permaculture

[Lawrence London <lfljvenaura@gmail.com>]

http://www.floridaenergy.ufl.edu/?page_id=854
ongoing studies for waste water treatment while producing algal biomass. 

Developing Florida’s Biomass Resources
Research Projects:
http://www.floridaenergy.ufl.edu/?page_id=854

Biomass
Developing Florida’s Biomass Resources
Research Projects:

Algae

Title:Establishment of the Center for Marine Bioenergy Research: Systems
Approach to BioEnergy Research
PI: Joel E. Kostka (has left FSU) Research Interests and Contact Information
Co-PIs:William Cooper, Ivonne Audirac, Amy Chan-Hilton, Ellen Granger
Description: IESES’ Systems Approach to Bio-Energy Research (SABER) is
particularly focused on coupling algal cultivation to wastewater nutrient
remediation. SABER has partnered with the City of Tallahassee’s T. P. Smith
Waste Water Treatment Plant in order to study the growth of local fresh
water algae in waste water for use as biofuel. The two main objectives of
this project are to: 1) perform both laboratory and field experiments to
test for species-specific growth potentials, as well as for the effects of
different environmental parameters, including light, carbon dioxide, and
nutrient availability on microalgal growth rates and lipid production, and
2) determine the extent to which microbes (i.e. bacteria), which are
exceptionally abundant in waste water, act as either competitors (for
nutrients, carbon) or symbiotically with algae. To do this we are examining
the bacterial community present in the waste water and detecting community
shifts that occur during algae cultivation. We are also examining the
nutrient uptake dynamics between bacteria and algae by monitoring the usage
and production of nitrogen, phosphorous, and carbon-containing compounds.
Finally, a number of advanced analytical chemistry techniques are being
used to characterize wastewater before and after algae cultivation. With a
better understanding of the microbial and biogeochemical processes
occurring in waste water during algae cultivation, engineering approaches
may be proposed in order to further optimize algal growth in waste water.
Budget:$494,135
Universities: FSU
External Collaborators: City of Tallahassee
This project has been completed

Title: Constructual Optimization of Solar Photo-Bioreactors for Algae Growth
PI: Juan Ordonez Research Interests and Contact Information
Description: This planning grant has allowed us to enhance our laboratory
capabilities and personnel qualifications to support competitive proposals
in the area of bio-fuels. By the end of this one-year effort, we have a
complete design of a small-scale photo-bioreactor for algae growth and
obtained additional funds that will allow us to build a large-scale
photo-bioreactor and conduct the necessary research for its optimal design
and operation.
Budget: $15,000
Universities: FSU
External Collaborators: Federal University of Parana, Brazil
This project has been completed

Title: Optimization of Algae Species for Biofuels Production Using Genetic
Alteration
PI: Edward Phlips Research Interests and Contact Information
Description: The central challenges to viable algal biofuel production are
the solar energy conversion efficiency for algae growth, sustainable yields
of usable products and operational constraints on production systems. While
theoretical solar conversion efficiencies for algae and plants are between
5 and 6% of total insolation, most algal systems operate at average annual
efficiencies well below this range. Therefore large areas are needed to
produce significant amounts of biofuels from algae, and production systems
must be able to sustainably produce biomass convertible to biofuels within
reasonable logistical and economic constraints. Logistical constraints
include minimal use of valuable freshwater and arable land resources.
Economic constraints may demand the use of low tech open pond systems,
rather than more costly and maintenance intensive closed bioreactor
designs. Sustainability of production will depend on the ability to
maintain relatively pure mass cultures of algae capable of producing high
levels of desirable products (e.g. hydrocarbons or convertible lipids).
These considerations point toward the need to focus on the development of
systems which use ocean water and algal species adaptable to extreme
conditions that minimize competition from “weed” species, such as high
salinity, temperature, pH, low nitrogen availability or UV light exposure.
The focus of this study is genetic alteration of selected species of algae
to optimize their performance in biomass production systems aimed at
biofuels. Two approaches to genetic alteration will be explored,
mutagenesis and transformation. The research program began with the use of
chemical mutagens to generate altered strains of algae currently available
in the culture collection of the PI (E. J. Phlips). Mutated algae are going
through a selection process to identify strains with favorable
characteristics. The selection criteria include growth rate, tolerance to
environmental extremes (e.g. salinity, temperature, pH, UV exposure), and
lipid content. The initial target species for mutagenesis research will
include: 1) Botyrococcus braunii, a green alga (Chlorophyta) known for its
high levels of hydrocarbons, but low growth rates and low adaptability to
high salinities and temperatures, 2) Synechococcus sp. a fast growing
cyanobacteria high biomass production potential, and adaptability extreme
environmental conditions, such as high salinity and temperature.
Budget: $15,000
Universities: UF
External Collaborators: Drs. Mathius Kirst (UF Genetic Institute) and
Charles Guy (UF Department of Environmental Horticulture)

