Amount Of Bioethanol Research Articles

Stability Analysis of Jet Fuel-Bioethanol Blends: an Experimental Approach

Incorporating bioethanol into jet fuel blends has garnered increasing attention as a viable strategy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and address environmental issues. This study investigates the influence of different amounts of bioethanol on the stability properties of jet fuel blends. Bioethanol addition to jet fuel causes a steady increase in its freezing point. The alteration has been attributed to the destabilizing effect caused by polar hydrogen bonds in bioethanol on the intermolecular forces. Oxidation stability analysis demonstrates a clear correlation between ethanol content and a swift decrease in pressure resistance. Although pure jet fuel is highly stable, mixes that include bioethanol show much lower stability. This decline highlights the reduced impact of bioethanol on fuel stability and oxidation processes. The simultaneous occurrence of gum formation emphasizes the need for careful formulation strategies to prevent stability problems and system complexities. Moreover, the complex influence of bioethanol on the temperature, stability, and oxidation properties of jet fuel blends highlights the importance of using accurate formulation methodologies to improve aviation fuels.

Use of thermophilic bacteria to utilize sugarcane bagasse: Efficient cellulase production, saccharification, and hydrolysate applications

Sugarcane bagasse (SB) a renewable and abundant source of rich fermentable sugars has been reported extensively to produce microbial enzymes and other valuable products. However, most of the SB-based processes require its pretreatment which is an additional step incurring time and cost. In this study, fermentation of SB by bacterial strains without any pretreatment was carried out to obtain crude cellulase preparation. Enzyme mediated saccharification of SB was carried out and the hydrolysate was analyzed for the presence of reducing sugars and free radical scavenging activity. It was found that 65.86, 42.03 and 88.8 IU mL−1 endoglucanase was produced by Brevibacillus borstelensis UE10, Neobacillus sedimentimangrovi UE25 and B. borstelensis UE27, respectively by fermenting SB. Crude cellulase preparation of UE10, UE25, and UE27 was used to saccharify SB which resulted in 1.14, 1.47, and 1.58 mg mL−1 reducing sugars and 1.08, 0.57, and 1.5 mg mL−1 glucose, respectively. Moreover, the hydrolysate also had radical scavenging activity indicating about its possible application in animal feed. The maximum (35.71 %) amount of bioethanol was produced when UE25 fermented the hydrolysate of SB. The strains UE10 and UE27 produced 31.16 and 27.77 % bioethanol, respectively. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and gravimetric analysis showed the impact of cellulase on structure of SB. Hence, this work expands the understanding of the potential of thermophilic bacterial strains to utilize agricultural waste for the synthesis of valuable products.

Comparative assessment of the co-production of bioethanol and single cell proteins from Sugarcane Bagasse, Rice Husks, and cassava peels using Saccharomyces cerevisiae

This work compares various waste sources of feedstock (cassava peels, sugarcane bagasse, and rice husks) for the co-production of bioethanol and single cell protein using Saccharomyces Cerevisiae as fermentation enzyme. Sulphuric acid solution was used for the pre-treatment, dilute hydrochloric acid was used for hydrolysis, temperature, time, and pH of 131.8 °C, 1 hr, and 5.3 respectively. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was used to adjust the pH of the hydrolysate to neutral (6.7). The primary component of the single-cell protein was ammonia (NH3), which was quantified using Kjeldahl's technique of analysis, while the bioethanol produced was assessed using the colorimetric and colored reaction method using a spectrophotometer. Sugarcane bagasse showed the highest amount of bioethanol (36.57 %) while Rice husks and Cassava peels showed 30.97 % and 29.31 % respectively. The greatest bioethanol production (47.85 %) was achieved by combining feedstock, cassava, and sugar cane feedstocks. The percentage of single cell protein generated from individual feedstock was the highest using sugarcane bagasse (29.4 %) while a sugarcane bagasse and cassava peels combination gave the highest concentration for single cell protein (43.6 %). The study has demonstrated efficient bioethanol and single cell protein (SCP) co-production from Saccharomyces Cerevisiae using sugarcane bagasse, cassava peels, and rice husk as feedstock.

