Brazilian alcohol program: an overview

Approximately 50% of the gasoline needed for the 10 million automobiles in Brazil has been replaced by ethanol produced from sugarcane which represents a consumption of approximately 250,000 barrels of alcohol per day. All the technology for the production and use of the alcohol (including adjustments needed in the automobiles) was developed in Brazil. Since the program has been the subject of extensive reviews (Goldemberg et al 1993), we have focused our attention here on aspects not covered previously such as characteristics of internal combustion engines working with alcohol as well as the ethanol production process. The question of ethanol costs as well as the creative approach of the Brazilian government to make ethanol competitive with gasoline through a “tax” is described. It is shown that the use of the new fuel has lowered Brazil's CO 2 emissions by 18%. Finally, the new leap forward of the alcohol program in Brazil, viz., cogeneration of electricity with alcohol production, burning of sugarcane bagasse more efficiently than in the past, is discussed. This step requires changes, which are currently taking place, in the regulatory system of the electricity utilities. Advanced technologies for the gasification of bagasse and coupled with gas turbines are also being demonstrated and seem very promising at this time.