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2014 fallsemester introduction-to_biofuels-ust(dj_suh)
- 1. Introduction to Biofuels September 15 & 22, 2014 Dong Jin Suh UST / KIST djsuh@kist.re.kr
- 2. What is Biomass? All biological material derived from living or recently living organisms The term biomass (Greek bio meaning life + maza meaning mass) refers to non-fossilized and biodegradable organic material originating from plants, animals, and microorganisms
- 3. What is Biomass? Organic material that has stored sunlight in the form of chemical energy (via photosynthesis) Simplified photosynthesis pathways CO2 + H2O + Solar energy CH2O + O2 6CH2O → C6H12O6 nC6H12O6 → (C6H12O6)n T>285K, Chlorophyll Formaldehyde Glucose Glucose Glucosan
- 4. What is Bioenergy? Renewable energy produced from biomass Agricultural crops and residues Sewage Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Industrial residues Animal residues Dedicated crops and residues Forestry crops and residues Sea weeds and algae Biomass Sources Sources of (waste) biomass for conversion to energy Waste Biomass
- 5. Biomass Strengths Biomass is: • Abundant • Renewable • Carbon neutral • The only sustainable source of hydrocarbons. Biomass can: • Fill the gap between energy demand and petroleum availability in near term. • Be a renewable source of hydrogen in the long term.
- 6. Carbon Cycle – Fossil fuel vs. Biofuel Illustration source: Sue Hill, Michigan Technological University
- 7. Carbon-Neutral Bioenergy Biomass-based Industry Biomass End-of-life biomaterials Biofuel Biomaterials Heat Electricity CO2 CO2 CO2 CO2 CO2
- 8. Biomass Conversion Processes and Products Pyrolysis Gasification Combustion Fermentation Digestion Mechanical Bio-oil Fuel gas Heat Ethanol Bio-gas Oil Chemcial Heat Electricity Transportation fuels etc Thermochemical Conversion Biochemical Conversion Mechanical Conversion Primary Product Market
- 9. Biomass to Energy Conversion Pathways Illustration by NREL
- 10. Biomass Biomass to Liquid Fuels Pyrolysis/ Liquefaction Catalytic Upgrading Gasification Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Anaerobic Digestion Catalytic Hydrogenation Hydrolysis Fermentation Bio-oil Biofuels Syngas VFAs (Volatile Fatty Acids) Mixed Alcohols Bioethanol Sugars Waste Biomass Pretreatments: collection, selection, milling, grinding, etc Biofuels
- 11. Major Biofuels Liquid Bioethanol, Biodiesel, Biobutanol, Biomethanol, Pyrolysis Oil (Bio-oil), Biomass-to-Liquids (BTL), etc Gas Biogas, Biopropane, Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG), Syngas, etc Solid Wood, Charcoal, Torrefied biomass, Biomass pellets and briquettes, etc
- 13. Bio-oil (Pyrolysis oil) The liquid condensate of the vapors of pyrolysis (heating of biomass in the absence of oxygen)
- 14. BTL (Biomass-to-Liquids) fuels Liquid fuels produced from biomass through gasification into syngas (CO/H2), followed by a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis Gasification reacting biomass at high temperature (>700oC), without combustion, with a controlled amount of oxygen and/or steam
- 15. Biogas A methane-rich flammable gas that results from the decomposition of organic (waste) material Landfill Biogas
- 16. CHP (Combined Heat and Power)
- 17. Share of bioenergy in the world primary energy mix. Source: based on IEA, 2006; and IPCC, 2007 Share of biomass sources in the primary energy mix. Source: based on data from IPCC, 2007 Share of Bioenergy
- 18. Share of Bioenergy in Renewable Energy
- 19. Intra_European trade is not displayed for clarity. Global Trade of Bioenergy
- 20. Bioenergy Potential Technical Biomass Potential (2050) World Energy Demand (2050) World energy demand (2008) Sustainable Biomass potential (2050) World biomass demand (2008) World biomass demand (2050) (v) Agricultural productivity improvement (iv) Energy crops without exclusion (iii) Energy crops with exclusion (ii) Surplus forest production (i) Agricultural and forest residues50 200 250 500 600 1000 1500 EJ/Year Current world energy demand (500 EJ/year) Current world biomass demand (50 EJ/year) Total world primary energy demand in 2050 in World Energy Association (600-1000 EJ/year) Modeled biomass demand in 2050 as found in literature studies (50-250 EJ/year) Technical potential for biomass production as found in literature studies (50-1500 EJ/year) Sustainable biomass potential in 2050 (200-500 EJ/year). Sustainable biomass potential consist of: (i) residues from agriculture and forestry (~ 100 EJ); (ii) surplus forest production – net annual increment minus current harvest (~80 EJ); (iii) energy crops, excluding areas with moderately degraded soils and/or moderate water scarcity (~120 EJ); (iv) additional energy crops grown in areas with moderately degraded soils and/or moderate water scarcity (~70 EJ/) and (v) additional potential when agricultural productivity increases faster than historic trends thereby producing more food from the same land area (~140 EJ). Source: Annual Report 2009 – IEA Bioenergy
- 21. Pros Cons Bioethanol Renewable Lower levels of pollution High ouctane number Few engine modifications Use existing infrastructure Nontoxic and biodegradable (No problems if spilled) High production cost Lower energy output (mileage) Slow burning at a lower temp. Easily absorb water (summer) Deterioration against metals Corrosive to metals, rubber and plastic parts Biodiesel Renewable Lower levels of pollution Few engine modifications Use existing infrastructure Nontoxic and biodegradable (No problems if spilled) High production cost Quality variation depending on its feedstock Gels on cold weather Low stability Corrosiveness, deterioration Mixture CO NOx SO2 PM VOC BD20 -13.1 +2.4 -20 -8.9 -17.9 BD100 -42.7 +13.2 -100 -55.3 -63.2 Biodiesel emission benefits vs. Petroleum diesel (%) Pros and Cons of Biofuels
- 22. Advantages of Biofuels Biodiesel is Becoming More Energy Efficient Health Benefits Fuel Refineries are Cleaner Fuel Economy Reduce Foreign Oil Dependence Economic Development High-Quality Engine Performance Sustainability Reduce Greenhouse Gases
