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Brewing System |
Biofuel, Bio-Ethanol, ABE |
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Click on Links for Photographs or more information (details are for general guidance only, not a specification) |
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Vessel Size |
Any |
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What is Biofuel? |
Bio fuel, or Bio- Ethanol is a liquid fuel produced from starch sources such a cereals, sugar crops and vegetables. The alcohol produced by yeast fermentation can be extracted and burnt as a source of energy to provide heat or to power machinery or vehicles. Common example is E10 gasoline substitute widely used in America. ABE is an alternative biofuel, Acetone Butanol Ethanol. This is a well established technique using a bacterial fermentation by Clostridium acetylbutylicum, it was in widespread Western use until the 1900's (1980's in USSR) and South Africa), until competition from petrol chemicals removed the advantage. ABE has a higher energy content than ethanol. |
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How can it be made? |
Bio Ethanol (C2H5OH) is produced by yeast or bacterial fermentation from a solution of Sugars. In Beer brewing the solution of sugars is called Wort, in Wine manufacture the solution is called Must, in Spirit manufacture the solution is called Wash. The wash is fermented by yeast or Bacteria to make Ale, which contains about 5% alcohol and 95% water. ABE is produced in a similar manner. |
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How is Wash produced? |
A wash is made when a source of carbohydrate, eg starch (a polymer) is broken down into simpler sugars and dissolved in water. Starch can be broken down into simpler sugars by industrial means or by natural means. |
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Industrial Wash |
Starch eg from Grain, malt, wheat, barley, maize, vegetables etc is hydrolysed by heating in acid at high temperature eg Sulphuric acid, Hydochloric acid. The acid is then neutralised and the liquid wash is fermented by yeast to make Ale |
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Natural Wash |
Starch eg from Grain, malt, wheat, barley, maize, vegetables etc is digested into simpler sugars by enzymes. These enzymes can be artificially made eg by cultivated micro-organisms, or more commonly, contained in brewing malt. Hence the cereal crop is mixed with a small quantity of enzyme malt eg 5%. This system is the beer brewing method eg a single temperature infusion mash. Alternatively wash can be made from sugar crops such as beet or cane. |
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Ale production |
The wash , as made above, is fermented in tanks for about a week using yeast at temperatures between 20 to 30 Celsius. The sugar content is converted into alcohol. The wash is gradually converted to Ale. The ale is about 5% ethanol |
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Spirit Production |
The alcohol is removed from the ale by distillation. The ale is heated in a boiling vessel. At a temperature of 79 Celsius the ethanol evaporates off, and the alcohol vapour can be condensed in a condenser (a still) back into the liquid form. The alcohol produced in this way is never completely pure, it will always contain traces (4%) of water (it is called a azeotrophic mixture). Pure alcohol can only be made by chemical reaction or processing through molecular sieve columns. The distillation of the spirit requires an energy input, for example gas, electricity, coal, waste wood, combustable rubbish etc. |
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Fuel Use |
The crude spirit produced in this way can be used to fuel agricultural engines or for heating. It can be mixed in different ratios with gasoline to produce fuel for use in vehicles. A 10% mix with gasoline is called E10 and is a widely used fuel in the USA, vehicle engines need no modification to run on this fuel. Higher mixes require engine tuning. |
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Co-products |
The mashing process produces spent grains, also called draff. This is mainly the husk material from grains made largely of cellulose and some protein. It can be used as a cattle food or dried and used as a combustable fuel. The still produces a residue, which can be mixed with draff to produce dark grains. The environmental benefits of burning dark grains or feeding them to local animals is a fine arguement, as alternative food will have to be transported in to feed the animals. |
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Greenhouse Gasses |
Biofuel is carbon neutral. When the bio-ethanol is burnt it produces CO2 and Water. The CO2 produced in this way is not classified as a greenhouse gas, as it is "new" CO2, it is from recent crops. Green house CO2 is "old" gas that has been produced from the burning of old crops, ie fossil fuels extracted from beneath the earth's surface. |
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Microbrewery |
A Mossbrew brewing system contains most of the components to make biofuel. Additionally a condenser unit is required to be mounted on the copper to form a still for spirit manufacture. |
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Number Supplied |
1 experimental unit, grant funded |
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Ship to |
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Price |
Request "Microbrewery FAQ.doc" by email |
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At Cost, usually hired vehicle to |
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Installation |
Can be self installed, or optional cost service |
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Training |
optional 2 weeks on site recommended, alternative use manual and 3 day moonstone course |
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Maintenance |
Designed for low and self maintenance |
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Ongoing Support |
Master Brewer and MBA, usually by Fax and Email subject to terms of business |
