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"Once you break down all the sugars in the plant material, the only option we had before was to make ethanol," Wyman says. "This presents more options."
In the future, a single manufacturing center, after refining the biomass into sugars, could make biodiesel or ethanol, depending on market demand. However, Wyman also points out that the economic battle hasn't necessarily been won.
"In the end it's the price at the gas station where these technologies win or lose, not in the laboratory," he says.
To insure that both biodiesel and ethanol become more competitive in the marketplace, Wyman says that a key breakthrough is needed to make diesel fuel or other products such as ethanol competitively from sugars. According to him, advances in this area could beat wholesale gasoline prices.
And some believe that breakthrough is on the horizon. Advancements in the last two years in enzyme technology by the National Renewable Energy Laboratories and private companies such as Iogen and Novozymes have substantially reduced the costs of cellulose transformation, which is tantalizingly close to making the whole system economically competitive with cheap gas.
The new process being developed by James Dumesic, professor of chemical and biological engineering at the University of Wisconsin, and Huber will help to reduce those costs by limiting the amount of waste, since any type of plant matter can be fed into their system. Unlike current ethanol refineries, which can work only with high-glucose content materials such as corn, the biodiesel fuel generated by this process uses the cellulose, roots, and stems of any plant.
That means the waste biomass of America's vast agriculture industry -- everything from corn stover (the stems and leaves of the plant) to peanut shells and fallen leaves -- can be used. A recent U.S. Department of Agriculture study (see Notebook) estimated that more than 1.3 billion tons of such waste is produced every year. If all of it were turned into biodiesel, it would provide enough fuel to replace one-third of the petroleum consumed in the United States. Furthermore, turning currently unused farmland into grassland to be harvested for biodiesel production would easily account for the other two-thirds of petroleum needs.
That, of course, means another beneficiary of such a transformation would be family farmers, according to Pacific Ethanol's Jones. Ethanol refineries owned by cooperatives of farmers already supply the bulk of U.S. ethanol production, and biodiesel refineries could be modeled on the same program.
Honing this new process, though, is only the first step in the very long process of transforming the country to a biodiesel nation. For that to happen, the entire U.S. commercial car fleet would have to switch from internal combustion engines to diesel ones, of course; but the move might be attractive, since the new engines would cause less pollution (biodiesel vehicles would produce far fewer pollutants like sulfur and nitrogen oxides.)
Such a sea-change in the U.S. transportation infrastructure won't happen quickly. More likely, biodiesel production will start slowly, then ramp up to an industrial scale, if it's competitive with diesel and gasoline.
Still, Huber thinks that his team has taken a major step toward harnessing one of the world's most-prevalent, yet least-utilized energy resources.
"If this is a success," he says, "I can say that I helped to convert our biomass resources to fuel our transportation system."
Guest (Mr Neisuh Patel)
Dear Sir,
I would like to know more about this new Biomass conversion process.
Please contact me with Prof George Huber & Prof James Dumesic.
My email address is Standing1@gmail.com
I await your best attention & quick reply.
Regards,
Mr Neisuh Patel
Guest (TR Stevenson)
TRSA has been working on Wet Fractionation of Lucerne (Alfalfa) to produce fibre, soluble protein concentrates and isolates and brown
liquor solubles (sugars)
Technuical & Research Services Pty Ltd (TRSA) is my company which has and is carrying out the following projects
Past work by TRSA included working on production and processing of algae, using solar energy. The solids were separated using similar equipment to above processes (Decanters)and dried by TRSA low temperature Spouting Bed Driers producing a Vitamin C product
Other work has include the development of soybeans processing to produce soy base milk and soy residue, using similar equipment and operations which will be used in the lucerne project
I would like to have further discussions with your group if you feel the above experience is relevant to bio-diesel and/or ethanol production
Guest (S.SENDIL NADIN)
Bio-diesel manufacturing from plants (Steam, leaf)
Dear sir,
On that i had seen your article. Its a good one invention sir. Now i am intrested to setup this biodiesel based manufacturing industry at India (Pondicherry). Please kindly send all those manufacturing technology and its machinery details with cost.
I am expecting your reply as early sir.
Thanking you sir,
S.SENDIL NADIN
e-mail Id:shuvzemgroup@gmail.com
Re: Bio-diesel manufacturing from plants (Steam, leaf)
Dear Sendil,
I have technology for biodiesel processing. Please let us know the feed stock and capacity needed. We can make turn key basis plant any where in the world.