- 23. Disadvantages of Biofuels Technical Challenges Genetic Engineering of Biofuel Crops Monoculture Variation in Biofuel Quality Fuel Use Fertilizer Use Deforestation Food Security Water Use Regional Suitability
- 25. Type Designation Raw materials Production technologies Bioethanol 1st generation Conventional bioethanol Sugar beet (sugar) Cereals (starch) Hydrolysis (saccharification) + Fermentation 2nd generation Cellulose- based bioethanol Woods and herbage (Lignocellulose) Pretreatment + Hydrolysis (saccharification) + Fermentation Biodiesel 1st generation Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) Vegetable oil crops (e.g. rapeseed) Waste food oil Pressure extraction + ester exchange 2nd generation BTL (Biomass to Liquid) Woods and herbage (Lignocellulose) Gasification + FT synthesis BHD (Bio- Hydrofined Diesel) Vegetable oil crops & animal fats Hydrogenolysis 1st and 2nd Generation Bioethanol/Biodiesel
- 26. 1st and 2nd Generation Bioethanol 1st generation 2nd generation Substrate: Sugar(sucrose) from sugarcane and starch from corn or wheat Substrate: Lignocellulosic materials (straw, corn stover, wood, waste) No chemical/physical pretreatment of biomass before enzymatic hydrolysis Chemical/physical pretreatment necessary to facilitate enzymatic hydrolysis Optimized, commercial enzymes available Expensive, non-commercial enzymes 2nd generation bioethanol reduces CO2 emission with 90-100% (WELL-to-WHEELS Report, EU commission 2007)
- 27. Starch and Lignocellulosic Biomass Corn Grain Corn Stover
- 28. Structure of Lignocellulosic Biomass
- 29. Cellulose, Hemicellulose, and Lignin
- 30. Agricultural Residues Energy Crops Cellulosic Wastes Cellulosic Biomass: The New “Crude Oil”
- 31. Various Cellulosic Biomass Agricultural Residues corn stover, wheat straw, rice straw Herbaceous Biomass switchgrass miscanthus Woody Biomass softwood hardwood: Poplar, etc Switchgrass (3-6 tons/acre) → 400-900 gal EtOH Miscanthus (20 tons/acre) → 3,250 gal EtOH Corn (7.6 tons/acre) → 756 gal EtOH Wood timber (4 tons/acre) → 520 gal EtOH Switchgrass Miscanthus Poplar
- 32. Biomass Logistics Collection and harvest Transportation Storage Densification Cut crop Ted or invert crop Container suitable for bulk material Trailer suitable for bale stacking Bale storage options: Place in shelter wrap tarp outdoor leave exposed Bulk storage options: Ensile dry and pelletize silo Pelletize Packed with Drying Adjust baler compression Moisture content too high? Bale or chop crop? Yes No Bale Chop
- 33. Carbon Emissions and Energy Balance Corn ethanol Cellulosic ethanol Country Biofuel Energy balance USA Corn ethanol 1.3 Brazil Sugarcane ethanol 8 Germany Biodiesel 2.5 USA Cellulosic ethanol 2-36
- 35. Obstacles (Logistics) Collection Type/sequence of collection operation & equipment efficiency Environmental restrictions (control erosion, soil productivity, carbon level) Transportation Distance from plant & biomass amount Bulky in nature Increased density by chipping, grinding or shredding Storage Hauled to plant Stored at production site
- 36. Pretreatment for Lignocellulosic Bioethanol Destroy lignin shell protecting cellulose and hemicellulose Decrease crystallinity of cellulose Increase porosity Allows for enzymes or chemicals to have access to substrate (sugar) by removing the recalcitrance of lignocellulose Cost intensive Prehydrolysis of some of cellulose Physical, Chemical, Physicochemical, Biological Methods
- 37. Biomass Recalcitrance Lignocellulosic biomass is often described as “recalcitrant”. Plant biomass has evolved superb mechanisms for resisting assault on its structural sugars from the microbial and animal kingdoms. These mechanisms are comprised of both chemical and structural elements: • The waxy barrier and dense cells forming the rind of grasses and bark of trees. • The vascular structures (tubes) that carefully limit liquid penetration throughout plant stems. • The composite nature of the plant cell wall that restricts transfer from cell to cell. • The hemicellulose coating on the cellulose-containing microfibrils if the cell wall. • The crystalline nature of cellulose itself, and • The inherent difficulty enzymes have acting on insoluble surfaces like cellulose.
- 38. Various Pretreatment Methods Pretreatment Physical Method Milling, Chipping, Grinding Gamma Irradiation Chemical Method Acid (Concentrated or Diluted) Alkaline Organosolvent Physico-chemical Method Steam (with Acid) LHW (liquid hot water) AFEX (ammonia fiber explosion) ARP (ammonia recycle percolation) Biomass Pretreatment Additives Energy Mechanical Heat
- 39. Issues in Pretreatment Expensive stage in 2nd generation bioethanol Inhibitors such as: - Phenolic from lignin degradation - Furfural from C5 degradation - HMF(hydroxymethylfurfural) from C6 degradation Corrosion problems Acid recovery is expensive Material loss Better understanding of plant cell wall structure & function
- 40. Hydrolysis (Saccharification) Polysaccharides break down into monomers follows by fermentation and distillation Cellulose can be hydrolyzed using: - Acid hydrolysis (Traditional method) - Enzymatic hydrolysis (The current state-of-art method) Acid hydrolysis advantages: - Faster acting reaction - Less residence time in reactor Enzymatic hydrolysis advantages: - Run at lower temperature - Higher conversion - Environmentally friendly
- 41. Fermentation Convert sugars (C5 and/or C6) to ethanol using microbes Typically Baker’s yeast is used (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). S. cerevisiae for ethanol from glucose (C6) but not from xylose (C5) Some bacteria ferment C5 & C6 (E.coli & Z.mobilis) – genetically modified Conditions: 30°C, pH ~5
