Ethanol bio-refining – the past, the present, and the future
Mr. Carey Merritt, Senior Plant Engineer, Sunoco Biofuels
ABSTRACT
Ten percent ethanol gas has become a standard transportation fuel in the USA. Almost all of the fuel
grade ethanol is made from corn supplied be US farmers. Ethanol as a fuel and corn as a feed stock to
make ethanol has created a lot of controversy. This presentation will look at how ethanol is made and
where it fits into our national fuel strategy. In addition, we will discuss ethanol chemistry and what
properties make is a good and a poor fuel choice. We will look at alternate feed stocks and where the
industry is heading. The goal is to educate the audience about the facts that surround the manufacture
and use of ethanol as a fuel supplement.
BIOGRAPHY
Carey is a graduate of SUNY-ESF with education in polymer chemistry and process engineering. He has
over 25 years experience working with the bio-refining, nuclear power generation and process steam
systems industry. He currently is the Plant Engineering and Maintenance Manager at Sunoco’s corn to
ethanol bio-refinery in Fulton NY. Carey is a Certified Energy Manager and a member of the American
Society of Energy Engineers.