The requirement of biofuels is definitely required so as to meet the fuel needs Hence, many bio feedstock are under research, many are giving promising results; yet there are bottlenecks faced by the researchers in making these feedstock commercially viable.
Previously, First-generation feedstock were widely researched for fuel purposes, taking into consideration the food-fuel debate those feedstock are being avoided and more priority is given to the second-generation and the third generation feedstock. These seconds genration feedstock include weed such as Miscanthus or Camelina, whose biofuel potential was deciphered in the recent past. Recently, the use of algae which is a third generation feedstock is being widely researched due to the advantage offered by it to grow even in waste water.
Higlighted below are the feedstock which are believed to have a great potential in yielding oil in the near future. They are as follows:
Soy oil is used in about 60 percent of the biodiesel made in the United States today, but that is expected to change in the near future.
Dozens of potential feedstocks have been tested and many show promise.
With a grant from the Iowa Power Fund, Renewable Energy Group - an Ames, Iowa-based biodiesel company - tested 34 feedstocks.
The feedstocks included two types of algae, beef tallow, borage, camelina, canola, castor, choice white grease, coconut, coffee, corn oil, cuphea, evening primrose, fish, hemp, linseed, mustard, palm, poultry, rice bran, soybean, sunflower, used cooking oil and yellow grease.
Some lesser-known feedstocks were also tested:Each feedstock was tested for 15 characteristics, including moisture, free fatty acid, oxidative stability and cloud point.
Babassu oil - Extracted from the seeds of the babassu palm tree, the babassu is common in Brazil, Mexico and Honduras. The kernels are 60-70 percent oil.
Hepar oil - A byproduct of the heparin manufacturing process, hepar oil is derived from the mucosal tissues of animals, such as pig intestines and cow lungs.
Jatropha oil - From a shrub also known as the physic nut, jatropha is native to Mexico, Central America, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Paraguay.
Jojoba oil - An evergreen perennial shrub that grows in Arizona and Mexico, jojoba dehulled seeds contain 44 percent liquid wax.
Karanja oil - A medium-sized evergreen tree that grows in India, karanja seed contains 27-39 percent oil.
Fendler's bladderpod oil - Also known as Lesquerella, Fendler's bladderpod is used similarly to castor oil.
Moringa oleifera oil - Native to India, Africa, Arabia, Southeast Asia, the Pacific, South America and the Philippines, Moringa seeds contain between 33 and 41 percent oil.
Neem oil - A large evergreen tree found in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, Malaya, Indonesia, Japan and tropical regions in Australia, neem kernels contain 40-50 percent acrid green to brown-colored oil.
Perilla oil - Cultivated in China, Korea, Japan and India, the perilla plant's seeds contain 35-45 percent oil.
Stillingia oil - From the Chinese tallow tree, stillingia seeds contain 45-60 percent oil. The tree is used to prevent soil erosion and grows on marginal land in eastern Asia.
Tung oil - From the tung tree, tung seed is similar to linseed, safflower and soybean oil.
“In our commercial operation, we're already doing some of the things the ‘Feedstocks Report' supports. It shows how you can use combinations of feedstocks to meet quality and economic targets for production,” said David Slade, senior manager of technical services for Renewable Energy Group
The report is exciting, because it shows people in the petroleum industry that feedstocks can be used in combinations to meet quality and economic targets for biodiesel production, said Slade.
Eventually, science may find a way to make customized/genetically engineered oils with the properties needed for biodiesel.
Though not there yet, many scientists and biodiesel enthusiasts hope algae can be customized for biodiesel production.
Commercialization of algae is expected in 2013, said Mary Rosenthal, executive director of the Minnesota-based Algal Biomass Organization.
The Algal Biomass Organization has 173 members and was formed to facilitate commercialization and market development of microalgae biomass specifically for biofuels production and greenhouse gas abatement.
It's not very likely that algae for biodiesel will be raised outside in the northern states, but there are several companies that are looking at raising algae in brackish or non-potable water with access to light and heat.
Algae can be raised in sludge water, wastewater treatment facilities, salt water and outdoor ponds in warm climates.
The young industry has several challenges, though.
Companies that are developing algae biodiesel are keeping the information proprietary at this time. Other challenges include acquiring algae feedstocks, finding ways to make algae biodiesel profitable, and keeping protozoa at bay.
