Bioethanol production

Bioethanol is an environmentally clean type of fuel, and the most promising. This is a renewable energy source that helps to reduce the level of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. ZAVKOM-ENGINEERING has more than 20 years of experience in the construction of this high-tech fuel.

Bioethanol is an alcohol obtained from the processing of plant-based raw material to be used as a biofuel. Bioethanol is produced from starch-containing and sugar-containing farm crops.

Starch-containing crops include:

  • Corn
  • Wheat
  • Rye
  • Barley
  • Potato
  • Rice

Sugar-containing crops include:

  • Sugar cane
  • Sugar beet
  • Sorghum

There are two primary technology to obtain bioethanol: “dry” and “wet”. With the “wet” method, fibrin and starches A/B are additionally extracted; starch B is used for the production of bioethanol.

Bioethanol today is either mixed with automotive petrol to improve its quality or is used in pure form.

Bioethanol has an octane number of 105. Mixing it with automotive petrol helps to reduce the use of such octane booster substances as MTBE and monomethylaniline, which are harmful to the environment and to human health.

International markets have different types of fuels, in the production of which bioethanol is used.

Fuels that do not require a change to engine design:

  • Е-15: 85 % petrol / 15% bioethanol
  • Е-10: 90 % petrol / 10% bioethanol
  • Е-5: 95 % petrol / 5% bioethanol
  • Е–7: 93 % petrol / 7% bioethanol

Fuels that require a change to engine design:

  • Е-20: 80% petrol / 20% bioethanol
  • E-85: 15% petrol / 85% bioethanol

The most widespread fuel type in the USA and the European Union is E-10, which improves engine operation, prevents overheating, performs the function of antifreeze for the fuel line and does not contaminate the fuel nozzle.

According to EU directives, 10% of transport fuel must come from environmentally clean energy sources by 2020. By 2022, according to the US Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the local production volume of bioethanol must reach 115 million tonnes a year.

It is also noteworthy that additional products of bioethanol production, such as DDGS, yeast and CO2, significantly enhance the economic efficiency of the entire enterprise.