[en] A brief overview is given of the plans in France to stimulate and increase the use of biofuels in order to meet the European Union targets for the years 2005 (2% of the fuels for transportation) and 2010 (5.75%). At the moment the contribution of biofuels is only 1%

[en] The possibility of process integration in the production of sugar and alcohol was evaluated through the exchange of raw matter such molasses, diluted juice, and bagasse from the sugar process for their use in the ethanol production. The energy integration was also carried out in these processes with the use of the pinch method, for that the cold and heat streams were analyzed with possibilities for it. The steam consumption was estimated in turbogenerators, exergetic efficiency and other were calculated too for a better knowledge of the operational state of the same ones, being these below the technical norms, for what intended a change in the cogeneration system for a better use of the system obtaining higher values for the efficiencies when comparing them with the installed technology. The economic balances were carried out in the cogeneration scheme and as result were obtained that support the possibility of the technology change, what would benefit to the processes of sugar and alcohol in the improvement of their productions, given the possibility to have a bigger availability for raw matter for both processes. (author)

[en] We build a model that incorporates the effect of the innovative 'flex' car, an automobile that is able to run with either gasoline or alcohol, on the dynamics of fuel prices in Brazil. Our model shows that differences regarding fuel prices will now depend on the proportions of alcohol, gasoline and flex cars in the total stock. Conversely, the demand for each type of car will also depend on the expected future prices of alcohol and gasoline (in addition to the car prices). The model reflects our findings that energy prices are tied in the long run and that causality runs stronger from gasoline to alcohol. The estimated error correction parameter is stable, implying that the speed of adjustment towards equilibrium remains unchanged. The latter result is probably due to a still small fraction of flex cars in the total stock (approx. 5%), despite the fact that its sales nearly reached 100% in 2006. (author)

[en] Highlights: • Selective surface atomic modification of metallic aerogels was achieved. • Pd ensembles were anchored via kinetically controlled galvanic replacement reaction. • Ultrafine Pd ensembles delivered remarkably enhanced electrocatalytic performance toward ethanol oxidation. Modification of the noble metal-based aerogels from the atomic scale is rarely being investigated despite the rapid development of various metallic aerogels. Recent studies have verified that Pd ensembles are more effective than isolated Pd atoms toward electrooxidation of ethanol. However, the electrocatalytic efficiency is still insufficient. Here, for the first time, we successfully anchored Pd-ensembles on the surface of Au₂Cu metallic hydrogels via kinetically controlled galvanic displacement reaction. The atomic configuration optimized Au₂Cu@Pd metallic aerogels exhibited significantly enhanced mass activity ~ 11.6 times of commercial Pd and excellent stability with remained 90% of mass activity after 300 potential cycle test. The ligand effect and geometric effect generated by the finely tailored atomic configurations including Pd ensembles and core-shell structure are critical for enhancing electrocatalytic efficiencies. Thus, the Pd ensembles anchored-Au₂Cu aerogels hold a great promise for being potentially applied in devices such as direct alcohol fuel cells, biosensors and electronics.

[en] Producers and consumers in Brazil are not longer regarding alcohol (ethanol) as a valuable fuel choice. Although the falling of oil prices has contributed to this situation, the lack of concern on microeconomic behaviour has also played an important role. Furthermore, environmental gains derived from the use of a mixture of alcohol and gasoline have been forgotten when alcohol fuel is evaluated. From the Brazilian experience some fruitful lessons can be learnt, to support research efforts for renewable energy programmes in Europe and the U.S.A. (author)

[en] Brazil's energy substitution program based on large-scale ethanol production and consumption has long been acclaimed by many as an outstanding success. Besides pointing to its present short-run supply problems, the paper discusses the structural and long-run distortions which it has introduced into the Brazilian economy and society. In order to overcome them, the undertaking of prospective studies, of strategic planning, as well as of more frequent and more democratic debates of the issues are suggested. (Author)

[en] Over 400 isolates of molds were screened for raw starch digesting enzymes and aspergillus J8 ad Rhizopus N37 were selected for further investigations. Crude enzymes obtained from wheat bran was higher than from rice bran. Crude enzymes from Aspergillus is active at pH 4.0, whereas that from Rhizopus is active at pH 5.0. Aspergillus J8 gave higher yield of silage fermentation. Selection of yeast strain was accomplished, it was found that Saccharomyces cerevisiae SC90, the local commercial strain (non-flocculent) performed best in fermentation of cassava mash. Another strain AM12, a flocculent fusant strain derived from fusion between flocculent strain and sake brewing strain was comparable to that of commercial strain at normal temperature but performed better at higher temperature up to 40 deg C. It is unlikely that fuel alcohol produced from raw cassava will be able to compete with petroleum fuel at this moment. However, silage fermentation to increase nutritional quality of the silage through selected strains of microorganisms has a good prospect to pursue. (author)

[en] Alcohol fuel is a complementary fuel to petroleum and may be used to extend the reserves of the latter. Brazil has accomplished to produce 200 thousand barrels per day equivalent in a relatively short time period. But the pricing policy adopted by the Brazilian government has caused problems to the alcohol fuel industry. It is proposed the adoption of a new pricing policy to render viable the production of such fuel

[en] Some topics such as pricing, energy conservation, privatization, government control, taxing of environmental effects, stimulation of alternative sources and planning concerning pricing policy are briefly analyzed. A proposal of a pricing policy for fuels is presented

[en] This presentation shows the antecedents of the production of alcohol fuel in Guatemala as an alternative to imported gasoline, also presents current statistics of consumption, importation of liquid fossil fuels, production of alcohol fuel, consumption, and trends of consumption mixed with gasoline and yield data