Ethanol from rice - the answer for China's fuelconsumtion?

Grey_Wolf · 09-01-2005, 11:21 PM

I been thinking. Since we now drive a number of cars on ethanol made from cereals and potatoes, wouldn't it be possible for the Chinese to make ethanol from rice.

To my thinking, it would solve the environmental problem of their long term automotive fuel consumtion for good and perhaps even supply the people with ethanol-stoves so that health like hazards coal and oil would no longer have to be used.

What think Ye?

Lotesse · 09-02-2005, 01:47 AM

Great question for discussion! Absolutely one can make ethanol out of rice.

The Gaffer · 09-02-2005, 04:05 AM

The added advantage being that if your car breaks down you can neck the contents of the fuel tank and get mashed while you wait for a rescue.

***Jonathan*** · 09-02-2005, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey_Wolf

I been thinking. Since we now drive a number of cars on ethanol made from cereals and potatoes, wouldn't it be possible for the Chinese to make ethanol from rice.

To my thinking, it would solve the environmental problem of their long term automotive fuel consumtion for good and perhaps even supply the people with ethanol-stoves so that health like hazards coal and oil would no longer have to be used.

What think Ye?

Ethanol is indeed a more environmentally friendly fuel than petrol. However it might not be the best fuel and should maybe not be the utlimate solution to rising oil prices. If the Chinese could develop cheap techniques for distillation of ethanol from rice, that would be great. However nothing guarantees that is going to happen. I think it is more likely that the Chinese, if they introduced ethanol cars, would go for the cheapest ethanol on the market, namely ethanol from the Brazilian rain forest. Imagine what would happen to the forest if a billion Chinese decided to exploit it!

But alas, there is no way China will introduce green cars as long as the US and Europe don't. China has like the biggest currency reserves in the world and they use the money to buy their way into the oil business. And as long as oil remains the cheapest alternative, I'm afraid ethanol cars will always remain in the shadow of the classic cars, in China, the US, Europe and the whole world.
(But when the fossile fuels run out, maybe China can earn a bob or two from their rice spirits

)

Grey_Wolf · 09-02-2005, 06:51 AM

You are most likely correct.

Rice-ethanol is probably not an option for China, then. Unless some enterprising someone could persuade them to begin developing such an engine.

Spock · 09-02-2005, 12:23 PM

In Arizona during the summer months the gasoline is part ethanol. There's a sign on every pump in the state that advises it. I never had any problem with it. We need to do something to reduce our dependence and IMO this is the way to go nationally.

***Earniel*** · 09-06-2005, 04:37 PM

I am not entirely sure how enthanol is made from rice or what quantities are necesary. But I'm fairly certain they'd need to plant more rice for the production of ethanol as the the rice they're currently farming goes into food. Above that, if I recall correctly, the farming of rice fields leads to methane emissions, a green house gass. So increasing the rice production may not be a good idea. But perhaps the idea can be used locally.

In Belgium soon all (car)petrol and diesel will have to contain 5% bio-oil. Too bad we just don't have the space to start up large scale productions of energy-crops.

09-01-2005, 11:21 PM	#1
Grey_Wolf Elf Lord Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mirkwood, well actually I live in North-west Scania, Sweden Posts: 9,481	Ethanol from rice - the answer for China's fuelconsumtion? I been thinking. Since we now drive a number of cars on ethanol made from cereals and potatoes, wouldn't it be possible for the Chinese to make ethanol from rice. To my thinking, it would solve the environmental problem of their long term automotive fuel consumtion for good and perhaps even supply the people with ethanol-stoves so that health like hazards coal and oil would no longer have to be used. What think Ye?

09-02-2005, 01:47 AM	#2
Lotesse of the House of Fëanor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,150	Great question for discussion! Absolutely one can make ethanol out of rice. __________________ Few people have the imagination for reality. ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

09-02-2005, 12:23 PM	#6
Spock An enigma in a conundrum Join Date: Oct 1999 Posts: 6,476	In Arizona during the summer months the gasoline is part ethanol. There's a sign on every pump in the state that advises it. I never had any problem with it. We need to do something to reduce our dependence and IMO this is the way to go nationally. __________________ Vizzini: "HE DIDN'T FALL?! INCONCEIVABLE!!" Inigo: "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

09-06-2005, 04:37 PM	#7
*Earniel* The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium) Posts: 14,363	I am not entirely sure how enthanol is made from rice or what quantities are necesary. But I'm fairly certain they'd need to plant more rice for the production of ethanol as the the rice they're currently farming goes into food. Above that, if I recall correctly, the farming of rice fields leads to methane emissions, a green house gass. So increasing the rice production may not be a good idea. But perhaps the idea can be used locally. In Belgium soon all (car)petrol and diesel will have to contain 5% bio-oil. Too bad we just don't have the space to start up large scale productions of energy-crops. __________________ We are not things.

09-02-2005, 04:05 AM	#3
The Gaffer Elf Lord Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In me taters Posts: 3,288	The added advantage being that if your car breaks down you can neck the contents of the fuel tank and get mashed while you wait for a rescue.

09-02-2005, 06:51 AM	#5
Grey_Wolf Elf Lord Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mirkwood, well actually I live in North-west Scania, Sweden Posts: 9,481	You are most likely correct. Rice-ethanol is probably not an option for China, then. Unless some enterprising someone could persuade them to begin developing such an engine.