BIOMASS PRETREATMENT AS A KEY PROCESS IN BIOETHANOL PRODUCTIONS: A REVIEW

Solid wastes like lignocellulosic materials have proven to be of immense benefit to the production of bioethanol and have given a headway towards the deviation from the traditional use of fossil fuel which is has been a long-time primary source of fuel and energy globally. The transformation of lignocellulosic wastes into bioethanol is of importance to the environment. The recalcitrant nature of this substance, owing to the presence of lignin which serves as a deterrent, making it hard to access cellulose and hemicellulose, which are later converted to bioethanol, has raised much concern for researchers. Various strategies for feed preparation for overcoming this problem have been identified by researchers in the literature, including chemical, physical, and physiochemical approaches with enzymes. This review aims to bring together recent advances made by researchers in different pretreatment methods in optimizing the production of bioethanol. The advantages, disadvantages and the specific conditions for these pretreatment methods are also discussed in this review. Embedded in this review is also a report of the usage of some of these feed preparation strategies and the amount of bioethanol that was obtained by each process using different feedstock.

Production of renewable fuel and value-added bioproducts using pineapple leaves in Costa Rica

Pineapple, Ananas comosus, is one of the most important cash crops in Costa Rica with more than 44,500 ha of plantation. The pineapple industry contributes approximately 1.7% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of Costa Rica. Pineapple cultivation generates a large amount of plant residues (250 metric tons per hectare of wet plant residues mainly leaves). Current practices of the field residue handing include direct burning, in situ decomposition and removal of residue before planting, which are neither economically sound nor environmentally friendly. New approaches are urgently needed to utilize the residues and improve sustainability of pineapple production in Costa Rica. This study developed a simple, efficient process to convert the pineapple plant leaves into bioethanol, spent yeast proteins, and fibrous material (pulp). The residue was first treated by a mechanical extruder to generate juice and fibrous material. The juice was fermented by a yeast, Kluyveromyces marxianus, to produce ethanol and spent yeast proteins. Under the selected process conditions, the plant leaves (125 tons fresh weight per year) from 1 ha can generate 2.1 tons of bio-ethanol, 1.55 tons of spent yeast biomass, and 11.65 tons of dry fibrous material. The mass and energy balance analysis concluded that using the studied process, the pineapple plant leaves from 44,500 ha of pineapple plantation in Costa Rica can produce 93,043, 68,975, and 518,425 tons of bioethanol, spent yeast, and fibrous material per year, respectively. The amount of bioethanol is able to replace approximately 8.51% of transportation fossil fuel consumption in Costa Rica.

Potential of some tuber peels in bioethanol production using <i>Candida tropicalis</i>

Cassava and sweet potato peels are two potential agro-wastes with high possibility for biofuel production due to the possession of high polysaccharides. Studies were conducted to evaluate the chemical compositions of these wastes as well as determine their potential as feedstock for bioethanol production using indigenously sourced yeast strain; Candida tropicalis (IMI 398401). Cashew nut shell extract was used to hydrolyze and saccharify the gelatinized mashed agro-waste. The results indicates that moisture content (14.16 %), ash content (2.25 %), fibre (5.10 %) and cellulose (734 mg/g) were higher in cassava peels and lower; 13.04 %, 1.12 %, 1.81 % and 498 mg/g respectively in sweet potato peels. Pretreatment of the peels with organic acid extract of Anacardium occidentale nut shell showed maximum reducing sugar yield of 300 mg/g and 471 mg/g in sweet potato peel and cassava peel. The amount of bioethanol (g/L) produced after 72 h of fermentation was higher; 23.90 ± 0.60 in sweet potato peel. The study shows that these peels may be useful for biofuel production after a proper pretreatment.Keywords: Bioethanol; Candida tropicalis; Pretreatment; Proximate composition; Tuber peels

