Buhl Idaho Ethanol Project: Integrating low value starch feed stocks with energy efficient starch hydrolysis

"This renewable energy project will complete the first phase of developing an innovative approach to a commercial ethanol plant in Buhl Idaho. The plant will use barley as a feedstock, supplemented by available sources of low value starch. Barley is the best crop for ethanol production in local agronomic systems and the use of low value and waste materials will significantly reduce feedstock cost. The project will also reduce waste treatment costs for the city of Buhl. Montana Microbial Products will design a process integrating barley and low value starch sources combined with the use of an innovative process developed by the company for enzymatic hydrolysis of raw starch. This process eliminates mash cooking reducing capital and operating costs. MMP will work with a local group to complete 5 specific tasks: assess local feedstock resources; design the process for hydrolysis and fermentation of mixed feedstocks; assess markets; assess cost benefits to Buhl infrastructure; and estimate economic feasibility. Process development and market assessment will also include analysis of distillers grains for potential use in local dairy feed markets. Phase 1 research will result in an energy efficient process for utilizing mixed starch feedstocks. Reduced operating costs for feedstock and energy and reduced capital cost from eliminating mash cooking will enable ethanol production at a scale that fits locally available resources and local capacity to finance and own the ethanol plant."