Local production of agricultural fuel: conversion of alfalfa to ethanol. Final report

Technical Report · Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:5046286

Nelson, D; Tjostem, J; Koeltzow, D E

Initial project goals were to determine the economic and technological feasibility of producing fuel grade ethanol from the sugars contained in alfalfa and other legumes using a small-scale, single-farm production facility. These data indicate that alfalfa from the field does have reducing sugar present before any breakdown due to the presence of the mold. There is also plenty of natural bacterial contamination which quickly depletes the sugar supply. However, if the alfalfa is autoclaved prior to incubation, the number of bacteria present in the samples is greatly reduced. There was no difference between the flasks which contained an inoculum of Tricoderma reesei and those that did not. Analysis of these solutions failed to show any trace of cellulase activity even after 288 hours (12 days). Therefore, one can also conclude that the Tricoderma reesei strain QM9414 does not grow on alfalfa under these conditions. Future experiments will involve different conditions of temperature and pH. Acid insoluble lignin levels in our 3rd cutting alfalfa samples range from 16.8% to 19.77% with an average of 18.3%. This agrees well with the levels of 13.8% and 15.9% reported by Linder, et al. Results of lipid, water, protein, lignin and cellulose analysis of alfalfa are given. Over 80% of the cellulose in alfalfa can be converted into glucose. Subsequent fermentation by S. carlisbergenois produced near theoretical yields of ethanol. However, the cost of the hay was $440.00; the market value of the ethanol was $120.00. The poor economics results since only 13.1% of the alfalfa contains cellulose. Results show that while production of ethanol from legume-type plants is technically possible, it is not economically feasible.

• Research Organization: Luther Coll., Decorah, IA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: FG47-79R701009
• OSTI ID: 5046286
• Report Number(s): DOE/R7/01009-T1; ON: DE84007759
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALFALFA
ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS
ETHANOL
BIOSYNTHESIS
GLUCOSE
TRICHODERMA VIRIDE
GROWTH
CELLULASE
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
ENZYME ACTIVITY
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
ALCOHOLS
ALDEHYDES
CARBOHYDRATES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ENZYMES
FUNGI
GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
HEXOSES
HYDROLASES
HYDROLYSIS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LEGUMINOSAE
LYSIS
MONOSACCHARIDES
O-GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
SACCHARIDES
SOLVOLYSIS
SYNTHESIS
TRICHODERMA
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