- 42. Issues in Hydrolysis and Fermentation Problems for industrial application - High production cost - Low yield Few microorganisms for degrading cellulose Inhibitors for fermentation R&D strategies: - Robust organism to fermenting C5 and C6 - Robust organism toward inhibitors/temperature Integrate hydrolysis and fermentation into a single microbe Low conversion rates for C5 sugars Technology to remove inhibitors is expensive
- 43. Hydrolysis and Fermentation Strategies Processing Strategy (Each box represents a bioreactor – not to scale) Biologically- Mediated Event SHF SSF SSCF CBP O2 O2 O2 Cellulase Production Cellulose Hydrolysis Hexose Fermentation Pentose Fermentation SHF: Separated Hydrolysis & Fermentation; SSF: Simultaneous Saccharification & Fermentation; SSCF: Simultaneous Saccharification & Co-Fermentation; CBP: Consolidated Bioprocessing
- 44. Ethanol Purification Processes Distillation - Azeotrope distillation - Extractive distillation - Pressure swing distillation Dehydration - Pressure swing adsorption - Pervaporation (Evaporation through Membrane) Fermentor Mash & Stripper Column Rectification Column Ethanol 2.5-10% Ethanol ~50% Ethanol 90-92% Dehydration Ethanol >99.5%
- 45. Purification by Dehydration Adsorption - Selective adsorption of the water form the distilled mixture - Synthetic zeolite with a pore diameter of 0.3-0.35 nm ( water 0.28 nm, ethanol 0.4 nm) - Can be regenerated essentially an unlimited number of times by drying - Pressure swing adsorption (continuous process) Pervaporation (Evaporation through Membrane) - Separation of two components by a selective membrane under a pressure gradient in which the component passing the membrane is removed as a gaseous stream (permeate), while the other component remains in the liquid phase and is removed as a more concentrated stream (retentate) - Development of membrane with a high selectivity and flux
- 46. Issues in Purification Distillation-based Technologies - High energy cost - Use of the third component - High capital cost - Traditional technologies Pressure Swing Adsorption - Recent technology Pervaporation - promising in a small scale - Require development of a new membrane
- 47. Bioethanol Production from Starch Biomass Grinding Cooking Saccharification Fermentation Separation
- 48. Lignocellulosic Bioethanol Production Process Biomass Pre- treatment Cellulose hydrolysis Hemicellulose hydrolysis Enzyme Production Glucose Fermentation Pentose Fermentation Lignin Utilization Power generation Purification Ethanol Co-products
- 49. Lignocellulosic Bioethanol Production Route
- 51. Bioenergy Production from Various Biomass
- 52. History of Biofuels (1) The oldest form of fuel used in human history: solid biofuels like wood, dung and charcoal Whale oil for lighting uses (mid 1700s - early 1800s → Ethanol The first transportation fuels: The first internal combustion engine in the US in 1826 by Samuel Morey designed to run on a blend of ethanol and turpentine (derived pine trees) The Ford Model T by Henry Ford in 1908 to run on ethanol Rudolph Diesel’s engine in 1900 to run on peanut oil
- 53. History of Biofuels (2) Commercial scale production of petroleum (mid 1800s) The Atchison Agrol Co. went bankrupt in 1939. (2000 biofuel stations across the Midwest.) World Word I & II High demand of ethanol during World War I due to fossil oil shortages (for synthetic rubber and motor fuel blend) Several fossil oil crisis since 1970s 1973 oil crisis: caused by the OPEC oil export embargo 1979 oil crisis: caused by the Iranian Revolution 1990 oil price shock: caused by the Gulf War Agrol 10% ethanol station at a James service station in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1938
- 54. Motivation for Biofuels Large scale production of biofuels (policy-driven) – Begin since 1970s in US and Brazil: oil crisis – Significant increase since 2000: declining fossil supplies, high oil prices and climate change Biofuel production vs. fossil oil priceBiofuel production trend
- 55. Biofuel Production by Country Bioethanol Biodiesel(1000 bbl/d) (1000 bbl/d) Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 USA Argentina Brazil Europe France Germany Asia/Oceania World 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Canada USA Brazil Europe Asia/Oceania China World year year
- 56. Biofuel Consumption by Country 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Canada USA Brazil Europe Asia/Ocenania China World 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 USA Brazil Europe France Germany Italy Spain Asia/Oceania World Bioethanol Biodiesel(1000 bbl/d) (1000 bbl/d) year year Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
- 57. Biofuel Production by Country (2011) Country Bioethanol Biodiesel Total USA 909 63 972 Brazil 392 46 438 Germany 13.3 52 65.3 France 17.4 34 51.4 Argentina 3 47.3 50.3 China 39 7.8 46.8 Canada 30 2.7 32.7 Indonesia 0.1 20 20.1 Spain 8 12 20 Thailand 8.9 10.2 19.1 Belgium 6.5 8.7 15.2 Country Bioethanol Biodiesel Total Colombia 6 9 15 Netherlands 4 9.6 13.6 Italy 1 11.2 12.2 Poland 2.9 7.5 10.4 Australia 7.5 1.6 9.1 UK 5 4 9 Austria 2.5 6.2 8.7 Sweden 3.4 5 8.4 India 6 2 8 Korea - 6.3 6.3 World total 1,493 404 1,897 Unit: 1000 bbl/d Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 1 2 6 5 3 4 8 7 1 4 2 5 3 6 7 9 9 8 10 10
- 59. Background and Motivation Country Background Policy and Target USA - Oil dependence & Energy security - Substitution of MTBE (polluting groundwater) - Utilizing abundant corn - Energy Policy Act of 2005 RFS mandate: 4 bil gal (2006), 7.5 bil gal (2012) - “20 in 10” plan by President Bush (2007) Reduce US gasoline use by 20% within 10 years - “30 in 30”: displace 30% of US gasoline consumption by 2030 Brazil - Burden on foreign exchange (1973 oil crisis) - Utilizing abundant sugarcane - ProAlcohol Program launched in 1975 - Bioethanol mandate 20-25% - Biodiesel mandate 3% (planning to increase) - Flexible Fuel Vehicle E U - Oil dependence & Energy security - GHC (Greenhouse gas ) emissions reduction - Agricultural development - Target: 5.75% (2010), 10% (2020) - France: BD30 (commercial trucks and buses) - Germany: BD100 in agricultural engines
