Monday, April 28, 2008

Manure gasification at Texas ethanol biorefinery

The aricle linked below has a nice diagrams and explanation of Panda Ethanol's manure gasification system. It will almost eliminate the use of natural Gas at the facility. Farmers in the area currently pay to have manure hauled away. Now Panda will haul it away at no charge to the farmers.
GRAINNET News and Information for the Grain, Milling, Feed, Seed and BioFuels Industry

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

E10 ethanol blend reducing fuel cost for Missouri drivers

I live in Missouri, and I've noticed gasoline prices around here are always considerably less than the national average. Perhaps ethanol is playing some part in this, as claimed in this article:
Missouri Ruralist

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Cattle power ethanol plant technology

Here is a nice description of an ethanol biorefinery powered by cattle manure:
Cattle power new ethanol plant technology

Friday, April 11, 2008

Company offers to provide cellulosic biofuel feedstock anywhere in U.S.

A provider for cellulosic feedstocks could be a vital piece in the biofuel puzzle for many biorefineries.
Domestic Fuel � Archives � Company Offers Wood for Cellulosic Ethanol

Green Gasoline Could be Better than Ethanol

Here is an example of technology possibly evolving from current biofules such as ethanol to better ones. The cellulosic "green gasoline" discussed in this article sounds like it could be a direct replacement for gasoline without the modifications needed fo high levels of ethanol:
Green Gasoline Could Power Future Cars and Jets

Thursday, April 10, 2008

bioethanol from trash could be significant

Concerned about fodd crops going for biofuels? How about using trash as a feedstock? The researcher mentioned in this article thinks the trash going to U.S. landfills each year could provide enough ethanol to replace the oil coming from the Middle East:
Cooking up a load of bioethanol - 07 Apr 2008 - Oil & gas news - NZ Herald: "the annual US refuse stream of about 500 million tonnes could theoretically yield up to 13 per cent of his country's transport fuel."

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Economist says ethanol plays very small role in food price increase

This research, not funded by the ethanol industry, concludes ethanol was responsible for no more than a 2% rise in food prices over 5 years.
North Platte Telegraph - Expert: Ethanol gets bum rap

Friday, April 04, 2008

Study shows switchgrass may be better than corn for ethanol

Switchgrass can be grown in many places and on many soils unsuitable for the major food crops such as corn. It also requires less irrigation. It is generally not irrigated, even in areas much too dry for growing most row crops without irrigation. This new study uncovers still more advantages of switchgrass:
Radio Iowa: Nebraska professor says switchgrass beats corn ethanol in several ways

Firm to make biofuel from algae found in waste streams

A New Zealand company about to begin producing "biocrude" from algae found in the waste stream from industry. Their technology is designed to purify the wastewater and produce biocrude in a sicngle process.
Emerging Energy News: Aquaflow steps up algae-to-biocrude project

Biosolid disposal system can also make syngas and electricity

This Florida system will use syngas (biogas) derived from the waste material itself to power the waste treatment process, saving the cost of purchasing natural gas. Larger systems, they say, will be able to make excess electricity as well, turning the system into a net power producer. As the cost of energy continues to rise, every municipality
should consider something like this when building or upgrading waste treatment facilities.
Sanford, Florida Chooses MaxWest Environmental Systems to Turn Sludge into Renewable Energy: "'Compared to the projected cost of natural gas, a fossil fuel, Sanford will save $9,000,000 over the 20-year life of our contract,' said Paul Moore, Sanford Utility Director. 'This technology has provided us with the opportunity to save money while managing our waste stream and protecting the environment.'"

Ethanol not the only cellulosic biofuel

Little-known biofuel alternatives to ethanol might actually be easier to make from cellulosic materials and just as useful. Biogas could replace natural gas and BioOil can replace heating oils. Here is an article about a Canadian company making BioOil from sawdust plus they make fertilizer and generate electricity in a cogeneration plant:
GRAINNET News and Information for the Grain, Milling, Feed, Seed and BioFuels Industry: "Dynamotive Energy Systems Ships BioOil and Char From West Lorne and Guelph, ON Plants"

Iowa ethanol facility wants to grow algae for biodiesel production

Green Plains Renewable Energy Inc. in Shenendoah, Iowa has applied for a grant to help with an algae to biofuels pilot project. Research has already shown that huge yields per acre of mainly biodiesel and some ethanol can be had from algae grown in water. Why do this next to an ethanol biorefinery? The carbon dioxide by-product from making ethanol can be used to help the algae grow faster--a very nice symbiotic relationship. The local newspaper has very good in-depth article here:
SW Iowa News - 'Green scum' at GPRE plant could be key to energy crisis: "'What's exciting is it's taking waste products from an ethanol plant, like water and carbon dioxide, 148,000 tons of which is dispensed into the air as a green house gas,' said Connell. 'They'll use that to produce massive amounts of algae.

'To put it in prospective, if you had a diesel car, one acre of algae would allow you to drive that car 370,000 miles, compared to about 2,400 miles on soybean oil, which is the basis for most bio-diesel.'"