COMPARISON PRODUCTION BIOETHANOL FROM CELLULOSE USING BATCH DISTILLATION AND FLASH DISTILLATION PROCESS

The process of distillation in either a batch distillation or flash distillation each have positions and disadvantages, and the areas of batch distillation that have high columns can be synchronized with some the stage more than one phases, and flash distillation have tall columns that matched equally to one step. The advantages of flash distillation have a shorter distillation time versus batch distillation, distillation bioethanol yield on flash batch distillation more than it is. This research aims to get purer bioethanol, more amount of bioethanol as well as shorter time. Bamboo contains cellulose and high glucose, reduce the amount of lignin and pentose with pretreatment and lignification process, filtrate glucose produced in the fermentation using enzymes. From the process of fermentation obtained bioethanol with 15%, then conducted the process of distillation, with variable timing and temperature. Bioethanol achieved with the levels of approximately 95%, of the process of batch distillation bioethanol yield obtained is smaller, longer time and higher levels of the flash distillation process, obtained yield bioethanol larger, shorter time and the lower levels. Keywords: Batch, bioethanol, cellulose, flash

Alternative protein sources in the nutrition of farm animals

Protein requirement and its demand of farm animals became one of the critical problems in nutrition on a global scale. Protein requirement has been an explicit demand for a long period with soybean meal and animal protein, but recently there are some limitations in relation to their use and the availability of the high quality fishmeal decreases constantly. For this reason there is increased demand for finding new protein sources which could be the alternatives of soybean meal and fishmeal. Alternative protein sources can be divided into seven categories, according to their origin. In different countries, their use depends on the availability in large quantity and at reasonable price.
 There is a long tradition of using legume seeds, as alternatives of soybean. Most of them contain some anti-nutritive compounds, but it can be reduced with systematic selection. Oilseed meals are also generally use in poultry and pig nutrition, but those crude protein content varied, depending on the oil extraction technology. Green fodder and leaf protein was also proposed as alternative protein sources, but their use is limited, in particular because of the market price. The amount of bioethanol and starch industry by-products increases gradually in recent years, therefore those became alternatives of soybean meal, or in much less extend, fishmeal. However, amino acid composition of such by-products are far from optimal for poultry and pig; therefore, in the case of their use amino acid supplementation is necessary. Several novel protein sources are proposed in the last decade, such as algae or insect proteins. Recently, their availability and use is limited, but in the near future those would be alternative protein sources in monogastric animal nutrition.

ECONOMIC EFFECTIVENESS OF USE OF BIOETHANOL ON INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

Research of alternative types of motor fuels from renewable sources is becoming widespread in Ukraine and in the world. This is due to the increased environmental requirements for commercial fuels and exhaust gases of internal combustion engines through the introduction of Euro 6 standards. The problems of environmental safety of road transport have long been an integral part of the environmental safety of each country. Significance and acuteness of this problem grow with each passing year due to the annual increase in emissions of vehicles by polluting substances into the atmosphere (an average of 3–5 %). The purpose of research is to assess the feasibility of using bioethanol in equivalent fuels, taking into account the economic efficiency, which was calculated on the basis of commercial fuel costs . Methodology. In studies of the economic efficiency of using bioethanol as an additive to gas, the necessary condition is to provide the same octane number of equivalent fuel compared with commercial gasoline. In the final result, the authors received dependence of the price change of the gasoline used, depending on the content of bioethanol in it. In processing the results of the research methods of least squares and mathematical statistics were used. Result. Authors obtained the dependence of changes in the price of gasoline, depending on the amount of bioethanol used. The study found that the use of bioethanol in a mixture with gasoline can reduce fuel consumption due to the use of fuel mixtures of cheaper ethanol and the use of low-octane low-cost gasoline. From an acceptable price for petrol and bioethanol from studies, it follows that with an increase in the percentage of bioethanol in equivalent fuels, up to 80 % reduces the cost of the received alternative fuel to 30 %. Research on the effectiveness of using bioethanol as additives to low-octane gasoline is original as all previous studies are based on the mixing of alternative fuels with commercial gasoline and provides the most cost-effective. Research results can be practically used by scientists and engineers of the relevant profile to create mixed alternative fuels