- 60. World Biofuel Targets and Mandates (1) USA RFS1, Energy Policy Act of 2005 4 billion gal in 2006, 7.5 billion gal by 2012 RFS2, Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 9 billion gal in 2008, 36 billion gal in 2022 (at least 16 billion gal cellulosic biofuels, limit corn ethanol to 15 billion gal) EU 10% by 2020 for transportation (2008) 6% cap on first generation (food-based) biofuels (September, 2013, by European Parliament) Brazil Bioethanol 20% (reduced from 25% due to rising global prices for sugar)
- 61. World Biofuel Targets and Mandates (2) China E10 in 9 provinces (Heilongjian, Jinin, Liaoning, Anhui, Henan, etc), 15% overall target for 2020 but seeking to move to a 10% Canada RFS featuring E5 ethanol and B2 biodiesel (as of July 2011) Bioethanol 8.5% in 4 provinces Australia E4 ethanol and B2 biodiesel in New South Wales Bioethanol target 5% by 2017 and 10% by 2020 India E5 ethanol mandate, scheduled to move E10, a doubtful goal of 20% for all biofuels by 2017
- 62. Bioethanol and Biodiesel Stations in USA Source: http://www.afdc.energy.gov
- 63. Feedstock Use in Bioethanol Production (2008) USA EU Source: Energy 36 (2011) 2070-2076
- 64. Feedstock Use in Biodiesel Production (2008) USA EU Source: Energy 36 (2011) 2070-2076
- 65. Economics of Biofuels Policy-driven (not market-driven) – High prices compared with fossil fuels – Tax credit or mandates < Bioethanol vs. Gasoline> < Biodiesel vs. Petroleum diesel> Source: Bloomberg, WF Economics Source: EIA Bioethanol Gasoline Biodiesel Petroleum diesel
- 67. 10 Edible Biofuels Cottonseed Oil Fiber, animal feed Oil productivity, -1°C Safflower Healthy oil, low gel pt. Limited popularity Linseed Oil Firniture;, healthy oil Stalks’fiber Water hydrogen Sorghum Popular crop, Various uses Soybeans Peanut Oil Too valuable as a food source Corn Palm Oil High cost Renewable? Used Cooking Oil Separation/Purification Batch to batch variation
- 68. 10 Biofuel Crops Sugarcane Brazil, most economical Burring during harvesting Corn Corn stover utilization CottonseedWheat EU’s 1st energy crop Sunflowers Fuel & Power High oil content Palm Oil Malaysia & Indonesia Plantation: ecosystem? Jatropha 1st biodiesel feedstock in India High oil content Soybeans 1st biodiesel feedstock in US Low oil content Rapeseed/Canola 1st biodiesel feedstock in EU Healthy oil, good in winter Switchgrass High productivity Energy crop
- 69. Thermochemial Conversion of Biomass Gasification Pyrolysis Other Conversion Clean-up Conversion /Collection Separation Synthesis Purification Purification Partial Air No Air Excess Air Lignocelluosic Biomass Hydrogen Methane Oils Others Hydrogen Alcohol FT Gasolin FT Diesel Olefins Oxochemicals Ammonia Hydrogen Olefins Oils Special Chem Thermal Conversion
- 70. Biomass to Syngas to Fuels and Chemicals Primary Energy Source Biomass
- 71. BTL (Biomass to Liquid) Process BTL (Biomass-to-Liquids) Biosyngas Biomass Bio-oil
- 72. Commercialization of Lignocellulosic Bioethanol (>1 MGY) Company Location Year Technology Product EtOH Capacity Abengoa Bioenegy Hugoton, KS, USA 2014 Biochemical Ethanol, electricity 25 MGY Beta Renewables Cresentino, Italy 2013 Biochemical Ethanol 20 MGY BlueFire Fulton, KS, USA 2014 Biochemical Ethanol , gypsum, lignin and protein cream 19 MGY Enerkem Westbury, QC, Canada 2012 Thermochemical Ethanol, syngas, methanol 1.3 MGY Enerkem Edmonton, AB, Canada 2014 Thermochemical Ethanol, syngas, methanol, acetates 10 MGY Fiberight Lawrenceville, VA, USA 2012 Biochemical Ethanol, sugars, chemicals 1 MGY Blairstown, IA, USA 2013 Biochemical Ethanol, chemicals 6 MGY Fulcrum BioEnergy McCarran, NV, USA 2015 Thermochemical Ethanol 10 MGY Inbicon Kalundborg, Denmark 2009 Biochemical Ethanol, electricity 1.5 MGY Maabjerg, Denmark 2016 Biochemical Ethanol, biogas, electricity fertilizer, solid biofuel 20 MGY Spiritwood, ND, USA 2015 Biochemical Ethanol, electricity, molasses 10+ MGY INEOS Bio Vero Beach, FL, USA 2013 Hybrid Ethanol, electricity 8 MGY Iogen Ottawa, ON, Canada 2005 Biochemical Ethanol 1 MGY Piracicaba, Sãu Paulo, Brazil 2014 Biochemical Ethanol 10 MGY KiOR Columbus, MS, USA 2013 Thermochemical Cellulosic gasoline & diesel 13 MGY Lanza Tech Soperton, GA, USA 2014 Hybrid Ethanol, chemicals, aviation fuel 4 MGY Mascoma Kinross, MI 2014/5 Biochemical Ethanol 20 MGY POET-DSM Emmetsburg, IA, USA 2014 Biochemical Ethanol, biogas 20 MGY ZeaChem Boardman, OR, USA 2015 Hybrid Ethanol, chemicals 25+ MGY
- 73. Cellulosic Bioethanol Commercialization (Italy) The largest scale plant in the world (operation since Oct, 2013) Co. and Location: Beta Renewables (M&G group), Crescentino, northwest. Italy Capacity: 20 MMgy cellulosic ethanol facility Feedstock: Various biomass (starting with Wheat straw와 Arundo donax*) Fund: Capital cost: 140 million Euros ($14/gal EtOH), expected $3/gal *a perennial giant cane Source: Kris Bevill (April 12, 2011). "World’s largest cellulosic ethanol plant breaks ground in Italy". Ethanol Producer Magazine. http://www.greencarcongress.com/2013/10/20131009-beta.html
- 74. Cellulosic Bioethanol Commercialization (Denmark) The largest scale plant in the world by 2012 (2009) Company & Location : Inbicon owned by Dong Energy, Kalundborg, Zealand Capacity: 5.4 million liters (1.4 MMgy) Feedstock: Wheat Straw (33,000 metric tons per year) Fund: Construction cost: 400 million Danish kroner (DKK) ($80 million) Feature: Minimize the byproducts Source: Lisa Gibson. Bioethanol plant in Denmark inaugurated Biomass Magazine, November 19, 2009. 13,000 metric tons of lignin pellets per year, used as fuel at combined-heat-and-power plants, and 11,100 metric tons of C5 molasses, which is currently used for biomethane production via anaerobic digestion, and has been tested as a high carbohydrate animal feed supplement and potential bio-based feedstock for production of numerous commodity chemicals including diols, glycols, organic acids, biopolymer precursors and intermediates.
