The hectare yields approximately 9000 kg of corn. The corn is then processed in an ethanol...

 

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The hectare yields approximately 9000 kg of corn. The corn is then processed in an ethanol plant to make almost pure (99.5%) ethanol. Per 1000 liters of ethanol, the ethanol production process requires the energy inputs shown in the table below, in addition to the corn. Assume that a liter of ethanol contains 21.3 MJ net. For simplicity, ignore the energy impact of by-products resulting from corn ethanol production. Calculate the ratio of energy available in the resulting ethanol to the total energy input. Does the ethanol provide more energy than it consumes? Input Energy (GJ) 1.35 Transportation 10.66 Distillation steam 4.87 Electricity 0.59 Balance of inputs The hectare yields approximately 9000 kg of corn. The corn is then processed in an ethanol plant to make almost pure (99.5%) ethanol. Per 1000 liters of ethanol, the ethanol production process requires the energy inputs shown in the table below, in addition to the corn. Assume that a liter of ethanol contains 21.3 MJ net. For simplicity, ignore the energy impact of by-products resulting from corn ethanol production. Calculate the ratio of energy available in the resulting ethanol to the total energy input. Does the ethanol provide more energy than it consumes? Input Energy (GJ) 1.35 Transportation 10.66 Distillation steam 4.87 Electricity 0.59 Balance of inputs