Wheat Ethanol Research and Development

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Objective(s)

The objective of this Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) project is to research several options available for processing wheat into ethanol and a variety of other products and to assess the environmental impacts and economic opportunities available for each option. A technology package with a primary focus on the reduction of GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emissions and economic benefits associated with wheat ethanol production will be developed establishing its economic competitiveness with corn.

Description

The threat of climate change has led to the development of potential alternatives to replace or modify current energy utilization applications. Ethanol technology is important for Canada considering the importance of wheat to Canadian agriculture and economy. This project consists of analyzing various processes and related processing equipment available to convert wheat into ethanol and value added products. Research will be both microbiological (e.g. developing new cold slurry enzymes) and mechanical (e.g. developing micro-filters for dehydration of ethanol and stillage) in nature. This research conducted by Birtech Inc., an engineering and management consulting firm based in Ontario, includes developing a technology package outlining the environmental and economic benefits of distinct wheat processing applications. Information for the technology package will be provided by Permolex Ltd., a grain processing facility located in Alberta. Permolex Ltd. is one of Canada's largest users of Canada Prairie Spring (CPS) wheat. Permolex Ltd. process documentation, control systems, and reports will be reviewed in terms of opportunities for product and process improvement or replacement. Of particular interest will be the enhancement of the wheat fractionation process for the production of ethanol and other bioproducts. Extraction efficiency will also be a critical aspect of this research as it is the key to understanding the overall effectiveness of ethanol production. A list of opportunities in the flour, gluten, and ethanol processing units for enhancing wheat fractionation will be developed. Additionally, opportunities with process technologies, equipment vendors, and in the area of biotechnology will be researched. Data has been captured for the individual process steps and associated equipment involved in each main process area resulting in flow sheets and process data matrix. Process variables including inputs, outputs, mass flow, constituent concentrations (starch), energy requirements, GHG flow, and value gain will be analyzed. An in-plant trial of the technology package will also be conducted to improve distillation performance. Further project initiatives include in plant-demonstrations/validations of process and process technologies, preparation of process overview documentation, and the development of detailed technology package documents.

Significant Outcomes

This research will provide insight into possible improvements to the conventional ethanol manufacturing process in addition to associated economic and environmental impacts. A fundamental understanding of the relation between extraction efficiency, energy required, and associated GHG impact will be acquired. Additional factors including capital, operating costs, and potential revenue associated with products for a wheat based ethanol plant will be determined. The technology package derived from research efforts will indicate the optimum process for wheat extraction to ethanol under respective processing conditions. The technology package will be a valuable resource to wheat-ethanol producers, investors, and other wheat bioproduct information seekers considering wheat ethanol production in Canada. This project will ensure that wheat ethanol production is more productive and sustainable and that wheat continues to be a viable feedstock along with corn and cellulose for ethanol. It will also optimize the application of natural resources to produce ethanol and reduce GHG emissions.

Overview of the Ethanol Production Process