Isaias C. Macedo

Situação atual e perspectivas do etanol

In the year 2006, 425 million tons of sugarcane was processed in 310 mills in Brazil, producing 30 million tons of sugar and 17 million cubic meters of ethanol. Recent estimates (Carvalho, 2006) indicate that in 20122013 potential markets (both external and internal) for Brazilian ethanol and sugar would consume around 685 million tons of sugarcane, produced in 6.4 million hectares; for this to be achieved, 77 new production units would be set up in the South Central region of Brazil, with investments of US

Biomass Gasification for Ethanol Production

14.6 billion. In 2012-2013, around 60% of all sugarcane would be destined for the internal market; in total, as well as sugar, 35.7 million cubic meters of ethanol would be produced (7 million cubic meters for export). Brazil is the world’s biggest producer of sugarcane (33.9%), sugar (18.5%) and ethanol (36.4%); and also the largest exporter of sugar and ethanol (2005). Ethanol corresponds to 40.6% of fuel for light vehicles (total of 19.2 million vehicles) (2005). For the industrialized countries committed to the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol, the use of biofuels represents one of the most effective ways of reducing liquid emissions of greenhouse gasses associated with energy consumption in the transport sector. However, developments in recent years clearly show a great variation in the capacity for reduction of emissions between the various biofuels, indicating a substantial advantage for sugarcane ethanol produced in Brazil (Table 1) (Macedo, 2006).In the last 30 years, the production of ethanol from sugar cane in Brazil reached 17 million cubic meters and it is expected to achieve 35.7 million cubic meters by 2012-2013. This growth has taken place due to great technological support by means of production, imports, adaptations and internal transferences. An analysis of the different phases of this development, with the evolution of its technological parameters and the great competition of the sector, is presented in the article. Nowadays, foresights state that the sector may keep evolving with continuous improvements, but sudden technological boosts are also possible through the development of technologies directed towards a better use of the residual biomass of sugar cane (which represents about two thirds of the total biomass). Studies in progress indicate that the sugar cane contribution to energy supply may be superior and more diversified than the current one. They also affirm that this may happen together with bio-refinery development, which will result in products of higher aggregate values.

Green house gases emissions in the production and use of ethanol from sugarcane in Brazil: the 2005/2006 averages and a prediction for 2020.

For a sustainable future, it is essential for mankind to access the largely untapped solar resource by innovative bioenergy routes, an important way to overcome fossil fuel dependence and mitigate related environmental impacts. In this framework, as a good example of the potential to be exploited, among the several biomasses under scrutiny to be used for energy supply, sugarcane appears as one with the most interest and potential, with estimates that about 142 million hectares currently are available for such culture, taking into consideration rain feed areas in tropical countries and without significant impact on food production and the environment (Fischer et al.2008).