1.1 Introduction
Bio-ethanol is ethanol derived from the process of fermentation of biological materials. This is accomplished by the action of micro organism like yeast. Since the micro organism utilizes only simple sugars, starchy and cellulosic materials are first converted into simple sugars by a process of hydrolysis before they are subjected to fermentation.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The bioconversion of lignocelluloses to biofuel from cheap non-edible materials such as corn cob for renewal energy is imperative. Thus, by varying temperature conditions during the fermentation process, maximum productivity of biofuel on an industrial scale can be optimized. In the brewing industry, production of biofuel is carried out by the fermentation of starchy materials, in which case, sugars are converted into bioethanol with carbon dioxide and water (Hongguang, 2006) as byproducts. For waste plant materials to be valuable, it must be converted to fuel as a sustainable substitute to fossil fuel. Therefore, there is a need for renewable energy resources from non-edible agricultural sources such as corn cob to replace fossil forms. This is because gas emissions from plant feedstock fuel are less than those emitted by fossil forms and thus beneficial to the environment and global warming (Demirbas, 2005; Hongguang, 2006). Bioethanol produced from corn uses only a small part of the plant material, whereby only the starch from the kernel is transformed into bioethanol (Cao et al., 1996).
Most importantly, the greatest reason for research and development of alternative energy is the environmental consequences emanating from the exploitation of fossil fuel. The goal is to achieve zero net carbon (IV) oxide balance and improvement in urban air quality (A sweet solution, 2006). Hence, to reduce the several impacts of fossil energy, renewable sources of energy have been proposed as alternatives. These are sustainable in that they do not pose serious threat to the environment when properly managed. Also they can be replaced rapidly by natural on-going processes.
Several research studies have been carried out on the production of bioethanol from saw dust through simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of lignocelluloses agricultural wastes by Kluyveromyces marxianus 6556 (Zhang et al., 2009), using Aspergillums Niger and Saccharomyces cerevisae in simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (Zakpaa et al., 2009) and from Lignocellulosic Biomass (Kumar et al., 2009). Corn however, is a main staple food in South Africa with an annual production of 8.04 million tons (Adesanya and Raheem, 2009). The cobs produced from corn are mainly used as manure for agricultural production.
According to the report of Latif and Rajoka (2001), modern biotechnology allows the use of such lignocelluloses substrates in the production of chemicals and fuels, utilizing microorganisms. It has been shown that when saw dust is used for bioethanol production at higher temperatures, yeast cells die resulting in a decrease in alcohol yield when the pulp is concentrated, while optimal temperature for maximum productivity occurs at 32°C (Araque et al.,2008). It is therefore, necessary to select the optimum temperature at which yeast strains can ferment the sugars from lignocelluloses material.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Production of Bioethanol/Biofuel from Sawdust.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation reveals that bioethanol include its lower energy density than gasoline (but about 35% higher than that of methanol), its corrosiveness, low flame luminosity, lower vapor pressure (making cold starts difficult), miscibility with water, increase in exhaust emissions of acetaldehyde, and increase in vapor pressure. Ethanol can be produced from biomass by the hydrolysis and sugar fermentation processes. Biomass wastes contain a complex mixture of carbohydrate polymers from the plant cell walls known as cellulose, hemi cellulose and lignin. In order to produce sugars from the biomass, the biomass is pre-treated with acids or enzymes in order to reduce the size of the feedstock and to open up the plant structure (Esru, 2021).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Production of Bioethanol or Biofuel from Sawdust. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To produce bioethanol from sawdust
- To identify the usefulness of sawdust for bioethanol production
1.5 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Production of Bioethanol or Biofuel from Sawdust in Nigeria.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
