Mark Laser

How biotech can transform biofuels

For cellulosic ethanol to become a reality, biotechnological solutions should focus on optimizing the conversion of biomass to sugars.

A comparison of liquid hot water and steam pretreatments of sugar cane bagasse for bioconversion to ethanol

Sugar cane bagasse was pretreated with either liquid hot water (LHW) or steam using the same 25 l reactor. Solids concentration ranged from 1% to 8% for LHW pretreatment and was > or = 50% for steam pretreatment. Reaction temperature and time ranged from 170 to 230 degrees C and 1 to 46 min, respectively. Key performance metrics included fiber reactivity, xylan recovery, and the extent to which pretreatment hydrolyzate inhibited glucose fermentation. In four cases, LHW pretreatment achieved > or = 80% conversion by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF). > or = 80% xylan recovery, and no hydrolyzate inhibition of glucose fermentation yield. Combined effectiveness was not as good for steam pretreatment due to low xylan recovery. SSF conversion increased and xylan recovery decreased as xylan dissolution increased for both modes. SSF conversion, xylan dissolution. hydrolyzate furfural concentration, and hydrolyzate inhibition increased, while xylan recovery and hydrolyzate pH decreased, as a function of increasing LHW pretreatment solids concentration (1-8%). These results are consistent with the notion that autohydrolysis plays an important. if not exclusive, role in batch hydrothermal pretreatment. Achieving concurrently high (greater than 90%) SSF conversion and xylan recovery will likely require a modified reactor configuration (e.g. continuous percolation or base addition) that better preserves dissolved xylan.

Recent process improvements for the ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX) process and resulting reductions in minimum ethanol selling price

The ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX) process has been shown to be an effective pretreatment for lignocellulosic biomass. Technological advances in AFEX have been made since previous cost estimates were developed for this process. Recent research has enabled lower overall ammonia requirements, reduced ammonia concentrations, and reduced enzyme loadings while still maintaining high conversions of glucan and xylan to monomeric sugars. A new ammonia recovery approach has also been developed. Capital and operating costs for the AFEX process, as part of an overall biorefining system producing fuel ethanol from biomass have been developed based on these new research results. These new cost estimates are presented and compared to previous estimates. Two biological processing options within the overall biorefinery are also compared, namely consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) and enzymatic hydrolysis followed by fermentation. Using updated parameters and ammonia recovery configurations, the cost of ethanol production utilizing AFEX is calculated. These calculations indicate that the minimum ethanol selling price (MESP) has been reduced from

Conversion of Lignocellulosics Pretreated with Liquid Hot Water to Ethanol

1.41/gal to

Cellulosic ethanol: status and innovation

0.81/gal.

Energy Myth Three – High Land Requirements and an Unfavorable Energy Balance Preclude Biomass Ethanol from Playing a Large Role in Providing Energy Services

Lignocellulosic materials pretreated using liquid hot water (LHW) (220°C, 5 MPa, 120 s) were fermented to ethanol by batch simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) using Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the presence of Trichoderma reesei cellulase. SSF of sugarcane bagasse (as received), aspen chips (smallest dimension 3 mm), and mixed hardwood flour (-60 +70 mesh) resulted in 90% conversion to ethanol in 2-5 d at enzyme loadings of 15-30 FPU/g. In most cases, 90% of the final conversion was achieved within 75 h of inoculation. Comminution of the pretreated substrates did not affect the conversion to ethanol. The hydrolysate produced from the LHW pretreatment showed slight inhibition of batch growth of S. cerevisiae. Solids pretreated at a concentration of 100 g/L were as reactive as those pretreated at a lower concentration, provided that the temperature was maintained at 220°C.

Bioenergy and African transformation

Although the purchase price of cellulosic feedstocks is competitive with petroleum on an energy basis, the cost of lignocellulose conversion to ethanol using todays technology is high. Cost reductions can be pursued via either in-paradigm or new-paradigm innovation. As an example of new-paradigm innovation, consolidated bioprocessing using thermophilic bacteria combined with milling during fermentation (cotreatment) is analyzed. Acknowledging the nascent state of this approach, our analysis indicates potential for radically improved cost competitiveness and feasibility at smaller scale compared to current technology, arising from (a) R&D-driven advances (consolidated bioprocessing with cotreatment in lieu of thermochemical pretreatment and added fungal cellulase), and (b) configurational changes (fuel pellet coproduction instead of electricity, gas boiler(s) in lieu of a solid fuel boiler).

