With the mounting debate about whether alternative fuels from food would solve the world’s addiction to fossil fuels without sacrificing farming lands that would produce food to feed our growing population and while being able to power all vehicles currently running on gasoline, one company comes up with an idea of giving you the resource to produce ethanol right in your backyard.
The EFuel100 MicroFueler is a home-based ethanol production system that is shaped like a gas pump. It produces enough ethanol for your car consumption. All you need to do is to install it; add some water, sugar, and yeast; let it sit for a few days; and presto, you’ve got yourself an alternative fuel to power your car! The MicroFueler can even make ethanol out of discarded alcohol from bars and restaurants.
How does the process work? The MicroFueler produces ethanol using membrane distillation. Sugar, yeast, and water, are blended together to create the chemical reaction that produces the alternative fuel. After two days, the fermented sugar water is turned into vapor, and the ethanol is separated from the water. In a week’s time, the MicroFueler reservoir can hold up to 35 gallons of pure ethanol, which is enough to fill at least two cars. The creators of this machine even claims that the discarded water by-product is safe enough to drink.
What are the benefits of using ethanol, you ask? As you can see, making this type of alternative fuel only makes use of common household items. Even commercial ethanol costs a fraction compared to the soaring prices of gasoline. However, buying the MicroFueler itself can be a bit of a set bac, US$10,000 to be exact. Although with government subsidies, the unit cost would reduce a few thousand dollars off the price. It is also kinda bulky, as it would occupy a large portion of your backyard lot.
For all its disadvantages, is it really worth it? In the long run, yes. With so little cost of making ethanol using the MicroFueler, you eventually realize how much money you save compared to the accumulating amount of money you waste as you fill your car with gasoline.
