Ethanol Production

1. Ethanol Production

2. Ethanol? • Ethanol is a renewable fuel produced as an alternative to fossil fuel such as diesel and petrol. • It is produced from the fermentation of glucose based products such as sugar cane, molasses, beets, and corn just to mention a few. • Crops can be purposely grown or bio-waste from farms, bakeries, and households can be used as an alternative source.

3. Ethanol production.

4. What is Australia doing with ethanol. • To date Australia continues to use only 6% renewable fuel sources of which consists of ethanol use. • CSR, one of Australia’s largest sugar produces has embraced ethanol production and has been supplying the market for 100 years. • CSR Ethanol is derived from molasses which is a by-product of sugar production. • Molasses is not a food staple and would normally become a waste by product. • CSR supplies the following key market sectors with ethanol: • – Food and Beverage • – Pharmaceutical • – Cosmetics • – Paints • – Inks • – Cleaning • – Manufacturing

5. Advantages of Ethanol • It is energy dense, releasing 24 MJ/lt of heat energy when burnt, in comparison to pure octane that releases 38 MJ/lt • The plant material needed to produce ethanol is a renewable resource, normally by product of food production and/or biowaste. • The amount of CO2 taken by plants from the atmosphere to make the sugars from which ethanol is obtained balances that returned to the atmosphere when the ethanol is burnt. Petrol and Diesel add CO2 to the atmosphere. • Ethanol can be mixed with low octane petrol to improve the performance without adding lead compounds. • Addition of ethanol to regular petrol diminishes the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.

6. Disadvantages of Ethanol. • Energy to produce ethanol is substantial, although it can now release 20% more energy than is required to make it. • The farm land required to produce enough ethanol to become a major fuel source would need to doubled. • Diverting food crops has meant food shortages in some countries. • Car engines need to be modified. They are commonly referred to as Flexi fuel vehicles. • Fuel tanks would need to be larger as in comparison to petrol engine you would only get 80% out of a tank using ethanol. • Ethanol is more expensive than petrol.

7. Success Story- Ethanol changing the state of a nation. History of Brazil’s Ethanol Program History of Brazil’s Ethanol Program Mid 1980s and 1990s – Price of oil dropped – Demand for ethanol declined • 2002‐3 – Introduction of flex fuel cars • 2005 – Over half of all new cars were flex fuel cars • 1973‐4 – raise of oil prices • • 1975 – ethanol program • – Incentives and mandate • • 1975‐1979 • – ethanol production multiplied fivefold • • Early 1980s • – deal struck with auto industry to manufacture • ethanol‐only cars

8. Brazil’s Ethanol Production Ethanol production : liters and area Ethanol production: plants ‐ ethanol vs. sugar In 2008 Brazil produced 24.5 billion liters 37.3% of the world's total ethanol used as fuel. Ethanol production in 2008/09 85% for the domestic market 15% to be exported • In 2008, there were 378 ethanol plants : • – 252 producing both sugar and ethanol. • – 126 dedicated to ethanol production • – 15 additional plants producing exclusively to sugar • • 2008/09 harvest: • – 55% for ethanol production • – 44 % for sugar • – 1% for alcoholic beverages

9. Brazil Leading the Way • there are 355 million ha of arable land in Brazil, of which only 72 million ha are in use. • Sugarcane is only taking 2% of arable land available, of which ethanol production represented 55% in 2008 (about 1% of total) • there is enough agricultural land available to increase at least 30 times the existing sugarcane plantation without endangering sensible ecosystems or taking land destined for food crops.

10. Brazil Leading the Way • There are no longer light vehicles running on pure gasoline • In 2006, Brazil achieved • – more than 40% of fuel consumption from sugar cane‐based ethanol for the light vehicle fleet • – Almost 20% of total fuel consumption in the road transport sector when trucks and other diesel‐powered vehicles are considered • By March 2008, the fleet of “flex” cars and light commercial vehicles had reached 5 million new vehicles sold • – 10% of Brazil’s motor vehicle fleet • – 15.6% of all light vehicles

11. Brazil Leading the Way • Brazil’s reduced vulnerability; By leading the world in production of ethanol Brazil has been able to : • • Domestic market • • Poverty reduction • • Fast‐growing middle class • • Exports • • Grow, on average, by 20% a year. • • Only 14 per cent of GDP • • Diversified products • • Diversified partners • • Accumulated foreign reserves (US$ 208 billion in 2008) • • Regulated banking system • • No oil imports • The country was not deeply affected by the world economic crisis