If gas prices get too high for you, and your automobile can run on E-85 ethanol, you can try making your own biofuel from corn. The process is complicated, and there are a few safety precautions you need to be aware of; however, almost anyone can make fuel for their car (or anything else) right in their own backyard.
- Fuel distillation permit
- Still
- Grain mill
- Screening mill (7/64th inch screen)
- Water
- Liquefaction enzyme
- Corn
Since ethanol yield can vary depending on the bushel of corn used and the subtleties of the fermentation process, you should ensure a "restaurant-level" clean working environment so that no contaminants are introduced into the mixture.
Make sure that your automobile or other engine can run E85 ethanol before using. For fuel purposes, you may need to add up to 15% regular gasoline to pass inspection with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Grind the corn into granules, similar to the consistency of corn grits.
Add water (not the corn, yet) to the cooker in the still and bring the temperature up to 170 degrees (F). You will need roughly 30 gallons of water per bushel of corn.
Slowly add the ground corn meal to the water being careful not to cause "lumps."
Add three measuring spoons (provided with the enzyme) worth of the alpha amylase enzyme to the mixture.
Agitate the solution at this temperature for 15 minutes.
Raise the temperature of the mixture to boiling and allow it to hard boil for 30 minutes.
Reduce the temperature after 30 minutes to 170 degrees.
Add three more measuring spoonfuls of the enzyme and agitate for 30 minutes.
Reduce the temperature to 85 degrees (F) and add six more spoonfuls of the enzyme.
Hold at 85 degrees for 48 to 72 hours to complete the fermentation process.
After the fermentation process is complete, use the screening mill to filter the mixture. What you will be left with is E85 ethanol.
Things You'll Need
Tips
Warnings
Resources
Tips
- Since ethanol yield can vary depending on the bushel of corn used and the subtleties of the fermentation process, you should ensure a "restaurant-level" clean working environment so that no contaminants are introduced into the mixture.
Warnings
- Make sure that your automobile or other engine can run E85 ethanol before using. For fuel purposes, you may need to add up to 15% regular gasoline to pass inspection with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
About the Author
I am a Registered Financial Consultant with 6 years experience in the financial services industry. I am trained in the financial planning process, with an emphasis in life insurance and annuity contracts. I have written for Demand Studios since 2009.