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Survey of US fuel ethanol plants
Bioresource Technology (2009)
  • Jessica A. Saunders, South Dakota State University
  • Kurt A. Rosentrater, United States Department of Agriculture
Abstract

The ethanol industry is growing in response to increased consumer demands for fuel as well as the renewable fuel standard. Corn ethanol processing creates the following products: 1/3 ethanol, 1/3 distillers grains, and 1/3 carbon dioxide. As the production of ethanol increases so does the generation of its coproducts, and viable uses continually need to be developed. A survey was mailed to operational US ethanol plants to determine current practices. It inquired about processes, equipment used, end products, and desired future directions for coproducts. Results indicated that approximately one-third of plant managers surveyed expressed a willingness to alter current drying time and temperature if it could result in a higher quality coproduct. Other managers indicated hesitation, based on lack of economic incentives, potential cost and return, and capital required. Respondents also reported the desire to use their coproducts in some of the following products: fuels, extrusion, pellets, plastics, and human food applications. These results provide a snapshot of the industry, and indicate that operational changes to the current production of DDGS must be based upon the potential for positive economic returns.

Keywords
  • Fuel ethanol,
  • Survey,
  • Coproducts
Publication Date
July, 2009
Publisher Statement
Works produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted.
Citation Information
Jessica A. Saunders and Kurt A. Rosentrater. "Survey of US fuel ethanol plants" Bioresource Technology Vol. 100 Iss. 13 (2009)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/kurt_rosentrater/131/