Ethanol production
Ethanol Production
How much Energy does it take to
make a gallon of ethanol? This analysis by David Lorenz and David Morris at
the Institute for Local Self Reliance demonstrates that ethanol production from
corn results in a net positive energy gain.
The energetics for ethanol production from lignocellulose is not understood as well because it has not been precticed on as large a scale, but because of the lower fertilization costs and the additional energy derived from combustion of wood bark or lignin to fuel the recovery boilers, the net energy gain is generally believed to be greater.
Outlook for ethanol
production and demand This analysis of ethanol and biomass fuels prepared
by Joseph DiPardo at the United States Department of Energy, Energy Information
Agency, outlines the market prospects for ethanol production and demand over the
next few years. This analysis concludes that he ability to produce ethanol from
low-cost biomass will be key to making ethanol competitive with gasoline.
For comments or further information write to Tom
Jeffries: twjeffri@facstaff.wisc.edu
Last upate:
October 5, 2001
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