Biofuel Guide - Introduction to Ethanol and Biodiesel

Among the most promising replacement for nonrenewable fossil fuel (petroleum, coal, etc) are fuels made from organic materials, the so-called “biofuels”. The two widely used biofuels are ethanol and biodiesel. Each has its own pros and cons. However, the present technologies result in limitation of production for the reason that not all parts of a certain plant can be used.

Due to this drawback, there has been lot of studies that would resolve this problem. This is where the so-called second generation of biofuel enters. This so-called second generation denotes non food crops (cellulosic biofuel) such as waste biomass, wood, etc.

To briefly differentiate second from first generation, First generation biofuel are those fuel derived from vegetable or animal fats/oils, starch or sugar with the use of modern technology. Proponents claims that increasing industrial and political support for this second generation biofuel is a more feasible solution to achieve efficient fuel production utilizing a much greater range of plants and its waste.

Cellulose ethanol production is newly discovered experimental processes which can breakdown cellulose in woody fibers. This would only mean that through this method, ethanol from crop wastes, trees and grasses can be derived. It is significantly better since trees and grasses require small amount of energy in comparison to grains that must be replanted annually. Moreover, there have been techniques to develop fast-growing trees that can grow to size in just 10 years. In addition, grasses can be harvested twice every year.

In cellulosic ethanol, the fuel is derived from the stems and stalks of plants rather than only using the sugars and starches from corns, as with corn ethanol, This is starting to gain interest in the United States. As a matter of fact, several companies are moving forward having plans to build plants using this method.

This new type of biofuel is gradually gaining popularity because of the feedstock such as wood chips and grasses that is cost effective and very abundant. During the conversion into ethanol, less fossil fuel is required, therefore, having a greater impact than the usual corn ethanol on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Moreover, in comparison between the land area of grasses and corn, there is no doubt that an acre of grasses could make twice the number of gallons of ethanol that can be generated with an acre of corn. This is because in cellulose ethanol, the entire plant can be utilized instead of just the grain as in corn ethanol. This is great news for those regions having a short supply of corn-based food that is competing with the corn-ethanol manufacturers.

Based on the report made by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), by year 2050, the increasing productivity of cellulosic sources would in due course allow them to generate as much as 150 billion gallons of ethanol which is comparable to more than two-thirds present gasoline consumption in the United States.At the present time in the United States, none of the ethanol is derived from cellulosic materials. This is according to ethanol industry’s list of producers in the United States.

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Ethanol is alcohol fuel derived from sugars found in crops such as rice, potato skins and sugarcane and it is commonly made from corn, sorghum and wheat. Corn is commonly the base material in the United States due to its affordability and availability. But in Brazil, sugarcane is widely used. Since it is produced from plants, it is considered biodegradable and renewable. It is definitely a clear, colorless alternative alcohol fuel. Presently, various methods are used in making ethanol from biomass - an organic material. The fermentation of sugars and starch in corn with the use of yeast is the most frequently method utilized. From starch, it is fermented into sugar, afterwards it is fermented again into alcohol.

A variety of procedures can generate fuel-grade ethanol. But the most widely used is the dry-mill method. Below is the brief step by step process.

1. Let the base organic material (corn, sugarcane, wheat, etc) pass through a grinding meal to pulverize the selected material.

2. Then, liquefy it by placing the blend of water, grain powder and an enzyme that facilitates the breakdown of the grain compound into a high-heat cooker.

3. Cool it afterwards. Add another enzyme that will facilitate the conversion of starch into sugars which are then fermented, producing alcohol from the cooled mash.

4. Start the fermentation by adding yeast to the sugar mixture. The sugars will be broken down to ethanol (a form of alcohol) and carbon dioxide.

5. Distill the fermented mixture in order for the ethanol to separate from the solids.

6. Get rid of the water from the separated ethanol through a dehydration process.

7. To make it undrinkable, add a small amount of gasoline. The ethanol should be non potable to be used as an alternative fuel.

The carbon dioxide and distiller grain which are both byproducts of this method can be use in the ranching and farming industry. Ethanol-producing plant also buys these by-products for a variety of purposes.

Utilizing ethanol means using less of the nonrenewable fuel to produce gasoline. Ethanol is safe, nontoxic and biodegradable. It is not detrimental if accidentally spilled because it breaks down very quickly. It is considered clean for the main reason that it lessens toxic pollutants such as carbon monoxide from the pipelines of vehicles. It does not require lead or other derivatives to keep the engine running smoothly. It has a great probability of decreasing the greenhouse gas emissions because of the fact that biodiesel is primarily derived from crops which absorbs carbon dioxide. Thus, the balance of carbon dioxide is sustained and maintained in the atmosphere.

On another note, ethanol as a transportation fuel can be utilized as a partial or total alternative for conventional petroleum diesel. For urban regions that don’t meet the standards of a clean air, gasoline containing 10% ethanol (E10) is utilized. The extensive use of E10 is encouraged in some states. The use of E10 can be used on all gasoline operated vehicles without making massive modification to their engines. In the United States, almost 99% of ethanol produced can be blended with gasoline to make E10.

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