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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
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
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
B
iom
ass
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.
Carbon Cycle – Fossil fuel vs. Biofuel
Illustration source: Sue Hill, Michigan Technological University
Carbon-Neutral Bioenergy
Biomass-based Industry
Biomass
End-of-life biomaterials
Biofuel
Biomaterials
Heat
Electricity
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
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
Biomass to Energy Conversion Pathways
Illustration by NREL
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
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
Bioethanol/Biodiesel
Bio-oil (Pyrolysis oil)
The liquid condensate of the vapors of pyrolysis
(heating of biomass in the absence of oxygen)
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
Biogas
A methane-rich flammable gas that results from
the decomposition of organic (waste) material
Landfill Biogas
CHP (Combined Heat and Power)
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
Share of Bioenergy in Renewable Energy
Intra_European trade is not displayed for clarity.
Global Trade of Bioenergy
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 residues 50
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
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
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
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
Next Generation Biofuels
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
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)
Starch and Lignocellulosic Biomass
Corn Grain
Corn Stover
Structure of Lignocellulosic Biomass
Cellulose, Hemicellulose, and Lignin
Agricultural Residues Energy Crops Cellulosic Wastes
Cellulosic Biomass: The New “Crude Oil”
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
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
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
Bioethanol Production Steps
Sugar
Starch
Lignocellulose Pre
treatm
ent
Saccharific
atio
n
Ferm
enta
tion
Dis
tillatio
n/D
ehydra
tion
Bio
eth
anol
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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%
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
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
Bioethanol Production from Starch Biomass
Grinding Cooking Saccharification Fermentation Separation
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
Lignocellulosic Bioethanol Production Route
Biomass Conversion “Platforms”
Bioenergy Production from Various Biomass
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
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
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 price Biofuel production trend
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
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
20
05
20
06
20
07
20
08
20
09
20
10
20
11
USA
Argentina
Brazil
Europe
France
Germany
Asia/Oceania
World
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
20
05
20
06
20
07
20
08
20
09
20
10
20
11
Canada
USA
Brazil
Europe
Asia/Oceania
China
World
year year
Biofuel Consumption by Country
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
20
05
20
06
20
07
20
08
20
09
20
10
20
11
Canada
USA
Brazil
Europe
Asia/Ocenania
China
World
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
20
05
20
06
20
07
20
08
20
09
20
10
20
11
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)
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
World Bioethanol Production
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
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)
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
Bioethanol and Biodiesel Stations in USA
Source: http://www.afdc.energy.gov
Feedstock Use in Bioethanol Production (2008)
USA EU
Source: Energy 36 (2011) 2070-2076
Feedstock Use in Biodiesel Production (2008)
USA EU
Source: Energy 36 (2011) 2070-2076
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
Biofuel Feedstocks
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
10 Biofuel Crops
Sugarcane Brazil, most economical
Burring during harvesting
Corn Corn stover utilization
Cottonseed Wheat 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
Thermochemial Conversion of Biomass
Gasification
Pyrolysis
Other Conversion
Clean-up
Conversion /Collection
Separation
Synthesis
Purification
Purification
Partial Air
No
Air
Excess Air
Lig
no
cell
uo
sic
Bio
mass
Hydrogen Methane Oils Others
Hydrogen Alcohol FT Gasolin FT Diesel Olefins Oxochemicals Ammonia
Hydrogen Olefins Oils Special Chem
Thermal Conversion
Biomass to Syngas to Fuels and Chemicals
Primary Energy
Source B
iom
ass
BTL (Biomass to Liquid) Process
BTL (Biomass-to-Liquids)
Biosyngas
Biomass
Bio-oil
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
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
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) ($80 million)
Feature: Minimize the byproducts
Source: Lisa Gibson. Bioethanol plant in Denmark inaugurated Biomass Magazine, November 19, 2009.
