recently in newspapers and in television commercials there is a unique advertising: that of fire in a fireplace that, according to the manufacturer, are fireplaces without chimney smoke-free and well, that's incredible, with no fine.
They work primarily with bio-ethanol from biomass, particularly from the fermentation of corn.
But is it really safe bio-ethanol?
Many say yes, but as soon andi love in studies such as that sponsored by prof. Jacobson University Stanfordecco that this belief is questioned .
The study, published in the journal Environmental Science Technology, tries to estimate the possible effects on health a complete replacement of gasoline with ' E85 (85% bioethanol, 15% gasoline) by 2020.
The study takes into account all of the USA and particularly in the area of \u200b\u200bLos Angeles the following factors:
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projections the increase of American population
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projected increase in traffic
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forecasts decrease emissions of individual vehicles.
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Based on these assumptions, the model of Jacobson in 2020 provides a 4% increase in mortality in the U.S. because of higher levels of ozone dell'E85 arising from the use (the link between ground-level ozone and mortality is quite well studied ).
L ' increased mortality rises to 9% if one considers only the area of \u200b\u200b Los Angeles (where they are concentrated around 30% of all U.S. deaths for ozone). Similar increases are observed in cases of hospitalization ozone and in cases of asthma . Nonce should be rather significant changes in cancer cases.
forecasts Jacobson clearly marked by a degree of uncertainty (in particular with regard to the future values \u200b\u200bof the maximum emissions of the cars), but one thing is certain , bioethanol will not improve air quality .
One thing, however, is not said in the study of Jacobson: if the U.S. were to switch from gasoline all'E85 would need a quantity of corn of about 13-14 times the current production .
Where will they go to get it? To grow it should be about third of all arable land the planet ...
Regardless of the amount of pesticides used for growing corn.
The biofireplace heats the house, saving money.
It 's true?
Here we just do not.
Turning corn into ethanol and then burn in a fireplace is just nonsense. We begin to think of the cost required to grow corn, distill it into alcohol and then carry it.
short, the energy cost of ethanol is so high that it is foolish to burn in the fireplace.
That thing is completely pointless to even see without scratching my head too much on energy efficiency. About 20 liters of ethanol will cost 65 Euro or 3.25 Euro per liter (!!!!), It 's almost more convenient use of grappa (bioethanol is that too), but we're close.
Consider that a pound of wood costs about 10 cents. The wood has a calorific value which is about half that of ethanol, but at the same calorific value, bio-ethanol costs more than ten times more.
Then if one wants to see this thing for what it is, or something purely decorative , is fine. Of course, creates a romantic atmosphere, and if invited to dinner a beautiful woman (or man) may be that bioethanol fireplace to give you a hand for the company to seduce her / o.
biofireplace The non-polluting and does not require flues
From elementary schools teach that the product of any combustion is water and anidridecarbonica
Install a brazier (because that is what we speak) are in unsuitable environments, such as sealed windows to reduce drafts and heat loss. Under these conditions, one of these fireplaces have no flue could do damage to health.
kept burning continuously from someone who can afford these prices bioethanol may lead to increased CO2 concentration sufficient to fully be a better migraine and perhaps something worse.
short, the marketing has surpassed all decency.
Until a few years ago companies were studying the market and consumers, and gave the products we needed, now we create needs!
Main sources
MZJacobsonm Environ.Sci.Tecnol., ASAP Article (published on the web April 18, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/18/nyregion/18wood.html?_r=1
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