Reducing Water Use for Biofuels Production

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Reducing Water Use for Biofuels Production
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All industries that heat or cool, use water as
part of the process.

• The ethanol industry uses water to convert corn,
  a solid to ethanol, a liquid.

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Ethanol refineries use water to

• Convert corn to ethanol
• Heat the process
• Cool the process
• Supply restrooms and showers
• Wash down the plant and equipment

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It is very difficult to reduce water used to
convert solids to liquids.

• The ethanol industry is currently focusing on
  reducing water used in association with heating
  and cooling.

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Incoming water quality has a direct impact on how
much water a plant uses.

• The lower the mineral content of the water, the
  less water used in the ethanol refining process.

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Potential ways to reduce water usage in the
heating process and cooling process in an ethanol
refinery
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Change water source
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Use surface water
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Use gray water
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Use higher quality water supply
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Use cold lime softening
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Use proprietary treatment processes
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The ethanol industry is always working to be a
better steward of the worlds natural resources.