Hydrothermal energy: a source of energy for alcohol production

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:5554526

Stiger, R. R.

A small scale (1 gal/hr) biomass-to-alcohol still was built at the Raft River Geothermal Site to investigate difficulties in geothermal assisted biomass conversion. The unit was successfully operated, producing 95% (190 proof) ethanol from sugar beet juice. The unit was designed and built in less than eight weeks from surplus equipment using commercially available design information. This small-scale still demonstrated that 95% ethanol can be produced from sugar beet beer containing 8 to 10% alcohol using geothermal energy and present commercial technology. The geothermal resource provided both an energy source and process water. Recently, Bechtel National, Incorporated, of San Francisco, California completed a study to analyze the economic feasibility of producing ethanol from potatoes, wheat, and sugar beets using geothermal resources available in the Raft River Region of Idaho. The study concluded that a 20 million gallon per year facility can be built that will supply alcohol at $1.78 per gallon using geothermal energy. (MHR)

• Research Organization: Idaho National Engineering Lab., Idaho Falls (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-07-1570
• OSTI ID: 5554526
• Report Number(s): CONF-800526-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090222 -- Alcohol Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
140504 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
151000* -- Geothermal Energy-- Direct Energy Utilization
ALCOHOLS
BEETS
CEREALS
DISTILLATION
DRYING
FOOD
GEOTHERMAL HEATING
GRAMINEAE
GRASS
HEATING
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
IDAHO
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
PLANTS
POTATOES
RAFT RIVER VALLEY
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SUGAR BEETS
TUBERS
USA
VEGETABLES
WHEAT