Control Engineering

Peter Welander

Coming boost for ethanol?
November 26, 2007

If you know anything about corn to ethanol production, you're aware that the solid product left after the corn is milled for fermentation is called distiller's grain, which is typically sold for use in animal feed. It's the carbohydrates in the corn that become alcohol, so there is still food value, primarily proteins, in the leftovers.

One ethanol producer, AlterVia Fuels, has spent some time on this product, and has found that they can turn distiller's grains into a food product fit for humans. The company has set up a subsidiary division called Renewable Harvest to advance the new food additive, which is aimed at replacing more expensive whey and soy protein sources. Larger food producers are showing considerable interest in the new ingredient.

Money the division generates will help shore up the thin margins for ethanol production, and be used to advance research on other biofuels, including cellulose based ethanol.

I think they should use it to produce Bachelor Chow, as was shown in the cartoon show, Futurama. That could be a huge market.

Posted by Peter Welander on November 26, 2007 | Comments (0)