The production of ethanol from biomass has been the subject of intense research in recent years as increasing petroleum costs and environmental concerns about the continued use of fossil fuels have motivated a search for more sustainable alternatives. One of the biggest obstacles to the economical use of ethanol as a transportation fuel and a feedstock for high value chemicals is the high energy cost of separating ethanol from the fermentation broth, usually by distillation. This step can consume a significant fraction of the total energy content of the ethanol produced. This high cost has motivated a search for more efficient separation methods. Liquid-liquid solvent extraction followed by a less energy intensive step to remove ethanol from the extraction solvent is one attractive alternative.
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