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For cereal crops (grain), sorghum has a multi-use benefits. In addition to the seeds used as food, stems and leaves for fodder, the sugars contained in the seeds (carbohydrate) or liquid / juice / juice bars (sweet sorghum) can be processed into ethanol (bioethanol). Made from raw sorghum bioethanol industry has been developed in many countries like the United States, China, India and Belgium. Anderson of Iowa State University reported that sweet sorghum contain fermentable sugars and the result is equivalent to 400-600 gallons of ethanol per acre, or approximately two times higher than corn.
Sorghum productivity of bioethanol in the United States reached 10,000 liters / ha, India 3000-4000 l / ha and China 7000 liters / ha. As bio-fuels (biofuels), sorghum bioethanol used in beberbagai purposes, such as blended with gasoline (premium) for motor vehicles or more commonly known as gasohol. In India, in addition to gasohol, sorghum bioethanol is also used as fuel for lamps (pressurized ethanol lantern) is called "Noorie" that produces 1250-1300 lumens (roughly equivalent to a 100 W light bulb). Sorghum bioethanol is also used as a cooking stove fuel (ethanol pressurized stove) that produce heat capacity of 3 kW.
China is one country that has successfully developed a sweet sorghum in line with efforts to increase the productivity of these lands or marginal problem. In such lands, coupled with the lack of availability of water for agriculture, causing difficulties for the cultivation of sugar cane (sugar cane) in 20 provinces located along the valley of the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers. This condition causes China must import sugar as much as 2 million tons per year. According to research results of Chinese experts, the potential for the area planted with sweet sorghum as sweet sorghum requires less water than sugarcane, which is only one-third only. Meanwhile, sweet sorghum growing period (3-4 months) shorter than sugarcane (7 months) to enable the sweet sorghum can be harvested twice a year. Through his research program China has succeeded in developing sorghum bioethanol industry with productivity 7000 liters / ha.
Traditionally, ethanol actually has a longer molasses produced from sugar cane processing of waste (sugar cane). Although prices are relatively cheaper sugar cane molasses, sorghum bioethanol yet had a chance to compete considering several advantages compared to sweet sorghum cane as follows:
Sorghum seed production and biomass has a much higher than sugar cane.
Adaptation of sorghum cane is much more extensive than that sorghum can be grown in almost all types of land, both arable land and marginal land.
Sorghum crop have the trait are more resistant to drought, high salinity and waterlogging than sugar cane.
Sorghum crop water requirements for only one-third of the sugar cane crop.
Sorghum requires relatively little fertilizer and maintenance easier than sugar cane.
The rate of photosynthesis and growth of sorghum plants is much higher and faster than sugar cane.
Easier to plant sorghum, seed needs only 4.5 to 5 kg / ha compared to 4500-6000 kg of sugarcane which require stem cuttings.
Sorghum harvest age faster is only 3-4 months, compared to sugar cane which is harvested at age 7 months.
Sorghum can diratun so for once the planting can be harvested several times.
Bioethanol industry requires land for extensive plantations of sweet sorghum and planting should be done throughout the year, and should not utilize land that is a food crop land. Assuming productivity of sorghum in the production of bioethanol for 2000-3500 liters / ha / growing season or 4000-7000 liters / ha / year (in Indonesia can be planted two seasons), then to produce 60 million kilo liters / year of bioethanol will be required land area of 15 million hectares. Learning from China, perhaps we can direct the development of sweet sorghum in an area of the line and the direction of the utilization of marginal land, idle land, or other non-productive land is found very widely available in our country, so it will not compete with other plants .
Opportunities sweet sorghum developed on dry land is quite extensive, both in wet temperate regions (Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua) and the dry climate area (Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Southeast, and parts of Sumatra and Java). The total dry land area estimated 143.9 million hectares. Extents of these, 31.5 million ha of dry land with a flat wavy topography (slope <8%) and according to established plantations sorghum. Land on dry land wet climates are generally sour and is a hallmark of most of Indonesia. Landless sour lands have low levels of soil fertility, and an obstacle in the production of agricultural crops in general. Through plant breeding programs, may need to be investigated sorghum genotypes that can adapt well to the conditions of such agricultural land.Mr. Wahyudhono from Astra Motor visiting sorghum research in issues relating to the utilization BATAN sorghum for bio-fuels (biofuels)
Bioethanol or ethyl alcohol is alcohol made from raw materials that can be updated. Bioethanol is usually produced by fermentation of material containing glucose or glucose polymers (polysaccharides). Nearly 93% of the world's ethanol is ethanol that is the result of anaerobic conversion of biomass, while the rest is ethanol which is chemically synthesized from petroleum derivatives.
Bioethanol can be used as agents to increase the octane number in gasoline because ethanol is sufficiently high octane number (135) while the premium octane fuel is sold as 98. The higher the octane, the more resistant the fuel to not burn yourself so as to produce stable combustion process to obtain a more stable power. Combustion process with a more perfect power would reduce emissions of carbon monoxide gas. 3% mixture of bioethanol alone, can reduce carbon monoxide emissions to only 1.35% [Anonymous, 2007].
Gasoline consumption in Indonesia in 2005 reached 16 jutakilo liters (Sutanto). Fraction premium generated by petroleum processing units in Indonesia are not sufficient to meet the needs of premium Indonesia. To overcome the deficit premium, Indonesia needs to import premium from international markets. Indonesia needs premium predicted in 2008 of 19.6 million kilo liters. With the amount of crude oil processing unit that has not increased, the production of premium resulting Indonesia remains, then Indonesia will import premium in greater numbers in the coming years.
The government has actually been trying to find a way out to reduce petroleum imports in the future by issuing a Presidential Regulation. 5 of 2006 on national energy policy to develop alternative energy sources as a substitute for fuel oil. Based on these regulations is expected in 2025, 17% of Indonesia's energy needs supplied by renewable energy (Yudhoyono, 2005). One source of energy that can be utilized as an energy alternative is ethanol. Although the specific energy density of ethanol is smaller than the premium (specific energy density of ethanol from 23.4 to 26.8 MJ / kg, specific energy density of the premium from 45 to 48.3 MJ / kg) (Sutanto), but ethanol feedstock is abundant in Indonesia and ethanol production processes can be developed in Indonesia, then the ethanol as an alternative energy source to substitute the premium is very possible to be applied in Indonesia.
Utilization of ethanol and gasoline-ethanol mixtures as fuel has been carried out since the beginning of automobile vehicles. Utilization of pure ethanol as a vehicle fuel was first introduced by Henry Ford on the model of car assemblies thereof (Husky Energy, 2007), even in April 1933 in Nebraska was 10% bioethanol blend sold at premium (Praj Industries, 2006). Earlier, the stock of oil, which was limited and more expensive, the use of ethanol as a fuel has not been deemed necessary. But recent decades, rising oil prices have prompted the search of alternative energy to overcome the energy crisis began to threaten the world. The environmental impact caused by fossil fuel use is also a consideration the right selection of alternative energy and environmentally friendly. The use of ethanol as a fuel has several advantages compared with the fuel, namely: a) a high oxygen content (35%) so if burned very clean, b) environmentally friendly because the carbon-gas emission mono-oxide is 19-25% lower than the fuel thus do not contribute to the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (Costello and Chun, 1988), and is renewable, whereas the fuel will be depleted due to fossil raw materials.
Production of Bioethanol
Bioethanol is produced by anaerobic fermentation of biomass conversion of glucose-containing materials group. The fermentation process generally consists of three stages, namely the manufacture of soluble sugars, fermentation of sugars to ethanol, and the separation and purification of ethanol which is usually conducted in distillate (Badger, 2002).
Bioethanol production technology has been progressing and is divided into first and second generation technologies. The second difference is based on the generation of raw materials to manufacture bioethanol (McCutcheon, 2007). The first generation bioethanol is produced from materials containing sugar or starch, such as molasses, sugar beets, sugar cane, barley, several kinds of wheat, corn, potatoes, cassava, sugar cane.
Starchy materials generally contain amylase and amylopectin. Amylase is a linear glucose polymer composed of glucose units linked by al ,4-glycosidic bonds, whereas amylopectin is a branched polymer which branches are connected by bonding a-1, 6. Starchy materials used to produce bioethanol is also utilized as food. Competition raw materials for food and ethanol production materials encourage business usage of raw materials other than human food chain. Results of development resulted in a second-generation technologies that use materials that contain cellulose or hemicellulose.
Production of ethanol by the first-generation technology has been widely applied in the world, including Indonesia. While second-generation technology is still in its early stages of research and development on a pilot scale. Although still in its early stages of research, production of ethanol with second-generation technology has the potential to be developed capable for producing bioethanol with high gain without competing with food.
Bioethanol Production in First Generation Technology
Bioethanol production process that has been developed and applied in general involves two stages, namely the process of saccharification and fermentation. Saccharification process aims to break down carbohydrates (like sugar, cellulose and hemicellulose) into sugar monomers.
On the raw material molasses, sugar beet and sugar cane that has been widely used as a feedstock for ethanol, the ethanol-making process is simpler because the raw materials can be directly disakarifikasi by adding glucoamylase (Caylak and Sports, 1998). As for starchy raw materials, before the saccharification process must be done in advance liquefaksi process, a process with a starchy raw material has been applied widely, especially in Brazil and in the U.S. to produce bioethanol, but in Indonesia are still held at the household scale. Liquefaksi done because the process of ethanol fermentation microorganisms are not able to convert starch to ethanol directly, the necessary enzymes to convert starch into maltose oligosaccharides on, then through the process of saccharification converted into simple sugars easily fermented.
Saccharification Process
Saccharification process aims to convert the dextrins produced in liquefaksi process so as to produce mono-or di-saccharides (Frings, 2007). Saccharification process carried out by adding glucoamylase. In this process the release of ad-glucose from the non reducing end sugar 1,4-a-glucan. The reaction takes place at pH 4-5 and at temperatures of 50-60 degrees C (Frings, 2006) for 2 hours (Anonymous, 2007).
Fermentation Process
The fermentation process took place at pH 4-6, at temperatures of 30-35 degrees C (Frings, 2006) and maintained anaerobic fermentation conditions. Microbes that help the process of fermentation is Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Zimomonas mobilis. The fermentation process capable of producing ethanol to levels above 12% because the levels of microorganisms that help the fermentation process can not work anymore.
Process Liquefaksi
At this stage there liquefaksi gelatinasi process to break down starch to form the starch dextrin. Liquefaksi process carried out at high temperature is 80-90 degrees C and pH 5 (Frings, 2006) for 30 minutes (Anonymous, 2007), starch-solving process is done by adding the enzyme amylase. Amylase is added may consist of two types, namely endo-amylase which will attack the bonding a-1, 4 glycosidic the starch polymer randomly and ekso-amylase which will menghidrolisa glucose or maltose from the reducing end of starch polymers (Neves, 2006).
Separation and Purification Process
To separate the ethanol broth with microbial biomass is done by decantation. Some padatangki fermentation of biomass returned to perform subsequent fermentation. To separate the ethanol from the fermentation broth can be carried out by distillation to rise because the water content in the broth is still high. Capable of producing ethanol distillation storey with a maximum of 95.6% purity, because the purity of the ethanol formed azeotrop with water so it can not be separated again with the usual separation. To get ethanol fuel standard, purity 99%, can be carried out by adding entrainer, with membrane separation in evaporation, or by using a molecular sieve (Frings, 2006).
Hydrolysis and Fermentation Process
In the course of the development of bioethanol production processes, hydraulic processes (saccharification) and fermentation can be classified into two different processes, namely the process of Hydrolysis-Separate-Fermentation (SHF) and the Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF) (Neves, 2006).
Separate process-Hydrolysis-Fermentation
Separate process-Hydrolysis-Fermentation (SHF) is a manufacturing process in which the phase hydrolysis and ethanol fermentation stage takes place separately. Raw materials containing starch hydrolysis process experience (liquefaksi and saccharification) separately from the fermentation process. After the hydrolysis process is complete, continue the process of fermentation. It is intended to facilitate the control of each stage, in order to achieve the desired results. In addition, the interaction between the two stages can be minimized.
SHF process has several drawbacks, including the performance of a-amylase which is not optimal due to the occurrence of the enzyme by the accumulation of sugar inihibisi although the content of a-amylase in the system high. If the a-amylase terinhibisi then the process will halt liquefaksi although not all of the available starch is converted into simple sugars (Neves, 2006). Inhibition will ultimately affect the ethanol produced.
Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation
To overcome the weakness that occurs in the SHF, is developing a new process with a process called Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF), as has been patented by Gulf Oil Company and the University of Arkansas (1979). SSF processes have the same basic process of SHF, only phase hydrolysis and fermentation stage takes place simultaneously in one tank. Some time after adding a-amylase, glucoamylase is added to the tank to convert the dextrins produced by a-amylase into simple sugars to ferment into ethanol. Then the tank was also added Saccharomyces cerevisiae to ferment sugars into ethanol, so there is no accumulation of sugar which will cause the a-amylase inhibition (Neves, 2006).
The presence of yeast / bacteria together with the enzyme in a reaction tank, may reduce the accumulation of sugar in the tank so that performance can be a maximum of a-amylase and starch can be converted into simple sugars and all the ethanol produced is higher than the SHF [Neves, 2006].
SSF process these last few years has been modified to include also the stage of substrate cofermentasi double sugar. This process is known as Simultaneous Saccharijication and coFermentation (SSCF).
Prior to hydrolysis by the enzyme treatment, the biomass will experience initial treatment (pre-treatment) in advance, in order to condition the biomass to the nature of the enzyme. After experiencing pre-treatment, enzymatic hydrolysis of biomass and then experiencing. The results of this hydrolysis is not all fermented, because some will form a residue. From the fermentation was, ethanol can be formed.
Bioethanol Production with Second Generation Technology
Ethanol or a mixture of gasoline-ethanol as an alternative fuel has been widely applied in several countries such as Brazil, USA, and several countries in Europe. Even in America, more than 5 million vehicles have been using E85 bioethanol, which is a mixture of 85% and a premium of 15% (Anonymous, 2006). The amount of biomass needed to produce bioethanol as biofuel becomes a separate problem because the biomass in the form of simple sugars (like sugar, sugar cane, corn) is easily degraded into monomeric sugars, also acts as a source of food for both humans and animals. Besides the reduction of emissions by the combustion of bioethanol has not been as low as expected.
Both of the above spur development of alternatives as a bioethanol feedstock, ie lignocellulosic materials (wood products, fiber or even waste that can be degraded). Bioethanol with the raw material is referred to as bietanol Second Generation (Second Generation) because it includes the type of raw material more widely.
The advantage of lignocellulose-based bioethanol, among others (Hagerdal et.al, 2006):
• lignocellulosic raw materials will reduce the likelihood of conflict between land used for food production (and feed) and land for the production of raw materials pasukanenergi.Harga this type is more expensive than first-generation feedstock and can be obtained by the amount of fertilizer, pesticide and energy are relatively more a little.
• Bioethanol made from lignocellulosic produce greenhouse gas emissions are lower, reducing the environmental impact of climate change in particular.
• Bioethanol is likely to open up employment opportunities in rural areas
By looking at these benefits, the prospect of research began heading toward the development of lignocellulose-based bioethanol. Research on berselulosa material utilization as a raw material of ethanol production has been started since 1950.
The principle of production of bioethanol from materials berselulosa equal to the production of bioethanol from sugar or starchy material, which consists of two stages. The first stage is the conversion of cellulose into sugar and the second stage is the production of ethanol from sugar conversion results. Conversion of cellulose into sugars through hydrolysis reaction. Hydrolysis reaction can be chemically or enzymatically. Once a simple sugar obtained from the process of hydrolysis, fermentation to produce ethanol with conventional ethanol production using microbial and reaction conditions previously mentioned.
Acid hydrolysis in Chemistry with
Chemical hydrolysis reaction can be carried out using dilute acid and concentrated acid. The use of dilute acid hydrolysis process carried on at high temperature and pressure with a short reaction time (several minutes). The temperature required is reached 200 degrees C. Dilute acid used is 0.2 to 4% by weight (Nguyen and Tucker, 2002). The use of dilute acid hydrolyze cellulose ordinary profit to reach up to 50% reaction conversion (Badger, 2002). Low conversion is due to the degradation of sugars formed by hydrolysis of the reaction temperature used high. Hydrolysis process using a dilute acid consists of two stages. The first stage is the conversion of materials into simple sugars berselulosa and the second stage is the degradation of a simple sugar that is formed into other chemical structures. Degradation of sugar not only lowers the conversion reaction, but also can be toxic to microorganisms at the time of reaction on the formation of ethanol fermentation.
In addition to dilute acid, the hydrolysis process can also be done using concentrated acid. The use of concentrated acid on cellulose hydrolysis process carried out at temperatures much lower than dilute acid. Acid concentration used was 10-30% (Zimbardi et.al). Source of acid used is sulfuric acid. The reaction temperature is 100 degrees C and the reaction takes between 2 and 6 hours. Lower temperatures to minimize degradation of sugars. The advantage of using concentrated acid is produced by a high sugar conversion, which can reach 90% conversion (Badger, 2002). Disadvantages of this reaction is the reaction time required for longer and need a good washing process to achieve the pH of the reaction before adding microbes to the formation of ethanol fermentation process.
By Enzymatic Hydrolysis
Another method used to hydrolyze cellulose is enzymatically. Enzymes are natural proteins that can catalyze a particular reaction. To be able to work, the enzyme must be direct contact with the substrate to be hydrolyzed. Since cellulose is naturally bound by lignin, which is permeable to water as a carrier of the enzyme, then for the enzymatic hydrolysis process requires pretreatmen so that enzymes can be in direct contact with cellulose. Pretreatmen done to break down the crystalline structure of cellulose and lignin so that cellulose can be split apart. Pretreatmen can be chemically or physically. Physical methods that can be done is to use high temperature and pressure, milling, radiation, or cooling, all of which require high energy. While chemically pretreatmen method uses solvents to break down and dissolve the lignin (method deligniflkasi) (Badger, 2002).
The enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose using enzymes penghidrolisis, namely cellulases or can also directly use the cellulase-producing microbes, for example Trichodermareesei. The advantage is the efficiency of the enzymatic hydrolysis of high reaction because the enzyme is selective so that the formation of side products can be minimized, the reaction conditions of temperature and pressure is not high, can even be done at room temperature and atmospheric pressure so it does not require special equipment for the reaction. While the lack of the enzymatic hydrolysis process is the reaction time required for longer, can be reached 72 hours.
The author is a researcher at the Research Center for Chemistry - LIPI. Written above is taken from the magazine Science News, LIPI
Jakarta - Various dread about the future of mankind, especially the disaster caused more environmental damage spreads. One that makes vigorous discourse penghembuskan course Hollywood movies, the United States (U.S.). Through science fiction films and documentary.
For me, the horror that is spread by entertaining is a form of learning about the environment that is easy to digest a lot of people. Not without reason, one of the scientific predictions estimate that in the year 2100 the expected increase in global temperatures between 1.0 to 4.5 degrees Celsius, the mountains melt polar ice and cause sea level increases 60centimeter.
What happens if the prediction is actually happening? Major cities in the world are mostly located in the lowlands of course under water, while the population tormented by the heat of the outdoor temperature. Other risks for Indonesia, possible loss of thousands of islands as sea levels rose.
Climatic changes of course will affect the plants as well. Productivity and development of pests and plant diseases will be an impact on water availability and distribution of human disease vectors. In the long term food security and water needs of living creatures will be disrupted. Humans lose the source of life.
Climate change and global temperature increase is due to the number of release of carbon into the air. Carbon is one of them came from the resulting combustion industries and households. Carbon contained in the air will attenuate and disrupt the ability of the atmosphere toreflects the ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun. It is commonly known also by the effects of greenhouse gases.
In a workshop that was held by Wetlands International, presented between 1850 to 1998 an estimated 270 gigatonnes (Gt) of carbon have been released into the atmosphere. Contributed the largest part of human activity like burning fossil fuels and industrial activities, amounting to 67 percent.
Global land clearing within the last 20 years has resulted in the release of 1.65 Gt of carbon per year. More than 80 percent coming from developing countries and Indonesia alone contribute nine percent (0.155 Gt of carbon) with the ability of 0.110 Gt of carbon sequestration. Forest does have a function as an absorber (sink) and storage (reservoirs) of carbon, the term carbonsinks.
The world did not stay silent, it must be overcome by reducing emissions from the source and also increases the absorption capability. In World Climate Change Convention (The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change / UNFCCC), which played at Summit (Summit) Earth 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, emission reduction commitments of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that have been agreed upon about 150 countries, including Indonesian.
The commitment was finalized in the Conference of Parties (COP) III UNFCCC in 1997 that gave birth to the Kyoto Protocol. Developed countries agreed to push their emissions to a level of five percent below 1990 emission levels. The target was achieved in the first commitment period, between 2008-2012. Important gases mentioned in the Kyoto Protocol are carbon dioxide (CO), methane (CH), nitrogen oxide (NO), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulfur hexafluorida (SF6).
Since then also, developing new trends, carbon trading (carbon trade). Carbon trading is a term for the activity funds of the countries producing carbon emissions to countries that have the potential of natural resources to be able to naturally absorb carbon emissions. Conservation is motivated by the reward of fresh funds through the clean development schemes (clean development mechanism / CDM).
This is an excellent opportunity to exploit the potential of nature. Of course, another way besides cutting down trees. Because that is calculated in carbon trading is preserved existing forest and planting on non-forest areas. And perform repairs of damaged forests by reforestation.
Indonesia with its forest cover, has the potential to enter the era of carbon trading. Based on data from ADB - GEF - UNDP Indonesia has demonstrated the capacity of the carbon reduction of more than 686 million tons of which came from forest management. If the average price per ton of carbon of U.S. $ 5, then Indonesia has the potential to sell surplus carbon certificates worth U.S. $ 3.430 billion or about Rp 34 trillion.
These calculations do not include carbon released by Indonesia itself. But, the more protected forest, the more trees planted in any vacant land, the land area rehabilitated and reforested will certainly increase the potential receipt of funds.
It becomes a moral incentive for the spirit of the Forestry Department in conducting natural resource conservation forest and land rehabilitation. As has been done so far through various movements and campaigns. Among Penananam Unison Indonesia Movement which has its own theme and target each year, and the National Movement for Forest and Land Rehabilitation (GNRHL).
For the state, of course profitable carbon trading mechanisms. Success in an effort to maintain, enhance, and restore forest sustainability in their operations that do not cost you a bit turned out to generate profits in the financial form.
Real bid for Indonesia
If all this carbon trafficking is still regarded as a discourse, the most obvious bid for carbon trading came not long ago from Australia. Mid-November 2008, Carbon Strategic Global (CSG) Australia offers the purchase of oxygen produced in the forest of West Sumatra.
The proposed oxygen produced in a protected forest area 10 districts and one city in West Sumatra. Covering an area of 865,560 ha of protected forest is located in an area of 126,600 ha Solok, in South Solok 63,879 ha, 31,120 ha of Plains, Southern Coastal 49,720 ha, 232,660 ha Pasaman, 50 City of 151,713 ha and 34,460 ha Agam regency. Then in the West Pasaman 56 829 ha, PadangPariaman 19,894 ha, 85,835 ha Sijunjung and protected forest in the city of Padang which covers 12 850 ha.
CSG has offered compensation of Rp 900 billion per year to oxygen produced in the protected forests of West Sumatra. If trade were realized, the compensation fund will be received well by the local government that has protected forest area and produce oxygen.
Substantial funds that, in addition to new revenue for the region can also be used to improve the welfare of communities around the forest and the indigenous customary owners of protected forest. So the effort to get to the utilization of forests for people's prosperity be realized. Any problems such as cases of illegal logging, forest fires, forest encroachment could be reduced as much as mugkin, certainly a positive impact economically and socially.
Since the Minister of State for Research and Technology Dr. Kusmayanto Kadiman launching gasohol fuel BE-10 in late January 2005 which is further supported by the rise in world crude oil prices to touch U.S. $ 70/barel, then bioethanol has received wide publicity through print and electronically as well as in el exhibitions held this year.
Reaction of the community is very diverse, ranging from supporting to opposing. More support, partly because people are upset with the increase in fuel prices which is seen to threaten their lives. Tucked hope, may bioethanol canbecome an alternative fuel that is cheaper. The arguments against providing diverse, ranging from nutrient greedy cassava, bioethanol has the potential to become a competitor of foodstuffs that are imported, up to the threats to biodiversity due to monoculture feedstock for ethanol. The automotive enthusiasts take a somewhat different way of reacting, they are willing to travel hundreds of miles to get tens of liters of bioethanol, try it yourself and then provide a report by the tabloids, email or sms.
This paper does not pretend to directly respond to public reaction, but more of an effort to provide input to the community, the members legeslatif and decision makers in government, before the select (or deselect) bioethanol as alternative fuel in the future.
Technical usability of bioethanol as a fuel use of bioethanol as a fuel, in fact the same age as the development of the automotive industry. Ford's first generation (Type T) is a car that uses bioethanol as a fuel. Since the gasoline produced at a low price after World War II, bioethanol excluded because the price is not competitive enough. The oil crisis of the 1970s raised the bioethanol as alternative fuel in the U.S., Brazil and several countries in Asia and Europe.
Bioethanol is a multi-purpose because it is mixed with gasoline in the composition of any positive impact. Mixing of absolute ethanol with gasoline as much as 10% (90%), often called gasohol E-10. Gasohol abbreviation of gasoline (petrol) plus alcohol (bioethanol). Absolute ethanol has the octane number (ON) 117, while the Premium is only 87-88. E-10 gasohol proportionately have 92 or equivalent Pertamax ON. In this composition octan enhancers known as bioethanol (additive) of the most environmentally friendly and in developed countries has shifted the use of Tetra Ethyl Lead (TEL) and Methyl Tertiary Buthyl Ether (MTBE).
Banning MTBE is a hot topic in the discussion of Energy Bill in Congress and the Senate states in the U.S.. Mixing up to 24% can still use conventional gasoline cars. On top of that, it needs a special car that has been widely produced in the U.S. and Brazil. The popular and in demand today are Flexible-Fuel Vehicle (FFV). This kind of "smart car" because it is equipped with sensors and automation panel which can set the machine to use gasoline-bioethanol blend in technical berapapun.Etanol composition (95% ethanol, 5% water) was also used on special cars alcohol in Brazil, although the end- This final overshadowed by FFV car.
AvailabilityBioethanol can be prepared from various types of starchy crops (cassava, corn, grain sorghum, sago), sugar plants (sugar cane, sweet sorghum, beets) and fiber (straw, dung saws, bagasse). All types of raw materials, on the condition of the current price of crude oil production cost competitive against gasoline. For plants starchy and sugary, with an average productivity of 5,000 liters of ethanol / ha per year, all gasoline consumption by 16 million pounds per year (in 2005) can be produced by cultivation of raw materials covering 3.2 million hectares (1, 7% of Indonesia's land area). If in the near future, cellulosic fiber materials (straw and the like) can compete with starch-patian and sugar, the amount of land used to be much less.
The competitiveness of gasolineBioethanol production costs associated with fuel used in their production process. The cost of bioethanol production in Brazil because the cheapest electricity and steam used in the process can be met through the combustion of bagasse, so the production cost of only half the price of gasoline. While in the U.S., because it uses natural gas as process fuel, experience penigkatan production costs because of natural gas also rose with the rise in oil prices. As an illustration, the per-August 30, 2005, when crude oil price of U.S. $ 69.81 / barrel, gasoline prices Rp 6,500, Rp 5600 -/liter and bioethanol, -/liter (assuming 1US $ 1 = 10,000).
Competition of raw materials or improving the welfare of farmers?Without coupled with the intensification and extensification of land, industrial bioethanol will compete directly with the user sugarcane / molasses, cassava, corn and other raw materials. At this critical condition, bioethanol industry is more sensitive to price increases compared to the food industry, because the cost of 1 liter of bioethanol production is almost equal to the price of 1 kg of food industry products. Whereas one liter of ethanol requires 2 kg of raw material equivalent of 2 kg of food industry products. Thus, the bioethanol industry will certainly not compete and seek alternative raw materials are cheaper. In other words, because the raw material needs are great, bioethanol industry can actually act as a buffer of agricultural commodity prices. Farmers do not need to worry about falling prices, food sementaraketahanan be increased due to the abundant production.
Bioethanol industry may be analogous with brooms fish in the pond. With the slow motion, she slid her mouth turned accommodate the remains of other fish food, but when no food left on the surface of the water, moss attached to the wall kolampun eaten.
Positive-negative impact on the environmentProduction of bioethanol from plants and its use in automobile engine will create the balance of carbon dioxide cycle, which means it will reduce the rate of global warming. More complete burning of gasoline when blended bioethanol 10% will improveair quality in cities dense traffic. In Indonesia it is becoming crucial, because the additives lead (TEL) is still used outside Java-Bali. Not cheap to replace TEL additive HOMC (High Octane mogas Component) because the cost of production is very expensive. The experience of many countries shows, bioethanol be the cheapest option.
On the negative side, the production of bioethanol on a large scale could potentially cause a decrease in biodiversity through monoculture following raw material agricultural practices that damage the quality of the land. This is not a new problem and must be addressed together through the application of other agro-industries for sustainable agriculture (sustainable agriculture) are integrated with a system of non bio-waste. Integration of the cultivation of raw materials to bioethanol plants and dairy farms have been shown to reduce investment costs, which can lower the minimum capacity of the plant. In addition, the use of a variety of raw materials also will not have much effect on the initial investment because the process is much simpler than the process of fermentation, distillation and dehydration.
Needs Foreign Investment versus SavingsThere are no strict limits, a minimum number of commercial-scale bioethanol plant. Of 83 fruit bioethanol plant in the U.S., the scale ranged from 2.5 kl / day up to 1,000 kL / day, although it is generally above 100 kL / day. By rough count, every multiple of 10 times its capacity, investment cost is decreased by half. The investment cost of bioethanol refinery capacity of 100 kL / day ranged between USD 2-3 billion per-kiloliternya. With the price of ethanol is calculated the same as gasoline only, the construction of a plant this size would save foreign exchange to import gasoline for 33 000 kL / year x Rp 5450, - / liter or USD 179.85 billion, -.
Rada picture is naughty but seriously how about gasoline subsidy in 2005 is used to build a bioethanol plant? A quarter of our fuel is gasoline. If agreed subsidy for fuel to Rp 89.2 trillion, then the figure of Rp 22.3 trillion with which to build a bioethanol plant 89 fruit @ capacity of 100 kL / day. Bioethanol is produced 2.937 million kL / year or mensubsitusi nearly 20% of gasoline demand in this country with foreign exchange savings of Rp 89.2 trillion! Bioethanol as much as it requires a land area of 587,000 hectares of marginal quality of the ordinary to be planted with cassava, sugarcane, sorghum or corn as raw material of bioethanol. Next, please imagine yourself jobs created in the agricultural-rural areas.
The key to commitment and marketPhysical construction of bioethanol plant took two years, so the "dream" at the top if started early in 2006 will produce bioethanol substitute gasoline consumption by nearly 20% in 2008-2009. As a real example, China in 2001 has yet to produce fuel grade ethanol, but with a strong commitment to the Chinese government, without too much into account the market, in 2004 China has managed to produce 2 million kiloliters of fuel grade ethanol per year.
We are on the right momentum to select (or deselect all) to produce bioethanol as a substitute (in part) of gasoline, because the market is in favor of bioethanol. Oil prices may be volatile, but the experience of Brazil and the U.S. prove they were not wrong choice when they went on bioethanol program despite frequent oil prices fell sharply in the period 1970-2000. After all petroleum will be exhausted, so that even volatile, the trend in oil prices will tend to increase.
"Dreams" on the paper above, with a strong commitment with price regulations, etc., may be quite realistic to materialize a quarter or a fifth.
Written by Dr. Ir. M. Yudiarto Arif M. Eng. (Head of Ethanol Technologyand derivatives - Starch Technology Center BPPT) and Ir. Djuma'aliM. Si (reviewers Ethanol BPPT)
Bioenergy is an alternative energy derived from biological sources. The advantages of this bio-energy utilization is to increase the quality of the environment, promote economic growth, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
At present the development of bioenergy has reached the fourth generation that is changing vegoil and biodiesel into gasoline. The first generation bio-energy development is considered less ethical because it competes with food and feed ingredients into vegetable oil, biodiesel, bio-alcohol, biogas, solid biofuels, and syngas. Utilization of outside food and feed materials began in the second generation include using waste, cellulose and plant dedicated to the development of energy (dedicated energy crops), which converts biomass into liquid technology. The third generation is the development of biofuels derived from algae oligae. In addition, the utilization of bioenergy today even has come to the development of aircraft fuel. The Embraer EMB 202 Ipanema is the first plane to fuel ethanol and widely used on agricultural land (agricultural aircraft). Moreover, it has also developed syngas-based timber used as a generator.
In 2005 countries in other parts of South America has produced 16.3 billion liters of ethanol, accounted for 33.3 percent of world production and 42 percent of the production of ethanol is used as fuel. Countries that have been using BE 10 (mixture of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline), including the U.S., Canada, India, Thailand, China, the Philippines and Japan. Only Brazil has been using BE 20. The existence of current hybrid technology, Brazil no longer just a vehicle that uses gasoline but has put on 20-25% ethanol (E25). From the data acquired, as many as 3 million cars have been operated using 100% ethanol and 6 million cars hybrid tech (flexible-fuels vehicles).
Anticipatory measures have also been made developed countries to face the energy crisis in the future by directing a strategic energy policy to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy, especially bioenergy. The Australian government regulate the use of biofuels for transport policy, industry and power plants. In the USA, the end of 2005 the U.S. biodiesel production to reach 4 billion gallons and will increase to 8 billion gallons by 2012. In addition, in 2005 the Netherlands also took the policy to import 400 thousand tons of palm oil from Indonesia to be converted into biodiesel. In addition to the above mentioned countries, Indonesia also issued a policy through Presidential Instruction No.1 of 2006, to encourage the Department of Agriculture to supply raw materials and the development of biofuels to reduce dependence on fuel. In 2025, the Indonesian government targets biofeul usage by 5%.
Bioenergy DEVELOPMENT IN INDONESIAUtilization of alternative energy are aggressively promoted these days is not without reason. In 2010, estimated at 23 million kL of gasoline required to meet community needs. But Pertamina is only capable of supplying about 16 Mt of kL / year and tends to a constant, but every year people's needs continue to increase by 10%. As a result, governments are overwhelmed domestic gasoline needs. In addition, the depletion of fossil fuel supplies and carbon emissions is also one of the main driving force.
Based on a review of the Department of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) the latest on the condition of energy in Indonesia. If no new exploration, according to calculations of EMR, the petroleum reserves of about 9.7 barrels and is expected to expire 15 years from now. For our coal reserves of about 50 billion tonnes (3% of world potential) is estimated to be used at least 150 years. For the geothermal reserves of about 27 thousand MW (40% of potential world) and gas 60 years. As for the power of water about 75 thousand MW (0.02% of the potential of the world). If the government does not take the initiative to find renewable materials, then this country will be worse off in terms of energy needs. Energy crisis, particularly fuel oil (BBM) which is induced by rising fuel prices has made Indonesia the world needs to find sources of alternative fuels that may be developed in Indonesia.
Indonesia as one of the tropical countries that have natural resources with huge potential. Agricultural business is a business with huge potential to be developed in Indonesia because Indonesia has the potential of land resources, agro-climate and adequate human resources. Tropical climatic conditions with adequate rainfall, availability of land that is still widespread, and has been the development of production optimization technology can support the feasibility of developing biofuels (bioenergy).
Biofuels are fuels from biological sources (renewable energy). Biofuels, if interpreted to substitute fuel, then the biofuel is one form of energy from biomass in the form of liquid, such as biodiesel, bioethanol and biooil. In Indonesia there are 49 types of plants that can be utilized as an energy source. Some of the plants as a potential producer of bioenergy is the coconut palm, coconut, castor, cotton, canola, and rapeseed for biodiesel, and cassava, sweet potato, sugarcane, sorghum, sago, palm, palm, and palm for bioethanol (Sumaryono 2006) . Besides the potential for producing bioenergy, some commodities, like oil palm, coconut, cotton, cassava, sugar cane, and sago, is also a source of food commodities and feed. Development of food commodities as a source of bioenergy feedstock is seen as less ethical because it competes with food and feed.
In order to diversify energy target by 2025 the next-to increase the share of renewable energy 5% of the total national energy requirements need to be initiated from now. If the current 23 million kL petrol is required then at least 1.15 million kL of bioethanol to be produced. Currently bioethanol produced only reached 187,800 kL / year or only 16% of the target should be. For that Indonesia indeed necessary effort to achieve it. Development of Ethanol as a fuel has been done BBPT with Ethanol Pilot Plant has a capacity of 8000 liters per day with levels of 99%. Only able to produce fuel grade ethanol (FGE) 50 liters / day. One unit of FGE engine with capacity of 60 kilo liters / day requires an investment of around 7.5 million USD. Urgent needs of the community towards a sustainable energy adequacy must be a sufficient consideration for the government in deciding where this nation will hang its energy needs in the future.
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