 | Fuel
Produced from corn and other grains,
ethanol
saves nearly $1 billion worth of imported oil each year. A bushel of corn produces 2.5
gallons of ethanol, and an acre of U.S. corn produces over 300 gallons. That is enough to
drive four cars for a year, when blended at a 10% level with gasoline, and displace 400 gallons
of imported oil. All manufacturers approve the
use of ethanol and some even recommend ethanol use for environmental reasons.
Ethanol blends can be used anywhere that unleaded gasoline is used. Nationwide
there are farmers, cities, counties, and rural electric co-op fleets, plus
snowmobile racers and fishing guides using ethanol blends exclusively with no
performance problems.
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| Deicer
Calcium magnesium acetate or CMA is a non-corrosive road deicer that
can be made from either petroleum or corn. CMA does not contain sodium or chloride, so it is
safe in watersheds and agricultural areas and will not damage roads and bridges. Acetates
can also be used as a runway deicer at airports.
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| Fuel Filters
Hydrosorb, a super-absorbent cornstarch, absorbs 300 times its
weight and is used in engine fuel filters.
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| Tires
Ever imagine driving on an ear of corn? Corn starch is used
in the making of rubber tires.
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| Transmission oil
4-cycle lubricants consist of a 100% vegetable oil blend that gives it the
qualities of a high performance motor oil and the characteristic of biodegradability.
Independent aquatic toxicity tests (Acute Rainbow Trout Test) show that it is 230,000 times less
toxic than petroleum oil. For every 100 acres
planted to canola for producing the oil, it reduces imported oil by 174 drums of finished
crankcase oil or 1,840 drums of crude.
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| Wax
Safer
"new uses" products made from corn and soybeans includes an auto wax with carnauba
wax.
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| Windshield washer fluid
Windshield washer fluid and antifreeze which use ethanol as a solvent,
replacing the petroleum derivative methanol, help meet higher standards of air quality. |
