Characterization of Bioethanol Fuel from Rice and Corn Straws: A Comparative Study

Abstract

In this study, the production and characterization of bioethanol from rice and corn straws were investigated.
The bioethanol was produced through dilute acid hydrolysis, fermentation and distillation; and the distillates
were purified by dehydration using zeolite 4A. The physicochemical and fuel properties of the bioethanol
distillates including pH, refractive index, specific gravity, flash point, octane rating and calorific or heating
value were evaluated. Further characterization of the biofuel was carried out using FTIR and GC-MS. The
results indicated that octane number, calorific value, and specific gravity of the corn straw bioethanol obtained
were significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to rice straw bioethanol. Meanwhile, no statistically significant
difference (p˃0.05) was observed in the flash point, refractive index, pH, pour and cloud points of the
bioethanol produced from the two lignocellulosic substrates. Furthermore, the results reveal that pH, octane
number, specific gravity and flash point are within the ASTM standards while refractive index, cloud and pour
point were slightly outside the ASTM standard. This reveal potential of the feedstock as a source for Bioethanol
production.