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ETHANOL
Background
For environmental and commercial reasons, there is increasing interest worldwide in the production of bio-fuels. In the transport sector there is rapidly growing demand for bio-ethanol. Ethanol can be produced from any biological feedstocks (e.g. sugar, corn and wheat) that contain appreciable amounts of sugar, or materials that can be converted into sugar, such as starch or cellulose. Sugar cane and sugar beets are examples of feedstocks that contain sugar. Sugar cane is a more efficient source of fermentable carbohydrates than corn, as well as being easier to grow and process.
Environment
Climate change is an internationally recognised problem, and many developed countries are committed to international agreements, such as Kyoto, which aim to reduce CO² emissions and other greenhouse gasses. Ethanol-blended fuels, as well as being a renewable energy source, help reduce carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and hydrocarbon tailpipe emissions.
Project Development
Booker Tate has considerable experience in ethanol plant development and it remains a focus area for the future.
In 1982, Booker Tate undertook a feasibility study for a distillery at Ramu Sugar, Papua New Guinea, to produce ethanol from molasses and cane juice, to be used as an extender for motor fuel. The positive outcome of the study was followed by supervision of the distillery construction with production starting in 1984 (photo above).
In 1990, Booker Tate signed an engineering and project management contract for the construction of Greenwich distillery in the UK (photo below). The distillery was built with a capacity of 10 million litres of pure alcohol per annum and designed to the highest and most modern specifications. The plant was commissioned in 1992 and Booker Tate provided technical expertise to monitor distillery performance.
Booker Tate provided the project management in 1995 for the construction of a 6,000 tonnes cane per day sugar factory, including an integral ethanol plant, at Finchaa, Ethiopia (photo below).
Booker Tate also provides operational and project management services to the Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation and have assisted in the development of a distillery (photo below) which produces industrial grade ethanol and potable spirit, with a current capacity of 32 million litres per annum.
Expertise
The key to successful bio-ethanol projects is a consistent supply of high quality bio-mass feedstock. Booker Tate has significant experience in the development and operation of large scale agribusinesses, particularly in sugar in emerging economies. Based on this experience and the company’s on-going commitment to innovation through the critical examination of potential fuel sources, technologies and approaches to contracting, Booker Tate is able to assist in the development and implementation of robust commercial business solutions for clients.
Booker Tate continues to build on its ethanol expertise and remains focused on the renewable energy sector, which is proving to have an increasingly important role to play in the world’s future.