THE COLOMBIAN EXPERIENCE IN THE PRODUCTION OF BIOETHANOL FOR TRANSPORT USE

THE NATIONAL Colombian Program for promoting the use of oxygenated gasoline for transport purposes started in 2001 with the implementation of the governmental tax incentives and the definition of the required technical framework for blending and fuel quality. The maximum level of blend for ethanol and gasoline was determined to be 10% v/v and the minimum concentration of dehydrated ethanol 99.5% v/v. Since 2005, five ethanol plants, using sugarcane feedstocks, are operating in the country with an overall production of 1 050 000 litres/day. The technological configuration of all plants is alike, mainly conformed by a continuous fermentation section and a continuous ethanol dehydration section. This paper describes some specific features derived from the commencement of the plants and some problems found in the normal operation of the fermentation. These troubles are mainly related to persistent microbial contamination in the fermentors, which reduces ethanol production efficiency and causes an overproduction of toxic and inhibitor organic compounds like acetic acid and lactic acid, among others. From a monitoring campaign, it was established that each plant had to develop its own adaptation process, such as the usage of different feedstock blending relationships, and to follow different learning curves despite the common technology used.