Articles tagged with Biofuels Production
A team of researchers at the University of Minnesota has developed a new, energy-efficient method for chemical separations using zeolite membranes. This breakthrough could significantly reduce the energy used in producing biofuels, such as ethanol and butanol, and enable higher production rates.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new method using electrolyzed water to pretreat ethanol waste products, producing an acetone-butanol-ethanol fuel mix. The traditional chemical-based method is eliminated, reducing inhibitor production and increasing sugar yield.
Researchers developed a method to convert corn stalk biomass into cellulose-hydrogen using anaerobic fermentation. The study found that pretreatment methods significantly impacted the yields of soluble saccharides and hydrogen, with optimal results achieved at 15 g/L substrate concentration, initial pH 7.0, and 36℃.
Agriculture is expected to see an increase in supply and demand, leading to higher real prices for grain and oilseeds. The rising trend of corn and soybean yields in major production areas, combined with new technologies and genetic improvements, will contribute to this growth.
Crop residues are crucial for sustaining soil organic matter, but extensive removal for ethanol production can impact soil productivity. Research suggests that straw removal rates should be limited to less than 66% and no more than 40% of aboveground residues removed.
Scientists have identified a new species of yeast, Candida carvajalis sp. nov, with potential applications in sustainable biofuel production and the food industry. The discovery was made in the Amazon jungle and highlights the importance of preserving biodiversity.
A new University of Minnesota study reveals that ethanol production in the Midwest uses far less water than similar processes in drier states like California and South Dakota. Iowa's 6 gallons of water per gallon of ethanol is significantly lower than California's 2,100 gallons.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have created a 'family tree' of genes expressed in woody and herbaceous plants, uncovering clues for engineering plants more efficient for biofuel production. They identified 94 and 61 genes that may carry the genetic instructions for making enzymes controlling cell-wall modification.
Researchers at North Carolina State University discovered that growing duckweed on hog wastewater produces starch for ethanol, outperforming corn by five to six times per acre. The process generates clean water and turns pollutants into a fuel production system.
Researchers at Iowa State University are developing a new, low-emissions burner and catalyst to produce clean, renewable energy for the ethanol industry. The technologies use biomass-based gasification to efficiently and cleanly burn biomass and convert it into ethanol.
A Duke University-led study found that converting land to conservation reserves is a cheaper and more efficient way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions than using it for corn-based ethanol production. The researchers suggest that cellulosic ethanol production, which uses switchgrass or other species, may be a better option in the future.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have discovered an enzyme that enables yeast cells to ferment xylose into ethanol, a waste sugar in the cellulosic ethanol production process. This single-step conversion technology has the potential to increase biofuel production efficiency and reduce competition with food and feed production.
The study found that plant and forestry waste, dedicated energy crops, and cellulosic ethanol could sustainably produce 90 billion gallons of ethanol by 2030. Cellulosic biofuels could compete with oil without incentives at $90 per barrel, assuming reduced costs.
A study published in Human Ecology highlights the problems linked to converting crops into biofuels, including inefficiency, economic costs, and environmental degradation. The research reveals a negative energy return for many biofuel sources, making them less productive than projected.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory discovered plant-associated bacteria that can improve plant growth on marginal land, increasing biomass and carbon sequestration. The findings have implications for sustainable biofuel production without competing with food crops or agricultural land.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a way to produce higher concentrations of butanol using microorganisms. The mutant strain can use five or six carbon sugars, making it more versatile and efficient. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a second-generation strain with targeted genetic alterations.
Purdue University researchers identified a role for small-interfering RNAs in regulating and shutting down primary cell wall growth, which may enhance total plant biomass. This discovery could lead to increased cellulose production for plant-based biofuels.
Researchers found that perennial grasses like switchgrass and Miscanthus increase soil organic carbon, reducing the need for land conversion and promoting a more sustainable biofuel production. This study suggests using perennial crops on existing agricultural lands can help offset carbon emissions from traditional row crops.
A team at Montana State University has discovered a fungus that produces diesel fuel, which could offer an alternative to fossil fuels. The fungus, called Gliocladium roseum, can grow in cellulose and produce medium-chain hydrocarbons.
Researchers at Purdue University propose a flexible approach to producing alternative fuels, hydrogen, and electricity from waste materials. The new process could supply up to 20% of transportation fuels in the US annually, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 50%.
