Identifying Suitable Locations for Cellulosic Ethanol Facilities in Ohio, Taking Account of Crop Remnants Accessibility
Ohio, a key agricultural hub in the United States, is poised to make a significant contribution to the ethanol industry, thanks to its plentiful crop residues. According to recent estimates, the potential ethanol production from crop residues in the 43 northwestern and west central counties of Ohio amounts to around 300 million gallons per year, accounting for approximately 85% of the state's total ethanol potential from crop residues.
This calculation assumes that 35% of the corn stover and wheat straw per acre would be removed. Corn stover, which includes stalks, leaves, cobs, and husks, contains approximately 35% cellulose, 22% hemicellulose, and 18% lignin, making it an ideal candidate for cellulosic ethanol production.
Two clusters in western Ohio, each encompassing 17 counties with a collection radius of 50 miles, could provide feedstock for two ethanol plants. Each plant, operating at a capacity of 5,000 dry tons per day, could produce 110 million gallons of ethanol per year, contributing a total of 240 million gallons annually to the national supply.
Cluster 2, which includes Mercer, Darke, Auglaize, Madison, Preble, Shelby, Fayette, Miami, Warren, Champaign, Clinton, Logan, Greene, Union, Montgomery, and Butler counties, is particularly promising. It can sustainably produce close to 6,000 dry tons of residues per day, making it a viable supplier for an ethanol plant with a capacity of 110 million gallons of ethanol per year.
The transportation cost for both Cluster 1 and Cluster 2 is estimated to be around $33.75 to $34.50 per ton. However, the development of a packing system that increases the density of crop residue could improve the economics of transporting the crop residue, potentially increasing the feasible distance to the ethanol plant and providing farmers with a higher return.
The availability of Ohio's 2025 corn and wheat crops appears to be sufficient to produce significant amounts of residues suitable for ethanol production. While weather-related planting delays may cause localized variations in residue availability, national wheat production forecasts suggest strong wheat straw availability as well.
As the demand for ethanol in the U.S. is largely influenced by world oil prices, the potential for Ohio's ethanol production is promising, given the current oil market trends. However, for more detailed studies on crop residue availability and ethanol potential in Ohio, consulting local agricultural extension or state bioenergy assessments is recommended.
- The scientific potential of Ohio's ethanol industry, particularly in the production of cellulosic ethanol from corn stover and wheat straw, is substantial due to the high cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin content in these crop residues.
- Given the strategic location and abundant crop residues, two ethanol plants in western Ohio, each with a capacity of 5,000 dry tons per day, could annually contribute 240 million gallons of ethanol to the national supply.
- Cluster 2, an area consisting of 17 Ohio counties, is notably promising for ethanol production, as it can sustainably provide nearly 6,000 dry tons of residues per day, sufficient for an ethanol plant producing 110 million gallons of ethanol annually.
- Economic feasibility in transporting crop residues to ethanol plants could improve significantly with the development of a packing system that increases the density of the residue, extending the feasible distance and potentially increasing farmers' returns. Additionally, the forecasted availability of Ohio's 2025 corn and wheat crops supports the potential for substantial ethanol production.