Shukla
Guest (S.SENDIL NADIN)
Bio-diesel manufacturing from plants (Steam, leaf)
Dear sir,
On that i had seen your article. Its a good one invention sir. Now i am intrested to setup this biodiesel based manufacturing industry at India (Pondicherry). Please kindly send all those manufacturing technology and its machinery details with cost.
I am expecting your reply as early sir.
Thanking you sir,
S.SENDIL NADIN
e-mail Id:shuvzemgroup@gmail.com
Guest (js gill)
algae production solid catalyst for biodiesel prod
Guest (Scott Slocum)
Bio-diesel vs. soil-building mulch
Id like to learn more about an obvious cost of bio-diesel production: decreased recycling of organic matter back into the soil. Wouldnt increased bio-diesel production threaten long-term agriculture by depleting topsoil?
Guest (Jim Demers)
Soil degradation - not necessarily
So long as the nitrogen and phosphorus in the process waste streams are returned to the soil, there's no net loss if you take away only the ethanol... the C, H, and O come from water and atmospheric CO2.
Guest (Surendra Mohnot)
Soil degradation - Biodeisels??
Biodiesels are made from vegetable oils and animal fats. We already extract both edible and non-edible oils from plant sources. Only here we put these oils/fats to yet another eco-friendly use - Biodiesel making.
The oilcakes, crude by-products,other plant parts can be composted to aid the topsoil with high quality manure thus produced.
Guest (lemon)
We introduce ourselves as Popular Holding LTD.We are located in China .
Now we need Crude Glycerine in our production .Do you produce Crude Glycerine?
If you produce and can supply . Pls do not hesitate to contact us and be so kindly to give us your spec., packing and quote your best price on FOB basis(MT/USD) .Tks
Looking forward to receiving to your reply.
Jonathan/Lemon
Fax: 86-592-5163527
E-mail:chem15@winmail.cn
Guest (keith plumley)
We are current exporting crude Glycerine, and have approx 100mt per month until year end,
If of interest please contact me.
E-mail keith@cphchemicals.nl
Best wishes
Keith Plumley
Guest (Balasubramanian.C)
We are in India (Mumbai); in the process of setting up bio diesel plant and the Glycerine will be available in latter stage- 10,000TPA. Would like to know from you on long term aggrement possiblities and quantity requirements.contact me at balasubramanianc@essar.com
Guest (Surendra Mohnot)
Can we produce biofertilizers, biocides or other products from crude glycerine (containing sodium or potassium soaps, etc.) obtained during biodiesel processing from waste vegetable oils/fats?
My email: surendra.mohnot@gmail.com
Guest (stephen gephart)
please contact me regarding your request for crude glycerin. sgephart@gti-e.com
Guest (Dunkwu Charles)
We are a manufacturers mandate and we introduce ourself as able to supply Crude Glycerine min.,80%.
Thanks.
Dunkwu Charles
chdunkwu@aol.com
Guest (Mr Neisuh Patel)
Dear Sir,
I would like to know more about this new Biomass conversion process.
Please contact me with Prof George Huber & Prof James Dumesic.
My email address is Standing1@gmail.com
I await your best attention & quick reply.
Regards,
Mr Neisuh Patel
Guest (TR Stevenson)
TRSA has been working on Wet Fractionation of Lucerne (Alfalfa) to produce fibre, soluble protein concentrates and isolates and brown
liquor solubles (sugars)
Technuical & Research Services Pty Ltd (TRSA) is my company which has and is carrying out the following projects
Past work by TRSA included working on production and processing of algae, using solar energy. The solids were separated using similar equipment to above processes (Decanters)and dried by TRSA low temperature Spouting Bed Driers producing a Vitamin C product
Other work has include the development of soybeans processing to produce soy base milk and soy residue, using similar equipment and operations which will be used in the lucerne project
I would like to have further discussions with your group if you feel the above experience is relevant to bio-diesel and/or ethanol production
Guest (Scott Slocum)
Bio-diesel vs. soil-building mulch
Id like to learn more about an obvious cost of bio-diesel production: decreased recycling of organic matter back into the soil. Wouldnt increased bio-diesel production threaten long-term agriculture by depleting topsoil?
Guest (lemon)
We introduce ourselves as Popular Holding LTD.We are located in China .
Now we need Crude Glycerine in our production .Do you produce Crude Glycerine?
If you produce and can supply . Pls do not hesitate to contact us and be so kindly to give us your spec., packing and quote your best price on FOB basis(MT/USD) .Tks
Looking forward to receiving to your reply.