Tuber Peels in Ethanol Production Using Candida Tropicalis

Cassava and sweet potato peels are two potential agro-wastes with high possibility for biofuel production due to the possession of high polysaccharides. Studies were conducted to evaluate the chemical compositions of these wastes as well as determine their potential as feedstock for bioethanol production using indigenously sourced yeast strain; Candida tropicalis (IMI 398401). The results indicate that moisture content (14.16 %), ash content (2.25 %), fibre (5.10 %) and cellulose (734 mg/g) were higher in cassava peels and lower; 13.04 %, 1.12 %, 1.81 % and 498 mg/g respectively in sweet potato peels. Pretreatment of the peels with organic acid extract of Anacardium occidentale nut shell showed maximum reducing sugar yield of 300 mg/g and 471 mg/g in sweet potato peel and cassava peel. The amount of bioethanol (g/L) produced after 72 h of fermentation was higher; 23.90 ± 0.60 in sweet potato peel. This study shows that these peels may be potentially useful for biofuel production after a proper pretreatment.

Production of Bioethanol from microalga (Chlorella vulgaris)

Bioethanol production from algae requires four major unit operations including: pretreatment, hydrolysis, fermentation and distillation. Because algal biomass has its own characteristics, such as soft organization and high moisture content, the pretreatment of the algae is easier than that of lignocellulosic biomasses. The biological processes has been used for pretreatment of algal materials The biological pretreatment was done on two biomass samples. The first sample was treated with 1% NaOH for one hr. before treated with Aspergillus niger. While the second biomass sample untreated with 1% NaOH. The samples un-treated with NaOH, the highest sugar was released on 6th day of saccharification. The Chlorella vulgaris biomass at the synthetic media released the maximum amount of reducing sugars 8.552 g /100 g dried biomass at the 1st day which increased by Aspergillus niger gradually till reaching 19.835 g /100 g dried biomass at the 6th day and the produced bioethanol increased at the synthetic media releasing the maximum amount of bioethanol 3.68 g /100 g dried biomass at the 1st day which increased gradually till reaching 25.20 g /100 g dried biomass at the 5th day. While, The samples treated with 1% NaOH, the maximum amount of reducing sugars at the 1st day was 6.996 g /100 g dried biomass which increased by application of Aspergillus niger gradually till reaching 16.052 g /100 g dried biomass at the 6th day. While the maximum amount of bioethanol at the 1st day 10.95 g /100 g dried biomass which increased gradually till reaching 16.77 g /100 g dried biomass at the 4th day.

An overview of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of starchy and lignocellulosic biomass for bio-ethanol production

ABSTRACTFor the last few decades, fossil fuels have played a dominant role as an important energy resource in the enormous worldwide energy demand. However, as conventional fossil fuel resources are limited, excessive exploitation of such fossil fuel comes with the major global problem of energy resource scarcity. Thus, renewable sources of energy, such as solar, wind, and biofuel, have gained huge attention from governments of many countries across the world. These renewable resources are indigenous, non-polluting and virtually inexhaustible. Among these alternate energy sources, bio-ethanol was proved to be a most promising energy source with various added advantages. Conventional indigenous raw materials for bio-ethanol production include sugarcane, molasses and corn-based materials, although the amount of bio-ethanol produced can hardly meet the current global demand. An extensive search for the most promising feedstock for ethanol production pioneered the use of ligno- and starch-based biomass. For successful conversion of starch and lignocellulosic material to bio-ethanol, a microbial single stage simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) approach has successfully evolved in recent years, overcoming the problems associated with using harmful chemicals and an expensive enzymes stage, the substrate inhibition effects and the reaction time. In this review, multiple aspects of the SSF process will be highlighted.

