Ethanol from Sorghum - Revision history

Rasmus at 14:10, 17 March 2016

2016-03-17T14:10:37Z

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	{{Category=Biofuel}}		{{Category=Biofuel}}
	[[File:sorghum01.jpg\|~~350px~~\|thumb\|right\|Forage sorghum trials]]		[[File:sorghum01.jpg\|500px\|thumb\|right\|Forage sorghum trials]]
	[[File:sorghum02.jpg\|~~350px~~\|thumb\|right\|sorghum molasses - tastes like...honey mixed with caramel, but gamier and less sweet.]]		[[File:sorghum02.jpg\|500px\|thumb\|right\|sorghum molasses - tastes like...honey mixed with caramel, but gamier and less sweet.]]

	The stem juice of sweet sorghum is rich in fermentative sugar and is a desirable fermentation material for the production of ethanol. Primarily grown for [[silage]], forage and sugar production, sorghum is often cited as a promising crop because it costs less to grow than corn and can thrive in conditions that are less than ideal for corn production. In North America, sweet sorghum has been traditionally grown for the syrup or “molasses” made from it. Ethanol production from sweet sorghum is largely still in trial stages in North America but is more widely done in China and India. One of the main challenges is that the sugar has to be fermented immediately. The sorghum molasses cannot be condensed to the point that the sugars crystallize, unlike with sugar cane or sugar beets. Two known prototypes exist[1][2] that squeeze the sorghum stems in the field, however nothing is currently in production. Adapting these designs to be fabricatable on-farm would be an ideal OSE project. Sorghum has a productive advantage over maize under 900 mm annual rainfall conditions but is at a disadvantage with rainfalls of 1000 mm. Missouri receives around 900 mm annual rainfall and sorghum is adapted to these conditions.		The stem juice of sweet sorghum is rich in fermentative sugar and is a desirable fermentation material for the production of ethanol. Primarily grown for [[silage]], forage and sugar production, sorghum is often cited as a promising crop because it costs less to grow than corn and can thrive in conditions that are less than ideal for corn production. In North America, sweet sorghum has been traditionally grown for the syrup or “molasses” made from it. Ethanol production from sweet sorghum is largely still in trial stages in North America but is more widely done in China and India. One of the main challenges is that the sugar has to be fermented immediately. The sorghum molasses cannot be condensed to the point that the sugars crystallize, unlike with sugar cane or sugar beets. Two known prototypes exist[1][2] that squeeze the sorghum stems in the field, however nothing is currently in production. Adapting these designs to be fabricatable on-farm would be an ideal OSE project. Sorghum has a productive advantage over maize under 900 mm annual rainfall conditions but is at a disadvantage with rainfalls of 1000 mm. Missouri receives around 900 mm annual rainfall and sorghum is adapted to these conditions.

Rasmus: typo fixed, minor additions

2016-03-17T14:09:48Z

typo fixed, minor additions

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:09, 17 March 2016
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	[[File:sorghum02.jpg\|350px\|thumb\|right\|sorghum molasses - tastes like...honey mixed with caramel, but gamier and less sweet.]]		[[File:sorghum02.jpg\|350px\|thumb\|right\|sorghum molasses - tastes like...honey mixed with caramel, but gamier and less sweet.]]

	The stem juice of sweet sorghum is rich in fermentative sugar and is a desirable fermentation material for the production of ethanol. Primarily grown for [[silage]], forage and sugar production, sorghum is often cited as a promising crop because it costs less to grow than corn and can thrive in conditions that are less than ideal for corn production. In North ~~American~~, sweet sorghum has been traditionally grown for the syrup or “molasses” made from it. Ethanol production from sweet sorghum is largely still in trial stages in North America but is more widely done in China and India. One of the main challenges is that the sugar has to be fermented immediately. Two known prototypes exist[1][2] that squeeze the sorghum stems in the field, however nothing is currently in production. Adapting these designs to be fabricatable on-farm would be an ideal OSE project. Sorghum has a productive advantage over maize under 900 mm annual rainfall conditions but is at a disadvantage with rainfalls of 1000 mm. Missouri receives around 900 mm annual rainfall and sorghum is adapted to these conditions.		The stem juice of sweet sorghum is rich in fermentative sugar and is a desirable fermentation material for the production of ethanol. Primarily grown for [[silage]], forage and sugar production, sorghum is often cited as a promising crop because it costs less to grow than corn and can thrive in conditions that are less than ideal for corn production. In North America, sweet sorghum has been traditionally grown for the syrup or “molasses” made from it. Ethanol production from sweet sorghum is largely still in trial stages in North America but is more widely done in China and India. One of the main challenges is that the sugar has to be fermented immediately. The sorghum molasses cannot be condensed to the point that the sugars crystallize, unlike with sugar cane or sugar beets. Two known prototypes exist[1][2] that squeeze the sorghum stems in the field, however nothing is currently in production. Adapting these designs to be fabricatable on-farm would be an ideal OSE project. Sorghum has a productive advantage over maize under 900 mm annual rainfall conditions but is at a disadvantage with rainfalls of 1000 mm. Missouri receives around 900 mm annual rainfall and sorghum is adapted to these conditions.

