Links to resources and information on the ethanol industry.
MnTAP Publications / Reports / Trainings & Associations / Web sites
MnTAP Ethanol Publications
Ethanol report. This report highlights the potential for improvements in the use of resources including energy and water, and provides best management practices for reducing environmental impacts. A report summary is also available.
Best practices for dry mill ethanol plants: water quality and efficiency.
This fact sheet features processes or equipment modifications that can help a facility reduce water use, energy use, and its impact on the environment.
Best practices for dry mill ethanol plants: energy efficiency. This best practices fact sheet provides ways to reduce energy and increase efficiency.
Reports
Modeling the process and costs of fuel ethanol production
by the corn dry-grind process. Process and cost models developed by the Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Regional Research Center, are simulations that may be used to evaluate the economics of changes in the production process, variations in feedstock and coproduct costs, differences in the composition of corn, and the use of alternate feedstocks.
Water use by ethanol plants: potential challenges. An Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy report on the potential water challenges associated with ethanol production facilities.
Factors associated with success of fuel ethanol producers. University of Minnesota Professors Douglas Tiffany and Vernon Eidman published a report discussing success and failure of dry mill ethanol plants utilizing corn as feedstock.
Wind and ethanol:
economies and diseconomies of scale. The Institute for Local Self Reliance published a report evaluating economies and diseconomies of scale for wind and ethanol.
Recycling treated municipal wastewater for industrial water use. A met Council study that concludes that recycled wastewater is an emerging non-potable water supply and is viable for some industries.
Analysis of the efficiency of the U.S. ethanol industry 2007. In 2007, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) conducted a survey of US ethanol production plants to provide an assessment of the current US ethanol industry. The survey response was based on 2006 data.
Energy efficiency improvement and cost saving opportunities for the corn wet milling industry. This report shows energy efficiency opportunities available for wet corn millers. However, many of these best practices could be applied to the dry mill process.
Training and Associations
Minnesota Corn Growers Association
Renewable Fuels Association
American Coalition for Ethanol
Web sites
Minnesota State University Mankato has a engine emissions that is lab testing higher blends of ethanol. To learn more, visit their Web site.
USDA Net Energy Balance report estimates the net energy balance of corn ethanol utilizing the latest survey of U.S. corn producers and the 2001 U.S. survey of ethanol plants. Web site.
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