Bioethanol Production by Novel Indigenous Yeast Strains from Lignocellulosic Waste

The present study deals with isolation of novel indigenous yeast strains and their use in conversion of lignocellulosic agricultural and household waste into bioethanol. 11 yeast cultures were isolated from different sources and from these four strains of yeast were selected on basis of bioethanol production. Biochemical tests were performed to characterize the isolated yeast cultures. The identification of the unknown yeast strains was then done using the 26S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The yeast cultures were identified as: Pichia farinose, Arxula adeninivorans, Rhodotorula colostri, Stephanoascus ciferrii. These strains were inoculated in fermentation media having lignocellulosic household and agricultural waste in a 3 L fermenter. After 48 h all the four yeast strains converted the lignocellulosic waste to different amounts of bioethanol. Pichia farinose was found to produce a maximum amount of bioethanol, i.e., 31 g/L and Stephanoascus ciferrii produced 28.73 g/L bioethanol when bagasse was used as the carbon source.

Bioethanol Dehydration Process using NaOH-Activated Zeolite at Various Concentration and Zeolite Weight

<p>Utilization of molasses as basic material for producing bioethanol becomes one of the promising efforts to fulfill the demand of fuel and diminish the dependence upon fossil fuel that its availability is increasingly rare. However, ethanol produced from fermentation of molasses has low purity. The purity could be increased by using dehydration method and zeolite activated by NaOH and alum as alumina source. The research is aimed to know the dehydration process of bioethanol use NaOH-activated zeolite at various concentration and zeolite weight on the purification of bioethanol. In this research, the experiments could be categorized into 4 groups, they are activation of zeolite, fermentation, distillation, and dehydration process. Activation of natural zeolite performed by entering of sized 120-150 mesh zeolite powder was added to glass beaker that contains NaOH aqueous solution and followed by adding alum which took place at 80 ˚C for 8 hours and the final product calcinated at 600 ˚ C for 2 hour. Fermentation process was managed for 6 days and pH 5. Furthermore, bioethanol was separated by distillation method at 78,5 - 85 ˚C and followed by molecular sieve dehydration using zeolite activated by NaOH solution in variation of zeolite weight (30, 40 and 50 %) and NaOH concentration (1, 2, 3 dan 4 M). The amount of bioethanol was measured by gas chromatography method. Bioethanol concentration as fermentation product is 29,8 %. The result revealed that dehydration with 30% w.t zeolite activated by 2 M NaOH solution had the best activity in bioethanol purification with amount of bioethanol is 53,76 %, Increased Levels of Bioethanol (ILB) value is 80,39 % and Adsorption Capacity of Zeolite (ACZ) is 399,31 %.</p><p>Keywords: bioethanol, concentration of NaOH, dehydration, molasses, molecular sieve, weight of zeolite</p>

Spectroscopic analysis of the phases of premixed combustion in a compression ignition engine fuelled with diesel and ethanol

