Biofuels on the rocks

Whisky is not just good for sipping; it is also good for making biofuel. The distillation process of whisky produces a lot of byproducts that do not make it into the bottle you see at the liquor store. Actually, only 10 % of what is produced in a distillery is drinkable whisky. The rest is the residue of the grain of barley (also known as draff) and pot ale (a copper-laden liquid). These by-products are high in sugar and are currently being used for things like fertilizer and cattle feed. Celtic Renewables Ltd. in association with Edinburgh Napier University’s Biofuel Research Centre are working to such by-products from Scotland’s £4 billion malt whisky-making industry into butanol, a potential substitute for gasoline and heating oil.

The diagram shows the so-called ABE process (for acetone-butanol-ethanol) by which the draff and the pot ale are mixed and fermented to produce a broth, which is ultimately distilled to produce butanol, acetone (used in paints and plastics) and ethanol. The remainder is separated into solid material, which can be dried to generate a high-grade animal feed. Not only could this technology work with the wastes created by the production of other types of whiskies (like those distilled in the US and here in Canada), but it could be also applied to wine- and beer-making, as well as to food, and paper manufacturing wastes.

Why all this interest in butanol? It gives 25 % more output power than ethanol, and it has a lower flashpoint, so it’s easier to store and handle. In addition, it can be introduced to unmodified engines with any petrol blend, whereas ethanol can only be blended up to 85% and requires engine modification.

This ABE process was one of the main themes discussed during the UK’s biofuel seminar in early September in Dundee (jointly organised by the Environmental Sustainability KTN, University of Abertay Dundee, and the Scottish Biofuel Programme). Canada’s BioFuelNet was represented by Jorin Mamen (Executive Manager) – supported by SIN Canada – who talked about the challenges and opportunities experienced by the biofuel industry in Canada. He presented Canada’s BioFuelNet as a multidisciplinary group of experts working to develop and apply novel science engineering and socio-economic strategies that will enhance environmental sustainability for future generations. Jorin also highlighted Canada’s wealth of agricultural and forestry waste that can be used to manufacture biofuels and how BioFuelNet is focused on unlocking the tremendous potential of lignocellulosic feedstocks and other advanced biofuel feedstocks in the production of advanced biofuels. With lignocellulosics making up over 90% of available biomass in Canada, the challenge of effectively converting this biomass into fuels is central to the growth of the Canadian biofuels industry.

Biofuel projects like these ones, demonstrate that innovative use of existing technologies can utilise handy resources – like waste – to benefit both the environment and the economy. There is potential for new biofuels to be available soon on your nearest gas station, but don’t expect it to be sold on the rocks!