Title

How can we improve the energy balance of ethanol production from wheat?

Authors

Niamh Power, Civil, Structural, Env. Engineering, Munster Technological University, Cork, IrelandFollow
Jerry D. Murphy, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork

Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Publication Details

Fuel

Abstract

The gross energy in ethanol using wheat as a feedstock in Ireland is 66 GJ/ha/a. The net energy production is 25 GJ/ha/a. A model is proposed, whereby the ethanol production process is combined with combustion of straw, and digestion of stillage, resulting in two transport fuels; ethanol and biomethane. In the proposed system stillage is not dried, reducing the thermal demand by 35%. A quarter of the straw associated with the wheat grain is sufficient, when combusted, to satisfy the reduced thermal demands. Stillage is digested wet; the biogas is scrubbed, compressed and utilised as a transport fuel. The net energy now is 72 GJ/ha/a. The production cost of biomethane is two thirds that of ethanol.

Recommended Citation

Murphy, J.D. & Power, N.M., 2008. How can we improve the energy balance of ethanol production from wheat? Fuel, 87(10-11), pp.1799–1806. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2007.12.011.