Alternative Fuel: Ethanol Alternative Fuel: Ethanol Production from Plant Production from Plant

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By By

Saujan SivaramSaujan Sivaram

November 17, 2005November 17, 2005

Why?Why?

World Consumption of OilWorld Consumption of Oil

– 75 Million Barrels Daily (2004)75 Million Barrels Daily (2004) 21 Consumed by US21 Consumed by US

Decrease Rate of Oil ConsumptionDecrease Rate of Oil Consumption

– Allows for further energy researchAllows for further energy research

– Possible quick fixPossible quick fix

How Can Ethanol Be Used? How Can Ethanol Be Used?

Gasoline EnrichmentGasoline Enrichment– Burns Cleaner Burns Cleaner

E-10E-10E-85E-85

– Raises Octane NumberRaises Octane NumberReduces Spontaneous Combustion Reduces Spontaneous Combustion

(Knocking)(Knocking)Replaces Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether Replaces Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether

Source of Hydrogen?Source of Hydrogen?

Other Uses?Other Uses?

Agricultural StatsAgricultural Stats

9 Billion Bushels of Corn last year9 Billion Bushels of Corn last year– 38% of World Production38% of World Production– 20% Used for Ethanol20% Used for Ethanol

3 billion gallons of ethanol a year 3 billion gallons of ethanol a year

How is it Made?How is it Made?

Actual StepsActual Steps

MillingMilling– Wet or DryWet or Dry

Chemical Breakdown (Enzymes)Chemical Breakdown (Enzymes)– Heated to 225Heated to 225ooFF– Starch BreakdownStarch Breakdown

Fermentation Fermentation – Only 10% conversion to ethanolOnly 10% conversion to ethanol

EconomicsEconomics

$4.69 per gallon ethanol$4.69 per gallon ethanol– 45 kWh45 kWh– 1.6 gal ethanol = 1 gal gasoline1.6 gal ethanol = 1 gal gasoline– Projected to cost $1.07Projected to cost $1.07

$2.05 per gallon gasoline $2.05 per gallon gasoline – 35 kWh35 kWh

1 Btu fossil fuel = 1.3 Btu output1 Btu fossil fuel = 1.3 Btu output

AdvancesAdvances

Bt Corn!Bt Corn!– Insect RepellantInsect Repellant– Starch-Water RatioStarch-Water Ratio

Cheap EnzymesCheap Enzymes– Less Heat NeededLess Heat Needed

Farm OperationFarm Operation– Milling TechniquesMilling Techniques

Federal PolicyFederal Policy

Clean Air Act of 1990Clean Air Act of 1990– Lead RemovalLead Removal– Reformulated GasReformulated Gas

Energy Policy Act of 1992Energy Policy Act of 1992– Reduce Dependence on Foreign OilReduce Dependence on Foreign Oil– Mandated Alt. Fuel VehiclesMandated Alt. Fuel Vehicles

Renewable Fuels StandardRenewable Fuels Standard– Use 7.5 bil gal ethanol by 2012Use 7.5 bil gal ethanol by 2012

Minnesota State PolicyMinnesota State Policy

As of 1997 all gas must be E-10As of 1997 all gas must be E-10

Proposed in 2004 that all gas contain Proposed in 2004 that all gas contain E-20 by 2013E-20 by 2013

ConclusionsConclusions

21 Million Barrels Oil Used by US21 Million Barrels Oil Used by US

Ethanol Increases Octane NumberEthanol Increases Octane Number

9 Billion Bushels of Corn last year9 Billion Bushels of Corn last year

1 Btu fossil fuel = 1.3 Btu output1 Btu fossil fuel = 1.3 Btu output

ReferencesReferences ““Map & Graph: Energy: Oil Consumption - Thousand barrels daily.” Map & Graph: Energy: Oil Consumption - Thousand barrels daily.”

Nationmaster.comNationmaster.com. Nov 6 2005. . Nov 6 2005. http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/ene_oil_con_tho_bar_dai. http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/ene_oil_con_tho_bar_dai.

Buchheit, Joshua K. “History of Ethanol Production.” Buchheit, Joshua K. “History of Ethanol Production.” Rural Enterprise and Rural Enterprise and

Alternative Agricultural Development InitiativeAlternative Agricultural Development Initiative. Nov 7 2005. . Nov 7 2005. http://www.siu.edu/~readi/grains/factsheets/historyofethanolproduction.http://www.siu.edu/~readi/grains/factsheets/historyofethanolproduction.pdfpdf..

““Ethanol Production Information.” Ethanol Production Information.” Iowa Corn Growers AssocationIowa Corn Growers Assocation. Nov 7 . Nov 7 2005. 2005. http://www.iowacorn.org/ethanol/ethanol_6.htmlhttp://www.iowacorn.org/ethanol/ethanol_6.html..

““1923: Death By Moonshine.” 1923: Death By Moonshine.” http://homicide.northwestern.edu/documents/prohibition.jpghttp://homicide.northwestern.edu/documents/prohibition.jpg