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ARS Home » Plains Area » Brookings, South Dakota » Integrated Cropping Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #226628
Title: Survey of U.S. fuel ethanol plants

Author
item SAUNDERS, JESSICA - SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIV
item Rosentrater, Kurt

Submitted to: Bioresource Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/22/2009
Publication Date: 3/16/2009
Citation: Saunders, J.A., Rosentrater, K.A. 2009. Survey of U.S. fuel ethanol plants. Bioresource Technology. 100(2009): 3277-3284.

Interpretive Summary: The U.S. ethanol industry continues to grow, due in part to increased consumer demands as well as the renewable fuel standard mandate. Corn ethanol manufacturing results in three product streams: ethanol, distillers grains, and carbon dioxide. As the production of ethanol increases, so does the production of its coproducts. Thus value-added uses must continually be pursued. To help in that regard, a survey was sent to all ethanol plants in the U.S. The survey instrument posed questions regarding production processes, equipment used, end products, and potential future directions for coproducts. Results from the survey indicated that approximately one-third of plant managers were willing to alter current drying time and temperature if these changes would result in higher quality coproducts. Other managers indicated hesitation, because the economic effects of these potential changes were unknown. Respondents also reported a desire to use their coproducts in various value-added products, including fuels, extruded products, pellets, plastics, and human foods. These results can be used to help guide future research for coproducts, and the processes which will be necessary to transform them.

Technical Abstract: The ethanol industry is progressively 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 too does the generation of its coproducts, and viable uses continually need to be developed. A survey was used to determine current practices of U.S. ethanol plants. 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 insights to guide research for products and processes.