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 beet 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 technical management services to the
Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation and assisted in the development
and expansion 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.