Perspectives on the economic analysis of ethanol production from biomass

Conference · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Prepr., Div. Pet. Chem., Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5954282

Prebluda, H J; Williams, R Jr

To help clarify the many misapprehensions pertaining to the practical use of ethyl alcohol from biomass as an extender for motor fuel purposes, a neutral position was taken to point out the pitfalls in the logic and thinking on the subject. Large-scale usage may someday take place to correct the present day economic inequities. This will come about as a result of new breakthroughs in fermentation and engineering technology. Over 90% of the present non-beverage ethyl alcohol production in the USA came from petroleum or natural gas derived ethylene synthesis. Less than 10% of the remaining alcohol market came from fermentation of grains, fruits, and sulfite liquors. Other reports indicated that unless ethyl alcohol from biomass was subsidized for political reasons or for national security purposes, it would not be the fuel choice to be used in large quantities. Beef industry and farming impacts were discussed. The possibility of using other raw materials, such as sugar cane or cane molasses, for ethanol production was considered. Other methods for producing ethanol were also presented. Yet in the midst of pessimism there is some hope to at least make use of waste material to extend our fuel supplies. 2 tables.

• Research Organization: Roger Williams Technical and Economic Services, Inc., Princeton, NJ
• OSTI ID: 5954282
• Report Number(s): CONF-790415-P4
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Prepr., Div. Pet. Chem., Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 24:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090222* -- Alcohol Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
14 SOLAR ENERGY
140505 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photochemical
Photobiological
& Thermochemical Conversion-- (1980-)
ALCOHOLS
ALKENES
BIOCONVERSION
BIOMASS
BIOSYNTHESIS
CARBOHYDRATES
CEREALS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SOURCES
ETHANOL
ETHYLENE
FARMS
FERMENTATION
FLUIDS
FOOD
FOSSIL FUELS
FRUITS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GRAMINEAE
GRASS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRY
MEAT
MOLASSES
NATURAL GAS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
PLANTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SACCHARIDES
SEEDS
SUGAR CANE
SYNTHESIS
WASTES