- 75. Cellulosic Bioethanol Commercialization (USA) The commercial scale cellulosic bioethanol plant in USA (Aug 2013) Company and Location: INEOS Bio, Vero Beach in Florida USA Capacity: 8 MMgy cellulosic ethanol, 6 MW (gross) electricity generation facility Feedstock: Vegetative and Yard waste; MSW (2014) Fund: 130 M$ INEOS Bio-New Planet Energy joint venture + 50 M$ DOE grant Feature: gasification-fermentation technology Source: http://rt.com/usa/ineos-biofuel-waste-ethanol-500/
- 76. Selected USDA and DOE Grants (2002-2009) Year Program Total Funding ($) Awarded Projects Partial List of Recipients 2002 Biomass R&D Joint 79,350,000 8 awards Broin & Associates (now POET), Cargill, DuPont, Abengoa, National Corn Growers Association, Iowa Corn Promotion Board 2003 Biomass R&D Joint 23,803,802 19 awards Dartmouth (Mascoma), University of Florida (now partnering with Buckeye Technologies), Pure Vision Technology, Metabolix, Cargill, ADM 2004 Biomass R&D Joint 26,357,056 13 awards Rohm & Haas Co., Weyerhaeuser Company 2005 Biomass R&D Joint 12,626,931 11 awards Samuel Robert Noble Foundation 2006 Biomass R&D Joint 17,492,507 17 awards Increasing focus on feedstock development: Ceres Inc., SUNY, Edenspace Systems 2007 Biomass R&D Joint 18,449,090 21 awards GE Global Research, Ceres Inc., Agrivida Inc. 2007 DOE Commercial Scale Biorefinery 385,000,000 6 awards Abengoa Bioenergy, BlueFire Ethanol, Broin Companies (now POET), Iogen, Range Fuels 2008 DOE Small Scale Biorefinery 200,000,000 7 awards Verenium, Lignol Innovations, ICM, UT/Genera 2009 DOE Advanced Biorefinery 564,000,000 19 awards ADM, Amyris Biotechnology Inc., Elevance Renewable Sciences, BioEnergy Internation LLV (Myriant) Source: E.E. Hood, P. Nelson, R. Powell, “Plant Biomass Conversion”, Wiley-Blackwell (2011).
- 77. DOE Commercial Scale Biorefinery (2007) Company Platform Process Scale (2010) Range Fuels ($ 76 million) • Thermochemical Gasification Catalyst upgrading • 1200 ton/day • 40 million gal/year EtOH • 9 millon gal/year MeOH Abengoa Bioenergy ($ 76 million) • Thermochemical • Sugar Enzyme hydrolysis Gasification/catalyst upgrading • 700 ton/day • 11.4 million gal/year Alico ($ 33 million) • Thermochemical Gasification Fermentation • 770 ton/day • 13.9 million gal/year BlueFire Ethanol ($ 40 million) • Sugar Concentrated acid hydrolysis Fermentation • 700 ton/day • 19 million gal/year Broin Companies ($ 80 million) • Sugar Enzyme hydrolysis Fermentation • 842 ton/day • 30 million gal/year Iogen ($ 80 million) • Sugar Enzyme hydrolysis Fermentation • 700 ton/day • 18 million gal/year • Investment of $385 million from DOE (2007-2010) • Selection guide: Lignocellulosic ethanol production costs • Full-scale ethanol plant construction and operation
- 78. Cellulosic Ethanol Facilities Awarded by DOE Agricultural residues Yard, wood, and citrus peel Green and wood wastes from landfill Corn fiber and corn stover Wheat straw, barley straw, corn stover, switchgrass, and rice straw Wood residues and energy crops
- 79. Range Fuels’ Thermochemical Process Range Fuels to build first wood cellulosic ethanol plant in Georgia Source: Wood waste from Georgia’s millions of acres of indigenous Georgia Pine Capacity: 20 million gallons a year (2008), potential 1 billion gallons a year
- 80. Cellulosic Biofuels Commercialization - Range Fuels New Zealand-based biofuels start-up LanzaTech purchased a facility in Soperton, Ga.—previously owned by Range Fuels—at auction on Jan. 3 for $5.1 million. Range built the biomass gasification plant with the intention of making ethanol from wood chips, but the firm was unable to make the biofuel. Range’s lender took control of the facility for nonpayment and held the auction to recoup some of a $38 million loan, which had been guaranteed by the Department of Agriculture. Range was also awarded a $43 million grant from the Department of Energy. Range planned to use catalysts to convert the wood-derived gas into ethanol. In contrast, LanzaTech’s process uses proprietary microbes to transform the gas to ethanol. In addition to ethanol, LanzaTech’s microbes produce 2,3-butanediol as a coproduct, Burton reports. Both products can be formulated into jet fuel with help from LanzaTech’s partner firms. The Soperton site, already renamed freedom Pines Biorefinery, will be LanzaTech’s first production facility. The firm is currently working to launch a demonstration facility in Shanghai that will use waste gases from a steel mill operated by China’s Shougang Group to produce biofuels. Source: Chemical & Engineering News, Jan. 16, 2012
- 81. BlueFire’s Conc. Acid Hydrolysis (Arkenol Process) Steam Steam Lignin Filter Filter 1st stage Hydrolysis 2nd stage Hydrolysis Concentrated Acid Reconcentration Acid/Sugar Biomass Sulfuric Acid Purified Lime Centrifuge Mixing Tank Gypsum Mixed Sugars to Fermentation or Direct conversion - Hydrogenation - Thermal conversion Chromatographic Separation Acid Recovery Solids Water Condensate Return Sulfuric Acid Solution Steam Strong Sugar Solution Solids Solids Pump Liquor to silica processing (as required) 10 6 7 5 4 3 2 1 8 9 Key Technologies: Acid/Sugar separation, Acid reconcentration, Acid recovery
- 82. IOGEN’s Enzymatic Hydrolysis a class of enzymes produced chiefly by fungi, bacteria, and protozoans that catalyze the cellulolysis (or hydrolysis) of cellulose
- 83. Comparison of Bioethanol Production Costs POET: $4.13 → $ 2.35 at its South Dakota pilot plant (2009) Novozymes: ~ $2 per gallon by reduction of enzyme cost 0.5 cents per gallon (2010) 2008 National Biofuels Action Plan: ~ $2 per gallon for 2009 U.S. Energy Department (2006): ~ $1.00 per gallon by 2012 (Karsner, 2006)
- 84. Bioethanol Cost Target (USA)
- 86. Lignocellulosic Bioethanol Cost Analysis Key processing cost elements (%) Biomass Feedstock Feed handling Pretreatment/conditioning Enzymatic hydrolysis Enzyme production (Cellulase) Distillation and solid recovery Wastewater treatment Bioler/Turbogenerator (net 4%) Utilities Storage 33 5 18 12 9 10 4 4 4 1 Pretreatment and biological elements – key to cost Source: NREL (2006)
