FIU Researchers Look For Way To Produce Fuel From Sugar Byproduct

By April M. Havens
Florida International University's Applied Research Center is working to develop biofuels from one of Florida's biggest crops and studying fossil fuels, environmental restoration and waste management for governmental agencies, officials say.
At the Applied Research Center, engineers, scientists and students offer practical solutions to environmental, energy, defense, waste management and water problems, said Richard Burton, director of business programs.
While providing mentoring for the university's engineering and environmental science students is the primary objective of the center, the center researches projects for numerous governmental and commercial agencies.
The center is teaming with Florida Crystals Corp., a Palm Beach County sugar company, to determine the feasibility of using a sugar-making byproduct as a feedstock for a large-scale bioenergy plant.

Miami Today, Julyh 5, 2007
A $1.15 million state grant is aiding the project, which focuses on using a fibrous byproduct of the sugar-making process called bagasse to produce ethanol, Mr. Burton said. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection awarded the grant as part of the Florida Renewable Energy Technologies Grant Program.