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Tech researchers using nanotechnology in biofuel process to save money, environment
October 09, 2009
Dr. James Palmer, associate professor of chemical engineering at Louisiana Tech University, is collaborating with fellow professors Dr. Yuri Lvov, Dr. Dale Snow, and Dr. Hisham Hegab to capitalize on the environmental and financial benefits of "biofuels" by using nanotechnology to further improve the cellulosic ethanol processes. Biofuels will play an important part in sustainable fuel and energy production solutions for the future. The country's appetite for fuel, however, cannot be satisfied with traditional crops such as sugar cane or corn alone. Emerging technologies are allowing cellulosic biomass (wood, grass, stalks, etc.) to also be converted into ethanol.
Cellulosic ethanol does not compete with food production and has the potential to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 86 percent over that of today's fossil fuels. Current techniques for corn ethanol only reduce greenhouse gases by 19 percent.
The nanotechnology processes developed at Louisiana Tech University can immobilize the expensive enzymes used to convert cellulose to sugars, allowing them to be reused several times over and, thus significantly reducing the overall cost of the process.
Savings estimates range from approximately $32 million for each cellulosic ethanol plant to a total of $7.5 billion if a federally-established goal of 16 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol is achieved. This process can easily be applied in large-scale commercial environments and can immobilize a wide variety or mixture of enzymes for production.
The innovative research taking place at Louisiana Tech, along with an excellent growing season, a strong pulp/paper industry, and one of the nation's first cellulosic ethanol demonstration plants, has the state of Louisiana well positioned to become a national contributor in cellulosic ethanol.
This technology, along with other important research being conducted to meet future energy needs, will be highlighted at Louisiana Tech's Energy Systems Conference on November 5 at the Technology Transfer Center in Shreveport.
Louisiana Tech University
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Related Ethanol Current Events and Ethanol News Articles Ethanol Current Events and Ethanol News RSS UT Knoxville and ORNL researchers turn algae into high-temperature hydrogen source In the quest to make hydrogen as a clean alternative fuel source, researchers have been stymied about how to create usable hydrogen that is clean and sustainable without relying on an intensive, high-energy process that outweighs the benefits of not using petroleum to power vehicles.
Wet ethanol production process yields more ethanol and more co-products Using a wet ethanol production method that begins by soaking corn kernels rather than grinding them, results in more gallons of ethanol and more usable co-products, giving ethanol producers a bigger bang for their buck - by about 20 percent.
Scripps team shows diet switching can activate brain's stress system, lead to 'withdrawal' symptoms In research that sheds light on the perils of yo-yo dieting and repeated bouts of sugar-bingeing, researchers from The Scripps Research Institute have shown in animal models that cycling between periods of eating sweet and regular-tasting food can activate the brain's stress system and generate overeating, anxiety, and withdrawal-like symptoms.
UC Riverside Researchers Create First Synthetic Cellulosome in Yeast A team of researchers led by University of California, Riverside (UCR) Professor of Chemical Engineering Wilfred Chen has constructed for the first time a synthetic cellulosome in yeast, which is much more ethanol-tolerant than the bacteria in which these structures are normally found.
Propolis has proved to be a product with ability to have beneficial effects for health Growing concerns about health has caused the scientific community to focus their interest on investigating functional foods which contribute to boosting the prevention and reduction of the risk of suffering from certain illnesses.
Standards for a new genomic era A team of geneticists at Los Alamos National Laboratory, together with a consortium of international researchers, has recently proposed a set of standards designed to elucidate the quality of publicly available genetic sequencing information.
0.2 second test for explosive liquids Since a failed terrorist attack in 2006, plane passengers have not been able to carry bottles of liquid through security at airports, leaving some parched at the airport and others having expensive toiletries confiscated, but work by a group of physicists in Germany is paving the way to eliminate this necessary nuisance.
Report examines hidden costs of energy production and use A new report from the National Research Council examines and, when possible, estimates "hidden" costs of energy production and use -- such as the damage air pollution imposes on human health -- that are not reflected in market prices of coal, oil, other energy sources, or the electricity and gasoline produced from them.
Strategy outlined for growing bioenergy while protecting wildlife A study described in the October issue of BioScience identifies diverse native prairie as holding promise for yielding bioenergy feedstocks while minimizing harm to wildlife.
Study shows more corn for biofuels would hurt water More of the fertilizers and pesticides used to grow corn would find their way into nearby water sources if ethanol demands lead to planting more acres in corn, according to a Purdue University study. More Ethanol Current Events and Ethanol News Articles
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Sustainable Ethanol: Biofuels, Biorefineries, Cellulosic Biomass, Flex-fuel Vehicles, and Sustainable Farming for Energy Independence
by Jeffrey Goettemoeller (Author), Adrian Goettemoeller (Author)
Sustainable Ethanol goes beyond the headlines, uncovering the benefits and limitations of North America's fuel ethanol industry. Ethanol production and use are becoming more efficient and less reliant on fossil fuel inputs. Learn about the technologies making ethanol make sense for our environment, economy, and security. Discover how the end of cheap oil is providing an opening for biofuels; how some cars get better fuel economy on 10% ethanol compared to ethanol-free gasoline; how the next generation of flex-fuel and hybrid electric vehicles could be optimized to get much better fuel economy on ethanol; how North America can produce significant quantities of biofuels without damaging our food production capacity; how sustainable farming methods are reducing ethanol's reliance on...