“The other challenges are light and keeping the heat right,” said Rosenthal. “Too much light isn't good, and will stunt the growth, but not enough will be a problem. If you don't have enough water, that's an issue too.”
Eventually, algae could be raised in conjunction with animal waste lagoons, she added. Algae can use the carbon dioxide and nutrients from waste to grow rapidly, creating a symbiotic relationship.
http://www.theprairiestar.com/articles/2010/03/12/ag_news/technology/tech10.txt
Monday, April 5, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
All Flights will Run on Camelina Fuel by 2025
Biofuel Market researchers claim that 1 billion gallons of Camelina biofuel would be produced for aviation and other biofuel sectors by 2025.This prediction has been made considering the following factors:
a. Land Availability
b. Land-use Change.
c. Crop-yields.
Interestingly, this will create about 25,000 jobs producing over $3.5 billion income for American and Canadian farmers.
A sustainability company - Sustainable Oils who specifically work on Camelina claims that they will produce about 100 million gallons of camelina based jet fuels to about 15 airlines by 2014. They have already run many test flights and strongly believe that Camelina will be a major contributor to the aviation industry.The camelina renewable jet fuel was made from a 50-50 blend of camelina-derived fuel and conventional JP-8 jet fuel.
Sustainable Oils
See more
a. Land Availability
b. Land-use Change.
c. Crop-yields.
Interestingly, this will create about 25,000 jobs producing over $3.5 billion income for American and Canadian farmers.
A sustainability company - Sustainable Oils who specifically work on Camelina claims that they will produce about 100 million gallons of camelina based jet fuels to about 15 airlines by 2014. They have already run many test flights and strongly believe that Camelina will be a major contributor to the aviation industry.The camelina renewable jet fuel was made from a 50-50 blend of camelina-derived fuel and conventional JP-8 jet fuel.
Sustainable Oils
See more
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Malaysia Will Permanently Shift to Biofuels by 2011
The Malaysian government recently announced that by 2011, all vehicles in Kualampur will run on a 5% blend of palm-oil mixed with diesel. This has been delayed over the past few years due to price fluctuations.
Malaysia is the world's second-largest exporter of palm oil after Indonesia, and the two countries account for 85 percent of global production. Being the world's second-largest palm oil producer, this plan will be soon implemented in stages in several central states from June 2011 and the extra costs which incur will be borne by the petroleum companies. The fortunes of Malaysia's biofuel industry waned in late 2008 when the price of crude oil tumbled, triggering a crash in the palm oil price which made supply uncertain, jeopardizing the long-term contracts and the industry needs.
The Malaysian government is very keen on implementing this as soon as practical as they very strongly believe The policy will benefit the country as biofuel is environmentally friendly and it will reduce the country’s dependence on petroleum diesel. It will also strengthen the palm oil prices and enable the planters, especially smallholders, to benefit from the stronger palm oil price. The ministry said it will discuss the implementation mechanism with petroleum companies, while the government will set up six petroleum depots with blending facilities.
The government has said the switch to biofuel will help reduce the cost of fuel in Malaysia, where petrol is subsidised, but conservationists have criticised oil palm plantations for destroying wildlife habitats. One of the challenges is meeting the sustainability criteria that are being debated worldwide .Malaysia -- which aims to be the global leader in biodiesel -- has approved 56 licences for biodiesel production, which account for a production capacity of 6.8 million tonnes.
Full Article
Malaysia is the world's second-largest exporter of palm oil after Indonesia, and the two countries account for 85 percent of global production. Being the world's second-largest palm oil producer, this plan will be soon implemented in stages in several central states from June 2011 and the extra costs which incur will be borne by the petroleum companies. The fortunes of Malaysia's biofuel industry waned in late 2008 when the price of crude oil tumbled, triggering a crash in the palm oil price which made supply uncertain, jeopardizing the long-term contracts and the industry needs.
The Malaysian government is very keen on implementing this as soon as practical as they very strongly believe The policy will benefit the country as biofuel is environmentally friendly and it will reduce the country’s dependence on petroleum diesel. It will also strengthen the palm oil prices and enable the planters, especially smallholders, to benefit from the stronger palm oil price. The ministry said it will discuss the implementation mechanism with petroleum companies, while the government will set up six petroleum depots with blending facilities.
