18—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 8,1979 PFU holds (Continued from Page 17) and dear. It is then cooled to 85 to 90 degrees and ad ditional water is added. The solids are then separated from the sugar solution, known as wort. These solids can be used as a high-protein feed for cattle, if supplemented with an energy ration and urea. The solution is then ready for fermentation. To do this, yeast is added to the wort, the lid is closed, and the solution “cooks” for two days. To speed up her demonstration, Demonico had prepared the fermented ingredients in the alcohol recipe prior to the meeting. After two days, the mix ture is about 10 per cent alcohol and is known as “beer”. At this point, the process has passed the point where contamination is a problem. However, if the mixture were contaminated during fermentation, it would be possible to make a brew of lactic acid rather than beer. At this stage in the demonstration, Dememco processed the beer in order to separate the alcohol and water. Her distilation ap paratus consisted of a hot plate, and a simple separation column and vaporization chamber. After a short time, the table-top still produced a small amount of alcohol. Curt Sorteberg, a chemist for the lowa Farmer’s Union, explained that this end-product has to be denatured in accordance with specific formulas from BATF. Denaturing the alcohol lets the Fed s rest easier in knowing that the white lightning is not drinkable. A UNIPEL 21-7-14 is an ideal fertilizer for silage-corn fields: Whole-plant corn silage for beef or dairy cattle removes two to three times as much Potash as Phosphate from the soil, and a lot of Nitrogen Compensating for that removal can be the crux of your fertility program for fields that were or will be in silage corn A UNIPEL Single Application of UNIPEL 21-7 14 is well suited for such fields can provide N P and Kin a ratio to help restore a good fertility balance for continued top crop production Give us a call We’d like to tell you more personally FcRTILiZcRS •j ■ Helping the World Grow Better 8D8893 SMOKETOWN, PA. PH: 717-299-2571 fancy term used by the in spectors and serious stillers, which means the same thing as not fit to drink, is non potable. Sorteberg explained to the group how alcohol can be made on a larger scale, using a system know as the Colby column. This set-up is estimated to cost around $20,000 and the cost of making alcohol with it is about 85 cents a gallon, using a com cost of $2.50. He told the group that the expected yield for a bushel of com would be about 2.5 gallons of alcohol. He said that it is possible to use moldy or spoiled gram in the process. Sorteberg compared the com yield to that of sugar beets, 0.5 gallons, and ar tichokes, 0.6 gallons. The advantage to these types of crops is that they can be grown on poorer soils than can com. An important side-note, Sorteberg mentioned, from the alcohol-making process is that the yeast triples in volume. This by-product may be an optional sales addition, or at the least, an important feed additive for the farmer to consider. The type of yeast used in the fermentation process is a commercial wine yeast. The IFU expert noted that this kind of yeast is able to withstand higher per centages of alcohol and sugar than a baker’s yeast Sorteberg told the group that NFU now has the facilities for continuous production which can be adapted for home plants. He said that they are trying to keep the price in the “tractor range”, or around $20,000. Curt Sorteberg is an alcohol fuel specialist for the lowa Farmer's Union, Des Moines. He claims that the farm still will lead to farmer's declaration of independence. He noted that in lowa, there are more and more fanners installing these alcohol plants And a new loan program being prepared by the U.S. Department of Agriculture will make funds available to farmers for more small scale alcohol plants. Sorteberg said legislation now moving through the U.S. Congress would provide $BOO million in direct and guaranteed loans for small scale plants. Sorteberg explained that farmers were experimenting with gasahol stills pnor to alcohol plants. “Nebraska was the forerunner in gasohol,” he stated. Gasohol is the combination of gasoline and 200 proof alcohol. He ex plained that proof was the per cent of alcohol; 200 proof equals 100 per cent, 100 proof equals 50 per cent alcohol and 50 per cent water. Sorteberg claims that the production of alcohol is a very safe procedure But, he said that there are always potential dangers when dealing with steam under pressure, and alcohol vapors. the greatest hazard is the economics of installing a still, he said. He stressed the importance of every farmer doing a feasibility study before undertaking his own fuel factory. “The economic feasibility of alcohol production can be argued, but availability of fuel could well be the key issue,” Sorteberg said. “If farmers don’t have adequate fuel supplies to plant or harvest their crops, their WITH THE PURCHASE OR RENTAL OF ANY AUTOMATIC WATER plus this great saving l Save ‘26 Two months rent FREE! Rent an Agway Water Con ditioner, avoid a large cash outlay. And avoid' costly installation and main tenance, too. Saves energy. Gives longer life to hot water and plumbing systems. Free installation Free water test determines the kind of water you have Prevents scaly buildup of minerals in pipes Helps detergents work better and harder Agway installed and main tained you only need to add salt *l3 ONLY iw a month AGWAY PETROLEUM SERVICE 1027 Dillerville Road, Lancaster, PA Open Mon. Thru Fri. BAMto 5 PM f AGWAY 1 Phone 717-397-4954 v -«i -fA entire livelihood is m jeopardy.” “It is extremely important that farmers be given the opportunity to produis alcohol themselves ™ through farmer-owned and controlled cooperatives. Otherwise, big corporations will control alcohol fuels just like they control other energy sources.” He concluded that farm produced alcohol gives farmers a choice of marketing their products for food or fuel, and makes them energy self-sufficient. It can be their declaration of in dependence. AGWAYI ORDER NOW and you'll also receive a seven piece Stain less Steel Cookware set and recipe book FREE when you sign a water conditioner rental contract while supply lasts
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