PRODUCTION OF BIOETHANOL FROM TEFF HUSK

Abstract

Biofuels are alternatives to fossil fuels to ensure energy security and mitigate climate change. Currently, most biofuel is in the form of bioethanol generated from starch or sugar. Conversion of cellulosic biomass, which is both abundant and renewable, to bioethanol is a promising alternative. The objective of this work is to evaluate the feasibility of bio ethanol production from teff husk by using commercial bakery yeast, i.e., S. cerevisiae. To conduct this study, fermentation was held at temperature 30 °C and at varies pH, and treated using different acid concentrations and residence times. Teff husk hydrolyzed by refluxing, a solid to liquid ratio of 1:10, using dilute sulfuric acid (0.5, 2.25 and 4 %) and distilled water at hydrolysis time of 30 min and soak for 24 hours keeping boiling at temperature of 100 0c. Based on these hydrolysis results, fermentation process is performed. In the process, it is observed that bio ethanol concentration decreased with an increase in acid concentration, hydrolysis time and fermentation time. The final result is obtained with fermentation and distillation process. Under these conditions maximum bio ethanol concentration production 51.35%, a satisfactory result as compared with literature data. The result indicated that being available in plentiful amounts, teff husk is potential feedstock for bioethanol production in Ethiopia