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![Denatured Alcohol 95% Histoprep [ 1 Ea.]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/411DHyg7jfL._SL160_.jpg)
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Denatured Alcohol 95% Histoprep [ 1 Ea.]
by TFS
Packed in economical 1 gallon polyethylene containers, this denatured alcohol is perfect for histological preparation.
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Alcohol Fuel: A Guide to Making and Using Ethanol as a Renewable Fuel (Books for Wiser Living from Mother Earth News)
by Richard Freudenberger (Author)
Dwindling petroleum supplies and growing environmental concerns are significantly impacting the cost of petro-fuel and its infrastructure. The search for alternative fuel sources has led to ethanol, a gasoline substitute that is already in the marketplace as Gasohol and E-85. But large-scale production of corn-based ethanol is controversial as it threatens the world's food supply. There are alternatives, however: Brazil uses sugar cane, which is up to six times more productive in energy conversion. After the energy crisis of the 1970s, there was a lot of misinformation about the cost of individual ethanol production. In order to achieve energy independence from gasoline, ethanol lends itself to small-scale production, and especially to cooperative ventures in rural communities,...
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OZOfire Safe, Clean Bio-Ethanol Fuel for Ventless Fireplaces
by Ozo Fire
OzoFire is a clean burning, Bio-Ethanol Fuel that is for Ventless Fire Places. Easy to use. Follow directions on the bottle.
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Alcohol Can Be a Gas!: Fueling an Ethanol Revolution for the 21st Century
by David Blume (Author), Michael Winks (Editor), R. Buckminster (FWS) Fuller (Editor)
Alcohol Can Be a Gas! is the only comprehensive book ever written on alcohol fuel production and use for home and farm. Until now, it has been very difficult for farmers, contractors, alternative energy aficionados, those concerned about Peak Oil, and small-scale entrepreneurs to obtain good, accurate information on producing alcohol, or on converting vehicles to run on alcohol fuel. And with all the conflicting news stories about ethanol, the public finds it difficult to sort fact from fiction. This text, which has been reviewed by scientists around the world, is the definitive reference work on alcohol fuel. Alcohol Can Be A Gas! contains 640 8-1/2 by 11 pages, with 514 charts, photos, and illustrations to reinforce the information-dense text. The book is geared for the...
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Alcohol Can Be a Gas! Fueling an Ethanol Revolution for the 21st Century
Starring: David Blume Directed By: David Blume
Are you disgusted each time you fill your tank with gas? Break free with this DVD. This DVD the companion to the acclaimed book, Alcohol Can Be a Gas! by David Blume gives you the power to take back control of energy from oil companies. You will learn: -- How to make alcohol from a variety of available materials for about 47 cents a gallon! -- How to convert your gasoline engine to E-85 or 100% alcohol for as little as $50. -- How to beat oil companies by operating a community-supported energy co-op. -- How to get 61 cents a gallon federal ethanol tax credits refunded to you as cash. -- How to use small-scale alcohol production for profit and to reverse global warming. -- How the American Petroleum Institute has corrupted the alcohol fuel debate. -- Don t...
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Bel-Art F116463732 1000ml Safety Wide Mouth Wash Bottle Labeled Ethanol
by Bel-Art
BEL-ARTS safety labeled wash bottles ensure leak proof dispensing of your most common solvents in the laboratory. The low density polyethylene bottles and polypropylene caps are chemical and corrosion resistant. Bottles are imprinted with DOT, NFPA, CAS, protective equipment and target organ information and symbols. Contains 6 per bag and are convenient for controlled dispensing. Label: Ethanol Size: 1000ml (32oz)
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OZOFire Bio-Ethanol Liquid Fuel for Fireplaces 6pk of 1 quart bottles
by Anywhere Fireplace
OZOFireTM was created especially for Indoor Ventless Fireplaces and is totally safe for you and the planet. It is a clean, sustainable Bio-Ethanol fuel specially formulated to provide the cleanest fire possible while complying with all regulations required by U.S. Government Agencies. The only byproducts created when burning OZOFireTM fuel are water vapor and very small amounts of carbon dioxide; no toxins or offensive fumes are emitted. The flame is clean and odorless. OZOFireTM burns efficiently and there is no oily residue left in the tank as with other Bio-Ethanol fuels which contain petroleum distillates.
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2008 Cellulosic Ethanol - Biomass to Biofuels, Wood Chips, Stalks, Switchgrass, Plant Products, Feedstocks, Cellulose Conversion Processes, Research Plans (CD-ROM)
by U.S. Government (Author)
This unique electronic book on CD-ROM has an amazing collection of federal documents and reports on converting cellulose to biofuels such as ethanol. The disc provides a complete reproduction of an important report, entitled Biofuels Joint Roadmap, June 2006, Office of Science and Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy. "We'll also fund additional research in cutting-edge methods of producing ethanol, not just from corn, but from wood chips and stalks or switchgrass." - President George W. Bush, State of the Union Address, January 2006 - A robust fusion of the agricultural, industrial biotechnology, and energy industries can create a new strategic national capability for energy independence and climate protection. Fuels derived from cellulosic...
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Ethanol Supplement
by Intl Sugar Organization
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