Fuel Ethanol from Cellulosic Biomass

Abstract

Ethanol produced from cellulosic biomass is examined as a large-scale transportation fuel. Desirable features include ethanol's fuel properties as well as benefits with respect to urban air quality, global climate change, balance of trade, and energy security. Energy balance, feedstock supply, and environmental impact considerations are not seen as significant barriers to the widespread use of fuel ethanol derived from cellulosic biomass. Conversion economics is the key obstacle to be overcome. In light of past progress and future prospects for research-driven improvements, a cost-competitive process appears possible in a decade.

Keywords

Cellulosic ethanolBiomass (ecology)Raw materialBiofuelEnergy securityCorn ethanolObstacleEnvironmental scienceNatural resource economicsEthanol fuelBalance (ability)Renewable energyWaste managementEconomicsCelluloseEngineeringChemistryEcology

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Publication Info

Year: 1991
Type: article
Volume: 251
Issue: 4999
Pages: 1318-1323
Citations: 960
Access: Closed

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APA Style

                            
                                
                                    Lee R. Lynd, 
                                
                                    J. Hall Cushman, 
                                
                                    Roberta J. Nichols
                                
                                et al.
                            
                            (1991). 
                            Fuel Ethanol from Cellulosic Biomass. 
                            Science
                            , 251
                            (4999)
                            , 1318-1323.
                            https://doi.org/10.1126/science.251.4999.1318
                        

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1126/science.251.4999.1318