Second generation ethanol production process

Fossil fuel emissions are the main cause of global warming. The world is striving to reduce these emissions. Solar and wind energy can contribute to solve the problem, but not alone. Hence, new biofuels are a key element, as they can make an even greater contribution. Ethanol is already present in small quantities in gasoline, less than 10% vol. This ethanol is mainly produced using sugar cane, corn or wheat: all vegetable raw materials that lend themselves easily to the process of fermentation. Indeed, with the first generation technologies, sugars are easily converted into bio-ethanol. But the use of these technologies takes land away from food crops and increases the price of raw materials. It is therefore necessary to find ways to produce ethanol from alternative sources, both sustainable and largely available, like cellulose, present in large quantities in all plant species and in agricultural waste. This presentation will focus on issues that research groups are facing while developing the second generation ethanol production process.