	==Conversion to Ethanol==		==Conversion to Ethanol==
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	The next section calculates the necessary acreage planted in sweet sorghum (central Florida application) to provide feedstock for an ethanol plant.		The next section calculates the necessary acreage planted in sweet sorghum (central Florida application) to provide feedstock for an ethanol plant.

	*A gallon of sorghum juice weighs the same as a gallon of water 8.39 lbs + the weight of the sugar dissolved in the gallon -- ~10 pounds for a 18 brix solution.		* A gallon of sorghum juice weighs the same as a gallon of water 8.39 lbs + the weight of the sugar dissolved in the gallon -- ~10 pounds for a 18 brix solution.
	* In two years of field trials, the lowest yields per acre, per harvest have been ~30 green (wet) tons per acre.		* In two years of field trials, the lowest yields per acre, per harvest have been ~30 green (wet) tons per acre.
	Lab analysis of the sweet sorghum reflects (conservatively) a moisture level of 70%.		* Lab analysis of the sweet sorghum reflects (conservatively) a moisture level of 70%.

Troy Benjegerdes at 05:43, 7 February 2014

2014-02-07T05:43:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:43, 7 February 2014
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	[[File:sorghum02.jpg\|350px\|thumb\|right\|sorghum molasses - tastes like...honey mixed with caramel, but gamier and less sweet.]]		[[File:sorghum02.jpg\|350px\|thumb\|right\|sorghum molasses - tastes like...honey mixed with caramel, but gamier and less sweet.]]

	The stem juice of sweet sorghum is rich in fermentative sugar and is a desirable fermentation material for the production of ethanol. Primarily grown for [[silage]], forage and sugar production, sorghum is often cited as a promising crop because it costs less to grow than corn and can thrive in conditions that are less than ideal for corn production. In North American, sweet sorghum has been traditionally grown for the syrup or “molasses” made from it. Ethanol production from sweet sorghum is largely still in trial stages in North America but is more widely done in China and India. One of the main challenges is that the sugar has to be fermented immediately. ~~Special harvesting equipment has been designed to~~ squeeze the sorghum stems on the field. Sorghum has a productive advantage over maize under 900 mm annual rainfall conditions but is at a disadvantage with rainfalls of 1000 mm. Missouri receives around 900 mm annual rainfall and sorghum is adapted to these conditions.		The stem juice of sweet sorghum is rich in fermentative sugar and is a desirable fermentation material for the production of ethanol. Primarily grown for [[silage]], forage and sugar production, sorghum is often cited as a promising crop because it costs less to grow than corn and can thrive in conditions that are less than ideal for corn production. In North American, sweet sorghum has been traditionally grown for the syrup or “molasses” made from it. Ethanol production from sweet sorghum is largely still in trial stages in North America but is more widely done in China and India. One of the main challenges is that the sugar has to be fermented immediately. Two known prototypes exist[1][2] that squeeze the sorghum stems in the field, however nothing is currently in production. Adapting these designs to be fabricatable on-farm would be an ideal OSE project. Sorghum has a productive advantage over maize under 900 mm annual rainfall conditions but is at a disadvantage with rainfalls of 1000 mm. Missouri receives around 900 mm annual rainfall and sorghum is adapted to these conditions.

	==Conversion to Ethanol==		==Conversion to Ethanol==
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	[http://books.google.com/ebooks/reader?id=kJbkAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&pg=GBS.PR5]		[http://books.google.com/ebooks/reader?id=kJbkAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&pg=GBS.PR5]

			[1] Muddy Pond [http://muddypondsorghum.com/page/1e0yt/About_Us.html modified sugarcane harvestor]
			[2] Prototype designed by Lee McClune and now owned by [http://vimeo.com/79365909 7 elements farm]

Poli: /* Literature and patent review */

2012-03-18T18:05:22Z

Literature and patent review

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:05, 18 March 2012
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	[http://www.nariphaltan.org/sorghum.pdf]		[http://www.nariphaltan.org/sorghum.pdf]

			[http://www.google.com/patents?id=nO6VAAAAEBAJ&zoom=4&dq=sorghum%20ethanol&pg=PA6#v=onepage&q=sorghum%20ethanol&f=false]