High Energy Crops

Title: Energy Intensive Crop Development
PIs: Gary Peter Research Interests and Contact Information, Matias Kirst
Research Interests and Contact Information, Don Rockwood
Co-PIs: John Erickson, Joao Vendramini, Robert Gilbert
Description: To build a commercially viable, industrial scale system to
produce transportation fuels and electricity from biomass requires both
efficient conversion technologies and environmentally sustainable, cost
effective supplies of biomass.  In the US, Florida ranks first in its
annual growth of plant biomass, because of its large cultivable land area
and its subtropical climate, even though substantial land areas that can be
planted are not currently in agricultural or forest production.  The
development of high yielding production systems for dedicated energy crops
is considered essential for a sustainable, biomass to energy industry to be
established, because the long-term availability of sufficient amounts of
reasonably priced biomass is one of the most important factors in the site
selection for new biofuel and bioenergy facilities.  Dedicated energy crops
are ones that 1) have high yields with minimum energy inputs in terms of
agronomic practices, water and nutrient applications, 2) can be harvested,
transported and processed efficiently into fuel or power, and 3) can be
grown sustainably for generations without adverse environmental affects, or
significantly impacting the food supply.  We will evaluate likely energy
crop species, Eucalyptus and southern pine to provide important yield and
best management practices for growing these species for bioenergy
conversion.  We will also provide important chemical composition
information that will impact the conversion efficiency of this biomass to
ethanol, and identify and characterize important genes that regulate wood
chemical composition.
Budget: $240,000
Universities: University of Florida
External Collaborators: Speedling, Inc.; Nutri-Turf, Inc.

Title: Water-Use Efficiency and Feedstock Composition of Candidate
Bioenergy Grasses in Florida
PI: Lynn Sollenberger Research Interests and Contact Information
Description: Florida ranks first in the USA in annual growth of plant
biomass because of a large cultivatable land area, high rainfall, and long
growing seasons. The development of high yielding production systems for
energy crops that can be grown in Florida is considered essential for
establishment of a sustainable biomass to energy industry. This is the case
because long-term availability of sufficient amounts of reasonably priced
biomass will be an important determinant of if and wherenew biofuel and
bioenergy facilities will be built. Because of its size and large number of
climatic zones, there will be large regional differences in what energy
crops can be used at various locations in Florida and how they will
perform. In this project, we propose to conduct applied research at
locations throughout Florida with sweet sorghum, sugarcane, energycane,
giant reed, miscanthus, and elephantgrass to provide important agronomic
practice, yield, water use, and chemical composition information for
Florida growers, bioenergy producers, and policy makers. This information
will support decision making regarding which crops are adapted to specific
environments, which are best suited to particular management practices
(e.g., irrigation or none), and which have the desired chemical composition
for the intended bioenergy use.
Budget: $191,981
Universities: UF
External Collaborators: NA

Biochemical Conversion

Title:Thermophilic Biocatalysts for the Conversion of Cellulosic Substrates
to Fuels and Chemicals
PI: K.T. Shanmugam Research Interests and Contact Information
Description: The primary objective of this study is to engineer a
thermophilic bacterium Bacillus coagulans that grows optimally at 50-55 °C
and pH 5.0, the optimum conditions for the activity of commercial fungal
cellulases, for cost-effective depolymerization of cellulose to glucose for
simultaneous fermentation to ethanol or other commodity chemicals as the
sole fermentation product.
Budget: $192,000
Universities: UF
This project has been completed
November 2011 Annual Report
May 2010 Progress Report
November 2010 Annual Report
May 2011 Progress Report
Title:Engineering Biocatalysts for Hemicelluloses Hydrolysis and
Fermentation
PI:James F. Preston Research Interests and Contact Information
Description: Our goal is to develop biocatalysts for the cost-effective
production of fuel alcohols and chemical feedstocks from underutilized
sources of renewable biomass and evolving energy crops. To reach this goal
protocols for efficient saccharification of hemicellulose fractions from
these resources will be developed.
Budget: $192,000
Universities: UF
External Collaborators: Collaborations are in various units within the
University of Florida:L.O. Ingram and K.T. Shanmugam, Microbiology and Cell
Science; F. Altpeter, Agronomy; G. Peter, Forest Resources and Conservation

Title:Development of Biofuel Production Processes from Synthetic and
Biomass Wastes
PI: Pratap Pullammanappallil Research Interests and Contact Information
Description:With the ever-increasing price of petroleum and its finite
supply, it is of high priority todevelop domestic sources of transportation
fuel, as well as other chemicals. Ethanol is an attractive alternate fuel
that is being produced from corn starch.  It is necessary to target other
feedstocks for biofuel production and develop  processes that have a
minimal environmental impact. There is considerable ongoing research on
developing processes and catalysts for conversion of biomass to biofuels
like ethanol (called cellulosic ethanol process).  But this project
addresses other feedstocks with the following objectives: 1) development of
biocatalysts for the conversion of waste biodegradable poly lactic acid
based plastics to ethanol and 2) development of processes that processes
for the production of additional fuels like biogas, bio-oil and biochar
from the waste and byproducts of a cellulosic ethanol plant for the clean
up and reuse of these waste streams
Budget: $192,000
Universities: UF

Bio gasification

Title: Combined Cooling, Heat, Power, and Biofuel from Biomass and Solid
Waste
PI: Bill Lear Research Interests and Contact Information
Co-PI:  Jacob Chung
Description: The goal of this project is to provide the underlying research
and demonstration of a novel technology which would enable the economic
utilization of dispersed biomass and solid waste resources to produce
electric power, cooling, heat, and transportation fuels. This integrated
gasification and power generation system combines University of Florida
advances in high-temperature gasification, hydrogen generation and
separation, and advanced gas turbine systems. Their integration is expected
to result in significant improvements in the cost, emissions, feedstock
flexibility, and water requirements, all in a relatively compact, modular
plant system. This in turn will enable much greater utilization of
renewable energy supplies, helping the development of a sustainable energy
supply infrastructure.
Budget: $576,000
Universities: UF
External Collaborators: Siemens Power Generation, Florida Turbine
Technologies, Energy Concepts Co., Nu-Power Technologies LLC,
PlanetGreenSolutions Inc., LPP Combustion, LLC.

Thermo-Chemical Conversion

Title:Production of Liquid Fuels Biomass via Thermo-Chemical Conversion
Processes
PI: Babu Joseph Research Interests and Contact Information
Co-PIs: Yogi Goswami, Venkat Bhethanabotla, John Wolan, Vinay Gupta
Description: The objective of this project is to develop technology for the
economical thermo-chemical conversion of lingocellulosic biomass (non-food
grade biomass such as agricultural waste, bagasse from sugar mills, citrus
peels, switch grass, municipal green waste, etc.) to clean burning liquid
fuels. Five of the major advantages of this process over a biochemical
route to production of ethanol are: (i) it does not utilize food-grade feed
stocks and therefore complements and does not compete with the agricultural
food production in the state, (ii) the fuel produced is similar to those
derived from petroleum unlike ethanol derived fuels which have at least a
25% lower energy content, (iii) the conversion is accomplished in using
fast chemical reactions unlike the slow biological reactions for fermenting
alcohol, (iv) the process does not require large amounts of water and
associated energy costs of separating the water from the fuel as in
bioethanol processes, (v) it can utilize a wide variety of biomass sources
unlike the biochemical route which cannot work with high lignin containing
biomass.
Budget: $554,447
Universities: USF
External Collaborators: Prado & Associates, Inc.

Title:Feasibility, Sustainability and Economic Analysis of Solar Assisted
Biomass Conversion
PI: Babu Joseph Research Interests and Contact Information
Co-PIs: Q. Zhang
Description: The main deterrent for commercialization of biomass conversion
processes is the cost of conversion; particularly the need to sacrifice as
much as 30% of the energy content in the biomass for the thermo chemical
conversion step. We want to research and develop the concept to use solar
thermal energy from concentrating units to provide energy for the biomass
gasification step. We also propose to evaluate the sustainability of such a
process.
Budget:$45,238
Universities: USF

Title: Integrated Florida Bio-Energy Industry
PI: A. T-Raissi Research Interests and Contact Information
Co-PIs: N. Muradov, D. Block
Description:The aim of this project is to produce liquid hydrocarbon fuels
derived from Florida grown biomass utilizing a two-step process. In the
first step, pre-treated biomass is gasified with oxygen (instead of air) to
a synthetic gas (syngas) comprised of mostly hydrogen, carbon monoxide and
a carbon rich residue (char). Furthermore, in the first step, a solar (PV)
powered water electrolysis system is used to provide oxygen for the biomass
gasifier and hydrogen needed to elevate H2 concentration in the syngas. Use
of oxygen for gasification of biomass significantly improves the overall
energy conversion efficiency of the process eliminating the need for an air
separation unit. In the second step of the process, hydrogen enriched
synthetic gas from step 1 is feed into a Fischer Tropsch (FT) synthesis
unit to generate a liquid hydrocarbon fuel, e.g., diesel. The process is
applicable to any lingocellulosic material such as crop residues, grasses,
yard clippings, landfill gas, municipal solid waste (MSW), etc.  FSEC has
developed a robust FT synthesis catalyst capable of converting syngas to
liquid hydrocarbon fuels. The technology also provides a means for not only
converting biomass feedstocks to valuable liquid hydrocarbon fuels but also
sequester carbon in the form of a high-value soil enhancing bio-char (terra
preta).
Budget: $386,409
Universities: UCF/FSEC

Title:Biofuels Through Thermochemical Processes: Approach to Produce
Bio-jet Fuel
PI: Anjaneyulu Krothapalli Research Interests and Contact Information
Description: To develop technologies to produce biojet and biodiesel fuels
from sustainable sources such as bio-oils and hydrogen produced from
biomass generated synthetic gas.  Novel processing concepts, reactor design
and catalyst systems are employed in this integrated approach to convert
any cellulosic biomass and any nonedible bio-oils into bio-jet fuel (Figure
1).  Feedstock flexibility offers significant cost and logistic advantages
to this approach.  Unlike other processes which use only the oil derived
from a plant, the entire plant can be used as feedstock source and the
proposed approach can also convert the more challenging lignocellulosic
component.
Budget: $229,572
Universities: FSU