- 87. Cellulosic Bioethanol Cost Target (USA) Supply Chain Areas Units 2002 Corn Stover to Ethanol Design Report 2005 MYPP with Feedstock Logistics Estimates 2007 MYPP 2012 Target 2009 MYPP – 2012 Projection Year $s Year 2000 2002 2007 2007 Feedstock Production Grower Payment $/dry Ton $10.00 $10.00 $13.00 $15.90 Feedstock Logistics Harvest and Collection $/dry Ton $12.50 $10.60 $12.15 Storage and Queuing $/dry Ton $1.75 $3.70 $5.95 Preprocessing $/dry Ton $2.75 $6.20 $10.74 Transportation & Handling $/dry Ton $8.00 $12.30 $6.16 Logistics Subtotal $/dry Ton $20.00 $25.00 $32.80 $35.00 Feedstock Total $/dry Ton $30.00 $35.00 $45.90 $50.90 Ethanol Yield gal EtOH/dry Ton 89.7 89.8 89.8 89.9 Feedstock Production Grower Payment $/gal EtOH $0.11 $0.11 $0.15 $0.18 Feedstock Logistics Harvest and Collection $/gal EtOH $0.14 $0.12 $0.14 Storage and Queuing $/gal EtOH $0.02 $0.04 $0.07 Preprocessing $/gal EtOH $0.03 $0.07 $0.12 Transportation & Handling $/gal EtOH $0.09 $0.14 $0.07 Logistics Subtotal $/gal EtOH $0.22 $0.28 $0.37 $0.39 Feedstock Total $/gal EtOH $0.33 $0.39 $0.51 $0.57 Biomass Conversion Feedstock Handling $/gal EtOH $0.06 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Prehydrolysis/treatment $/gal EtOH $0.20 $0.21 $0.25 $0.26 Enzymes $/gal EtOH $0.10 $0.10 $0.10 $0.12 Saccharification & Fermentation $/gal EtOH $0.09 $0.09 $0.10 $0.12 Distillation & Solids Recovery $/gal EtOH $0.13 $0.13 $0.15 $0.16 Balance of Plant $/gal EtOH $0.16 $0.17 $0.22 $0.26 Conversion Total $/gal EtOH $0.74 $0.69 $0.82 $0.92 Ethanol Production Total $/gal EtOH $1.07 $1.08 $1.33 $1.49 $1.07/gal → $1.49/gal * MYPP: Multiyear Program Plan
- 88. Renewable Fuel Standard 2 (RFS2) Mandate (USA) a. “Other” advanced biofuels is a residual category left over after the ethanol- equivalent gallons of cellulosic and biodiesel biofuels are subtracted from the “Total” advanced biofuels mandate. b. The initial EISA cellulosic biofuels mandate for 2010 was for 100 million gallons. On February 3, 2010, EPA revised this mandate downward to 6.5 million ethanol-equivalent gallons. c. The biomass-based diesel mandate for 2010 combines the original EISA mandate of 0.65 billion gallons (bgals) with the 2009 mandate of 0.5 bgals. d. d. The initial RFS for cellulosic biofuels for 2011 was 250 million gallons. In November 2010 EPA revised this mandate downward to 6.0 million ethanol-equivalent gallons. e. The initial RFS for cellulosic biofuels for 2012 was 500 million gallons. In December 2011 EPA revised this mandate downward to 10.45 million ethanol-equivalent gallons. In January 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for D.C. vacated EPA’s initial cellulosic mandate for 2012 and remanded EPA to replace it with a revised mandate. On February 28, 2013, EPA dropped the 2012 RFS for cellulosic biofuels to zero. f. The initial 2013 cellulosic RFS was 1 bgals. In January 2013, EPA revised this mandate to 14 million ethanolequivalent gals. The 2013 biodiesel mandate was revised upwards from 1 bgals to 1.28 bgals actual volume. g. To be determined by EPA through a future rulemaking, but no less than 1.0 billion gallons. h. To be determined by EPA through a future rulemaking.
- 89. RFS2 & Biofuel Prodction
- 90. Proposed RFS Standards In February 2010, EPA lowered the 2010 RFS for cellulosic biofuels to 6.5 million gallons (mgals), on an ethanol-equivalent basis, down from its original 100 mgals scheduled by EISA. In November 2010, EPA lowered the 2011 RFS for cellulosic biofuels to 6 mgals (ethanol equivalent), down from its original 250 mgals In December 2011, EPA lowered the 2012 RFS for cellulosic biofuels to 8.65 mgals (ethanol equivalent), down from its original 500 mgals. In January 2013, EPA proposed to lower the 2013 RFS for cellulosic biofuels to 14 mgals (ethanol equivalent), down from its original 1 billion gallons.
- 91. US National Transportation Fuel Use Plan
- 92. Chemicals from Biomass Building Blocks 1,4-succinic, fumaric, malic acids 2,5-Furan dicarboxylic acid 3-hydroxy propionic acid Aspartic acid Glucaric acid Glutamic acid Itaconic acid Levulinic acid 3-Hydroxybutyrolactone Sorbitol Xylitol/Arabinitol 12 Building block chemicals that can be produced from sugars via biological or chemical conversions
- 93. Sugar-based Chemicals 12 Building Blocks 1,4-succinic, fumaric, malic acids 2,5-Furan dicarboxylic acid 3-hydroxy propionic acid Aspartic acid Levulinic acid Glutamic acid Itaconic acid Glucaric acid 3-Hydroxybutyrolactone Sorbitol Xylitol/Arabinitol Biological or Chemical Conversions from Sugar Aqueous-Phase Reforming C4 C5 C6 H2 & Alkanes 1,4-Butanediol, THF, Gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) Diphenolic acid, Methyl THF
- 94. High energy content (1.4 times higher than ethanol; similar to gasoline) Low vapor pressure (6 times lower than ethanol) Alternative to gasoline Possible pipeline supply Biobutanol Biobutanol Instead of Bioethanol H C C H H H H H O C H H H H O C C C CH H H H H H H H H O H Gasoline Air-to-Fuel Ratio Energy Content (Btu/gal) Vapor Pressure (psi) Motor Octante EthanolMethanol Butanol 63K 78K 110K 115K 4.6 0.332.0 4.5 91 92 94 96 6.6 9 11.1 12-15 Hydrophilic Corrosive Bioethanol
- 95. Conventional Biodiesel Production Process
- 96. Conventional Biodiesel Production Route Glycerin Purification Reneutral- ization Phase Separation Neutral- ization Trans- esterification Catalyst Mixing Purification Methanol Recovery Quality Control Methanol Recovery Crude Biodiesel Pharma- ceutical Glycerin Crude Glycerin Methyl Ester (Biodiesel) Recycled Methanol Catalyst Methanol Neutralizing Acid Vegetable oil, Animal Fats
- 97. Chemicals from Glycerol (Biodiesel Byproduct) Source : NREL, “Top Value Added Chemicals from Biomass,” 2004
- 98. Neste Oil biodiesel plant in Porvoo, Finland Second Generation Biodiesel
- 99. Biofuels fro Macro- and Microalgae
- 100. Bioenergy Production for Algae
- 101. Biodiesel Production from Microalgae Feedstock Yield (US gal/acre) Soya 40-50 Rapeseed 110-145 Mustard 140 Palm 650 Algae 10,000 Source: Biodiesel 2020: A Global Market Survey, 2nd Ed.