			[http://books.google.com/ebooks/reader?id=kJbkAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&pg=GBS.PR5]

Poli: /* Literature and patent review */

2012-03-18T18:04:03Z

Literature and patent review

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:04, 18 March 2012
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	Lactic acid and ethanol production showed variation of 15% and 5% between the 16 test samples used. Yield of both products was affected by chemical composition and physical properties, but chemical composition has more significant role. Varieties with the highest yields were higher in starch content and lower in		Lactic acid and ethanol production showed variation of 15% and 5% between the 16 test samples used. Yield of both products was affected by chemical composition and physical properties, but chemical composition has more significant role. Varieties with the highest yields were higher in starch content and lower in
	protein content, fiber content, glutamic acid content, and kernel hardness and likewise these characteristics were affected by environment and genotype. The study also found much less of an effect by environment on ethanol yield.		protein content, fiber content, glutamic acid content, and kernel hardness and likewise these characteristics were affected by environment and genotype. The study also found much less of an effect by environment on ethanol yield.

			[http://www.google.com/patents?id=Mj86AAAAEBAJ&zoom=4&dq=sorghum%20ethanol&pg=PA1#v=onepage&q=sorghum%20ethanol&f=false] Process for preparing and using sweet sorghum in a fuel material. Rudolf Gunnerman and William Farone.

			This patent is for methods to store and prepare sweet sorghum for energy production by ethanol fermentation and combustion of lignocellulosic fraction pellets.

			[http://www.nariphaltan.org/sorghum.pdf]

Poli: /* Literature and patent review */

2012-03-16T00:01:01Z

Literature and patent review

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:01, 16 March 2012
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	[http://ddr.nal.usda.gov/bitstream/10113/12210/1/IND44035157.pdf] Ethanol and lactic acid production as affected by sorghum genotype and location. X. Zhan, D. Wang, M.R. Tuinstra, S. Bean, P.A. Seib, X.S. Sun. Industrial Crops and Products: 2003 (18).		[http://ddr.nal.usda.gov/bitstream/10113/12210/1/IND44035157.pdf] Ethanol and lactic acid production as affected by sorghum genotype and location. X. Zhan, D. Wang, M.R. Tuinstra, S. Bean, P.A. Seib, X.S. Sun. Industrial Crops and Products: 2003 (18).

	Lactic acid and ethanol production showed variation of 15% and 5% between the 16 test samples used. Yield of both products was affected by chemical composition and physical properties, but chemical composition has more significant role.		Lactic acid and ethanol production showed variation of 15% and 5% between the 16 test samples used. Yield of both products was affected by chemical composition and physical properties, but chemical composition has more significant role. Varieties with the highest yields were higher in starch content and lower in
			protein content, fiber content, glutamic acid content, and kernel hardness and likewise these characteristics were affected by environment and genotype. The study also found much less of an effect by environment on ethanol yield.

Poli: /* Literature and patent review */

2012-03-15T23:49:40Z

Literature and patent review

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:49, 15 March 2012
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	Hybrid strains are proprietary and there are patents that exist on the genes however the identification of spontaneous mutants since may provide strains that are free of legal claims. OSE should consider how genetic optimization of feedstock crops is a necessary component to high yielding permaculture.		Hybrid strains are proprietary and there are patents that exist on the genes however the identification of spontaneous mutants since may provide strains that are free of legal claims. OSE should consider how genetic optimization of feedstock crops is a necessary component to high yielding permaculture.

	[http://ddr.nal.usda.gov/bitstream/10113/12210/1/IND44035157.pdf] Ethanol and lactic acid production as affected by sorghum genotype and location		[http://ddr.nal.usda.gov/bitstream/10113/12210/1/IND44035157.pdf] Ethanol and lactic acid production as affected by sorghum genotype and location. X. Zhan, D. Wang, M.R. Tuinstra, S. Bean, P.A. Seib, X.S. Sun. Industrial Crops and Products: 2003 (18).

			Lactic acid and ethanol production showed variation of 15% and 5% between the 16 test samples used. Yield of both products was affected by chemical composition and physical properties, but chemical composition has more significant role.

Poli at 17:12, 11 March 2012

2012-03-11T17:12:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:12, 11 March 2012
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	[[File:sorghum02.jpg\|350px\|thumb\|right\|sorghum molasses - tastes like...honey mixed with caramel, but gamier and less sweet.]]		[[File:sorghum02.jpg\|350px\|thumb\|right\|sorghum molasses - tastes like...honey mixed with caramel, but gamier and less sweet.]]

