Corn Cob Digester

 Listen to what I asked Dave Bushong, the general manager at POET Research Center in Scotland, S.D. Is it possible for the U.S. to become energy independent in the next 20 years? “Absolutely. I think ethanol can replace gasoline in the next 20 years.” And farmers, it’s not about corn, so don’t worry. It’s about corn cobs!!

 A self-sustaining energy cycle for producing cellulosic ethanol is close to reality with the recent startup of an anaerobic digester at POET’s pilot plant in Scotland, S.D. Project LIBERTY is a 25 million gallon-per-year cellulosic ethanol plant, which will be built in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Research and development work is on schedule for the plant to begin production in 2011. Corn cobs at Project LIBERTY will not only be used to produce ethanol; the liquid waste will go to an anaerobic digester to power the cellulosic plant and offset natural gas usage at the attached grain ethanol plant as well. That’s renewable energy created at the plant, powering the plant and powering the adjacent facility. ??

 The digester uses liquid waste created in the process of converting corn cobs to ethanol. That waste is used to produce methane gas.

Farmers…our future’s in your hands.