Biofuels Journal - May/June 2008 - (Page 24)

Biomass Electricity Study May Benefit Corn-Based Ethanol Plants A 2-1/2-year study by the University of Minnesota, St. Paul, has found that corn-based ethanol plants could use biomass to process heat and electricity. These actions would reduce the fuel’s carbon footprint, and increase the plant’s profit margin. “We did a head-to-head comparison between a traditional plant, which uses natural gas and electricity, versus one using biomass-generated power,” said Doug Tiffany, Research Fellow in Applied Economics and one of three researchers who conducted the study (612-625-6715, www.biomassCHPethanol.umn.edu). The other researchers, from the University’s Bioproducts and Biosystems Eengineering department were graduate student Matt De Kam, and Professor R. Vance Morey. The $900,000 study was funded by the Excel Renewable Development Fund. Three Scenarios The study focused engineering models that could utilize readily available biomass that could be burned to process heat and electricity at various levels from: • Corn stover. • Corn stover in combination with syrup from the ethanol process. • Distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). “We analyzed 10 plants,” Tiffany said. “First, using engineering software to determine specifications like the sizes of the boilers and other components to use. “Then we worked with the engineering company, AMEC, to determine actual costs to construct such a system at an ethanol plant. “Last of all, we analyzed the eco- Response No. 261 http://www.biomassCHPethanol.umn.edu http://www.ronningengineering.com http://www.ronningengineering.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Biofuels Journal - May/June 2008

Biofuels Journal - May/June 2008 Contents Energy Use Down 21 Percent Reducing Reaction Time Wind Power Dual Fuel Sources Waste Steam Gasifying Biomass Carbon Income Biomass Electricity Manure Gasification Marquis Ethanol, LLC UC Berkely Biofuels Ron Miller, Aventine Renewable Energy Inc. Biomass by Satellite Supplier Profile: Rick Clifton, ATEC Florida Ethanol Pipeline EPA Ethanol Manual Ethanol Bacteria? Canadian DDGS Restrictions Corn Oil Extraction Ethanol Fungus Small Biorefinery Projects Iowa State Honors Digestive Bacteria Research GM Invests in Mascoma Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. Salt Pretreatment State Report: Kansas Monthly Ethanol Production Profile: Darrell Blackmore, Bushmill Ethanol Waiving RFS Due to Corn Prices Biofuels Automation University Industry News Thermochemical Zein Research Farm Bill - Cell Ethanol ACE Preview Biodiesel From Cooking Oil Book Review Cellulosic Bacteria Process Optimization Steam Explosion Ethanol Impact on Crops Ethanol World Mendell/Monsanto Seed Operation Ethanol Impact on Oil Demand Converting Energy Crops Direct Fuels Biodiesel Betty e-Biofuels, LLC Autos Fueled by Algae Glycerin in Feed MSU Design With Biodiesel Soybean Crush in Wisconsin NBB Grant to Danforth Plant Science Center Joe Jobe, National Biodiesel Board Biodiesel World Fields of Fuel Movie National Algae Association Biodiesel Quality Up Biodiesel News Biodiesel Roundup REG Job Training/Shadowing Biodiesel Coping Strategies Grease Bandits Biodiesel Incentives Extended Improving Biodiesel Earthrace Trek Update Biodiesel Education - Farm Bill Garbage to Liquid Fuels Pig Fat Biodiesel Calendar Ronning Engineering NPK CE Inc. Safe Rack, LLC Applied Industrial Technologies GEA Barr-Rosin Schutte Buffalo Hammermill, LLC Ethanol Promotion and Information Council Patriot Tornado Biogasoline Ad Index

Biofuels Journal - May/June 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.