Ethanol Production in Brazil
Thirty years ago ethanol was three times the expense to produce and therefore many nations ignored it’s importance as a biofuel. However, Brazil adopted this unusual path and is now successfully producing ethanol at the cheapest rates in the entire world.
Moreover, Brazil is the second largest producer of ethanol in the world next to the U.S. It is the largest exporter of ethanol, and has a sustainable ethanol economy. Brazil’s favorable climatic conditions and the custom of cultivating sugarcane have largely boosted the production of ethanol.
Unlike the U.S and other nations, that produce ethanol mostly from corn, wheat and other crops, Brazil manufactures ethanol from sugarcane. The residue of cane (bagasse) is later, used for producing power as well as heat. Thus, sugarcane is the most efficient feedstock in the production of ethanol in Brazil.
Production of ethanol:
In the process of ethanol production from sugarcane, manufactures first obtain sugarcane crops from farmers and then harvest them manually or using machines. They transfer it to sugarcane mills where sugar processing takes place. After processing, the machine extracts juice from the feedstock and leaves behind fibrous residue, popularly known as bagasse.
Researchers then distill these by products, which produce fusel oil, water and hydrated ethanol.
The hydrated ethanol in it’s final state is useful in the manufacturing of FFV (fuel flex vehicle). Some manufactures also dehydrate it to produce a gasoline additive to create an alcoholic mixture. Production of ethanol from sugarcane is very inexpensive because many industries make use of traditional methods.
However, industries have started making use of new technology for producing ethanol. As a result, today one hectare of sugarcane field produces almost 20 tons of alcohol when the same produced only 10 tons in earlier times.
Overview:
The production of ethanol in Brazil began in the year 1930. The decision to produce ethanol was taken because the country produced more sugarcane than required. Therefore, Brazilian government passed the bill that some industries must compulsorily produce ethanol to produce gasoline.
The production of ethanol in Brazil is increasing each year. The ethanol additive fuel powers over two million vehicles in Brazil. Moreover, such fuels are environmentally safe and emit very little carbon dioxide as well as carbon monoxide.
Presently, about 20% of transport systems in Brazil run on ethanol fuel. Nearly seven out of ten new vehicles in Brazil are flex fuels, which mean they run either on ethanol mix or bio ethanol. The production cost of one gallon of ethanol is only $1, which is much lower than our traditional oil production cost. Thus, ethanol is the best alternative to other sources that are soon depleting.
Ethanol and my Education at Ethanol.net « Ethanol said
[...] Florida. The southern climate is similar to Brazil which makes it a great place to grow sugar cane. Ethanol production in Brazil began in 1930 and is the second largest ethanol producing country in the [...]
Ethanol Lowers Gas Prices « Ethanol Fuel - Future of e85 & Ethanol Production said
[...] the U.S, manufacturers produce ethanol from crops such as corn, wheat, barley, potatoes and sugarcane. Production cost of ethanol from such crops is low as compared to that required to extract fuel [...]
anant jadhav said
Please give us World Production figures of Ethanol & its utilisation.
Thanks with regards,
Ethanol World Production Statistics « Ethanol Fuel - Future of e85 & Ethanol Production said
[...] production of ethanol considering that we consume the most fuel. It is also not surprising to see ethanol production in Brazil coming in at number two. Ethanol has been mainstream in Brazil for over 30 [...]
golfusa said
Hi Anant Jadhav,
I posted world production figures on the home page of ethanol.net. Thank you for your post.
Making Ethanol Fuel Mainstream « Ethanol - Production of Ethanol Fuel said
[...] video discusses how Brazil became much more independent during the gas wars thirty years ago. During this period Brazil became the leader in ethanol production and powers the majority of cars today on Ethanol. There is no doubt that using food for ethanol [...]
DANIEL D MARTIN said
ETHANOL PRODUCTION COULD REVIVE SUGARCANE INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA(Hawaii,Texas,Imperial valley,California,Louisiana,and Florida) and all over the rest of the planet ,where is always been a very important employer
Also it could create a market to expand Sweet Sorghum cultivation in semiarid areas all over the world
Ismail Alazhari said
Dear Sir
I am highly interseted in ethanol and the extraction technology of Ethanol Gas from Sugar cane , I would like to know if possible to offer me a list of manufacturers of ethanol extraction machines , to state a small factory to begin investment project here in Sudan to extract ethanol as the future fuel
Thank you very much
Yours fathfully
Ismail Alazhari Suliman
General Manager
AHE Overseas
Khartoum Sudan
alaskah said
Can u please tell me whether food crisis have affected the production of ethanol?
brazil oil stocks said
Awesome! I have read a lot on this topic, but you definitely give it a good vibe. This is a great post. Will be back to read more!