The government has said the switch to biofuel will help reduce the cost of fuel in Malaysia, where petrol is subsidised, but conservationists have criticised oil palm plantations for destroying wildlife habitats. One of the challenges is meeting the sustainability criteria that are being debated worldwide .Malaysia -- which aims to be the global leader in biodiesel -- has approved 56 licences for biodiesel production, which account for a production capacity of 6.8 million tonnes.
Full Article
Friday, March 19, 2010
Airlines Will Use Biofuels to Fight Climate Change
Food-waste, plant sources, flax, marsh grass etc. are going to be widely used as feedstock for biofuel production in a decade claim the aviation experts .These are the efforts taken by some airlines to fight climate change.
The aviation experts are having a big focus on feedstock such as Jatropha, algae etc.which cause least or no destruction to the environment. The concern among many environmentalists previously was that the use of plant derived fuels would greatly destruct the forest. In Northern part of Europe, Camelina is being used as a fuel to run aircrafts.
The airplanes emit roughly 2% of the green house gases and the emissions from the aircraft even from a high altitude remain in the atmosphere, at least the emissions in the ground are absorbed by the soil and the ocean.
By 2012, all the flights entering into and leaving the European airports will be subject to the European trading program as in the airlines will be allowed to emit only certain amount of carbon-dioxide and they will be given targets for buying and selling carbon credits.
The International Air Transport Association strongly believes that by 2020, the fuel efficiency will be increased by 1.5% and by 2050 the carbon emissions from the aircrafts will be nearly reduced to half.
For more information
The aviation experts are having a big focus on feedstock such as Jatropha, algae etc.which cause least or no destruction to the environment. The concern among many environmentalists previously was that the use of plant derived fuels would greatly destruct the forest. In Northern part of Europe, Camelina is being used as a fuel to run aircrafts.
The airplanes emit roughly 2% of the green house gases and the emissions from the aircraft even from a high altitude remain in the atmosphere, at least the emissions in the ground are absorbed by the soil and the ocean.
By 2012, all the flights entering into and leaving the European airports will be subject to the European trading program as in the airlines will be allowed to emit only certain amount of carbon-dioxide and they will be given targets for buying and selling carbon credits.
The International Air Transport Association strongly believes that by 2020, the fuel efficiency will be increased by 1.5% and by 2050 the carbon emissions from the aircrafts will be nearly reduced to half.
For more information
Monday, October 19, 2009
Cheap Cellulosic Ethanol using Immobilised Enzymes...
As discussed in my previous posts, cellulosic ethanol has got bright prospects and is definitely going to be the best replacement for fossil fuels. The reason behind this is the fact that the cellulosic biomass is abundant in the planet. This also has the advantage of being a non- crop when compared to other food crops from which ethanol can be derived.
Conventional method of cellulosic ethanol production involved the plasmification of the organic matter resulting in the mixture of hydrocarbons. Organisms such as the bacteria are then added to the bacteria, which produces ethanol. This method is employed by many of the companies working on cellulosic ethanol commercialization.
Yet another method which was used is to directly digest the cellulosic biomass using enzymes to produce ethanol. This method is a bit more expensive than the first method and most importantly, a lot of by-products are lost during cellulose degradation.
To commercialize the cellulosic ethanol and to overcome these bottlenecks faced currently, researchers from the Louisiana Tech University have patented and discovered a new approach of immobilizing enzymes which digest the cellulosic biomass. This nanotechnological approach of immobilizing enzymes makes use of a charged particle which gets attached to the non-catalytic domains of the enzymes or uses extracellular matrix proteins to bind the enzymes.
This method of using immobilized enzyme is expected to drastically reduce the cost of cellulosic ethanol production. It is expected to save about $32 million and is capable of producing about 16 billion gallons of cellulose based ethanol, claims the LTU. Apparently, the cellulose ethanol commercialization has the capacity to reduce the carbon emissions to about 89 % when compared to gasoline based fuels.
Interestingly, the cellulosic ethanol demonstration plant in LTU is the first of its kind and they are very sure that Louisiana will be one of the main contributors in the cellulosic ethanol production.
