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GreenField Ethanol announces successful demonstration of new energy-saving membrane technology

SAINT-ROMUALD, Quebec

GreenField Ethanol, Canada's largest ethanol producer, today announced it has completed a successful trial demonstration of new technology that will dramatically improve the ethanol production process.

At a project at its plant in Tiverton, Ontario, GreenField joined with Quebec-based Vaperma to demonstrate and study their membrane technology. The Vaperma membrane can remove more than 40 per cent water from an alcohol water mixture producing a 99 per cent fuel-grade ethanol product. Vaperma's process is unique to the industry and has the potential to revolutionize the alcohol production process.

"As Canada's leading renewable fuels producer, GreenField was eager to test the Vaperma process since it would save money and help the environment," said GreenField President and CEO Robert Gallant. "And while saving money appeals to any business, the second factor was equally important because it is consistent with our vision to do business in the most environmentally responsible manner possible."

Gallant made the announcement at the inauguration of Vaperma Inc.'s 22,000 square-foot research and technology centre for the development and pilot testing of gas separation membranes in Saint-Romuald, Quebec.

GreenField Ethanol began discussions with Vaperma two years ago about installing a demonstration project at its Tiverton, Ontario ethanol plant. This project proved to be the first large-scale demonstration in North America of membrane technology for the dewatering of ethanol.

The Vaperma process allows for significant energy savings because the membrane eliminates distillation and molecular sieve units. By replacing these, GreenField would be able to save up to 40 per cent in energy costs.

"The unit in Tiverton used substantially less energy and therefore fewer greenhouse gases were created in the process – reducing the plant's CO2 footprint," said Gallant. "While our plants are all extremely efficient, the less natural gas we use to make steam, the better for the environment."