India and Canada to cooperate on advanced bioenergy: biohydrogen, biogas, biofuels
India's Agriculture Ministry has announced that it will cooperate with Canadian research organisations to jointly study next-generation bioenergy from energy crops and biomass waste. Both countries have large biomass resources that can be utilized for the efficient production of biohydrogen, biogas and liquid biofuels.
A first collaboration agreement was made between the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) and the University of Saskatchewan, which is known for its ambitious Bioeconomy Centre that is set to accomodate more than 100 scientists. Both institutions will explore ways to add value to biomass conversion through biorefining.
Another project is looking into the efficient production of biodiesel from jatropha and other oils using ultrasound technology. Ultrasonic processing used in biodiesel production delivers a biodiesel yield in excess of 99% in five minutes or less, compared to one hour or more using conventional batch reactor systems. Ultrasonication can also help to reduce the separation time from 5 to 10 hours required with conventional agitation, to less than 15 minutes, as well as decrease the amount of catalyst required by 50 to 60% due to the increased chemical activity in the presence of cavitation. Another benefit is the increase in purity of the glycerol.
Two projects will study the conversion of waste biomass into gaseous biofuels. One delves into the production of biogas from anaerobic digestion with optimal co-production of organic fertilizers.
Finally, IARA and Saskatchewan will collaborate on researching the production of bio-hydrogen through the supercritical water gasification process (more here). Supercritical water gasification is a relatively novel gasification method, in which biomass is transformed into a hydrogen-rich gas by introducing it in supercritical water (SCW). SCW is obtained at pressure above 221 bar and temperatures above 374 °C. By treatment of biomass in supercritical water - but in the absence of added oxidants - organics are converted into fuel gases and are easily separated from the water phase by cooling to ambient temperature. The produced high pressure gas is very rich in hydrogen:
energy :: sustainability :: biomass :: bioenergy :: biofuels :: ethanol :: biodiesel :: biogas :: biohydrogen :: Canada :: India ::
Last year, the University of Saskatchewan proposed to create a Bioeconomy Centre aimed at converting raw materials into high-value products, instead of merely exporting biomass.
Like their collegues in India, Canadian policy makers want to curb the trend of a reliance on mere resource extraction, and want to invest more in processing that represents value-added commercial ventures. For bioenergy, this step is crucial, because else farmers in Canada will not be able to compete with producers in the more productive tropics.
The Bioeconomy Centre focuses on bioenergy and bioproducts, drawing on the biggest hub of bioscience expertise in Canada. Surrounded by the National Research Council - Plant Biotechnology Institute, Ag West Bio, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Centre, Saskatchewan Research Council and the Protein, Oil and Starch Pilot Plant to name a few, the Bioeconomy Centre is well positioned to take a leadership role in developing the bio-based knowledge economy.
Finally, international collaboration and the sharing of expertise is of crucial importance. Working together with rapidly growing economies like India and China is the only way forward to tackle the challenges presented by energy scarcity and climate change.
Just like in India, every step of the value chain in the production of bio-based products has to generate value, starting with farmers. At the moment, they are exporting commodities but what if they can produce and process their crops into fractions? That would offer farmers major new markets and income opportunities. In developing countries this could lead to positive social effects and revitalise rural areas.
The University of Saskatchewan has played an important role in the development of the bio-based economy. This is illustrated by the fact that one of its key researchers, Dr. Janusz Kozinski was appointed as the International Research Chair in Bioenergy at the Institute for Advanced Studies and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in France. There, he is responsible for the creation of the network of research centres of excellence involving research institutions and universities engaged in research concerning renewable and sustainable energy systems, biofuels, and bioenergy, and for formulating policies that influence European energy legislation.
The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) is India's premier national institute for agricultural research, education and extension. It has served the cause of science and society with distinction through first rate research, generation of appropriate technologies and development of human resources. The Green Revolution was born in the fields of IARI.
References:
UPI: India, Canada to cooperate on biofuels - February 21, 2008.
Biocrop News: University of Saskatchewan Proposes Bioeconomy Centre, Vol. 7, Issue 3, 2007.
Biopact: India prepares 'Biomass Atlas' to map and tap bioenergy potential - November 26, 2007
Article continues
A first collaboration agreement was made between the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) and the University of Saskatchewan, which is known for its ambitious Bioeconomy Centre that is set to accomodate more than 100 scientists. Both institutions will explore ways to add value to biomass conversion through biorefining.
Agriresidues such as bagasse, wheat straw, sorghum and maize straws, leaf litter and various other plant biomass, which have not been adequately utilized for energy production, provide ample opportunities for use as biofuels. Conversion of biomass to clean energy such as hydrogen, ethanol and biogas offers promising solutions. - S.A. Patil, director Indian Agricultural Research InstituteBoth institutions have agreed to work on four specific biofuel projects. One focuses on the conversion of biomass into ethanol using different technologies such as acid hydrolysis and supercritical carbon dioxide to produce fermentable sugars, which will be converted into ethanol via fermentation.