Researchers from the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University advocate for a science-based approach to address the environmental consequences of cellulosic ethanol production. They suggest exploring multiple species, such as native grasses and hay meadows, to create a stable and diverse biofuels industry.
A group of scientists is advocating for science-based policy in the emerging global biofuels industry to avoid costly mistakes and environmental regrets. Sustainable practices are crucial to mitigate problems associated with agriculture, including soil erosion and depletion, nitrogen fertilizer pollution, and biodiversity decline.
A US biofuels mandate may benefit energy needs but put environmental sustainability at risk, according to a recent article. The article emphasizes the need for research and sound policy to mitigate climate change while promoting sustainable production systems.
Researchers at Dartmouth's Thayer School of Engineering have developed a thermophilic bacterium that can produce ethanol from cellulosic biomass without adding enzymes. This discovery brings the US closer to alternative fuel production and offers significant environmental benefits.
Researchers found that a portion of corn stover can be harvested for biofuel production without reducing soil organic carbon levels in high-yielding systems. This study suggests that corn stover could supply up to 25% of the biofuel crop needed by 2030.
Researchers identified a crucial protein, TGD4, essential for chloroplast formation and photosynthesis. This discovery may lead to tailored plant varieties for efficient biofuel production, reducing costs and increasing oil accumulation in leaves.
Iowa State University is developing new technologies for producing and improving biofuels with support from Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) and ConocoPhillips. The projects focus on thermochemical technologies to convert biomass into bio-oil, catalysts for improving bio-oil production, and biorefinery studies.
Emerging genomic technologies are transforming the biofuels industry by enabling the domestication of energy crops and optimizing their conversion into suitable biofuels. Genomics also informs the design of microbial biomass breakdown strategies, including the use of fungi to degrade lignin and yeast to ferment xylose.
Researchers found that Miscanthus can produce about 2.5 times the amount of ethanol per acre compared to corn, requiring only 9.3% of current agricultural acreage to meet the US biofuels production goal. Miscanthus also accumulates more carbon in the soil than annual crops like corn and soybeans.
Researchers have created a microbe-based solution to clean up leftovers from ethanol production, saving producers millions in energy costs. The technology can recycle 80% of the organic material, reducing waste and producing valuable co-products worth $400 million annually.
A new approach to biofuel production uses plants to make enzymes, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. The technology, developed by Texas A&M University researchers, can produce multiple products from a single crop, making it a more economically viable option.
The DOE JGI has announced 44 DNA sequencing projects to explore the genetic potential of various organisms, including pine trees, duckweed, and microalgae. These projects will generate over 60 billion nucleotides of data, roughly equivalent to 20 human genomes.
Chemical engineers at Rice University have unveiled a set of techniques for cleanly converting glycerin, a major biofuels waste byproduct, into high-value organic acids such as succinate and formate. The new fermentation process uses E. coli bacteria to convert glycerin into these valuable chemicals.
A team of researchers from Iowa State University and the University of Hawai'i have developed a fungus that can remove organic material and solids from thin stillage, allowing for greater water recycling and reducing energy costs. This process could save ethanol producers up to $800 million a year in energy costs.
The Plant Journal special issue explores how plants can convert their fixed carbon into fuels and other useful products. This provides a renewable and affordable source of carbon to sustain future economic development without negatively impacting the environment.
A team of researchers led by the US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute has analyzed the genome of Trichoderma reesei, a champion biomass-degrading fungus. The study found that despite its reputation, T. reesei employs a surprisingly minimal repertoire of genes to break down plant cell walls.
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a new source for biofuels in cyanobacteria, which can be grown on non-agricultural lands using salty water. The microbe produces cellulose and sugars that can be converted into ethanol, offering a potential alternative to traditional sources such as corn and sugarcane.
The University of Tennessee has received a $26 million grant from the US Department of Energy to develop biomass conversion technology. The grant will support research on converting biomass crops into fuels and other products, with the goal of creating a thriving, sustainable biobased economy in the state.
A new journal, Biotechnology for Biofuels, has published a report describing the efficient production of bioethanol through hot water pretreatment on wheat straw. Researchers found that this process helps remove wax and hemicellulose, enhancing enzymatic digestibility and producing better quality bioethanol.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory are exploring the use of algae to produce hydrogen gas through photosynthesis. This method could potentially create a large amount of hydrogen gas comparable to oxygen production, with benefits including reduced competition for food resources and easier harvesting.
