Thermo Scientific IC Used in Butanol Biofuel Production

Biofuel production requires monitoring of feedstocks, fermentation processes, and finished products to assure yield and final quality of alternative fuels. The Thermo Scientific Dionex ICS-5000 ion chromatography (IC) system is ideal for measuring carbohydrate contents of feedstocks like corn stover, alcohol and glycol levels of fermentation solutions, and anionic contaminants such as chloride and sulfate in alcohols and biodiesel.

While ethanol has many benefits as an alternative to petroleum, it has higher vapor pressure, higher affinity for water, and lower energy content than gasoline. High blending ratios of ethanol with gasoline require modified engines, and the lower energy content reduces vehicle gas mileage. In addition, ethanol production places greater demand on the food and feed commodity markets.

Biobutanol overcomes many of these drawbacks. It can be created from cellulosic biomass as well as annual grain crops. It has lower vapor pressure, lower water solubility, and higher energy density than ethanol. It can be blended at any point in the supply chain, and increases vehicle gas mileage. Learn about Thermo Fisher Scientific’s biofuel solutions, and two simple IC methods to determine total and potential sulfate and total chloride in butanol, based on ASTM ethanol methods, at ref="http://www.thermoscientific.com/butanol">thermoscientific.com/butanol