Project aims to reduce water, energy in ethanol production
Summary
By University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Research and Economic Development | August 23, 2022 Nebraska researchers are studying how to make ethanol production more environmentally sensitive by reducing the amount of water and energy required to produce it and cutting the air emissions that result. Ethanol fermentation generates gaseous emissions including carbon dioxide and hazardous air pollutants such as acetaldehyde, formaldehyde and acrolein, among other compounds. “We’ve come to a sense of how water and energy are used in ethanol facilities,” said Bruce Dvorak, professor of civil and environmental engineering and principal investigator for the grant. Researchers also hope to develop processing steps to compress the carbon dioxide from the fermenters to be sequestered in deep wells. Anyone — citizens, organizations, communities, farmers and businesses — can apply for funding to protect habitat, improve water quality and establish recycling programs in Nebraska.