The premixed charge compression ignition (PCCI) combustion represents a possible solution for decreasing the pollution with respect to diesel engine, while maintaining the efficiency rate at values that are comparable, and in some cases higher, than those of a diesel engine. This paper investigates the operation of an optical-access compression ignition engine (bore: 82mm, stroke: 90mm) running at PCCI combustion with neat bio-ethanol and European commercial diesel fuel injected in the intake manifold and into the cylinder, respectively. In its original configuration, the engine burned diesel and this case was used as reference of compression ignition combustion. Then, different amounts of bio-ethanol were injected varying the energizing time of the injector set in the intake manifold. This allowed to create PCCI combustion with high levels of pre-combustion mixing, and to ensure low equivalence ratio and low flame temperatures too. Moreover, both the amount and the start of diesel injection was varied to investigate their effects on the several combustion phases. UV–Visible imaging and spectroscopic measurements were performed in the engine and the autoignition of the charge, the combustion process and the chemical species involved were detected and analysed. In particular, optical diagnostics allowed to observe how the mixture burned: no luminous flame emission in the visible range was recorded; while in the ultraviolet wavelength range numerous species, like HCO, HCOH, OH, and CO and others were detected. Varying the in-cylinder premixed ratio the combustion retarded and the rate of heat release passed from single to three-phase premixed combustion, so revealing a phase due to intermediate temperature reactions. The same behavior was observed varying the start of injection and the quantity of diesel that affected the premixed ratio. Spectroscopic measurements revealed that during the intermediate temperature heat release large amount of OH radical governed the start of combustion of the charge. It was also observed that the preignition combustion was mainly due to the stratified mixing of the diesel fuel close to the bowl wall. Finally the presence of OH radical was monitored for the whole combustion process.

Production of Bioethanol at High Temperature from Tari

Many microorganisms can tolerate high-temperature ranges from 37°C - 45°C are called thermotolerant microorganisms. Eighteen such isolates containing various microorganisms were collected from the natural fermented products of Bangladesh in summer for bioethanol production. Cultural, morphological, physiological, biochemical and genetical analysis were carried out under various physiological conditions. Among them, two thermotolerant strains Tari-6, isolated from the Tari (an overnight natural fermented palm juice at around 33°C - 40°C) and Pvt-1, isolated from the Pantavat (an overnight natural fermented rice soaked with tap water at around 35&#176C - 37&#176C), produced high amount of bioethanol, 7.5% (v/v) and 6.5% (v/v), respectively at 37°C. Furthermore, a partial 26S rDNA sequencing results confirmed that the Tari-6 and Pvt-1 encoded Pichia galeiformi and Pichia guilliermondii, respectively, and later one could grow well in media containing Xylose. Our results conclude that these two yeast strains are the potential candidates for bioethanol production.

Techno-economic potential of bioethanol from bamboo in China

BackgroundBamboo is potentially an interesting feedstock for advanced bioethanol production in China due to its natural abundance, rapid growth, perennial nature and low management requirements. Liquid hot water (LHW) pretreatment was selected as a promising technology to enhance sugar release from bamboo lignocellulose whilst keeping economic and environmental costs to a minimum. The present research was conducted to assess: 1) by how much LHW pretreatment can enhance sugar yields in bamboo, and 2) whether this process has the potential to be economically feasible for biofuel use at the commercial scale. Pretreatments were performed at temperatures of 170-190°C for 10–30 minutes, followed by enzymatic saccharification with a commercial enzyme cocktail at various loadings. These data were then used as inputs to a techno-economic model using AspenPlus™ to determine the production cost of bioethanol from bamboo in China.ResultsAt the selected LHW pretreatment of 190°C for 10 minutes, 69% of the initial sugars were released under a standardised enzyme loading; this varied between 59-76% when 10–140 FPU/g glucan of commercial enzyme Cellic CTec2 was applied. Although the lowest enzyme loading yielded the least amount of bioethanol, the techno-economic evaluation revealed it to be the most economically viable scenario with a production cost of $0.484 per litre (with tax exemption and a $0.16/litre subsidy). The supply-chain analysis demonstrated that bioethanol could be economically competitive with petrol at the pump at enzyme loadings up to 60 FPU/g glucan. However, in a prospective scenario with reduced government support, this enzyme loading threshold would be reduced to 30 FPU/g glucan.ConclusionsBioethanol from bamboo is shown to be both technically and economically feasible, as well as competitive with petrol in China. Alternative approaches to reduce bioethanol production costs are still needed however, to ensure its competitiveness in a possible future scenario where neither tax exemptions nor subsidies are granted to producers. These measures may include improving sugar release with more effective pretreatments and reduced enzyme usage, accessing low cost bamboo feedstock or selecting feedstocks with higher/more accessible cellulose.

