Technological trends, global market, and challenges of bio-ethanol production

Abstract

Ethanol use as a fuel additive or directly as a fuel source has grown in popularity due to governmental regulations and in some cases economic incentives based on environmental concerns as well as a desire to reduce oil dependency. As a consequence, several countries are interested in developing their internal market for use of this biofuel. Currently, almost all bio-ethanol is produced from grain or sugarcane. However, as this kind of feedstock is essentially food, other efficient and economically viable technologies for ethanol production have been evaluated. This article reviews some current and promising technologies for ethanol production considering aspects related to the raw materials, processes, and engineered strains development. The main producer and consumer nations and future perspectives for the ethanol market are also presented. Finally, technological trends to expand this market are discussed focusing on promising strategies like the use of microalgae and continuous systems with immobilized cells.

Hybrid microalgal biofuel, desalination, and solution mining systems: increased industrial waste energy, carbon, and water use efficiencies

“…Thus, conventional biofuels are unlikely to supply the current global biofuel demand using current technologies, and their implementation risks significant negative impacts on global food prices and security (Centre for International Economics 2007; Chisti 2007; Prime Minister's Science Engineering and Innovation Council 2010b, a; Borines et al 2011). In terms of volume, the algae biofuel industry appears to be the only current biofuel source that is capable of meeting the growing global demand (Chisti 2007), and farmed algae retain many of the regional development benefits of conventional biofuel industries, and, if undertaken judiciously, may mitigate some negative ecological and food security pressures (Gude et al 2010;Mussatto et al 2010). However, there are a number of additional uncertainties associated with industrial-scale microalgal production, including input resource limitations (water quality, nutrients, land, etc.)…”

Response Surface Optimization of Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Sugar Beet Leaves into Fermentable Sugars for Bioethanol Production

“…At present, commercial bioethanol fuel is primarily produced from corn (Zea mays) in the US, China, and Canada; sugarcane (Sacchrum officinale) in Brazil; sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) in France; wheat (Triticum aestivum) in China and Canada; and cassava (Manihot esculenta) in Thailand [1]. Most of current research and technology development for bioethanol production is focused on the use of agricultural and food residues as feedstock in order to reduce the feedstock cost and alleviate the competition between fuel and food/feed.…”

Comparison of Ozonation and Evaporation as Treatment Methods of Recycled Water for Bioethanol Fermentation Process

“…Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the most popular and studied microorganism in alcoholic fermentation. It can produce ethanol concentrations in broth up to 18% (v/v), grow and survive within those values and can be compatible with other microorganisms present in the fermentation [8][9][10]. To obtain ethanol in a purity of 96 and 99% distillation and dehydration processes can be performed respectively [2,11].…”