The fast development of the bioethanol industry based on sugar cane in Colombia and Latin America has contributed to the debate on "food versus fuel" and environmental impact. In this paper, the integrated use of sugar cane bagasse was analyzed for the second generation of biofuels production, which does not affect the food supply. A case study was used to demonstrate the approach. The case study involves the conversion of 1200 tonnes/day of sugar cane bagasse to ethanol. Computer-aided process engineering tools together with exergetic and life cycle analyses using Aspen and SimaPro software were used for the screening of process configurations and the identification of opportunities for improvement. Additionally, the application of process integration principles to the selected topology identified strategies to conserve natural resources and reduce the environmental impact of the process.

In many mature fields production well testing is limited by the availability of test separator. Prior industry attempts to utilize the new technology of multiphase metering to fill this gap has been hampered by the cost of multiphase meters. This paper describes the development and field tests of a low cost portable multiphase meter. The meter utilizes the Coriolis flow meter technology combined with a microwave based water cut meter that can measure WC in the 0-100% range. The combination of these techniques provides a light weight metering package that can be mounted on trailer for portable well testing. This multiphase meter can measure oil, water and gas without separation of the production stream at low GOR. These applications can be found in mature fields with low GOR and in heavy oil fields.The multiphase meter was subjected to field qualification tests prior to deployment in a West Texas field. The paper describes the results from the qualification tests and the performance history during the 18 months of deployment in the field. Well test data from the multiphase meter is compared to conventional test separator and grab samples. Comparison between the test separator and the multiphase meter shows average liquid flow deviation of about ±7%. The water cut was measured within 1-2 points of the water cut from the test separator.