Large-scale ethanol production from corn and grain sorghum and improving conversion technology

Abstract

A linear programming model is used to assess the impacts of large-scale ethanol production from corn and grain sorghum on U.S. agriculture. Annual ethanol production of 22.7 and 45.4sx10⁹ L, corresponding to approximately 6 and 12%, respectively, of U.S. gasoline consumption is examined. Current conversion technology allows 387 L of ethanol to be obtained from a metric tonne of corn or grain sorghum, and more advanced conversion technology would allow up to 447 L. U.S. agriculture has the capacity to produce both food and large quantities of ethanol. If large-scale ethanol production occurs, the major change in production is the substitution of corn for soybeans in the north central states. With current ethanol production technology, per unit production cost increases for individual crops range from 3 to 12% and from 6 to 30% for annual ethanol production of 22.7 and 45.4×10⁹ L, respectively. Advanced ethanol production technology allows crop production costs to be reduced significantly, about 100o million dollars if 45.4×10⁹ L of ethanol are produced.