Cellulosic Ethanol

[OutofOrder]

How close are we to making this a realty on a large scale? Will switchgrass replace corn as our primary source for ethanol anytime soon? Is this part of the cure for our oil woes, or just a smokescreen by a bunch of environmentalists?

 

[h2odrx]

i don't know about that but NC has it going on!!!
S1272

WOOOO HOOOOO

 

[Skidmark]

i don't know much of anything about ethanol, but i read an article today about how there is a surplus of ethanol due to overproduction and a reduced interest in using it for fuel. apparently, too many people wanted to cash in on the craze and built production facilities, but the demand did keep up with the supply. my thinking is that fluctuations in the market are to be expected and that ethanol use will continue to rise. maybe the surplus will lower ethanol prices which will then generate more interest in purchasing ethanol?

 

[Diesel JD]

I want to learn how to make biodiesel from ethanol. One guy here is working on making ethanol from sweet potatoes of all things. I do agree the switchgrass would be better than corn...mainly because it doesn't effect food production at least directly. Maybe ethyl esters from non corn ethanol would be a worthy project for my non thesis masters project at UF in AOM?

 

[h2odrx]

I think the biggest problem with it is the water? but if you use "Concentrated Aqueous Catalyst" it might work? Let me know what you find out, and if I can help in any way!

or check google

 

[AggiePSD]

They said in the '70's that they were 3 years away from cellulosic ethanol. Same thing we hear now...