Jonathan/Lemon
Fax: 86-592-5163527
E-mail:chem15@winmail.cn
Guest (Dunkwu Charles)
We are a manufacturers mandate and we introduce ourself as able to supply Crude Glycerine min.,80%.
Thanks.
Dunkwu Charles
chdunkwu@aol.com
Guest (S.SENDIL NADIN)
Dear sir,
On that i had seen your article. Its a good one invention sir. Now i am intrested to setup this biodiesel based manufacturing industry at India (Pondicherry). Please kindly send all those manufacturing technology and its machinery details with cost. I am expecting your reply as early sir. Thanking you sir, S.SENDIL NADIN e-mail Id:shuvzemgroup@gmail.com
Guest (piyush)
sir,
can you tell me how we can apply biotechnology inthe biodiesel ie to produce biodiesel in biological way using any enzymes or any thing else
Guest (KW Seastrom)
What happens when there is a petrol spill that envolves ethanol? Does the bacteria in soil eat the ethanol first and leave the benzine?
Guest (johhny rockenschpeil)
no you idiot
Guest (Vinod K Bhargav)
Dear sir,
Could u ple send me little more detail about the conversion of biomass to biofuel concept
Guest (Vinod K Bhargav)
pl send me more detail of biomass to biofuel concept on my mail vkbciphet@gmail.com
Guest (Michael Woody)
Guest (Narsi)
You can find some inputs for biodiesel derived from algae from this web page - http://www.castoroil.in/reference/plant_oils/uses/fuel/sources/algae/biodiesel_algae.html
Thanks for the web address for my research. Biodiesel from algea could drive gasoline back into the ground or the novel idea of using biodiese to power a plant to manufacture syngsoline. This is an inexpensive renewable fuel.
Guest (rajaendran)
Pls send me information on the conversion from palm oil to diesel
Guest (Rajaendran)
Guest (Ganapathy Arumugam)
Dear Mr Rajendran what technology you expect from us the requirements and planning investment ect
Guest (S.SENDIL NADIN)
sir, which one you want first? Please reply to shuvzem@rediffmail.com
Guest (colin)
Dear Sir,
I will be returning to Africa and would like to start introducing this technology there- How would I start and wo could assist me ( not Financially )with this project. Your reply would be greaty appreciated.
Guest (Jay)
Dear Sir,
I am interested to setup a biodiesel plant. Pls send me details. My mail id is:jaychak@gmail.com
Guest (Supin)
I am interested in producing Bio Fuel from Biomass. Would you please share essential information for me. My email address is supin_ungrangsee@yahoo.com Thanks.
"every drop" of water does not have to be distilled for Ethanol - low-energy molecular sieves are used also
Energy is not the "largest cost" for ethanol - feedstocks like Corn are 70% of the cost - energy is around 25%
How factual is this article?
Bio-Diseal vs Regular Gasoline
Can Bio-Diseal in any way be compareble to Gasoline as far as performance, price and consumption is concerened in vehicles? Could they provide enough horsepower to make objects like AIRBOARD hover?
Dear Sir,
I'm very interested in creating a Biodesel Industry back in my country. I have lots of plant waste that needs to be used somehow. Could you be kind enough to send me information about this process, including costs and machinery. @ a00798573@itesm.mx
Dear Sir,
I am keen on setting up a biodiesel based manufacturing industry using used oil (kitchen oil and workshop used oil). Do let me know if you have this technology and also do provide me with the initial setup cost for the same.
Hope to get a early reply from yourend.
Thanking you,
Manoj K
e-mail Id: manoj1972@hotmail.com
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Guest (Mr Neisuh Patel)
Contacts
Dear Sir,
I would like to know more about this new Biomass conversion process.
Please contact me with Prof George Huber & Prof James Dumesic.
My email address is Standing1@gmail.com
I await your best attention & quick reply.
Regards,
Mr Neisuh Patel
Reply
Guest (Ganapathy Arumugam)
Biodiesel from Algae
Can you advise the species suitabli, productivity in terms of Biomass,Hydrocarbon, Metyhodology, Production cost ect
Reply
Guest (Scott Brown)
Alga into Bio Diesel
I work with a lot of southeast asian counties, this region can grow alge for very inexspensive cost. Most of the these regions also have palm oil. we have many compaies that would be interested in investing in this technolgy. please forward information. we would like to work with you to also build a processing plant.
My email is sbrown@in-home.us
Reply