Comments on: Energy in the 21st Century – Part 7: From Biomass to Biofuels

By: lenrosen4

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:10:19 +0000

E. Coli turns seaweed into ethanol state researchers in a study reported on January 19, 2012, Science News. See the article at http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/337755/title/Seaweed_study_fuels_bioenergy_enthusiasm.

Seaweed is algae and digesting it to turn it into biofuels has been seen as a better way to create biofuels than using land-based organic sources. In their announcement researchers at Bio Architecture Lab claim they have developed a biofuel bacterium that yields ethanol and other byproducts from seaweed.To do this they have genetically altered E. Coli and exposed this altered bacterium to algae. The alteration involved inserting genes from a marine bacteirum, Pseudoalteromonas. These genes are responsible for aiding the bacteria in digesting seaweed.

The altered bacteria contains a digestive enzyme capable of breaking down alginate to release ethanol, yielding 80% of the theoretical maximum for the amount of biomass. It does this without application of any other chemicals or heat. The big question is, can the E. Coli be managed in a production environment on a scale that warrants investment?

Byproducts of the altered E.Coli digestion process include compounds useful in producing plastics, nylon and fuels such as butanol and biodiesel.

Bio Architecture Lab has a pilot production facility in development in Chile where they plan to convert any type of seaweed into fuel.

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By: Michael

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:09:55 +0000

Although many have hailed switch grass and other perennials as the source of the future for bio-fuels, they have a few problems that are usually overlooked.
Harvesting perennials is not a forever solution. When any plant is harvested, something has to be put back. From my experience in harvesting perennial grasses I can say that the yield decreases year after year, especially when harvesting the grass two times a year. To continue the yield of the first years, fertilizer will be needed.
When plants are harvested from sensitive areas like those prone to flooding, or sandy soils, there is always damage to the soil in either rutted areas from equipment when used in too wet soils, or uprooting of plants when harvested in too sandy of soils. This allows other plant species to infiltrate the area giving a less desirable plant mix.
There is no perfect source of biomass. There are always trade offs.

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By: Michael

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:18:50 +0000

Lots of good information, I do have a few corrections for you.
The corn used in making ethanol is dent corn and is not intended to be used for human food. It is for livestock feed and industrial use.
You do not mention co-products from corn ethanol production. Only the starch is used to make ethanol, the remainder is used for livestock feed and equals about 1/3 of the corn kernel, but all of the protein and minerals. It currently sells for about 75% of dent corn’s value and thus reduces the cost of livestock production.
Biofuel efficiency has changed rapidly, Visalli’s work was already out of date when it was published. Now over 5 years down the road, it would be interesting to get another look at energy return. Some producers are getting much higher returns than others.
Your yield per acre of corn is at least 2800 pounds too low according to current average farm yield, and much lower than the highest producers are getting. This increase has been done with the same amount, or less, of fertilizer, herbicides, fuel and labor than the era your corn yields hail from.
Newer technology in ethanol production will greatly change the data in switchgrass and stover production also as full scale plants come on line. New enzymes and a cold brewing process are currently on line in some plants. They have changed the break even costs for those who have embraced them.
Biodiesel in my area is refined from soybean oil, animal fat and other manufacturing waste, not corn.
It is indeed a shame that we currently value energy products higher than food. It shows just how blessed we are in food production.

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By: Transportation – Part 6: Is the Internal Combustion Engine Doomed to Extinction? « Techso Mogro

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:19:53 +0000

[…] Many automobiles today operate using blended gasoline or diesel that combines fossil and bio-derived fuel. Producing biofuels to-date requires significant energy input for the energy output. Biofuels from fallow fields, such as switch grass or fuels produced from algae would be much preferred to those derived from corn and sugar cane. Biofuel ICE technology is already on the market and could very well be its saviour. For additional information see my earlier blog discussion on biomass and biofuels. […]

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By: Transportation – Part 3: The Impact of Energy Conservation « Techso Mogro

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:22:02 +0000

[…] Energy in the 21st Century – Part 7: From Biomass to Biofuels we talk about alternative energy sources that includes fuels such as ethanol, bio-diesel, natural […]

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