The ethanol from this project can be used not only to support the E10 implementation, but it can also be used for fuelling lights and cookers as fuel gel. The bagasse from the stalks of the sweet sorghum can be used to generate electric power, heat and steam. Generally, sorghum‘s robustness and drought tolerance/resistance is one of the main reasons why it is farmers’ choice in drought prone regions, because it can survive low water and nitrogen (fertilizer) inputs and also being relatively tolerant to salinity and drought stress. When sorghum is considered as crop, it is the grains rather than the sweet stalk varieties of sorghum that are highlighted. In poorer and developing nations.Grain sorghum is used as staple food for both humans and livestock. Sorghum has been classified for utilization purposes into 4 categories as follows:

The sweet sorghum will by no means interfere with food security, and it could be sustainably produced to generate 103,000LPD of fuel ethanol within Ilemeso and the surrounding communities in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

Ethanol is a much cleaner fuel than petrol (gasoline). It is a renewable fuel made from plants. Unlike fossil-fuel: manufacturing it and burning it does not increase the greenhouse effect and it provides high octane at low cost as an alternative to harmful fuel additives.

Ethanol blends can be used in all petrol engines without modifications and it is biodegradable without harmful effects on the environment. According to the US EPA, Ethanol significantly reduces harmful exhaust emissions, its high oxygen content reduces carbon monoxide levels more than any other oxygenate by 25-30%. Ethanol blends dramatically reduce emissions of hydrocarbons, a major contributor to the depletion of the ozone layer.

Importance of Ethanol

High-level ethanol blends reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 20%, and it can reduce net carbon dioxide emissions by up to 100% on a full life-cycle basis. High-level ethanol blends can reduce emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) by 30% or more (VOCs are major sources of ground-level ozone formation). As an octane enhancer, ethanol can cut emissions of cancer-causing benzene and butadiene by more than 50%. Sulphur dioxide and Particulate Matter (PM) emissions are significantly decreased with ethanol.

The US now uses more than 15 billion gallons of cleaner, ethanol-blended petrol a year, totalling 12% of fuel sales in the US. Most of it is a 10% blend, but 85% and even 95% blends are now being tested.

Ethanol blends are increasingly used in South Africa, while Brazil, the world leader, produces four billion gallons of ethanol a year: all Brazilian fuel contains at least 24% ethanol, and much of it is 100% ethanol (engines can be designed to run on 100% ethanol). Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors all recommend ethanol fuels, and nearly every car manufacturer in the world approves ethanol blends in their warranty coverage.

Ethanol is made by fermenting and then distilling starch and sugar crops — maize, sorghum, potatoes, wheat, sugar-cane, even cornstalks, fruit and vegetable waste. In our own case we are using sweet sorghum.

Nations around the world are looking towards biofuels to help reduce their spiralling oil (hydrocarbon) import costs, and to mitigate pollution and global warming. Developing, manufacturing, building, installing, and maintaining renewable energy technologies, as is the case with fuel ethanol, has the potential to create new Nigeria-led jobs and powerful modern industries. This will not only serve to empower entrepreneurs and companies to help build a vibrant and diverse economy, it is also a wise economic choice for the long term. As fossil fuel depletes, Nigeria will have diverse, dependable energy sources and be able to strategically benefit from our oil resources.

The other benefits of biofuels include:

  • It is not poisonous, and it is easy to use in combustion engines.
  • It does not cause air pollution and any environmental hazard.
  • It does not contribute to carbon dioxide build-up (greenhouse effect)
  • It has a higher octane rating than fossil fuels.
  • It is an excellent raw material for synthetic chemicals.
  • Biofuels development provides jobs and economic development in rural areas.
  • It reduces a country’s dependence on fossil petroleum and will give Nigeria the opportunity to qualify for carbon credits under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
  • Lastly, ethanol is capable of reducing Nigeria’s adverse foreign trade balance.For Nigeria, it will assist in reducing the dependence on the volatile Niger Delta Region for the Country’s energy needs.

    Global Biofuels Ltd. (RC 679588), a subsidiary of NeGSt Global Integrated Co. Ltd., is implementing a project to convert the juice from the stalk of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) to ethanol

    Our Partners

    ICRISAT India
    JOHN DEERE
    NNPC Corporation
    PRAJ Industry India
    IAR Samaru Nigeria
    OCEANIC Bank Nigeria
    SKYE Bank Nigeria
    Government Of Ondo State Nigeria
    Government of Ekiti State Nigeria
    Government of Osun state Nigeria