On-farm ethanol production from alternative feedstocks

The EFuel100 Microfueler is being evaluated as a tool for on-farm bioethanol production from high-carbohydrate waste products commonly available on small Kentucky farms. The Microfueler is a self-contained fermentation, distillation, purification, fuel blending, and pumping unit.

The feedstocks being tested include: EFuel100 Microfueler

sweet sorghum, a low-input, drought-tolerant annual grass commonly grown in Kentucky for syrup production;
sweet potato, a nutritious source of starch and antioxidants, which commonly has a 10-30% cull rate;
waste tree fruits, including pawpaw and peach, which are rich in fermentable sugars, but are highly perishible.

The sustainability of on-farm ethanol production using alternative feedstock crops is being compared with existing large-scale corn-to-ethanol production in terms of land, labor, and energy-use efficiency.

The project includes an aggressive outreach program designed to promote a decentralized and efficient renewable fuel initiative that benefits Kentucky’s small farmers and the environment.

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Environmental Studies Masters

Organic Association of Kentucky