Agsc Final Research Paper - Using Grain For Ethanol Production

Grain for Ethanol Production 1
Grain for Ethanol Production

Dala B. Quackenbush
Texas A&M University
AGSC 301 Research Paper
Fall 2016

The United States has been searching for alternatives to petroleum-based energy sources
that not only reduce US dependence on foreign sources for energy, but also lessen the amount of
greenhouse gas production being released into the environment. Grain is readily available for the
production of Ethanol along with other co-products, which include distillers dried grain and
livestock feed. In 2007, the Energy Independence and Security Act established the Renewable
Fuel Standard, recognizing the role of corn grain for ethanol production along with biofeedstocks
for cellulosic fermentation (Mumm, Goldsmith, Raush & Stein, 2014). The demand for bio-fuel
and ethanol products continues to grow, therefore resulting in higher corn prices and increased
crop acreage. I believe the use of grain for ethanol production will open many doors for the
industry, by providing an alternate product that puts the US on a firm on a path toward greater
energy stability and sustainability (Renewable Fuels Association).
Bio-Fuels created from grain create a source of energy which help increase dependency
from foreign oil companies. In 2015, Americas oil import dependence dropped to 25 percent.
Without ethanol production during this year, oil import dependence would have been roughly 32
percent (Renewable Fuels Association). Other than creating dependence, grain ethanol also
decrease air pollution by 34 percent compared to petroleum. Toxins emitted from creating and
utilizing fossil fuels can be detrimental to the environment due to the amount of greenhouse
gases released. The Renewable Fuels Association stated ethanol is the cleanest, most affordable
fuel additive in the market today, which displaced toxins such as benzene and toluene. While
ethanol is beneficial for the environment, it also poses some hazards during transportation. 70
percent of ethanol is marked as hazardous material and sent on shipments by train; less than 1
percent of shipments have encountered derailment and accidental releases with the most recent
accident occurring in Iowa, February 2015.

Bio-fuels have progressed over the years and now include 3 different generations. The
first generation contains biodiesel, bioalcohols, biogas, and syngas, which are usually made from
sugar, starch, vegetable oil, or animal fat. The most common in the world is the 1st generation
biofuel, alcohol fuel ethanol. Second generation biofuels are products extracted from non-food
crops like waste biomass, the stalks of wheat, corn, or wood. Those biofuels are not yet
commercial on a large scale due to the fact that conversion technologies are in the development
stage (Nedbal, 2008). Last but not least, is the third generation of bio-fuels, which are products
derived from algae. When polled, 2 in 3 Americans supported the production of generation 1
ethanol production. On December 19, 2007, Congress backed the importance of this product and
signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 into law. This comprehensive energy
legislation amended the Renewable Fuel Standard signed into law in 2005(Renewable Fuel
Association).
Milling is the most known type of ethanol production, with distilling and dehydration
preceding. There are two types of milling which differ with respect to types and amounts of
process outputs. Dry-milling outputs are ethanol, DDGS, and oil; whereas, wet-milling produced
higher value coproducts suitable for human use. Distillation and dehydration are processes which
involve corn and yeast cells that produce coproducts (Poet Human & Nature). Due to the high
demand for corn to produce ethanol, different hybrids and harvesting methods are being
developed so crop turn-around time will be more rapid. In addition to using grain for ethanol
production, another product called Cellulosic Ethanol is being developed. As mentioned by Poet
Human and Nature, Cellulosic ethanol is ethanol made from cellulose, a non-grain
material/feedstock that provides the cellular structure for all plants. The end product a clean-

burning, high-octane fuel is the same as ethanol made from corn. In the future, it is projected
that grain and cellulosic ethanol will play a significant role in US energy sources.
In addition to producing fuel, the ethanol industry helps feed the world. Following the
milling process, the remainder of the grain not utilized for ethanol production can be recycled to
create livestock feed. As corn yields increase over time, greater quantities of co-products for
livestock feeding are produced in the US corn ethanol system, offsetting more land area
attributed to ethanol production (Mumm, Goldsmith, Raush & Stein, 2014). Statistics from
Renewable Fuel Association read that in 2014, 39 million tons of animal feed was produced from
ethanol plants. One bushel of grain yields 2.8 gallons of ethanol and 17 pounds of high protein
animal feed (Renewable Fuel Association).
As grain ethanol helps the economy become more independent, it also allows for the
industry to create many job opportunities. Grain ethanol production has generated jobs that range
from Laboring, Transportation and Processing to Packaging and Advertising. The capital that the
grain ethanol industry has to offer is promising. While the future looks promising, in the
meantime, ethanol is still unavailable for the majority of motorists. To transport ethanol from
the production location (Midwest) to the energy-hungry, highly populated East and West Coast
areas where it's needed, uses an expensive and inefficient distribution system(Nedbal, 2008).
Upon learning about the beneficial attributes that grain ethanol has to offer, I have
become a firm believer that this product will be the future fuel of America. As an avid
environment lover, I am drawn to the use of this product so that less toxic emissions will be
released into the atmosphere. I am also in full support of the multi-function that grain ethanol
production has to offer. If there was one thing that I could change regarding grain ethanol

production, it would be the rate of distribution. If this type of ethanol was more readily available,
it could easily replace fossil fuels for vehicle use.
Grain for Ethanol production is becoming increasingly popular. The Renewable Fuel
Association, reinforced the importance that this product will play in the industry by not only
creating a renewable bio-fuel source and generate jobs, but also by decreasing international
dependence for energy supplements. While there are other options, such as generation 2 and 3
biofuels; I believe that the wide variety of beneficial opportunities and minimal detrimental
effects that generation one, grain ethanol, propositions will surpass all other energy sources.

Nedbal, S. (2008, April 28). Background Information on Biofuels: Ethanol Production in the
United States. Retrieved October 11, 2016, from http://ostaustria.org/bridgesmagazine/volume-17-april-28-2008/item/3044-background-information-on-biofuelsethanol-production-in-the-united-states
Economy. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2016, from http://ethanolrfa.org/issues/economy/
USDA ERS - Corn: Background. (2016, July 14). Retrieved October 12, 2016, from
http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/corn/background.aspx
Mumm, R. H., Goldsmith, P. D., Raush, K. D., & Stein, H. H. (2014, April 12). Land usage
attributed to corn ethanol production in the United States. Retrieved October 12, 2016,
from https://biotechnologyforbiofuels.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1754-6834-761
Biofuels. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2016, from http://poet.com/biofuels

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Economy. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2016, from http://ethanolrfa.org/issues/economy/

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