Another project is looking into the efficient production of biodiesel from jatropha and other oils using ultrasound technology. Ultrasonic processing used in biodiesel production delivers a biodiesel yield in excess of 99% in five minutes or less, compared to one hour or more using conventional batch reactor systems. Ultrasonication can also help to reduce the separation time from 5 to 10 hours required with conventional agitation, to less than 15 minutes, as well as decrease the amount of catalyst required by 50 to 60% due to the increased chemical activity in the presence of cavitation. Another benefit is the increase in purity of the glycerol.
Two projects will study the conversion of waste biomass into gaseous biofuels. One delves into the production of biogas from anaerobic digestion with optimal co-production of organic fertilizers.
Finally, IARA and Saskatchewan will collaborate on researching the production of bio-hydrogen through the supercritical water gasification process (more here). Supercritical water gasification is a relatively novel gasification method, in which biomass is transformed into a hydrogen-rich gas by introducing it in supercritical water (SCW). SCW is obtained at pressure above 221 bar and temperatures above 374 °C. By treatment of biomass in supercritical water - but in the absence of added oxidants - organics are converted into fuel gases and are easily separated from the water phase by cooling to ambient temperature. The produced high pressure gas is very rich in hydrogen:
energy :: sustainability :: biomass :: bioenergy :: biofuels :: ethanol :: biodiesel :: biogas :: biohydrogen :: Canada :: India ::
Last year, the University of Saskatchewan proposed to create a Bioeconomy Centre aimed at converting raw materials into high-value products, instead of merely exporting biomass.
Like their collegues in India, Canadian policy makers want to curb the trend of a reliance on mere resource extraction, and want to invest more in processing that represents value-added commercial ventures. For bioenergy, this step is crucial, because else farmers in Canada will not be able to compete with producers in the more productive tropics.
The Bioeconomy Centre focuses on bioenergy and bioproducts, drawing on the biggest hub of bioscience expertise in Canada. Surrounded by the National Research Council - Plant Biotechnology Institute, Ag West Bio, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Centre, Saskatchewan Research Council and the Protein, Oil and Starch Pilot Plant to name a few, the Bioeconomy Centre is well positioned to take a leadership role in developing the bio-based knowledge economy.
We are now exiting the fossil fuel-based economy over the next few decades and we need to replace fossil energy with renewable energy from biomass and waste for biofuels and biorefining. - Dr. Bernard Laarveld, Strategic Project Leader, Bioeconomy CentreThe epic change from fossil to biofuels signals higher expectations for the efficiencies and sustainability of the agriculture and forestry industries. Project leader Laarveld says people have to be more patient about progress in biorefining, as this transformation into a bio-based economy must be compared to the emergence of the petroleum based economy, over a century ago. It takes time to develop efficient processes and products.
Society has a bit of an attention deficit syndrome. By having very short time frame expectations and not realizing the scope and magnitude of the change and the importance of technological development. In the early going, ethanol is a first-generation product of the bioeconomy that is attracting its fair share of debate on cost and fuel efficiency. Remember that fossil fuels got underway in the 1940s and will expire in about 2040. We are now in the first primitive stage of converting to a more sustainable cycle. We can expect much more improvement in the future. - Dr. Bernard Laarveld, Strategic Project Leader, Bioeconomy CentreThe vision for the Bioeconomy Centre at University of Saskatchewan rests on establishing collaborative research platforms that include plant breeding, chemical and process engineering, byproduct utilization, nutraceuticals and economy, policy and law. Key is that research is not completed in isolation, that it be governed by studies on economic and legal implications to society. To make the Bioeconomy Centre complete, a commercialization component is needed: industrial partners will draw on technologies developed at the centre and turn them into new applications.
Finally, international collaboration and the sharing of expertise is of crucial importance. Working together with rapidly growing economies like India and China is the only way forward to tackle the challenges presented by energy scarcity and climate change.
Just like in India, every step of the value chain in the production of bio-based products has to generate value, starting with farmers. At the moment, they are exporting commodities but what if they can produce and process their crops into fractions? That would offer farmers major new markets and income opportunities. In developing countries this could lead to positive social effects and revitalise rural areas.
The University of Saskatchewan has played an important role in the development of the bio-based economy. This is illustrated by the fact that one of its key researchers, Dr. Janusz Kozinski was appointed as the International Research Chair in Bioenergy at the Institute for Advanced Studies and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in France. There, he is responsible for the creation of the network of research centres of excellence involving research institutions and universities engaged in research concerning renewable and sustainable energy systems, biofuels, and bioenergy, and for formulating policies that influence European energy legislation.
The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) is India's premier national institute for agricultural research, education and extension. It has served the cause of science and society with distinction through first rate research, generation of appropriate technologies and development of human resources. The Green Revolution was born in the fields of IARI.
References:
UPI: India, Canada to cooperate on biofuels - February 21, 2008.
Biocrop News: University of Saskatchewan Proposes Bioeconomy Centre, Vol. 7, Issue 3, 2007.
