Edward S. Lipinsky

Biochemicals as an energy resource

The use of green plants for the production of renewable resources, specifically for high‐energy liquid fuels and valuable chemicals is discussed. The predominant classes of natural products that plants produce as pure hydrocarbons, or with a sufficiently low degree of oxygenation so that they can be catalytically reformed to pure hydrocarbons, are represented by glyceride oils and by various isoprenoids. A number of different plant species have been proposed and are being investigated as candidates for energy crops. The results of several surveys of hydrocarbon producing plants conducted over the last five years are discussed, as well as some new potential sources of hydrocarbons, with emphasis on the quantity and quality of the chemicals obtainable from these plants.

Arid lands plants as feedstocks for fuels and chemicals

The possibility of using green plants as a renewable resource for chemicals and fuels has focused attention on the energy potential of arid lands vegetation. This article reviews the current knowledge of obtaining various chemicals and fuels from these plants. The key issues of soil quality, resource production, and water use are discussed within the framework of developing a long‐term renewable resource base that is energetically and economically feasible. After identifying the major barriers to be overcome, the recommended research objectives for the 1980s are discussed.

Sugar crops as a solar energy converter

Biomass crops are renewable resources with multiple uses that can benefit mankind1. Current attention centers on replacement of petroleum as a principal source of energy for transportation applications. Fuels for electric power generation and household heating and/or cooking also are needed. Rising global demand for chemicals, food, construction materials, and paper products increase resource requirements even further.

Algae, bacteria, and yeasts as food or feed

The use of algae, bacteria, and yeasts as food for man or feed for animals has been the subject of considerable discussion in both the scientific and technological literature and in the popular press in recent years. This interest has arisen largely as a result of the need for additional food supplies in chronic food‐shortage areas of the world and for food for life‐support of astronauts on extended space missions. We direct out attention here to the most recent literature and attempt to analyze the current status of the use of these microorganisms for either food or feed with projections to possible applications in the future.

R&D status of technologies for utilization of carbon dioxide

Abstract Battelle conducted a 1991 research study for CORDNET, a consortium of Canadian organizations, to address separation, disposal and/or utilization of carbon dioxide. This paper concerns only the utilization aspects. Although the carbon dioxide problem is a global one, the utilization opportunities are based solidly on local resources and conditions. Our investigation led to suggestions for specific opportunities in the pulp and paper industry and polymers, among other possibilities. Opportunities to utilize precipitated calcium carbonate in alkaline-sized paper products and other materials, partly displacing expensive titanium dioxide appear to be attractive. The challenge is to make this process a net remover of carbon dioxide from the global system through use of local brines. Urea and isocyanic acid that are prepared from carbon dioxide may displace hazardous and corrosive phosgene used in manufacture of polycarbonates, urethanes, and advanced materials. The benefits of carbon dioxide utilization arise primarily from the profits and the lessons learned about the properties and potential of carbon dioxide. The amount thus sequestered is likely to be small compared with the magnitue of the CO 2 problem.

Pretreatment of Biomass for Thermochemical Biomass Conversion

Developers of microbiological processes to convert biomass into chemicals and fuels recognized long ago that pretreatments were needed prior to fermentation or enzyme reactions, if high rates and yields are to be achieved.1,2 Microorganisms and enzymes have difficulty in depolymerizing crystalline polymers, such as cellulose, and hydrophobic molecules, such as lignin and triglycerides. Furthermore, biomass constituents frequently conspire to form complexes that are difficult for microbes or enzymes to break apart. Because of these problems, numerous pretreatment methods have been developed to aid in microbiological processing by disrupting the lignocellulose complex, facilitating the depolymerization of polymers, and removing protective extractives.