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Ethanol process becoming more efficient

A new report shows continued improvement in the efficiency in the process used to make 90 percent of the ethanol in this country. Research conducted by Dr. Steffen Mueller at the University of Illinois at Chicago compared the dry-mill production of ethanol in 2008 to 2001 and found thermal energy use was reduced 28 percent, electricity use was reduced 32 percent, total water use was down significantly to 2.72 gallons per gallon of ethanol produced while ethanol yields increased 5.3 percent compared to 2001.

In addition, the study found 30 percent of the respondents produce corn oil in addition to distillers grains. It also found that the average corn draw was a 47.1-mile radius around the facility and the 72 percent of the ethanol produced is then shipped by rail.

The research; published in the scientific journal “Biotechnology Letters” covered responses from approximately two-thirds of the nation’s dry-mill ethanol capacity of more than 12 billion gallons. Bob Dineen with the Renewable Fuels Association says the study shows the ethanol industry continues to evolve, “Perpetually improving its efficiency and enhancing the environmental benefits it already offers.”

Read Dr. Mueller’s reoport here: