Researchers Continue Work on Ethanol Alternatives

Two teams of scientists in the Midwest have reportedly made strides toward producing an ethanol alternative that is more environmentally friendly than petroleum-based diesel fuel, according to the Associated Press.

A team in Aberdeen, S.D., led by Al Kasperson, head of the Dakota Renewable Fuels Co., has produced an ethanol, biodiesel (produced from soy) and diesel cocktail which works in truck engines. Previous ethanol and diesel mixtures failed because the two liquids do not mix well.

Biodiesel has been eyed as a truck fuel, despite its current high cost, because most formulations contain no sulfur and would not produce nitrogen oxides.

Kaperson told AP that the process of blending corn-based ethanol with soy-based diesel is almost perfected. Funded by a grant from the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council, Kaperson's study should be done by October.

Meanwhile, a group of scientists at the University of North Dakota are working to produce aviation grade ethanol. According to Frank Argenziano, special projects coordinator for the university's flight operations, aviation fuel is the only one that still contains lead.

The Associated Press noted that North Dakota has ethanol plants in the towns of Grafton and Walhalla capable of producing 34 million gallons of the corn-based fuel a year.