Production of Ethanol from Forest Residues

The value of wood waste can be enhanced considerably above its fuel value by extracting carbohydrates from it before burning it, and converting the carbohydrates to fuel-grade ethanol. The process conditions for extracting and fermenting carbohydrates from various southern pine residues (bark, needles, twigs, and branches) were evaluated, and the characteristics of the post-extracted wood waste determined. An economic assessment of incorporating forest residue and hog fuel extraction and fermentation in a pulp mill is included.