Gasification may be key to U.S. ethanol - AP

[Eugene]

Gasification may be key to U.S. ethanol

By DIRK LAMMERS, AP Business Writer

Sun Mar 4, 3:37 PM ET

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The government awarded $385 million in grants last week
aimed at jumpstarting ethanol production from nontraditional sources like wood
chips, switchgrass and citrus peels. What's surprising is that half of the six
projects chosen will use a process first discovered almost a century ago to turn
coal into a gas.

-snip-

But Thursday's forecast from the Agriculture Department that half of this year's
U.S. corn crop will be consumed by ethanol producers has raised red flags. Critics
say surging demand for corn could push up prices of everything from corn-
sweetened soft drinks to meats, since corn is a common feed ingredient for
livestock.

That helps explain why the Energy Department is placing a big bet on a process
called gasification. Long hailed as a more environmentally friendly way to turn
coal into electricity, the process might also provide a faster and eventually
cheaper way to produce ethanol from a variety of renewable sources
collectively known as biomass, some scientists say.

-snip-

A gasifier turns plant material into a synthesis gas consisting mostly of carbon
monoxide and hydrogen. The "syngas" then could be turned into a variety of
fuels including ethanol, hydrogen and environmentally friendly versions of
diesel or gasoline, Schmidt said.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070304/ap_on_bi_ge/ethanol_gasification

[madokie]

1. I thnk gasification is something that needs some new research as it seems to hold lots of promise

its not the answer to our dirty coal for instance but it could help to clean it up as we develope new technologies. :shrug: