Integrated transport and renewable energy systems

No single technology can solve the problem of ever increasing CO₂ emissions from transport. Here, a coherent effort to integrate transport into energy planning is proposed, using multiple means promoting sustainable transport. It is concluded that a 100 per cent renewable energy transport system is possible but is connected to significant challenges in the path towards it. Biomass is a limited resource and it is important to avoid effecting the production of food. The integration of the transport with the energy system is crucial as is a multi-pronged strategy. Short term solutions have to consider the long term goal. In a short term proposal for 2030 it is concluded that it is possible both to reduce CO₂ emissions substantially and, at the same time, gain economic benefits. Biofuels are not able to solve the problems within the transport sector but play an important role in combination with other technologies.     

CONCENTRATED ACID CONVERSION OF PINE SOFTWOOD TO SUGARS. PART I: USE OF A TWIN-SCREW REACTOR FOR HYDROLYSIS PRETREATMENT

The first stage of a two-step concentrated sulfuric acid process that converts softwood sawdust to sugars has been explored. The research focuses on the ability of an in-house custom fabricated corotating twin-screw reactor (TSR) to effectively break down and solubilize crystalline cellulose into low molecular weight carbohydrates. Based on design of experiment (DOE) screening results, a four-level, two-factor experimental model building DOE was undertaken. Solid sawdust conversion to liquid, screw torque, and TSR exit pressure were measured or recorded at each experimental condition to yield percent conversion of solids, processed material viscosity, and material energy requirements. Thereafter, model quadratic equations were fitted to the experimental data and found to be statistically significant. Based on data obtained in the DOE the process was optimized to establish a base case operating condition. The acid-treated product made at base case twin-screw operating conditions showed a 38.2% conversion of dry sawdust solids to soluble liquids. The dry solids conversion reduced 73.8% of all hemicellulose and 44.4% of all cellulose to soluble monomers and oligosaccharides.     

CONCENTRATED ACID CONVERSION OF PINE SAWDUST TO SUGARS. PART II: HIGH-TEMPERATURE BATCH REACTOR KINETICS OF PRETREATED PINE SAWDUST

A study of high-temperature, concentrated-acid hydrolysis kinetics was undertaken for pretreated pine utilizing a corotating twin-screw extruder reactor. Five different acid concentrations were prepared ranging from 5 to 30 wt.% acid. These solutions were subjected to high-temperature acid hydrolysis at 110°, 120°, and 130°C using a custom-fabricated zirconium batch reactor. A number of nonlinear and linear regression analyses were undertaken so that the concentration of less resistant cellulose, resistant cellulose, glucose, and decomposition products could be obtained as a function of time, temperature, and acid concentration. Application of the kinetic rate constants obtained from the static batch reactor hydrolysis studies demonstrates that more than 50% of the theoretical glucose available in the pine sawdust can be obtained in roughly 25 minutes and 41% of the theoretical glucose available can be achieved in as little as 3 minutes. Further analysis highlights the importance of the pretreatment technique in achieving significant quantities of theoretical glucose in a short high-temperature reaction time.     

Conversion of Extracted Oil Cake Fibers into Bioethanol Including DDGS,Canola, Sunflower,Sesame, Soy,and Peanut for Integrated Biodiesel Processing

We have come up with a novel, integrated approach for making biodiesel by in-house producion of ethanol after fermentation of hexane extracted edible oil cake fiber. In addition, we have demonstrated how ethanol could be manufactured from commonly available oil cakes (such as canola, sunflower, sesame, soy, peanut) and dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS). The edible oil cakes and DDGS were hexane extracted, ammonia fiber expansion pretreated, enzymatically hydrolysed and fermented to produce ethanol. From all the oil cakes tested in this work, DDGS and peanut oil cake showed the most promising results giving more than 180 g of glucose/kg of oil cake. These two feedstock’s were hydrolyzed at 15% solids loading and fermented by a native strain of Pichia stipitis. Most sugars were consumed during the first 24 h, with no pronounced inhibition of P. stipitis by the degradation products in the hydrolysate. Xylose consumption was more effective for peanut cake hydrolyzate compared to DDGS.     

新一代的生物燃料——丁醇的开发动向

作为新一代的生物燃料,生物丁醇因其物理性能、燃烧性能优于生物乙醇,越来越受到人们的关注。生物丁醇的开发,对缓解能源危机,保护环境具有重要的意义。对生物丁醇与生物乙醇的性能进行了比较,介绍了生物丁醇的开发动向。     

Optimization of biogas production from wheat straw stillage in UASB reactor

In the present study, thermophilic anaerobic digestion of wheat straw stillage was investigated. Methane potential of stillage was determined in batch experiments at two different substrate concentrations. Results showed that higher methane yields of 324 ml/g-(volatile solids) VS_added were obtained at stillage concentrations of 12.8 g-VS/L than at 25.6 g-VS/l. Continuous anaerobic digestion of stillage was performed in an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor at 55 °C with 2 days hydraulic retention time. Results showed that both substrate concentration and organic loading rate (OLR) influenced process performance and methane yields. Maximum methane yield of 155 ml CH₄/g-COD was obtained at stillage mixtures with water of 25% (v/v) in the feed and at an OLR of 17.1 g-COD/(l.d). Soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) removal at this OLR was 76% (w/w). Increase in OLR to 41.2 g-COD/(l.d) and/or stillage concentration in the feed to 33–50% (v/v) resulted in low methane yields or complete process failure. The results showed that thermophilic anaerobic digestion of wheat straw stillage alone for methane production is feasible in UASB reactor at an OLR of 17.1 g-COD/(l.d) and at substrate concentration of 25% in the feed. The produced methane could improve the process energy and economics of a bioethanol plant and also enable to utilize the stillage in a sustainable manner.