Mexican researchers produce cellulosic ethanol from cane trash

In Mexico, researchers at the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro have produced cellulosic ethanol from sugarcane trash and other crop waste using a hydrolysis pre-treatment and then Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast for fermentation before passing through standard processes to remove most of the water through production of steam. Using a molecular sieve, the hydrous ethanol is dehydrated into anhydrous ethanol. The researchers say their process is competitive with gasoline production. They argue it can be blended up to 20% in standard gasoline engines.