Ethanol can be produced from any biological feed stocks that contain appreciable amounts of sugar
or materials that can be converted into sugar such as starch or cellulose. Sugar beets and sugar cane are examples of feed
stocks that contain sugar. Corn contains starch that can relatively easily be converted into sugar. A significant percentage
of trees and grasses is made up of cellulose, which can also be converted to sugar, although with more difficulty than required
to convert starch.
The ethanol production process starts by grinding up the feedstock so it is more easily and quickly
processed in the following steps. Once ground up, the sugar is either dissolved out of the material or the starch or cellulose
is converted into sugar. The sugar is then fed to microbes that use it for food, producing ethanol and carbon dioxide in the
process. A final step purifies the ethanol to the desired concentration. (runnin it through a still) "Anyone want to make
and sell Stills?"
My site will test the economics of different feedstocks. I use a Still similar to what is seen on
the Home page. Moonshine recipes found on my website can all be used for ethanol when distilled properly.