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Calcimator

Ethanol Yield Calculator

Estimate ethanol production from corn, sugarcane, or cellulosic feedstocks with byproduct and energy balance outputs.

Inputs

Results

Ethanol Yield

8,820 gallons

≈ 22 hot tubs

Energy Balance Ratio

1.6:1

Byproduct Yield15.2 tons
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Select feedstock type (corn, sugarcane, cellulosic material) and enter feedstock weight in tons.
  2. Set conversion efficiency (%) based on your process technology.
  3. Review Ethanol Yield (gallons), Byproduct Yield (tons), and Energy Balance Ratio.
  4. An energy balance ratio above 1.0 means the process produces more energy than it consumes.

How the result changes with Feedstock (tons)

Feedstock (tons)Ethanol YieldEnergy Balance Ratio
100,0018,820,088.2 gallons1.6:1
350,00130,870,088.2 gallons1.6:1
650,00057,330,000 gallons1.6:1
900,00079,380,000 gallons1.6:1

What each input means

Feedstock Type
1 = Corn, 2 = Sugarcane, 3 = Cellulosic (switchgrass, wood)
Feedstock (tons)
Total feedstock weight in short tons
Conversion Efficiency (%)
Actual yield as a percentage of theoretical maximum (accounts for process losses)

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    Feedstock Type = 1, Feedstock (tons) = 100, Conversion Efficiency (%) = 90 = 3 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Ethanol Yield
    Ethanol Yield
    8820 = 8820
  3. Calculate Byproduct Yield
    Byproduct Yield
    15.2 = 15.2

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