13,000 metric tons of lignin pellets per year, used as fuel at combined-heat-and-power plants, and 11,100 metric tons of C5 molasses, which is currently used for biomethane production via anaerobic digestion, and has been tested as a high carbohydrate animal feed supplement and potential bio-based feedstock for production of numerous commodity chemicals including diols, glycols, organic acids, biopolymer precursors and intermediates.
Cellulosic Bioethanol Commercialization (USA)
The commercial scale cellulosic bioethanol plant in USA (Aug 2013)
Company and Location: INEOS Bio, Vero Beach in Florida USA
Capacity: 8 MMgy cellulosic ethanol, 6 MW (gross) electricity generation facility
Feedstock: Vegetative and Yard waste; MSW (2014)
Fund: 130 M$ 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/
Selected USDA and DOE Grants (2002-2009)
Year Program Total Funding
($) Awarded Projects
Partial List of Recipients
2002 Biomass R&D Joint 79,350,000 8 awards Broin & Associates (now POET), Cargill, DuPont, Abengoa, National Corn Growers Association, Iowa Corn Promotion Board
2003 Biomass R&D Joint 23,803,802 19 awards Dartmouth (Mascoma), University of Florida (now partnering with Buckeye Technologies), Pure Vision Technology, Metabolix, Cargill, ADM
2004 Biomass R&D Joint 26,357,056 13 awards Rohm & Haas Co., Weyerhaeuser Company
2005 Biomass R&D Joint 12,626,931 11 awards Samuel Robert Noble Foundation
2006 Biomass R&D Joint 17,492,507 17 awards Increasing focus on feedstock development: Ceres Inc., SUNY, Edenspace Systems
2007 Biomass R&D Joint 18,449,090 21 awards GE Global Research, Ceres Inc., Agrivida Inc.
2007 DOE Commercial Scale Biorefinery
385,000,000 6 awards Abengoa Bioenergy, BlueFire Ethanol, Broin Companies (now POET), Iogen, Range Fuels
2008 DOE Small Scale Biorefinery
200,000,000 7 awards Verenium, Lignol Innovations, ICM, UT/Genera
2009 DOE Advanced Biorefinery
564,000,000 19 awards ADM, Amyris Biotechnology Inc., Elevance Renewable Sciences, BioEnergy Internation LLV (Myriant)
Source: E.E. Hood, P. Nelson, R. Powell, “Plant Biomass Conversion”, Wiley-Blackwell (2011).
DOE Commercial Scale Biorefinery (2007)
Company Platform Process Scale (2010)
Range Fuels
($ 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
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
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
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
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
IOGEN’s Enzymatic Hydrolysis
a class of enzymes
produced chiefly by fungi,
bacteria, and protozoans
that catalyze the cellulolysis
(or hydrolysis) of cellulose
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)
Bioethanol Cost Target (USA)
Bioethanol Cost Analysis
Ligno -cellulosic
Process develop.
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)
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
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.
RFS2 & Biofuel Prodction
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.
US National Transportation Fuel Use Plan
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
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
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
C H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
O
H
Gasoline
Air-to-Fuel Ratio
Energy Content (Btu/gal)
Vapor Pressure (psi)
Motor Octante
Ethanol Methanol Butanol
63K 78K 110K 115K
4.6 0.33 2.0 4.5
91 92 94 96
6.6 9 11.1 12-15
Hydrophilic Corrosive
Bioethanol
Conventional Biodiesel Production Process
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
Chemicals from Glycerol (Biodiesel Byproduct)
Source : NREL, “Top Value Added Chemicals from Biomass,” 2004
Neste Oil biodiesel plant in Porvoo, Finland
Second Generation Biodiesel
Biofuels fro Macro- and Microalgae
Bioenergy Production for Algae
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.
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
Scenario for Biofuel Production for Microalgae
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’
Energy Production for Macroalgae (2)
Methane Fermentation using Macroalgae (Tokyo Gas)
Energy Production for Macroalgae (3)
Sea Wind Farms (Alfred Wegener Institute, Denmark)
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
Most
Matu
re
Least
Matu
re
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
Outlook
(from NEXANT)
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
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.
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
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)
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)
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
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)
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)
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)
