170 likes | 295 Views
Energy and Operating Efficiencies In Dry-Mill Ethanol Production Governors’ Ethanol Coalition February, 2007 Greg Krissek, Governmental Affairs Director. Modern Era of Dry Mill Ethanol Production has Multiple Focuses. Ethanol historically has been a value-added product
E N D
Energy and Operating Efficiencies In Dry-Mill Ethanol Production Governors’ Ethanol Coalition February, 2007 Greg Krissek, Governmental Affairs Director
Modern Era of Dry Mill Ethanol Production has Multiple Focuses • Ethanol historically has been a value-added product • Distilleries and food-grade markets • 1980s • Last time for extender market • 1990s • Oxygenate • Octane enhancer • Education needed at the pump
Will Only Continue with Projected Ethanol Production Growth in the U.S. End of 2007 expect 8.2 Billion gallons capacity = 30% US corn crop US Fuel Ethanol Capacity 2006 = 18% US Corn Crop Can replace ~4% gasoline Average growth = 720 million gal/yr Average growth = 75 million gal/yr
Grain Fermentation Today • Well developed process • Over 25 years of history • High efficiency today, refined over time • Fermentation natural and easy C6 sugars Distillation Fermenter Ethanol CO2 Alpha-Amylase and Glucoamylase Grind Grain “Liquefaction” DDGS Grain Kernels Only C6 Sugars
Historical Energy Usage Dry-Mill Thermal Energy Use per Gallon of Ethanol and Ethanol Yield per Bushel Source: Clean Fuels Development Coalition
Dry-Mill Ethanol Plants • Reuse of energy within plant • Heat exchangers are now common • Heat tolerant yeast • Less energy loss to cooling tower; this energy makes it to beer column • Improved fermentation by control of lactic/acetic acid, methanator cushion • Fewer upsets – increased time efficiency • Routing dryer particulate to thermal oxidizer led to energy gain • Increased number of plants equates to increased learning opportunities
ICM Process Guarantees • Ethanol – 2.80 denatured gallons per bushel #2 yellow dent corn • Natural Gas – 34,000 BTU per denatured gallon of ethanol (24,000 with DWGS) • Electrical Usage – 0.75 kW per denatured gallon per hour • Emissions compliance – Guaranteed United Wisconsin Grain Producers Friesland, WI
Efficiencies Gained • Overall design and piping in the plant • Heat capture and recycling in equipment • Air-to-air heat exchanger • Water treatment and capture of methane as energy source • Emissions containment and energy center integration • Enzymes tolerate higher pH, reducing acid needs • Molecular sieves replaced: • Grit columns • Azeotropic systems • Eliminate benzene & isopropyl ether
Holistic View of the Process and Ethanol Plant • Marketplace has reacted favorably to overall plant reliability and financial viability • Every incremental energy savings and efficiency gain within each part of the production process becomes very important in a commodity business East Kansas Agri Energy Garnett, KS
Energy Prices Lead Plant Designers to Evaluate Alternative Energy Sources • Natural Gas • Coal • Biomass • Ag Residue • Solid waste • Wood chips • Waste steam … but reliability, consistent availability, conversion technology and cost are crucial
Energy Prices Lead Plant Owners and Operators to Optimize Use • 30,000 BTU per gallon of ethanol achievable with good management
New Technologies for Energy are Coming Forward • Integrating technologies in the process but understanding impacts • Steam tube dryers • Co-product needs • Turbines • Supply up to one-third electricity needs if generating needs and cost analysis (capital and operating) make sense • Gasifiers • Corn fractionation • Ultra-filtration of thin stillage/oil separation • Reuse of local effluent water & RO/cooling tower blow down
Thermal/Sugar Biorefinery CO2 Syngas Lignin gasified to CO and H2 GasCleaning CatalyticReactor Biobasedfuels Heat Gasifier Distillation Lignin Fermenter Ethanol & other fermentation products CO2 Air Cellulose Enzymes Pretreatment Saccharification water Fibrous Crop C5 & C6 Sugars
Financial Health of the Industry Attracts After-Market Services • Banks today view little technology risk (vs. 1980s) • Automation and optimization vendors • Plant and company scale-up brings internal support and engineering resources • Attractive to technology graduates • Creates interest for applied research in academia
Creating optimism for the future! Western Plains Energy Oakley, KS
For More Information Contact Greg Krissek Director of Governmental Affairs Phone: 316-977-6549 E-mail: gkrissek@icminc.com icminc.com