Monday, May 14, 2007
Molecular visualization of the bioconversion process
Molecular visualization of the bioconversion process
The tools available for the hunt for renewable energy are very 21st Century. New tools include robotics, mass spectrometers, laser imagers, and data collection and analysis devices. As a result, communications can be digital and more visual than ever before, speeding questions and understanding at warp speed around the globe.
The Society of Industrial Microbiology convened their 29th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals in Denver recently which was hosted by the federally-financed National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). One of the highlights of the symposium was a tour that included visits to its biochemical and thermochemical labs and pilot plants for converting an array of feedstock into sugars and ethanol.
One stop was in a research area where high tech imaging devices are employed to analyze cell and molecular structures involved in the bioconversion process. Data collected from such imaging devices can be used to build accurate models and animations to aid understanding. This post from Bioconversion blog provides more details on these high-tech imaging devices and the impact they will have...
The tools available for the hunt for renewable energy are very 21st Century. New tools include robotics, mass spectrometers, laser imagers, and data collection and analysis devices. As a result, communications can be digital and more visual than ever before, speeding questions and understanding at warp speed around the globe.
The Society of Industrial Microbiology convened their 29th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals in Denver recently which was hosted by the federally-financed National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). One of the highlights of the symposium was a tour that included visits to its biochemical and thermochemical labs and pilot plants for converting an array of feedstock into sugars and ethanol.
One stop was in a research area where high tech imaging devices are employed to analyze cell and molecular structures involved in the bioconversion process. Data collected from such imaging devices can be used to build accurate models and animations to aid understanding. This post from Bioconversion blog provides more details on these high-tech imaging devices and the impact they will have...
Labels: biodiesel-research, biofuels, biofuels-research, research, technology
PermaLink - Molecular visualization of the bioconversion process posted by Ecacofonix : 4:45 AM
0 Comments
Monday, March 26, 2007
NextEnergy Biodiesel Summit Set Goals for Biodiesel Research
NextEnergy Biodiesel Summit Set Goals for Biodiesel Research
Press release
Detroit, MI - Manufacturers, policy makers, regulators and biodiesel industry representatives met on Monday, March 12, for a Biodiesel Summit to identify and remove barriers to widespread acceptance of biodiesel blends of up to 20 percent by volume (B20) by engine and vehicle manufacturers.
DaimlerChrysler, a sponsor of the B20 Summit, challenged the group to come up with a viable fuel standard for the B20 finished blend.
"Biodiesel represents a huge opportunity to address some of our nation’s toughest energy, environmental and economic challenges,” said Deborah Morrissett, DaimlerChrysler’s VP of Regulatory Affairs.
“We know this is the right thing to do – so the goal now is to develop a national B20 standard that can be universally applied to all diesel vehicles, both on road and in production, to confidently support higher blends of biodiesel such as B20.”
A major step towards full B20 support is finalization of a defined B20 American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specification.
The ASTM B20 specification moved closer to reality in recent months when the group approved new limits in ASTM D 6751, the existing standard for pure (B100) biodiesel, for oxidation stability and other parameters needed for 2007/2010 diesel engines.
“The B100 standard has been designed so that it is protective of B20 and lower blends,” said Steve Howell, NBB Technical Director and Chairman of the ASTM Task Force on biodiesel standards, “but regulators need us to approve a finished blend standard to hold people to, and engine makers need something they can design to.”
The multi-industry Biodiesel Summit group met at the NextEnergy Center, Michigan’s alternative and renewable energy business incubator, located in Detroit’s TechTown district.
Beyond the final approval of the B20 finished fuel standard, participants identified several areas that need additional study and funding to bolster full B20 support, including:
>Long-term effects of B20 on emissions control and after-treatment devices .
>Long-term engine durability testing .
>Greater fuel quality monitoring efforts to ensure the fuel standards are being met.
“If we want to increase our economic competitiveness, strengthen energy security and help protect the environment, we have to provide customers with more clean, domestically-produced energy options,” said Jim Croce, NextEnergy CEO.
“Biodiesel has the most immediate potential to succeed. It’s sustainable, renewable and doesn’t require new invention."
The biodiesel industry is already looking to the future with the next generation of biodiesel.
“Our goals for next generation biodiesel are to optimize biodiesel’s fatty acid profile for cold flow and stability, optimize agriculture for higher production of oils and fats from traditional crops, and to develop non-traditional additional crops like micro-algae for biodiesel, or even crops that can be grown on marginal land or using brownfield sites,” said Donnell Rehagen, NBB Chief Operations Officer, who spoke at the summit.
