What is cellulosic ethanol?
Even the best agricultural feedstocks like sugarcane have much of their biomass’ potential energy locked up in the “woody” parts of the plant. The sugars in this part of the plant – the cellulose – are complex (known as polysaccharides) and are protected by an even tougher substance known as lignin. The fermentation organisms and process widely used today cannot convert the polysaccharides in cellulose into useable sugars. Several promising new technologies are being tested and rapidly commercialized. By making uses of plant material once viewed as waste, EROEI (energy returned on energy invested) improves, food prices are not bid up; and, carbon-neutral goals are advanced (limited new CO2 is released).
Cellulosic ethanol is the future of the ethanol industry. It is merely ethanol produced through a differing refinery process. Cellulosic refining has the ability to reduce green house gases by up to 91%, significantly increase the ethanol energy output/input ratio, and is capable of being produced on a commercial level throughout the world. Cellulosic ethanol can be refined using such products as wheat and barley straw, rice bagasse, sawdust, paper pulp, small diameter trees, dedicated energy crops such as switchgrass and other perennial grasses, and even municipal waste or household garbage.
Cellulosic biomass, dubbed the most abundant material on earth, holds tremendous promise as a feedstock for ethanol production due to its widespread availability and potential for high fuel yields. (Examples of sources for cellulosic ethanol include corn stover (the stalks and husks left over after harvest), wheat and barley straw, sugarcane or rice bagasse, sawdust, paper pulp, small diameter trees, and dedicated energy crops such as switchgrass and other fast-growing grasses.
Cellulosic ethanol is the future of the ethanol industry. It is merely ethanol produced through a differing refinery process. Cellulosic refining has the ability to reduce green house gases by up to 91%, significantly reduce the ethanol energy output/input ratio, and is capable of being produced on a commercial level throughout the world. Cellulosic ethanol can be refined using such products as wheat and barley straw, sugarcane or rice bagasse, sawdust, paper pulp, small diameter trees, dedicated energy crops such as switchgrass and other perennial grasses, and even municipal waste or household garbage.