- 102. Microalgae Production Methods Open Pond Closed PBR(Photobioreactor) Low cost Proved production method Contamination possibility GMO effect on environment Sensitive to weather Evaporation problem Controllability Potential to improve productivity High cost for construction and energy Required low cost production method
- 103. Scenario for Biofuel Production for Microalgae
- 104. Energy Production for Macroalgae (1) In 2008, The Mitsubishi Research Institute (MRI) recommended Japan mass-culture seaweed to collect natural resources such as bio-ethanol and uranium. Japan’s ‘Apollo and Poseidon Initiative 2025’
- 105. Energy Production for Macroalgae (2) Methane Fermentation using Macroalgae (Tokyo Gas)
- 106. Energy Production for Macroalgae (3) Sea Wind Farms (Alfred Wegener Institute, Denmark)
- 107. Biofuel Technology Fuel Source Benefits Grain/Sugar Ethanol Corn, Sorghum, Sugarcane • Produces a high-octane fuel for gasoline blends • Made from an available renewable resource Biodiesel Vegetable oils, fats, grasses • Reduces emission • Increases diesel fuel lubricity Green Diesel and Gasoline Oils and fats, blended with crude oil • Offer a superior feedstock for biorefinery • Are low-sulfur fuels Cellulosic Ethanol Grasses, Wood chips, Agricultural residues • Produces a high-octane fuel for gasoline blends • Is the only viable scenario to replace 30% of US petroleum use Butanol Corn, Sorghum, Wheat, Sugarcane • Offers a low-volatility, high energy-density, water-tolerant fuel Pyrolysis Liquids Any lignocellulosic Biomass • Offer refinery feedstocks, fuel oils and a future source of aromatics or phenols Syngas Liquids Various biomass, Fossil fuel sources • Can integrate biomass sources with fossil fuel • Produce high-quality diesel or gasoline Diesel/Jet Fuel from Algae Microalgae in aquaculture systems • Offer a high yield per acre and an aquaculture source • Could be employed for CO2 capture and reuse Hydrocarbons from Biomass Biomass carbohydrates • Could generate synthetic gasoline, diesel fuel and other petroleum products MostMatureLeastMature
- 108. Current Status and Future of Liquid Biofuels low high high low Key Commercial Technology: Emerging Technology: Developing Technology: Products in red –not yet commercialized known, simpler more challenging Feedstock Supply Volume Feed Costs NATURAL OILS SUGARS STARCHES WHOLE GRAIN isomerization transesterification H2 Enzyme Conversion Milling, Cooking, Hydrolysis, Saccharification C6 sugars C6 sugars Fermentation Acid Dehydration BIOMASS Gasification Acid or Enzyme Hydrolysis Separation fiber residues Cellulose Hemicellulose Lignin Levulinic acid SNAM catalysis Acid or Enzyme Hydrolysis Fuel MTHF Ethanol, NGLs Syngas fermentation Fischer-Tropsch catalysis Fischer-Tropsch catalysis/other catalysis MoS2 catalysis, etc. syngas P. Series Fuel Technology ETG via catalysis Methanol Ethanol BTL Diesel BTL Gasoline Mixed Higher Alcohols Hydrogenation Saccharification C6 sugars C6 C5 sugars Saccharifacation Ethanol “Biogasoline” “Oxidiesel” Propane NExBTL Biodiesel Glycerin Methanol or ethanol Biodiesel (FAME or FAEE) CURRENT PRODUCTION
- 110. Issues in Biofuels Biofuels: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Are biofuels more sustainable than fossil fuels? Are biofuels a solution or a (huge) problem? Biofuels could kill more people than the Iraq War. How green are biofuels? A Cool Approach to Biofuels Biofuel: The dangerous consequences of good intentions
- 111. EU parliament votes to limit crop-based biofuels The European Union Parliament has voted to impose a 6 percent limit on the use of biofuels derived from food crops to address competition with food production and to spur the development of renewable fuels made from non-food sources. The vote seeks to avert the EU biofuel requirement of 10 percent for transportation fuels through 2020 based on a directive that dates to 2008. The EU Parliament accounted for indirect land use change (ILUC) factors. A risk exists that biofuel production could spur massive conversion of forest and peatland into land for biofuel crops, which could lead to greater greenhouse-gas emissions. (Source: Ethanol Producer Magazine, September 11, 2013) The 6 percent cap is higher than the 5.5 percent cap proposed by the Environment Committee, but lower than the 8 percent lobbied for by the biofuels industry. The Parliament also proposed a 2.5 percent target for second generation biofuels or fuels derived from non-food sources like farm and industry waste. A 7.5 percent limit on ethanol in gasoline blends was also approved.