“In my 40-plus years as an agricultural scientist and administrator, I have never experienced such exciting times in agriculture,” said Gale Buchanan, USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics.
“The era of bioenergy and bioproducts is clearly agriculture’s “Grand Challenge” for the 21st Century.”
All major OEMs support B5 and lower blends, provided they are made with biodiesel meeting ASTM D 6751, the existing ASTM standard for pure biodiesel (B100).
Use of blends higher than B5 will not necessarily void existing warranties. A growing number of OEMs are also recommending that users purchase biodiesel from BQ-9000 certified companies.
BQ-9000 is the biodiesel industry’s quality program for biodiesel producers and marketers.
While full B20 support is the goal, several auto and equipment manufacturers have recognized that the market may not be willing to wait years for it to happen.
DaimlerChrysler was the first auto manufacturer to approve the use of B20 by government, military and commercial fleet customers in its 2007 model year Dodge Ram pickup truck.
New Holland has also approved the use of B20 in all of its equipment using New Holland engines, becoming the first OEM to announce full formal support for B20 in the engines it produces.
For more information, call Mark Beyer, NextEnergy at 313-833-0100.
See Related Websites/Articles:
National Biodiesel Board
Press release
Detroit, MI - Manufacturers, policy makers, regulators and biodiesel industry representatives met on Monday, March 12, for a Biodiesel Summit to identify and remove barriers to widespread acceptance of biodiesel blends of up to 20 percent by volume (B20) by engine and vehicle manufacturers.
DaimlerChrysler, a sponsor of the B20 Summit, challenged the group to come up with a viable fuel standard for the B20 finished blend.
"Biodiesel represents a huge opportunity to address some of our nation’s toughest energy, environmental and economic challenges,” said Deborah Morrissett, DaimlerChrysler’s VP of Regulatory Affairs.
“We know this is the right thing to do – so the goal now is to develop a national B20 standard that can be universally applied to all diesel vehicles, both on road and in production, to confidently support higher blends of biodiesel such as B20.”
A major step towards full B20 support is finalization of a defined B20 American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specification.
The ASTM B20 specification moved closer to reality in recent months when the group approved new limits in ASTM D 6751, the existing standard for pure (B100) biodiesel, for oxidation stability and other parameters needed for 2007/2010 diesel engines.
“The B100 standard has been designed so that it is protective of B20 and lower blends,” said Steve Howell, NBB Technical Director and Chairman of the ASTM Task Force on biodiesel standards, “but regulators need us to approve a finished blend standard to hold people to, and engine makers need something they can design to.”
The multi-industry Biodiesel Summit group met at the NextEnergy Center, Michigan’s alternative and renewable energy business incubator, located in Detroit’s TechTown district.
Beyond the final approval of the B20 finished fuel standard, participants identified several areas that need additional study and funding to bolster full B20 support, including:
>Long-term effects of B20 on emissions control and after-treatment devices .
>Long-term engine durability testing .
>Greater fuel quality monitoring efforts to ensure the fuel standards are being met.
“If we want to increase our economic competitiveness, strengthen energy security and help protect the environment, we have to provide customers with more clean, domestically-produced energy options,” said Jim Croce, NextEnergy CEO.
“Biodiesel has the most immediate potential to succeed. It’s sustainable, renewable and doesn’t require new invention."
The biodiesel industry is already looking to the future with the next generation of biodiesel.
“Our goals for next generation biodiesel are to optimize biodiesel’s fatty acid profile for cold flow and stability, optimize agriculture for higher production of oils and fats from traditional crops, and to develop non-traditional additional crops like micro-algae for biodiesel, or even crops that can be grown on marginal land or using brownfield sites,” said Donnell Rehagen, NBB Chief Operations Officer, who spoke at the summit.
“In my 40-plus years as an agricultural scientist and administrator, I have never experienced such exciting times in agriculture,” said Gale Buchanan, USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics.
“The era of bioenergy and bioproducts is clearly agriculture’s “Grand Challenge” for the 21st Century.”
All major OEMs support B5 and lower blends, provided they are made with biodiesel meeting ASTM D 6751, the existing ASTM standard for pure biodiesel (B100).
Use of blends higher than B5 will not necessarily void existing warranties. A growing number of OEMs are also recommending that users purchase biodiesel from BQ-9000 certified companies.
BQ-9000 is the biodiesel industry’s quality program for biodiesel producers and marketers.
While full B20 support is the goal, several auto and equipment manufacturers have recognized that the market may not be willing to wait years for it to happen.
