Ethanol biorefineries in the United States are becoming more efficient. Research conducted at the University of Illinois at Chicago compared the dry mill production efficiencies in 2008 to those in 2001. The research included responses from approximately 66% of the nation's installed dry mill ethanol production capacity. This survey and research is said to be the most comprehensive to date on U.S. ethanol industry efficiencies.
Key findings of the research include: thermal energy use down 28%; electricity use reduced by 32%; ethanol yields per bushel processed improved 5.3%; and total water use was 2.72 gallons per gallon of ethanol produced - down significantly from previous estimates.
Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen says existing grain ethanol producers are continuously investing in the latest technologies such as retrofitting older facilities and incorporating these technologies in new construction. Dinneen notes such demonstrated innovation flies in the face of environmental activists claims that American ethanol producers are simply operating under the status quo.
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