This project designed a process for bioethanol production from sugar beets. A comparison to a similar process designed by the USDA using corn showed that sugar beets may be a superior feedstock because more ethanol can be obtained per acre of farmland. The production cost per gallon would be similar at $2.30 for beets and $2.24 for corn. We recommend making further studies investigate lowering utility costs, general cost optimization, and that a pilot-scale plant be built.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Miranda, Kelsey Larson
• Kennedy, Sean Charles
• Bowen, Emily Linda

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042810-165653

Advisor

• DiBiasio, David
• Clark, William M.

Year

• 2010

Date created

• 2010-04-28

Location

• New York

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright