Sugar Cane Ethanol: Where in the World Is It Used?

In the United States, much of the ethanol produced comes from corn or other plant wastes. Ethanol is in high demand, its benefits could be used a lot more than we actually use it. In other areas around the world, ethanol is derived from sugar cane. Two such nations that are turning this crop into transportation fuel include India and Brazil. Read below about this transportation technology used by these two nations, and the possible socioeconomic impacts that this process may have on them.

India is the largest sugar producer in the world, and in terms of sugarcane, it stands head to head with Brazil. India is currently facing an overhaul of their sugar cane and molasses producing industry to incorporate the distilling of sugar cane ethanol. The goal is to take this ethanol and blend it with gasoline to produce a cleaner burning fuel and lower the country s current dependence on oil.

While India is well on its way to the increase in sugar cane ethanol production, Brazil is already there with plans to become self-sufficient in regards to energy. Brazil is already to the point where some pumps put out only alcohol while others pump out only gasoline. This achievement did not come to Brazil easily, but rather took tens of years of research, mistakes, and billions of dollars to accomplish.

The Politics of Ethanol

Fuel economy, availability and usage drive many of the political discussions, debates and wars in our current world. One of the concerns facing the nations producing sugar cane ethanol is that of foreign trade. Will the pressure placed on these nations by outside countries be equivalent to that placed by oil producing countries today? While the answers are uncertain, it is clear that other nations around the world are beginning to see the success that these two lands have had and wish to replicate it.

Currently, the tax levied on sugar cane ethanol imported from Brazil is 54 cents a gallon by the United States, hindering the involvement of Americans in the building of the industry. On another big business note, there are two industries that will dramatically be affected by the use of ethanol in automobiles including the oil industry and the automobile industry. Automobile companies are being challenged to produce cars with flexible fuel engines. These run on gasoline, a mixture of ethanol and gasoline, or on ethanol alone.

The Rising Of The Sun Lamp

The season of winter can sometimes be a very depressing time of the year. Depression-like symptoms can be triggered due to the lack of sunlight coupled with the experience of continual rain or snow. Often, during these times of inclement weather, an individual is forced to stay indoors. Sometimes this condition is known as cabin fever or, more scientifically, can be labeled as Seasonal Affective Disorder.

A treatment that has shown promise in treating Seasonal Affective Disorder is through the use of a sun lamp. In addition to this particular disorder other individuals with certain conditions have benefited from the use of a sun lamp. Those other conditions have included individuals who experience non-seasonal related depression and those who are homebound for a number of reasons.

What Is A Sun Lamp?

A sun lamp is an electrical device that simulates sunlight by emitting the short wavelengths found in the ultraviolet spectrum. A sun lamp receives its power through a 120 volt outlet. Also, sun lamps come in various sizes and can include a standing sun lamp as well as those that rest on a tabletop.

In addition, an added feature on some sun lamps is a timer. This timer, once set, will safely control the therapeutic time spent under than the sun lamp.

It is also important to note that there are a variety of light bulbs that are used in the light generating process. These bulbs come in different wattages. It is important to select the right wattage to meet your needs and maintain your personal safety. Also, these light bulbs will share with the consumer the number of hours of production that the bulb is estimated to provide.

Treatment Process

The treatment process in the utilization of a sun lamp involves the individual sitting or lying in proximity of the light generated from the sun lamp. The distance between the individual and the sun lamp should reflect a distance of no less than 18 inches. Often, treatments begin with sessions of 30 seconds and continue to progress in length. Generally, treatments occur on a daily basis and sometimes range in duration of up to 30 minutes.

It is critical that the eyes of the individual utilizing the sun lamp are protected. Therefore, it is not uncommon to have a set of protective eyewear included in the purchase of a sun lamp from the manufacture.

Skin Disorders

In addition to helping treat the symptoms related to Seasonal Affective Disorder, there are other medical benefits derived from the use of a sun lamp. One of these benefits is the effect that it can have upon certain skin disorders. Specifically, the treatment of acne, through the use of a sun lamp, has shown promise.

Other Possible Benefits

Other benefits of sun lamp treatment may include other conditions that are related to depressive states. Those conditions include Alzheimer s disease, eating disorders, post-partum depression, etc.

Also, the use of a sun lamp has provided benefits to those individuals who experience sleeping disorders.