- 112. Poet, Royal DSM Create Joint Venture to Make Cellulosic Ethanol Poet LLC, the largest U.S. corn- based ethanol producer by installed capacity, established a joint venture with Royal DSM NV (DSM) to produce cellulosic ethanol and license the technology to other plants in the U.S. and globally. The companies will each own 50 percent of the joint venture, named Poet-DSM Advanced Biofuels LLC, Poet said today in a statement. The venture will let Poet build one of the first cellulosic ethanol plants in the U.S. and decline a $105 million U.S. loan guarantee. Initial capital expenditure by the venture will be $250 million, which will be invested in Poet’s Project Liberty facility in Emmetsburg, Iowa. The Emmetsburg plant is expected to begin production in the second half of 2013 and will convert corn cobs and other crop residue into 25 million gallons of ethanol a year. The venture intends to deploy the technology at Poet’s 26 other U.S. corn ethanol plants and license the technology to other producers globally. As much as 1 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol could be produced annually at Poet’s 27 plants if the technology is deployed at all of them, according to the statement. (Source: Bloomberg, January 24, 2012) Cellulosic Biofuels Commercialization – POET
- 113. POET-DSM’s first commercial cellulosic bioethanol POET-DSM Advanced Biofuel’s first commercial cellulosic bio-ethanol plant remains on schedule for startup in the first part of 2014 as workers continue equipment installation and other activity through the winter. The plant, dubbed “Project LIBERTY,” will produce 20 million gallons of cellulosic biofuel per year—later ramping up to 25 million gallons—from corn cobs, leaves, husk and some stalk. Farmers primarily in a 40-mile radius to the plant harvested approximately 100,000 tons of biomass this fall to be used to start the plant and operate it through next fall. Farmers are already signing contracts for the 2014 harvest. Additionally, POET-DSM is in talks with other ethanol producers about expanding this technology to more plants around the US in the future. Royal DSM and POET, LLC, one of the world’s largest ethanol producers, formed a joint venture in January 2012 to demonstrate and license commercial cellulosic bioethanol production based on their proprietary and complementary technologies. (Source: Green Car Congress, December 24, 2013)
- 114. Mercedes trials agricultural waste-based fuel Mercedes is to run a pilot project to trial the use of second-generation biofuel. Working in partnership with Clariant and Haltermann, the carmaker will trial the use of a fuel called sunliquid20, a super grade fuel consisting of 20 per cent cellulosic ethanol, produced from agricultural waste such as straw. Over the next twelve months, vehicles from a Mercedes-Benz test fleet consisting of a number of model types, will be run on the new fuel, refilling at an internal petrol station installed especially at for the project at the firm’s Stuttgart-Untertürkheim site. With an octane rating (RON) of more than 100, the fuel guarantees a high level of efficiency. The cellulosic ethanol comes from Clariant's sunliquid demonstration plant in Straubing, where approximately 4,500 tonnes of agricultural residues such as grain straw or corn stover are converted into cellulosic ethanol each year. At the Haltermann plant in Hamburg the bioethanol is mixed with selected components to form the fuel; the specifications of which reflect potential European E20 fuel quality. (Source: The Green Car, January 29, 2014)
- 115. China approves aviation biofuel Government officials in China have approved a biobased aviation fuel for commercial use, with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) awarding Sinopec the first certificate of airworthiness for biobased jet fuel. According to CAAC officials, the biojet fuel complies with the CTSO-2C701 standard that applies to civil aviation jet fuel containing synthesized hydrocarbons. CTSO- 2C701 requires alternative fuel and its synthetic paraffinic kerosene (SPK) component to conform to ASTM D7566-11a, a specification for aviation fuel containing synthesized hydrocarbons, and the supplement in CTSO-2C701. (Source: Avionics-Intelligence, February 21, 2014) In April 2013, Sinopec achieved the first test flight powered by its aviation biofuel: an Airbus A320 owned and operated by China Eastern Airlines completed an 85-minute flight on biojet fuel made from palm oil and recycled cooking oil feedstocks. Civil Aviation Administration of China approves aviation biofuel for use by commercial jets
- 116. US Military drop-in biofuels development The U.S. biofuels industry was able to maintain support from the more-than-willing U.S. military. The Department of Energy (DOE) granted $18 million to four biorefineries to develop pilot-scale drop-in biofuels projects to meet military specifications for jet fuel and ship diesel. The military has shown eager support for the biofuels industry through past purchases of drop-in biofuels for demonstration and testing purposes. In December 2011, the Navy purchased 450,000 gallons of cooking oil- and algae-based drop-in fuels for the jets and vessels to be displayed in the Great Green Fleet during the summer 2012 Rim of RIMPAC in Hawaii. The biofuels were mixed in a 50/50 blend with traditional fossil fuels, which amounted to about $15 per gallon. The biorefineries were Frontline Bioenergy LLCM (up to $4.2 million; Ames, Iowa), Cobalt Technologies (up to $2.5 million; Mountain View, California), Mercurius Biorefining, Inc. (up to $4.6 million; Ferndale, Washington), BioProcess Algae (up to $6.4 million; Shenandoah, Iowa) (Source: Renewable Energy World, April 24, 2013)
- 117. Seaweed could be new next biofuel The University of Greenwich is a key player in a consortium of 12 UK universities and companies to develop manufacturing processes that can remove the high water content, and preserve seaweed for year-round use. There is a global race on to develop the technologies to make seaweed a viable source of green power. Salt-water algae are a very attractive proposition as an alternative biofuel if the challenges can be overcome. The consortium, known as MacroBioCrude, received EPSRC funding to establish an integrated supply and processing pipeline for the sustainable manufacture of liquid hydrocarbon fuels from seaweed. MacroBioCrude brings together researchers from six universities: Greenwich, Durham, Aberystwyth, Swansea, Harper Adams, and Highlands and Islands, as well as industrial partners Johnson Matthey Catalysts, Johnson Matthey Davy Technologies, Silage Solutions Ltd, Shell, and the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI). Ensilage – a method traditionally used by farmers to turn grass into hay for winter animal feed – has potential to stop the seaweed rotting. The research, backed by £1.6m from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, will also explore the conversion of wet seaweed to gas, which can in turn be converted to liquid fuel. (Source: The Fish Site, February 24, 2014)
- 118. India’s RIIHL invests in Algae.Tec for algal biofuels Australia-based algae products company Algae.Tec Limited announced an initial investment of AU$1.5 million (US$1.32 million) by India’s Reliance Industrial Investments and Holdings Limited (RIIHL), with additional investments of AU$1.2 million (US$1.1 million) over the next 2 years. This relationship also features pilot project agreements for building a 2-barrel per- day biofuels facility in India utilizing Algae.Tec’s technology funded by RIIHL affiliates. The companies plan to work together towards commercialization after the successful operation of the pilot biofuels facility. The Algae.Tec system combines closed control of algae production within an engineered modular environment and efficient downstream biofuel processing. Algae.Tec has strategic partnerships with the Manildra Group, Lufthansa, Holcim Lanka Ltd and the Shandong Kerui Group Holding Ltd. (Source: Green Car Congress, January 21, 2014)