2nd October 2008 \\
Our Aston Martin Vantage GT2 racing car runs on 2nd generation E85 (85% proof) bioethanol fuel which is produced by the hydrolysis, or breaking down, of the cellulose found in waste wood using specially developed enzymes which act as catalysts for the process. The resultant sugars are then fermented to produce 200-proof ethanol. Cellulose is a major component of plant cell walls and the waste wood (dead trees, brush, debris) is predominantly collected from the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota, USA. Carbon dioxide is necessarily a by-product of fermentation but this is offset by the fact that the waste wood would otherwise be burnt to reduce fire hazard in the forest, a process which also creates carbon dioxide. In the future, what little carbon dioxide results from the fermentation process may be pumped back into oil fields to increase oil production. This is one of the many ways in which researchers are looking to utilize all co-products of bioethanol production, making it a truly carbon neutral process.
The process:
The Benefits: Renewable, Sustainable Energy: non-renewable fossil fuel supplies (petroleum, gas, coal) are being rapidly depleted as demand outstrips supply. Because the fuel we use is produced from waste wood, it is both renewable and sustainable.
Second Generation Biofuel: crop-derived, or ‘1st generation’, biofuel has recently come under some criticism but our fuel not use up precious crop or land resources and so avoids the ‘fuel vs. food’ dilemma. In addition, the fuel we use does not compromise the biodiversity necessary to maintain ecological balance of flora and fauna, since it requires only the removal of wood that would otherwise be destroyed in controlled fires.
Low Carbon Footprint: according to the Environmental Protection Agency (2007), it is estimated that there would be a 91% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions if cellulosic bioethanol were to completely replace petroleum fuel. This is compared to 47% and 68% reductions respectively if electricity or biodiesel were to replace petrol.
The Future:
Cardboard and Paper Waste: cardboard and paper waste have been successfully utilised to produce bioethanol. This opens up many exciting recycling opportunities in line with current environmentally friendly methods of waste disposal.
Third Generation Biofuel: the search for sustainable, renewable fuel is on going and ever-evolving. For example, 3rd generation, or algae, fuels may offer future sustainable alternatives to petrol.
US Environmental Protection Agency: Office of Transportation and Air Quality (2007): ‘Greenhouse gas impacts of expanded renewable and alternative fuel use’: http://klprocess.com/Facts_Legends/EPAFactSheet1.pdf
retrieved May 28th, 2008.
The process:
The Benefits: Renewable, Sustainable Energy: non-renewable fossil fuel supplies (petroleum, gas, coal) are being rapidly depleted as demand outstrips supply. Because the fuel we use is produced from waste wood, it is both renewable and sustainable.
Second Generation Biofuel: crop-derived, or ‘1st generation’, biofuel has recently come under some criticism but our fuel not use up precious crop or land resources and so avoids the ‘fuel vs. food’ dilemma. In addition, the fuel we use does not compromise the biodiversity necessary to maintain ecological balance of flora and fauna, since it requires only the removal of wood that would otherwise be destroyed in controlled fires.
Low Carbon Footprint: according to the Environmental Protection Agency (2007), it is estimated that there would be a 91% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions if cellulosic bioethanol were to completely replace petroleum fuel. This is compared to 47% and 68% reductions respectively if electricity or biodiesel were to replace petrol.
The Future:
Cardboard and Paper Waste: cardboard and paper waste have been successfully utilised to produce bioethanol. This opens up many exciting recycling opportunities in line with current environmentally friendly methods of waste disposal.
Third Generation Biofuel: the search for sustainable, renewable fuel is on going and ever-evolving. For example, 3rd generation, or algae, fuels may offer future sustainable alternatives to petrol.
US Environmental Protection Agency: Office of Transportation and Air Quality (2007): ‘Greenhouse gas impacts of expanded renewable and alternative fuel use’: http://klprocess.com/Facts_Legends/EPAFactSheet1.pdf
retrieved May 28th, 2008.
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