Hitachi Zosen develops advanced bioethanol technology

Hitachi Zosen Corp. of Japan said it has developed advanced technology to refine bioethanol. While the fuel has to be highly purified for use in automobiles, the conventional method for removing water from feedstock requires large-scale facilities and a large amount of energy. The new method developed by Hitachi Zosen uses a dehydration film of zeolite, a kind of ceramic, which can remove water twice as fast as conventional technology, according to the leading heavy machinery and engineering company. A Hitachi Zosen executive said the new technology provides ”the highest level of dehydration in the world.” (October 10, 2007)