Utilization of the field experiment results of University of Debrecen in the development of maize-based bio-ethanol production

Maize is currently the single raw material of bio-ethanol production in Hungary. The aim of our examinations is the observation of yield andnutritional characteristics of commercial maize hybrids in Hungary from the aspect of efficient bio-ethanol production. We set up a randomized block field trial. We determined the starch content and starch yield (t ha-1) of the 51 maize hybrids involved in the field trial.In laboratory conditions, we examined the amylose and amylopectin ratio and the amount of resistant starch of the selected 20 maize hybrids.According to our results, there is a significant difference between the starch yield the amylose component of the starch content and resistant starch of the examined maize hybrids. Our studies reveal that maize as a raw material must be selected based on the cultivation objectives. If the objective is bio-ethanol production, detailed knowledge of starch content is necessary. There is a significant difference among commercial maize hybrids in Hungary in terms of characteristics determining the producible amount of bio-ethanol.

Development of maize production technology that increase the efficiency of bioethanol production

Maize is one of the most important crops worldwide and also in Hungary, it can be utilized for multiple purposes: as a feedingstuff, for human nutrition and for industrial processing. In the last decades, the per ha yield of maize varied greatly in Hungary, between 2004 and 2006, it was 6.82-7.56 t/ha, while in 2007, it was only 3.6 t/ha. Resulting from this, the price of maize became 2-2.5 times higher. The high price hinders bioethanol production. The largest per ton amount of bioethanol, 387 l, can be produced from maize.In addition to its classical utilization as feed and food, the industrial use (especially for bioethanol production) of maize is increasin.For industrial production, a new production technology is needed. I tested and selected hybrids appropriate for this purpose and set up fertilization and plant density experiments. The experiment were set up on chernozem soil in 2007.The applied fertilization treatment was N 120, P2O5 80 uniformly, and five different dosages of potassium: K2O 0, K2O 100 (KCl), K2O 100 (Kornkáli), K2O 200 (KCl), K2O 200 (Kornkáli) kg/ha active ingredient. The applied plant densities were 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 thousand plants/ha.The yield of maize hybrids in the fertilization experiment ranged between 10.53 – 14.62 t/ha. Both regarding the form and dosage, 100 kg/ha Kornkáli proved to be the best potassium treatment. Regarding the inner content parameters, the highest starch content in the average of treatments was obtained for the hybrid PR36K67: 73.57%, and its yield was also the highest, so this hybrid proved to be the most suitable for bioethanol production. The highest protein content was observed for the hybrids KWS 353 (12.13%), which can be favourable for feeding purposes.Most of the hybrids gave the highest yield at 80 thousand plants/ha plant density, however, hybrids PR36K67 and Mv Tarján achieved the highest yield at 90 thousand plants/ha.In bioethanol production, the selection of a high-yielding hybrid with high starch content, a slight reduction of N, increase of potassium, the application of the highest plant densities of the optimum interval, harvest at full maturity (when starch content is the highest compared to protein content) are of great importance.

FKM sealings for alternative fuel mixtures

The addition of varying amounts of bioethanol to gasoline in order to create so-called flex fuels changes the properties of the fuel. Consequently, all sealing components that come in contact with the fuel — such as valve stem seals, radial shaft seals (Simmer rings), and O-rings — must be resistant to ethanol. The flex fuels’ aggressive combustion products and blow-by products must also be taken into consideration. Freudenberg Dichtungs- und Schwingungstechnik has developed and successfully tested special fluororubber (FKM) compounds for flex fuel seals. These sealing elastomers have been optimized in such a way that they neither swell significantly nor do their mechanical properties, like elongation at break and tensile strength, change when they come in contact with E 22, E 85, and E 100. These sealing materials meet the automobile industry’s requirements for use in flex fuel vehicles.