What are the overall benefits of using hydrous ethanol?
The advantages pertaining to the discovery of hydrous ethanol stem primarily from the avoided capital and reducing operation and energy costs by eliminating the energy intensive dehydration process for the hydrous-to-anhydrous ethanol step. A 3-6% product volume increase is achieved while reducing energy consumption and costs. In summary, a transition from anhydrous to hydrous ethanol for gasoline blending is expected to make a significant contribution to ethanol’s cost-competitiveness, fuel cycle net energy balance, and greenhouse gas emissions profile.
