Green Diesel: New Biomass converter is far more efficient
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 06. 4.05
Treehugger has discussed the silliness of ethanol production before , a process where it takes one unit of energy for every 1.1 unit of energy created. It was recently called "a subsidy business, not an energy business". Now it appears that the University of Wisconsin College of Engineering has developed a far more efficient catalytic reactor that generates 2.2 units of energy for every one unit consumed making it, and works with a wide range of plant material. This is a huge step forward from the zero-sum game that is ethanol. ::Phys-org
UW researchers also have been on the forefront of a similar technology used to convert animal biomass (dead cows, horses, deer) that may have been explosed to Mad Cow-like prions or "CJD" into absolutely steril bio-oiils and compostable sludges that can be applied to he land as compost or made into products. Thats far better than open burning and landfilling is forbidden as prions can leach. Its cool to vie a waste product as a resource but way out of box cool like these guys are in getting out of the absurd corn sugar to alcohol trap. Eco+efficiency starts with innovation not political advocacy.
With respect to ethanol prodution, keep an eye on companies working on cellulose-based ethanol production instead of the grain-based ethanol everyone's familiar with (the 1 unit to create 1.1 unit energy reference).
Here in Ottawa, Iogen (see http://iogen.ca/) is supposed to be ramping up production in the not-too-distant future. I seem to recall reading somewhere that the energy ratio for the enzyme-based process is 10 units out from 1 unit in, but can't find any references... Sorry.