Making Ethanol Fuel

For those interested in an alternative to gasoline, ethanol just might fit the bill. Ethonal is a form of alcohol derived from plant materials, which is why it is often called a biofuel. Although it is the same kind of alcohol that is poured into cocktails or taken over the rocks, ethanol is mixed with a denaturant like gasoline to turn it from alcohol to fuel. The process of making ethanol fuel is one you should study if you are considering a conversion to this environmentally friendly source of fuel.


Large manufacturers use either wet mill or dry mill procedures to produce their ethanol. Biomass sources can include corn, grain, wheat or even sugarcane. Brazil happens to be one of the biggest producers of ethanol and a country with many drivers using ethanol based fuel. They make the bulk of their ethanol from sugarcane which is a plentiful plant resource in their hot climate. Here in the USA corn is the primary source although other materials including the plant fiber cellulose can be used as well.

The biomass is ground into a fine texture to make it easier to process. After either wet milling or dry milling depending on the fiber content of the material being used, it is time for the cooking process. During this process slurry is made ready for fermentation. It is liquefied twice, once through a pressurized high heat cooker and once by being held at a certain temperature so the alpha-amylase enzyme has enough time to degrade the starch into usable material. Next comes fermentation, distillation, dehydration and storage. At this point the ethanol is ready to be made into fuel for your vehicle.

One thing many consumers don't know is that some supporters of ethanol actually make their own. Making ethanol fuel is a process that can actually be done by the average adult. Of course before even considering such an undertaking you should read a great deal on the process of doing so and weigh the pros and cons. A book that may give you a good introduction to creating ethanol on your own is called Alcohol Fuel: A Guide to Making and Using Ethanol as a Renewable Fuel by Richard Freudenberger. There may be other titles as well on this subject worth your consideration, just check with your bookstore of choice.



People & Power - Ethanol & Bio-fuels - 17 Sep 07 - Part 1

 



The Original Revolutionary Fuel-Saving Technology

 

Ethanol Fuel News:

 

With the global climate pact dead, China gets hungry for U.S. factory pork
Now that we've figured out why the climate bill died, it's time to start thinking about the consequences...


American Lung Association: Minnesota Uses More E85 in State-Owned Vehicles
During the first two quarters of the year, state agencies used 437,063 gallons of E85, a cleaner burning fuel consisting of up to 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline...


Ethanol industry eyes expiring programs
MALCOM -- Change may be in the wind for the ethanol industry as the ethanol blenders tax credit and the ethanol import duty expire at the end of this year...


Agriculture to Benefit from E15
The Environmental Protection Agency reviews a proposal to approve the use of 15 percent ethanol blend as a means to meet the 2022 Renewable Fuel Standards, according to the Farmland Forecast Blog at Agweb.com...


Gevo Produces Isobutanol, Hydrocarbons and Jet Fuel from Cellulosic Biomass
Gevo , a privately held renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels company, today announced that it has successfully produced isobutanol from fermentable sugars derived from cellulosic biomass...


JB Ethanol Fuels Racer
The Gleaner reports that at 13, Collin Daley Jr is already a well-respected go-karter on the international circuit. JB Ethanol has pledged its support for this young star with a sponsorship package valued at US$8000 to be used to offset ...


Ethanol Fuels: 4 Advantages & 4 Drawbacks
Drawback: One of the drawbacks of ethanol fuels is that the production of crops partially or completely depends on the elements such as the amount of rain and sun. Any drastic changes in these elements or environmental disasters can ...




The Original Revolutionary Fuel-Saving Technology


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