June 09, 2010
Blog: New Report Documents Major Efficiency Gains in Ethanol Production
Published in 25 X 25 REsource
A principle element of support for the role of biofuels in the pursuit of a new, clean energy future is the conviction that the production of the alternative transportation fuels is benefiting from improved technology, resulting in greater efficiencies. That view was recently sustained by newly published research in the scientific journal Biotechnology Letters, which shows major gains in production efficiencies by America’s dry mill ethanol biorefineries.
According to the Renewable Fuels Association, dry mill facilities represent nearly 90 percent of America’s total ethanol production, estimated to be in excess of 12 billion gallons in 2010. Comparing the dry-mill production efficiencies in 2008 to those in 2001, Dr. Steffen Mueller, of the University of Illinois at Chicago, showed:
• Thermal energy use was less than 26,000 BTU/gallon on average, a reduction of 28 percent compared to 2001 data
• Electricity use was reduced by 32 percent compared to 2001 data
• Ethanol yields per bushel processed improved 5.3 percent since 2001
• Total water use was 2.72 gallons per gallon of ethanol produced, down significantly from previous estimates
The findings underscore the constant state of evolution that exists in the America biofuels industry. Producers are investing in the latest technologies, retrofitting older ethanol facilities and incorporating these technologies in new construction, all resulting in greater environmental and net energy benefits.
The research ....
