shortage of petroleum and petroleum products. An
experts says, there will come a time when there will not be enough
oil and petroleum to sustain the needs of the world. The decrease in
oil supply has also led to the continuous increase in oil prices
worldwide. Ethanol fuel does not and will not face the same
problem. Beside that, ethanol fuel can be domestically produced.
Since it is derived from grains, it can be produced in any place
where grains grow abundantly. Anonymous (2012:1) says that in the
US, ethanol fuel is mainly produced using corn, but there are other
sources of ethanol, such as sugar cane, which is used in Brazil. This
means that as ethanol fuel becomes more widely distributed, it will
reduce the countrys dependence on imported oil. But perhaps the

most important of all the advantages of ethanol fuel is that it is a

clean burning fuel, unlike petroleum. Cars that use ethanol fuel toxic
emissions that can harm the environment, unlike petroleum, which
emits lead and benzene when burned. The absence of toxic
emissions will help reduce the amount of greenhouse gases and
ozone that are wreaking havoc in the environment.
The organic nature of ethanol fuel, however, both has
advantage and disadvantage. In order to produce enough grains,
corn, or sugar cane to produce enough ethanol fuel. Farmers will
have to produce double the amount of those crops available for
other uses. This may cause a shortage on other grain products,
which may lead to increased prices. To add to the challenge of
producing more crops, grain production (especially corn production)
is usually laborious. And farmers also have to deal with various
problems such as bad weather, insect damage, and droughts. Elvri
and Putra (2006:1) says, One of the biggest disadvantages of
ethanol fuel is its corrosive nature. Ethanol can easily absorb water
as well as dirt, and this usually causes damage and corrosion inside
the engine as the dirt builds up. Aside from that, ethanol is also not
as efficient as gasoline. It does burn cleaner, but you do need to fill
up more often as it would take you more ethanol than gasoline to
drive the same distance.
When discussing ethanol fuel advantages and disadvantages,
it is important to keep an objective view on the matter. Ethanol is
not a perfect alternative fuel, but the important thing in choosing
the right fuel to use for your vehicles is to choose the one with the
least consequences and negative effects.

Reference
Anonymous. 2012. Keunggulan dan Kelemahan Bahan Bakar Etanol
(online). http://www.indoenergi.com/2012/04/keunggulan-dan-

kelemahan-bahan-bakar.html. Retrived on 5th Mei 2016.

Elevri, P.A. and Putra, S.R. 2006. Produksi Etanol Menggunakan
Saccharomyces cerevisiae yang Diamobilisasi dengan Agar
Batang, Akta Kimia Indonesia Vol. 1 No. 2 April 2006: 105114. Surabaya: Jurusan Kimia FMIPA ITS.
Kusher, Jason. 2015. What is switchgrass ethanol?(online).
http://www.bionomicfuel.com/ what-is-switchgrass-ethanol/.
Retrived on 5th Mei 2016.