Originally Posted by koolaid89:
It's from Wikipedia so take it for what it's worth... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corn_ethanol
There are two main types of corn ethanol production: dry milling and wet milling. The products of each type are utilized in different ways.
In the dry milling process the entire corn kernel is ground into flour and referred to as “meal.” The meal is then slurried by adding water. Enzymes are added to the mash that convert starch to dextrose, a simple sugar. Ammonia is added to control the pH and as a nutrient for the yeast, which is added later. The mixture is processed at high-temperatures to reduce the bacteria levels and transferred and cooled in fermenters. This is where the yeast is added and conversion from sugar to ethanol and carbon dioxide begins.
The entire process takes between 40 to 50 hours, during which time the mash is kept cool and agitated in order to facilitate yeast activity.
After the process is complete, everything is transferred to distillation columns where the ethanol is removed from the “stillage”. The ethanol is dehydrated to about 200 proof using a molecular sieve system and a denaturant such as gasoline is added to render the product undrinkable. With this last addition, the process is complete and the product is ready to ship to gasoline retailers or terminals. The remaining stillage then undergoes a different process to produce a highly nutritious livestock feed. The carbon dioxide released from the process is also utilized to carbonate beverages and to aid in the manufacturing of dry ice.
Doesn't sound too counterproductive to me.
That sounds real neat. What did they do with that co2 stuff again? I sure don't want that loose in our air, it might make holes in atmosphere or even make trees grow more.
They make menthanol out of coal, coal miners need work too. But big farmers contribute more to Washington than coal people and God knows they need more subsidies to keep those pledges rolling in.
Give me a break!!!
Honest Dad himself