Biopact: India prepares 'Biomass Atlas' to map and tap bioenergy potential - November 26, 2007
Article continues
Saturday, February 23, 2008
EU research project increases biogas yield by up to 40%, improves utilisation efficiency
The EU project's main goal is aimed at increasing the efficiency of all stages of producing and using biogas made in medium to large facilities. The use of biomass for the production of renewable methane is climate friendly and already relatively efficient. Feedstocks used range from manure to organic waste and dedicated energy crops.
By anaerobically fermenting the biomass, a gas mixture consisting of around 50 to 70 percent methane and carbon dioxide is obtained. The EU-AGROBIOGAS aims to increase these yields and tilt the fraction further in favor of methane. This methane fraction can be burned in cogeneration plants and thus delivers renewable heat and electricity. However, most biogas facilities do not optimally use the heat, so here too improvements can be made. Finally, biomass supply chains and preprocessing steps are currently rather inefficient.
Given these inefficiencies, the unanimous opinion of the scientists from seven countries, who met at the Seddiner lake near Potsdam, was that the project can contribute to improving the overal lifecycle efficiency of biogas production substantially. Ten key areas for intervention and research were put on the agenda:
- To optimise the planning and operating process of agricultural biogas plants based on the European online substrate atlas-database and standardised methane energy valuation model with the aim to reduce investment costs (including quality control)
- To optimise the biogas production through a demonstration of an innovative feeding technology to bring in the substrate or mixtures into the agricultural biogas plant
- To monitor, identify and benchmark the main influence factors during the technological process in agricultural biogas plants based on already available data and newly monitored medium and large agricultural biogas plants (16 biogas plant operators have already agreed to co-operate)
- To test, implement and demonstrate a newly developed monitoring, management and early-warning system for agricultural biogas plants and new and innovative technological solutions under full-scale operating conditions in agricultural biogas plants
- To improve the degree of efficiency in the fermenter of about 35%
- To increase the biogas yield of about 40%
- To optimise and guarantee quality and safety of digested material
- To improve, optimise and demonstrate several selected conversion technologies which will lead to an improvement of the degree of efficiency (CHP, heat utilisation)
- To reduce the investment and operational costs of medium and large agricultural biogas plants of about 20 to 30%
- To disseminate and present the demonstration projects to planners, investors and farmers as potential users and to provide inputs for the future development of energy policy and legislation
ResultsMatthias Ploechl of the ATB said the potential for efficiency increases in farm based biogas operations is "almost inexhaustible". Presenting results of a first trial aimed at rationalising the utilization of cogenerated heat - a fairly simple intervention - showed the room for improvement: by coupling the process to dry biomass feedstock to the utilization of heat from the CHP plant and to waste heat recycling, the overall efficiency of heat utilization was improved by 80 percent, and the energy yield in the fermenter increased by more than 40 percent as a result of improved preprocessing of the feedstock.
Another set of results showed that a new technique to manipulate the behavior of methanogenic microorganisms used in the reactor can double biogas output. By introducing magnetic particles in the fermenter, the bacteria spontaneously flocculate around the particles and are thus far more easy to recycle; the new technique allows more continuous biogas production and keeps using the same bacteria at the height of their productive capacity and concentration:
energy :: sustainability :: biomass :: bioenergy :: biofuels :: biogas :: biomethane :: cogeneration :: efficiency :: biotechnology :: EU ::
In current practise large amounts of active bacteria are washed away in batch systems, and new communities have to be build from scratch with each new batch. Low concentrations take a long time to grow into productive communities. By preventing this expensive work and by reusing bacteria at the point when they have become most active, overall biogas yields and the productivity of the system can be improved dramatically.
The magnetic particles in the biogas substrate attract the bacteria, which can then be recycled simply by applying a permanent magnet. Low doses of commerical materials like ferrite do the trick (0.1 gram per gram of dry matter substrate). A variant can be found in using magnetic particles contained in brown coal fly ash. Biogas yield increases of 200% have been achieved with the technique.
EU-AGRO-BIOGAS runs from January 2007 to December 2009 under the EU's 6th Framework Program. Agricultural and environmental research institutes and universities from Germany, Austria, Denmark, Great Britain, Italy, the Czech Republic and Poland are involved. The co-ordination is taken care off by the Universität für Bodenkultur Wien (University of Soil Sciences, Vienna).
The Leibniz-Institut für Agrartechnik Potsdam-Bornim e.V. (ATB) ranks among the most prominent agro-technical research organisations in Europe. Its research into the utilisation of biomass resources - not only for the generation of CO2-neutral energy but also for the production of bio-products - includes economic and ecological evaluations. The ATB takes an integrated approach to studying biomass utilisation and value creation chains - from the raw material to the product and/or from the field to the tank.
References:
Informationsdienst Wissenschaft: 30 Prozent mehr Biogas aus bestehenden Anlagen - February 11, 2008.
ATB: Mehr Leistung im Kessel - neues Verfahren macht die Biogaserzeugung effizienter [*.pdf].
EU-AGRO-BIOGAS project page.
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