DaimlerChrysler was the first auto manufacturer to approve the use of B20 by government, military and commercial fleet customers in its 2007 model year Dodge Ram pickup truck.
New Holland has also approved the use of B20 in all of its equipment using New Holland engines, becoming the first OEM to announce full formal support for B20 in the engines it produces.
For more information, call Mark Beyer, NextEnergy at 313-833-0100.
See Related Websites/Articles:
National Biodiesel Board
Labels: advocacy, advocacy-biodiesel, biodiesel, biodiesel-events, biodiesel-research, biodiesel-usa, biofuels-events, events
PermaLink - NextEnergy Biodiesel Summit Set Goals for Biodiesel Research posted by Ecacofonix : 7:32 AM
0 Comments
Researcher develops bioplastic as a disposable source of biodiesel
Researcher develops bioplastic as a disposable source of biodiesel
Posted by Giles Clark, London
23 March 2007
In an effort to develop a new source of sustainable energy, researchers at Polytechnic University, the premier New York-based technology and engineering higher education institution, have bioengineered a fuel-latent plastic that can be converted into biodiesel. Commercialization of this technology will lead to a new source of green energy.
The team made a new plastic from plant oils that has remarkable properties, which includes being tougher and more durable than typical polyethylenes. Additionally, the bioplastic can be placed in a simple container where it is safely broken down to liquid fuel.
REad the full report from here @ Biofuel Review
Posted by Giles Clark, London
23 March 2007
In an effort to develop a new source of sustainable energy, researchers at Polytechnic University, the premier New York-based technology and engineering higher education institution, have bioengineered a fuel-latent plastic that can be converted into biodiesel. Commercialization of this technology will lead to a new source of green energy.
The team made a new plastic from plant oils that has remarkable properties, which includes being tougher and more durable than typical polyethylenes. Additionally, the bioplastic can be placed in a simple container where it is safely broken down to liquid fuel.
REad the full report from here @ Biofuel Review
Labels: biodiesel, biodiesel-research, biopolymers, inventions, research, sources
PermaLink - Researcher develops bioplastic as a disposable source of biodiesel posted by Ecacofonix : 4:55 AM
0 Comments
Sugar catalysts can turn waste vegetable oil into biodiesel
A sweet future for biodiesel
26 March 2007
Sugar catalysts can turn waste vegetable oil into biodiesel, researchers have revealed.
Min-Hua Zong at the South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, and colleagues have used a sugar catalyst to prepare biodiesel from waste vegetable oil. Sugar catalysts, made by the sulfonation of partially carbonized D-glucose, have previously been used for making biodiesel from new vegetable oils, but had never been successfully used in making biodiesel from waste oil.
Read the full report from here @ Chemical Science
26 March 2007
Sugar catalysts can turn waste vegetable oil into biodiesel, researchers have revealed.
Min-Hua Zong at the South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, and colleagues have used a sugar catalyst to prepare biodiesel from waste vegetable oil. Sugar catalysts, made by the sulfonation of partially carbonized D-glucose, have previously been used for making biodiesel from new vegetable oils, but had never been successfully used in making biodiesel from waste oil.
Read the full report from here @ Chemical Science
Labels: biodiesel, biodiesel-research, research, wvo
PermaLink - Sugar catalysts can turn waste vegetable oil into biodiesel posted by Ecacofonix : 3:22 AM
0 Comments
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Canadian Research Project To Determine Best Biodiesel Fuel Blend
Research Project To Determine Best Biodiesel Fuel Blend
09 March 2007
A two year research project by the University of Saskatchewan Engineering Department will help the city determine the best biodiesel blend to use in it's buses.
Transit Manager Jeff Balon says two conventional diesel buses and two electric hybrid buses are being used to test the effect of low sulphur diesel, and 5 per cent canola biodiesel blend.
Read more from here @ Saskatoon Homepage
09 March 2007
A two year research project by the University of Saskatchewan Engineering Department will help the city determine the best biodiesel blend to use in it's buses.
Transit Manager Jeff Balon says two conventional diesel buses and two electric hybrid buses are being used to test the effect of low sulphur diesel, and 5 per cent canola biodiesel blend.
Read more from here @ Saskatoon Homepage
Labels: biodiesel, biodiesel-blends, biodiesel-canada, biodiesel-north-america, biodiesel-research, biofuels, biofuels-canada, biofuels-north-america, biofuels-research, canada, research
PermaLink - Canadian Research Project To Determine Best Biodiesel Fuel Blend posted by Ecacofonix : 10:32 AM
0 Comments
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