	The stem juice of sweet sorghum is rich in fermentative sugar and is a desirable fermentation material for the production of ethanol. Primarily grown for [[silage]], forage and sugar production, sorghum is often cited as a promising crop because it costs less to grow than corn and can thrive in conditions that are less than ideal for corn production. In North American, sweet sorghum has been traditionally grown for the syrup or “molasses” made from it. Ethanol production from sweet sorghum is largely still in trial stages in North America but is more widely done in China and India. One of the main challenges is that the sugar has to be fermented immediately. Special harvesting equipment has been designed to squeeze the sorghum stems on the field.		The stem juice of sweet sorghum is rich in fermentative sugar and is a desirable fermentation material for the production of ethanol. Primarily grown for [[silage]], forage and sugar production, sorghum is often cited as a promising crop because it costs less to grow than corn and can thrive in conditions that are less than ideal for corn production. In North American, sweet sorghum has been traditionally grown for the syrup or “molasses” made from it. Ethanol production from sweet sorghum is largely still in trial stages in North America but is more widely done in China and India. One of the main challenges is that the sugar has to be fermented immediately. Special harvesting equipment has been designed to squeeze the sorghum stems on the field. Sorghum has a productive advantage over maize under 900 mm annual rainfall conditions but is at a disadvantage with rainfalls of 1000 mm. Missouri receives around 900 mm annual rainfall and sorghum is adapted to these conditions.

	==Conversion to Ethanol==		==Conversion to Ethanol==
Line 46:		Line 46:

	Hybrid strains are proprietary and there are patents that exist on the genes however the identification of spontaneous mutants since may provide strains that are free of legal claims. OSE should consider how genetic optimization of feedstock crops is a necessary component to high yielding permaculture.		Hybrid strains are proprietary and there are patents that exist on the genes however the identification of spontaneous mutants since may provide strains that are free of legal claims. OSE should consider how genetic optimization of feedstock crops is a necessary component to high yielding permaculture.

			[http://ddr.nal.usda.gov/bitstream/10113/12210/1/IND44035157.pdf] Ethanol and lactic acid production as affected by sorghum genotype and location

Poli: /* Links */

2012-03-11T16:43:08Z

Links

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:43, 11 March 2012
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	* economic calculations: [http://www.sorganol.com/ Sorganol]		* economic calculations: [http://www.sorganol.com/ Sorganol]
	* FAO Corporate Document Repository: [http://www.fao.org/docrep/T4470E/t4470e07.htm#TopOfPage "Ethanol production from sweet sorghum"]		* FAO Corporate Document Repository: [http://www.fao.org/docrep/T4470E/t4470e07.htm#TopOfPage "Ethanol production from sweet sorghum"]
			* [http://highdesertpermaculture.org/blog/2012/02/07/sorghum-for-syrup-and-ethanol/ High desert permaculture: Sorghum for syrup and ethanol]

	==Literature and patent review==		==Literature and patent review==

Poli: /* Literature and patent review */

2012-03-11T16:40:46Z

Literature and patent review

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:40, 11 March 2012
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	[http://phoenix.nal.usda.gov/bitstream/10113/39756/1/IND44338509.pdf]		[http://phoenix.nal.usda.gov/bitstream/10113/39756/1/IND44338509.pdf]
	"Brown midrib mutations and their importance to the utilization of maize, sorghum, and pearl millet lignocellulosic tissues" Scott E. Sattler, Deanna L. Funnell-Harris, Jeffrey F. Pederse. Plant Science: 8 January 2010.		"Brown midrib mutations and their importance to the utilization of maize, sorghum, and pearl millet lignocellulosic tissues" Scott E. Sattler, Deanna L. Funnell-Harris, Jeffrey F. Pederse. Plant Science: 8 January 2010.
	Brown midrib mutants (Bmr) strains of sorghum have improved qualities for fermentation and a decrease in lignocellulose content.		Brown midrib mutants (Bmr) strains of sorghum have improved qualities for fermentation and a decrease in lignocellulose content. Bmr strains have been identified through laboratory mutagenesis and as spontaneous mutations as involving either of two key loci for lignin production. caffeic O-methyltransferases (COMT) and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase 2(CAD2) are the two enzymes whose interruption has been linked to a bmr phenotype. Bmr strains are thought to have lower yields than wild-type controls but yields are quite good compared to other hybrid strains. Decreased lignin has been shown to increase availability of sugars for ethanol production and nutritiousness as silage for cattle. Overall sweet sorghum strains with decreased lignin content should be investigated for use as cattle silage and ethanol feedstock.

			Hybrid strains are proprietary and there are patents that exist on the genes however the identification of spontaneous mutants since may provide strains that are free of legal claims. OSE should consider how genetic optimization of feedstock crops is a necessary component to high yielding permaculture.