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Researchers promise more energy efficient ethanol

22 August 2008

Researchers into biofuels production have proposed a new energy efficient method of making corn ethanol.

Scientists at Washington University have proposed utilising a process used in breweries where oxygen-free containers of bacteria feed on the organic waste produced during the fermentation process.

The breaking down of the waste then produces methane that can be channelled back through the system and used to power the plant, therefore cutting down on natural gas use by up to 50 per cent.

Largus Angenent, professor of chemical engineering at Washington University, said: "Rather than have hope for a new technology that comes to fruition in ten or 20 years, we need technology we can implement now.

He believes that the method of producing corn ethanol is a short-term solution until biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol become more commercially viable.

"This is an interim process, and it's off the shelf," he added.

The US also recently announced that it is to spend $600 million on the production of biofuels over the next five years.