Improvements in alcohol technology through advancements in fermentation technology

摘要

In spite of the use of alcohol in automobiles since the time of Henry Ford, the fuel alcohol industry is really quite young (early 1980's) in terms of its economic reality and permanence. Technology has improved greatly in the last 10 years, and alcohol concentrations in fermentors in many plants has risen to over 16 % v/v, while the rates of fermentation have increased such that prediction of end fermentation is more certain, and the energy balance of the process has now been established with little controversy to be 1.67-1 87. Engineering has moved forward especially with regard to energy recovery, and microbiological advances have also been a major reason for the improvements. The multidisciplinary nature of the process and the lack of trained manpower or training resources have continued to be a problem but steps are being taken to overcome these problems. A review of many of the factors responsible for the comparative health of the fuel alcohol industry will be provided.