For those of the scientific bent and those willing to decipher how the whole thing works can attend the Louisiana Tech’s Energy Systems Conference on November 5 at the Technology Transfer Center in Shreveport.
See more
Conventional method of cellulosic ethanol production involved the plasmification of the organic matter resulting in the mixture of hydrocarbons. Organisms such as the bacteria are then added to the bacteria, which produces ethanol. This method is employed by many of the companies working on cellulosic ethanol commercialization.
Yet another method which was used is to directly digest the cellulosic biomass using enzymes to produce ethanol. This method is a bit more expensive than the first method and most importantly, a lot of by-products are lost during cellulose degradation.
To commercialize the cellulosic ethanol and to overcome these bottlenecks faced currently, researchers from the Louisiana Tech University have patented and discovered a new approach of immobilizing enzymes which digest the cellulosic biomass. This nanotechnological approach of immobilizing enzymes makes use of a charged particle which gets attached to the non-catalytic domains of the enzymes or uses extracellular matrix proteins to bind the enzymes.
This method of using immobilized enzyme is expected to drastically reduce the cost of cellulosic ethanol production. It is expected to save about $32 million and is capable of producing about 16 billion gallons of cellulose based ethanol, claims the LTU. Apparently, the cellulose ethanol commercialization has the capacity to reduce the carbon emissions to about 89 % when compared to gasoline based fuels.
Interestingly, the cellulosic ethanol demonstration plant in LTU is the first of its kind and they are very sure that Louisiana will be one of the main contributors in the cellulosic ethanol production.
For those of the scientific bent and those willing to decipher how the whole thing works can attend the Louisiana Tech’s Energy Systems Conference on November 5 at the Technology Transfer Center in Shreveport.
See more
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Cellulosic Ethanol through the Thermochemical Route may serve to be the best way to derive Cellulose based Biofuels..
This post throws light one of the research efforts on the thermochemical route to derive celluose based ethanol. Scientists at the Concordia University after having worked on for many years have discovered a thermo-catalytic process, which can convert cellulosic biomass into ethanol .
The researchers there believe that this is a one-step process and this method is extremely energy efficient. The researchers are waiting to get this method patented and who knows? This might be the best method to derive cellulosic ethanol from cellulosic biomass such as waste.
Researchers from the University also claim that the ethanol they produce through this thermochemical route can directly be fed into the vehicle avoiding the step of any biorefining.
For those interested – Full article
About the Thermochemical process to derive cellulose based ethanol .
The thermo chemical route is the best way to produce cellulosic ethanol claims different scientists. Thermo chemical conversion of biomass into fuels is the solution that will be able to allow countries to meet the ethanol demand while not placing stress on food resources or land use.
Thermo chemical conversion process involves three main steps:
Gasification, wherein the biomass is dried, reduced in particle size and mechanically fed into a gasifier. . It then heated to a high temperature in an oxygen-limited steam environment to produce synthesis gas which is then scrubbed to remove trace elements. The use of gasification allows many types of waste biomass to be used as a feedstock since it is reduced to its basic components. Waste biomasses such as forestry residues, mill residues, agricultural waste, MSW, etc. are considered to be ideal feedstocks since essentially the same syngas is produced from all of them.
Catalysis wherein the cleaned syngas is passed over a catalyst in a fixed bed reactor; the catalyst converts syngas into an alcohols mixture of methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, and water.
Purification wherein the alcohol mixture is dehydrated, and the water is recycled. The alcohols are then separated to specification purity for different uses, including liquid fuels.
The bioethanol thus produced from the thermochemical route helps in reducing the GHG as discussed in the previous post. Apparently, it also solves the problem of carbon dioxide sequestration.
More about the thermochemical route to produce Cellulosic Ethanol
The researchers there believe that this is a one-step process and this method is extremely energy efficient. The researchers are waiting to get this method patented and who knows? This might be the best method to derive cellulosic ethanol from cellulosic biomass such as waste.
Researchers from the University also claim that the ethanol they produce through this thermochemical route can directly be fed into the vehicle avoiding the step of any biorefining.
For those interested – Full article
About the Thermochemical process to derive cellulose based ethanol .
The thermo chemical route is the best way to produce cellulosic ethanol claims different scientists. Thermo chemical conversion of biomass into fuels is the solution that will be able to allow countries to meet the ethanol demand while not placing stress on food resources or land use.