Comparative efficiency and driving range of light- and heavy-duty vehicles powered with biomass energy stored in liquid fuels or batteries

In debates over whether the United States could transition to a transportation sector run on bio-fuels, it is often said that the country does not possess enough land to simultaneously feed and fuel the nation. This chapter explores the potential sufficiency of biomass resources in the context of large-scale provision of energy services. Only cellulosic biomass is considered here, as this class of biomass feedstocks is generally seen as having the greatest potential for large-scale energy production. Analysis is focused on production of ethanol, a promising liquid fuel, and on studies of the biomass resource sufficiency of the United States. Some reference is also made to the more limited literature aimed at the important question of evaluating the potential of biomass energy on a global scale. Ultimately, we believe that biomass merits consideration as a large-scale provider of energy services as the world looks for paths by which to realize a sustainable and secure future. Rather than only adding one more point estimate to the already large pool of evaluations in the literature, we also intend that this chapter contribute to understanding the factors that determine biomass resource sufficiency and why different analyses of this question reach such disparate conclusions.

HOT LIQUID WATER PRETREATMENT OF LIGNOCELLULOSICS AT HIGH SOLIDS CONCENTRATIONS

Among the world’s continents, Africa has the highest incidence of food insecurity and poverty and the highest rates of population growth. Yet Africa also has the most arable land, the lowest crop yields, and by far the most plentiful land resources relative to energy demand. It is thus of interest to examine the potential of expanded modern bioenergy production in Africa. Here we consider bioenergy as an enabler for development, and provide an overview of modern bioenergy technologies with a comment on application in an Africa context. Experience with bioenergy in Africa offers evidence of social benefits and also some important lessons. In Brazil, social development, agricultural development and food security, and bioenergy development have been synergistic rather than antagonistic. Realizing similar success in African countries will require clear vision, good governance, and adaptation of technologies, knowledge, and business models to myriad local circumstances. Strategies for integrated production of food crops, livestock, and bioenergy are potentially attractive and offer an alternative to an agricultural model featuring specialized land use. If done thoughtfully, there is considerable evidence that food security and economic development in Africa can be addressed more effectively with modern bioenergy than without it. Modern bioenergy can be an agent of African transformation, with potential social benefits accruing to multiple sectors and extending well beyond energy supply per se. Potential negative impacts also cut across sectors. Thus, institutionally inclusive multi-sector legislative structures will be more effective at maximizing the social benefits of bioenergy compared to institutionally exclusive, single-sector structures.

Consolidated bioprocessing of cellulosic biomass: an update

Significance This paper addresses the question, “When using cellulosic biomass for vehicular transportation, which field-to-wheels pathway is more efficient: that using biofuels or that using bioelectricity?” Distinguishing features of this study relative to prior work are the consideration of technological maturity, both in fuel/electricity production and vehicular advancement, as well as the intended transportation application. Whereas prior studies have deemed bioelectricity as being the more efficient option, we find here that, for ranges characteristic of driving patterns in the United States, there is little basis to expect mature bioelectricity-powered vehicles to have greater field-to-wheels efficiency as compared with mature biofuel-powered vehicles. This study addresses the question, “When using cellulosic biomass for vehicular transportation, which field-to-wheels pathway is more efficient: that using biofuels or that using bioelectricity?” In considering the question, the level of assumed technological maturity significantly affects the comparison, as does the intended transportation application. Results from the analysis indicate that for light-duty vehicles, over ranges typical in the United States today (e.g., 560–820 miles), field-to-wheels performance is similar, with some scenarios showing biofuel to be more efficient, and others indicating the two pathways to be essentially the same. Over the current range of heavy-duty vehicles, the field-to-wheels efficiency is higher for biofuels than for electrically powered vehicles. Accounting for technological advances and range, there is little basis to expect mature bioelectricity-powered vehicles to have greater field-to-wheels efficiency (e.g., kilometers per gigajoule biomass or per hectare) compared with mature biofuel-powered vehicles.