Abstract

Production of Ethanol from Renewable Biomass

Author(s): Gloria Simmons

Since it is produced from biomass, ethanol is a green biofuel. Ethanol is a colourless, clear alcohol extracted from a range of biomass feedstocks (the raw materials used to make a product). Corn, sorghum, barley, sugar cane, and sugar beets are examples of grain and crop feedstocks with high starch and sugar content. Agricultural and forestry residues such as corn cobs and stocks, rice straw, sawdust, and wood chips can also be used to make ethanol [1]. These feedstocks can be used to make ethanol in a variety of ways.