Ethanol Fuel

Ethanol producers are considering whether a dedicated pipeline might be the best method for transporting the fuel. The ethanol industry is currently reliant upon traditional transport methods, such as railway and tanker truck, to ship the fuel across the states. Since ethanol plants must depend on rail or truck for distribution, the result has been a delay in getting the fuel additive to the pumps. The industry has therefore initiated a study of the developing problem and a suggestion for an ethanol pipeline is emerging. 7 Comments

The most recent episode of CBS' new Tuesday-night drama, CANE, was themed by the plans for a Florida-based sugarcane ethanol refinery. Lead character Alex (Jimmy Smits) had recently taken the reign as CEO to Duque Rum. Initially Alex was presented with the idea of selling off the company's sugarcane fields, a move that would allow the Duque Company to focus entirely on the production of its popular-selling rum. Instead Alex decides to meet with a US Senator over the future of sugarcane ethanol. The proposal by the federal government is to contract for the first US-based sugarcane ethanol refinery: a move that would cost $100 million but would be subsidized by half from the government. Although the cost is heavy, Alex explains to his family, sugarcane ethanol is the future and it would behoove the Duque family to retain their sugarcane fields and invest in the production of ethanol. 4 Comments

Phil Lampert, Executive Director of the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, responds to a recent health report about the potential health and pollution risks of e85 ethanol. The report warns of possible cancer and ozone-related health consequences of a large-scale conversion from gasoline to ethanol, comparing the effects of gasoline vehicle emissions with those from ethanol fuel. Lampert argues that the report's negative conclusions are unrealistic and he maintains that the NEVC will continue to support the use of e85 as a fuel source, along with all other fuel alternatives like biodiesel, propane, compressed natural gas, electricity, hydrogen and other yet-to-be defined fuels. No Comments

Mesquite is a deciduous tree, commonly found in Northern Mexico and the United States. Because of its long roots and ability to flourish in dry climates, mesquite trees can be quite a frustrating nuisance for farmers and ranchers alike. Mesquite trees can use up a lot of water because their roots grow deep in order to tap into local water tables. This limits the growth of other important plant forms like grasslands for cattle grazing. A new technology promises to help solve this ongoing problem by harvesting and converting mesquite into ethanol fuel, which can then be used to power farm equipment and vehicles. 5 Comments

The Corn Ethanol Industry in the Midwestern United States is booming. Corn Farmers are excited about the new revenues being generated by the boom. Steadily increasing gas prices have encouraged the expansion of Ethanol manufacturing facilities, and currently employ many people. Ethanol is praised for its lower carbon monoxide emissions. Ethanol is blended with Gasoline and is therefore easier to market. The Renewable Energy Fuels Association states that there are now 105 ethanol plants in operation throughout the Midwest. 3 Comments

One of the barriers to the production of ethanol from cellulosic biomass is the toughness of the cellulosic structure, and its resistance to chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis and insolubility in most solvents. Accordingly, pre-treatment such as steam explosion to break down the structure is a necessary first step. Now, researchers at the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology have discovered that cellulose undergoes a transformation from a crystalline form to an amorphous gel-like one very similar to a starch gel in water at high temperature (320° C) and pressure 25 (MPa). No Comments