Production and Use of Evolving Corn-Based Fuel Ethanol Coproducts in the U.S.

We face many challenges in our society, due especially to growing population pressures and increased economic mobility. These can result in increased demands for food, clothing, housing, and consumer goods. Additionally, there has been a growing need for energy during the last several decades, which historically has been met primarily by use of fossil fuels. In the U.S., transportation fuels generally account for about 1/3 of all energy consumed. Of this, about 90% comes from fossil sources. Between 1/2 and 2/3 of the total U.S. demand for petroleum has been met by imports during the last 30 years [1]. Many argue that this scenario is not sustainable in the long run, and other energy alternatives are needed. During 2005-2010, the U.S. experienced some of the highest growth rates ever seen in the domestic biofuels industry

Quantifying Total and Sustainable Agricultural Biomass Resources in South Dakota – A Preliminary Assessment

Conversion of biomass is considered the next major advance in biorenewable fuels, energy, and products.  Wholesale conversion to biomass utilization could result in removal of current crop residues from agricultural fields (on prime agricultural lands) or even implementation of different crops and cropping strategies (i.e., switchgrass on marginal lands).  To date, the driver for biomass processing has been economics and limitations on the conversion of the lignocellulose.  Over the last forty years significant investments and resultant changes in management practices in the agricultural sector have focused on soil and water conservation.  One of the major efforts has focused on conservation-till or no-till, with the goal of retaining biomass residues in the field on the surface to prevent erosion, improve soil structure, and increase biological diversity.  Environmental implications of significant changes to current cropping systems have not been thoroughly addressed, however.  This paper will focus on using South Dakota as a case study to determine the potential for biomass and discuss the implications thereof for the utilization of these materials.  We will consider optimizing the amount of biomass that can be harvested with and without consideration of a minimum level of crop residue left in the field.  Meeting our nation’s transportation fuel needs can be accomplished sustainably, but these issues need to be addressed now, at the outset of this revolution

Ethanol processing co-products: Economics, impacts, sustainability

The US corn-based fuel-ethanol industry is experiencing unprecedented growth. This industry has continually evolved and technological innovations and process changes have been implemented that have improved process efficiencies, but have also affected the resulting co-product streams. As a consequence, new questions, challenges, and opportunities for utilizing these residues have arisen. As the quantity of these materials continues to grow, it is vital that value-added uses for distillers grains continue to be developed