Thermo chemical conversion process involves three main steps:
Gasification, wherein the biomass is dried, reduced in particle size and mechanically fed into a gasifier. . It then heated to a high temperature in an oxygen-limited steam environment to produce synthesis gas which is then scrubbed to remove trace elements. The use of gasification allows many types of waste biomass to be used as a feedstock since it is reduced to its basic components. Waste biomasses such as forestry residues, mill residues, agricultural waste, MSW, etc. are considered to be ideal feedstocks since essentially the same syngas is produced from all of them.
Catalysis wherein the cleaned syngas is passed over a catalyst in a fixed bed reactor; the catalyst converts syngas into an alcohols mixture of methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, and water.
Purification wherein the alcohol mixture is dehydrated, and the water is recycled. The alcohols are then separated to specification purity for different uses, including liquid fuels.
The bioethanol thus produced from the thermochemical route helps in reducing the GHG as discussed in the previous post. Apparently, it also solves the problem of carbon dioxide sequestration.
More about the thermochemical route to produce Cellulosic Ethanol
Cellulosic Ethanol Feedstock- Will Switchgrass be the Best Choice?
As discussed in my previous posts, the cellulosic biomass constitutes to be the most abundant biological matter in the planet. Almost anything and everything can be used as a cellulosic biomass. Plants such as switch grass have been recognized as the best bionergy crops for producing cellulosic ethanol.
Benefits of using Switch grass:
1. They are perennial bionergy crops.
2. They have high energy efficiency.
3. Comparatively, they are economically feasible.
4. It does not require as much nitrogen as a corn crop and is harvested once per year
5. Switchgrass produce 13 times more energy from the crop than is put in, which exceed soybeans at 3:1 or sugarcane at 8:1.
6. The advantage of switchgrass is that it is drought resistant, making it less of a burden on irrigation supply, and produces more energy than corn.
7. Switchgrass and corn ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions up to 90%. Such ethanol produces 80% more energy as compared to the amount of energy used for processing.
8. Estimated average greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from switchgrass were 94% lower than estimated average greenhouse gas GHG from gasoline .
Commercialization of Switchgrass :
Switchgrass can be a prospering renewable fuel in the future. Many companies have started building refineries that convert biomass to ethanol. Some companies are producing improved strains of yeast and enzymes that can produce better switchgrass and corn ethanol in the future.
These developments will open new doors of opportunities for farmers, investors, biotechnology firms, and project developers in near future. Some companies are trying to produce switchgrass from the wastes generated during the production of cellulosic ethanol.
Improvements and developments in the field of genetics, biotechnology and agronomics may further enhance the sustainability and biofuel yield of switchgrass. Research is underway in finding the best bioenergy crop for cellulosic ethanol.
For those of the scientific bent - Full article
Benefits of using Switch grass:
1. They are perennial bionergy crops.
2. They have high energy efficiency.
3. Comparatively, they are economically feasible.
4. It does not require as much nitrogen as a corn crop and is harvested once per year
5. Switchgrass produce 13 times more energy from the crop than is put in, which exceed soybeans at 3:1 or sugarcane at 8:1.
6. The advantage of switchgrass is that it is drought resistant, making it less of a burden on irrigation supply, and produces more energy than corn.
7. Switchgrass and corn ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions up to 90%. Such ethanol produces 80% more energy as compared to the amount of energy used for processing.
8. Estimated average greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from switchgrass were 94% lower than estimated average greenhouse gas GHG from gasoline .
Commercialization of Switchgrass :
Switchgrass can be a prospering renewable fuel in the future. Many companies have started building refineries that convert biomass to ethanol. Some companies are producing improved strains of yeast and enzymes that can produce better switchgrass and corn ethanol in the future.
These developments will open new doors of opportunities for farmers, investors, biotechnology firms, and project developers in near future. Some companies are trying to produce switchgrass from the wastes generated during the production of cellulosic ethanol.
Improvements and developments in the field of genetics, biotechnology and agronomics may further enhance the sustainability and biofuel yield of switchgrass. Research is underway in finding the best bioenergy crop for cellulosic ethanol.
For those of the scientific bent - Full article
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