Using electrolyzed water rather than harsh chemicals could be a more effective and environmentally friendly method in the pretreatment of ethanol waste products to produce an acetone-butanol-ethanol fuel mix, according to research conducted at the University of Illinois.
When ethanol is produced, distiller’s dried grain with solubles (DDGS) is a waste product. The DDGS is primarily used as animal feed, but researchers are searching for ways to extract the sugar and ferment it to produce an acetone-butanol-ethanol fuel mix. One obstacle has been in the production phase called pretreatment.
“For any biofuel production you need to have simple sugars such as glucose,” said U of I researcher Hao Feng. The glucose in DDGS is stuck together, forming …

General Motors has many difficult decisions to make in the coming days and weeks. Already GM has made decisions that will essentially remove Saturn, Saab, Hummer, and Pontiac out of the GM umbrella so that the automaker can focus more on its remaining core brands.
These decisions may result in new ownership for these brands, but could also dissolve them forever. Despite this dramatic outcome, these brands have passionate customers and owners. Among them, Saturn has long been synonymous for customer service and in its short history the brand has developed a dedicated and loyal customer base. Denver Saturn dealers points out that Saturn currently offers a fresh lineup and includes the elegant Aura, sporty Sky, …