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It may not be long before we see a shift in biofuel production as we expand the supply beyond corn ethanol.
"Here in New York State we have an abundant wood supply. The forest here in New York is growing about three times more rapidly than we're harvesting it,” said Dr. Timothy Volk, ESF Senior Research Associate.
Researchers at SUNY-ESF are working on an alternative fuel known as butanol, that is made from wood.
Butanol has very low greenhouse gas emissions. Once it evolves into commercial use as a gasoline substitute, researchers say we won't need to upgrade our vehicles to use it.
"It mixes more easily in the gasoline stream. The challenge with ethanol is that you have to modify your car. Not a big issue with butanol. It mixes easier in the gas stream. It can be moved through the gasoline pipelines so it's easier to distribute,” said Volk.
The multi-step process begins with wood chips. The chips are pressure-cooked in water. Roughly 25 percent of the weight of the chips comes out as a broth extract.
This broth is rich in sugars and other valuable chemicals. The sugars are then extracted from the broth and fed to bacteria where it is broken down to simple sugars. It is then fermented into butanol. It's a process that has yet to be fully perfected.
Going Green is produced in cooperation with the College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Learn more about SUNY ESF by visiting their website, esf.edu.