Research Accomplishment Reports 2007

The Science and Engineering for a Biobased Industry and Economy

S.E. Nokes, M. Montross, C. Crofcheck, H.J. Strobel
Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

 

Project Description

The land-grant university system provides a mechanism for leadership and technology development to accomplish the goal of furthering our knowledge, leading to a commercially successful biorefinery. The University includes expert scientists in all areas related to the capture of solar energy and its transformation to food, fuel, and shelter. We have seen national interest in biomass-based fuel and chemicals rise and fall over the past thirty years with each oil embargo or market adjustment.

Thus, it is fair for one to ask "What is new about situation today that justifies a commitment by land grant institutions to a renewed investment in biomass-based fuel and chemicals research and teaching?" One of the answers to this question has to be scientific and engineering breakthroughs that are creating new opportunities for producing and processing biomass resources, plants and microorganisms, and the engineering of novel biocatalysts, reactors and industrial processes.

Specifically, our goals are to:

1. Reduce costs of harvesting, handling, sorting and transporting biomass to increase competitiveness of biomass as a feedstock for biofuels, biomaterials and biochemicals.

Task 1. Quantify and characterized biological feedstocks. Task 2. Develop and evaluate harvest, process and handling methods. Task 3. Model and analyze integrated feedstock supply and process systems.

2. Improve biofuel production processes

2.1. Biological conversion processes Task 1: Develop pretreatment methods for biological conversion processes Task 2: Develop conversion processes Task 3: Improve methods for characterization of intermediate products and process control

2.2. Thermochemical conversion processes Task 1: Develop pretreatment methods Task 2: Develop conversionprocesses Task 3: Improve methods for characterization of intermediate products and process control

2.3. Biodiesel production processes Task 1: Characterize new feedstocks Task 2: Develop an understanding of fuel quality and performance issues Task 3: Develop and characterize innovative processes for biodiesel production Task 4: Utilize by-products

3. Identify, develop, and evaluate sustainable processes to convert biomass resources into biochemicals, biocatalysts, and biomaterials (non-fuel uses)

Task 1. Characterize biochemicals, biocatalysts, and biomaterials in biomass Task 2. Develop separation processes for biochemicals, biocatalysts, and biomaterials Task 3. Develop applications for biochemicals and biocatalysts with biological activity Task 4. Develop enabling technologies for biochemicals for materials productions Task 5. Develop and evaluate integrated process systems for commercial feasibility

4. Identify needed educational materials, developing those materials in distance based delivery methods and developing a trained work force to support a biobased products industry.

Impact

This project generated engineering and process data for supporting the development of sustainable, low cost, collection, handling, processing and conversion of biobased feedstocks into high value biofuels, biomaterial and biochemicals. At the end of five years, investigators have demonstration processes, reactors and pilot-scale systems in place for their respective processes. These pilot-scale systems will be used as demonstration sites to stimulate commercialization of the various bioprocesses.

Publications

Chinn, M.S., Nokes, S.E., Strobel, H.J. 2007. Influence of Process Conditions on End Product Formation from Clostridium thermocellum 27405 in Solid Substrate Cultivation on Avicel. Bioresource Technology. Available online 12 July 2007. doi:10.1016 j.biortech.2007.04.052. Volume 99(7):2664

Zhuang, J., M.A. Marchant, S.E. Nokes, and H.J. Strobel. 2007. Economic analysis of cellulase production methods for bioethanol. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 23(5):679.