INTRODUCTION.

Furtado, André Tosi ; Leal, Rodrigo Lima Verde

Resumo:

The ethanol produced from sugarcane is considered as one of the most competitive alternative energy to substitute liquid fuels derived from hydrocarbons. The light and medium oil distillates are more difficult to replace. Its uses are specific, especially in the transportation sector. In this particular niche, biofuels, stand as the only renewable energy option currently feasible without requiring the scrapping and replacement of the fuel distribution infrastructures and of the transport equipments. Among biofuels, ethanol from sugarcane is by far the more attractive alternative in economic and energy terms as well as environmental sustainability is understood, especially energy balance and emission of greenhouse gases. The energy requirements of ethanol industrial processes are all covered by the sugarcane by-products (mainly bagasse). This singularity is the most attractive feature of cane over almost all other agro-energy crops. The central advantage of sugarcane is the high energy yield of this crop and the high proportion of fermentable sugars directly into ethanol (1/3 of the energy content). The high proportion of sugar ensures the reduction of energy requirements of sugarcane ethanol in relation to the cereals rich in starch ethanol, which is crucial to ensure its competitiveness1. The other key advantages of the sugarcane is the use of bagasse in the industrial process and recycling of vinasse, filter cake and ash, a very common practice in Brazilian plants. These wastes become important inputs in the production process that contribute to greater competitiveness of the sugarcane. The technologies, however, in use in the Brazilian agro-industry still rely largely on incremental innovations made on technologies acquired from abroad. There is enormous potential for progress in energy productivity of sugarcane that has yet to be tapped.

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DOI: 10.5151/9788521208228-SUGARCANEBIOETHANOL_72

Referências bibliográficas
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Como citar:

FURTADO, André Tosi; LEAL, Rodrigo Lima Verde; "INTRODUCTION.", p. 861-862. Sugarcane bioethanol — R&D for Productivity and Sustainability. São Paulo: Blucher, None.
ISBN: 9788521208228, DOI 10.5151/9788521208228-SUGARCANEBIOETHANOL_72