Scientists evaluate the impact of grain-based ethanol production on water quality in the US. The study recommends advanced conservation measures to minimize nutrient losses from corn production, but a viable cellulosic ethanol industry could provide water quality benefits.
A UBC study warns that US corn-based ethanol production will increase nitrogen levels in the Mississippi River, harming the Gulf of Mexico's 'Dead Zone'. The researchers estimate a 10-19% increase in nitrogen loading, exceeding recommended limits and overwhelming mitigation options.
The completed draft sequence of the corn genome will enable researchers to accurately and efficiently probe the genetic blueprint for the corn plant. Scientists can now look for ways to improve breeding, increase crop yields, and resistance to drought and disease.
Researchers from Iowa State University discussed the global implications of energy and agriculture on science and policy. They addressed climate change, production of biofuel crops on marginal lands, and the ethics of using agriculture for energy production.
The recent boom in ethanol production from corn grain has tightly linked the agriculture and energy sectors. The model predicts that government policies will play a critical role in determining the future of these two sectors.
A new study by the University of Minnesota and The Nature Conservancy found that turning native ecosystems into biofuel farms releases 17 to 420 times more carbon than the annual savings from replacing fossil fuels. This 'carbon debt' must be paid before biofuels can mitigate global warming.
Researchers are studying how enzymes break down cellulose, a tough plant-based material. This study aims to develop a basic understanding of the mechanism and activity of these enzymes, which could lead to more efficient and economical production of cellulosic ethanol.
The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) has introduced two new commentaries on biofuel byproducts and ethanol production, highlighting the potential risks of invasive pests in dedicated feedstock crops. The commentaries aim to provide a process to quantify and minimize this risk.
Scientists are developing a bioengineered yeast strain that can efficiently turn switchgrass, hemp, corn, and other natural materials into ethanol. The modified yeast produces enzymes to break down a wider variety of sugars, maximizing ethanol production from biomass.
A new startup company, Catilin Inc., is working to revolutionize biodiesel production using Victor Lin's nanosphere-based catalyst. The technology has the potential to make production cheaper, faster, and less toxic, while producing a cleaner fuel and glycerol co-product.
Rice University researchers discovered a bacterium that ferments glycerin and produces ethanol, reducing operational costs by 40 percent. This biotech breakthrough could alleviate the industry's glycerin glut, forcing producers to shutter plants.
The University of Georgia is partnering with Mexican universities to develop innovative technologies for generating biofuels from agricultural waste. This initiative aims to support rural economic development and environmental sustainability by providing training, internships, and exchanges between UGA and Mexican academics and profess...
Corn-based ethanol faces environmental and economic challenges, prompting scientists to explore cellulose as an alternative. Researchers at Cornell University have discovered a class of plant enzymes that can improve the efficiency of cellulose degradation, potentially making biofuel production more cost-effective.
Researchers are testing optimal conditions for microalgae growth in outdoor settings to optimize large-volume cultures for biofuel production. The warm Florida climate makes large-scale production a possibility, and the process has potential to remove carbon dioxide from the air.
Scientists have found that pretreating corn plant tissue with hot water increases ethanol yields by exposing minute pores of the cell walls, allowing enzymes to break down cellulose more efficiently. This discovery could lead to a viable method for large-scale production of cellulosic ethanol, a key component of green fuels.
Lee Lynd's work on converting cellulosic biomass into ethanol has the potential to significantly reduce fossil fuel consumption. His consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) approach is a breakthrough in low-cost processing and could lead to a sustainable energy future.
According to MSU scientist Bruce Dale, cellulosic ethanol makes it possible to feed the country's population with less land, as animal feed production can be integrated into biofuel production. This will reduce pressure on our land resources and increase raw material yield from one acre of land.
The Pichia stipitis fungus has been harnessed for improved biofuels production through the characterization of its genetic blueprint. The research identified key genes responsible for xylose fermentation and analysis of metabolic pathways. This knowledge can be applied to improve cellulosic ethanol production.
Waste products like grass clippings and wood chips can be converted into ethanol using gene-tweaked bacteria. The discovery reveals how a bacterium selects enzymes to break down specific biomasses, enabling more efficient ethanol production.
Producing ethanol from corn grain can release large amounts of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. However, careful management can minimize these emissions and improve the overall greenhouse gas profile of ethanol.