LS9 Develops Modified Microorganisms to produce a wide variety of advanced biofuels and renewable chemicals cost-effectively

The renewable, scalable fuels and chemicals with the greatest potential for rapid and widespread adoption by consumers are those that are both cost-competitive with petroleum and compatible with the existing distribution and consumer infrastructure.

Video:LS9 e-coli to Biodiesel

 LS9 has developed a platform technology to produce a wide variety of advanced biofuels and renewable chemicals cost-effectively by a simple, efficient, one-step fermentation process.

 LS9 has engineered established industrial microorganisms to convert fermentable sugars selectively to alkanes, olefins, fatty alcohols, or fatty esters, each in a single-unit operation. The process enables precise genetic control of the molecular composition and performance characteristics of each resulting fuel or chemical product. LS9’s technology leverages the natural efficiency of microbial fatty acid metabolism to biosynthesize long hydrocarbon chains. It combines this with new biochemical pathways engineered into microorganisms to convert the long-chain intermediates into specific finished fuel and chemical products that are secreted by the cells.

The products are immiscible with the aqueous fermentation medium and form a light organic phase that is both nontoxic to the whole-cell catalyst and easily recoverable by centrifugation. LS9 is actively developing the technology for the production of alkanes (diesel, jet fuel, gasoline), alcohols (surfactants), esters (biodiesel, chemical intermediates), olefins (lubricants, polymers), aldehydes (insulation, resins), and fatty acids (soaps, chemical intermediates). Specific product performance is enabled through the genetic control of each product’s chain length, extent of saturation, and degree of branching. Unlike the competing biofuel processes, LS9’s process does not require any metal catalysts.

LS9 has successfully scaled up its technology to produce UltraClean^TM diesel at the pilot-plant level. UltraClean^TM diesel meets or exceeds all of the ASTM 6751 specifications for on-road vehicle use. It eliminates the environmental pollutants benzene, sulfur, and the heavy metals found in petroleum-based diesel and will result in an 85 percent decrease in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions according to the GREET model for life cycle analysis (LCA). Without subsidy, UltraClean Diesel^TM will be competitive in the market with diesel from oil priced at $45-50 per barrel. LS9 is advancing toward commercial scale with its Renewable Petroleum^TM facility, which will come on line in 2010. Initially, this facility will produce UltraClean^TM diesel; other products will follow. LS9 has achieved some success in direct biomass-to-fuel conversion.

LS9 is applying this technology platform through a strategic partnership with Procter & Gamble to produce surfactants for consumer chemical products. These and other LS9 drop-in, renewable products are on target to facilitate broad environmental benefits through rapid product adoption. The efficiency, affordability, and product performance bodes well for the LS9 technology to become one of the keys to sustainable fuels.

Making biofuel from corncobs and switchgrass in rural America

Energy crops and agricultural residue, like corncobs and stover, are becoming part of rural America’s energy future. Unlike the more common biofuel derived from corn, these are non-food/feed based cellulosic feedstocks, and the energy content of the biomass makes it ideal for converting to sustainable fuel.

Last January in Vonore, Tenn., DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol (DDCE) opened a new biorefinery with the goal of producing at large-scale biofuel from cellulosic feedstock, beginning with corncobs and stover and moving to switchgrass.

DDCE, along with partners University of Tennessee Biofuels Initiative, General Energy and the state of Tennessee are working to establish a several-thousand-acre switchgrass crop.

The crop—planted in 2008—will reach maturity later this year. DDCE plans on running these switchcrop through the Vonore biorefining facility to test the process on a large scale. DDCE is planning to build a commercial scale biorefinery in the Midwest for corn stover, and when the technology is ready for switchgrass, will also begin large-scale production of fuel from that crop.

“The science is ready, and the process works. Now, in Tennessee, we are scaling it up so that we can produce ethanol in 50-million-gallon facilities,” says Jennifer Hutchins, director of communication at DDCE. “The goal is to deliver technology to produce cellulosic ethanol that will compete with gasoline.”

Creating value from farm to tank

DDCE’s partnership with the University of Tennessee and Genera Energy came about through the University of Tennessee Biofuels Initiative, a farm-to-fuel business plan. Genera Energy establishes and supports the contracted farmers growing the crops.

There are currently around 2,600 acres of switchgrass growing on more than 30 farms within 50 miles of the Vonore facility under this initiative, generating economic opportunities for the region. DDCE and Genera hope within the next few years, the area will begin to see the economic impact on rural development.

“It is an example of how we will create value across the entire supply chain – from the farm to the tank.” – Joe Skurla

“The world should be watching what we’re doing in Tennessee, because it is an example of how we will create value across the entire supply chain – from the farm to the tank,” says Joe Skurla, CEO of DDCE. “These projects require collaboration between farmers, crop developers, technology experts, producers and fuel suppliers to deliver investment-grade solutions and low-cost, sustainable transportation fuel for consumers.”

From operators to management, jobs will be created

DDCE, which today employs nearly 30 people, has been expanding its workforce and expects to contribute to rural economic development and jobs growth as the industry evolves.

“As we develop technology, we add people. We are adding jobs in both our demonstration facility in Tennessee—operators, engineers and technicians—and employees at our headquarters in Illinois in commercial development and management,” Hutchins says. “These are all green jobs.”

DDCE plans to license its technologies and will also engage in building commercial scale biorefineries, which will employ 50-60 people each.

“There’s opportunity not just for direct job growth, but to contribute to growth across many sectors, from research to farming to equipment manufacturing and biomass logistics,” Hutchins says. “As the industry evolves, we hope it will contribute to rural economic development.”

Algae: A New Way to Make Biodiesel

NSF small business grantee Ben Wen describes a new catalytic approach for algae biodiesel production that uses less work and energy, produces less waste, and makes a lot more fuel

I have been working on soybean and other vegetable-based biodiesel projects for a long time. Yet, after I read a story about algae and oil from algae, in my mind, I became convinced that algae is the most promising feedstock for biodiesel.

Algae–”seaweeds” in Latin–were some of the first plant-like organisms on Earth. They are photosynthetic, like land plants, and we consider them to be “simple” because they lack the many distinct organs found in land plants.

Because some algae species are oil rich, the amount of oil we can collect from them is hundreds of times greater than the amount of oil that can be collected from an equal amount of a traditional, plant-based, biodiesel feedstock like soybeans.

Algae can also grow in places away from farmlands and forests, minimizing the damage caused to ecosystems and food-chains. 

In my opinion, such factors make algae oil the most promising candidate for producing biodiesel in quantities large enough to entirely replace petroleum-based transportation fuel in the United States, and a powerful solution for sustainable energy development.

Currently, most biodiesel is made from soybean oil. In order to quickly convert soybean oil into biodiesel, a catalyst needs to be used. Catalysts are compounds that make chemical reactions happen more quickly than they would otherwise. For example, a catalyst could make a chemical reaction happen in an hour instead of three days.

There are many different types of catalysts. The type used to make biodiesel from soybean oil is a liquid. This means that when the chemical reaction is finished, the catalyst is mixed in with all the reaction products–the biodiesel and any byproducts made during the reaction. To make a marketable fuel product, the catalyst has to be separated from the reaction products, a process that takes a lot of work and energy and produces undesirable waste.

This reaction to convert soybean oil to biodiesel takes place in a “batch” reactor, which looks like a large pot. In a batch reactor, only a certain amount of product can be made at a time. For example, a small batch reactor could make 10 gallons of biodiesel in an hour.  After that hour, the reactor would have to be stopped so that the biodiesel and byproducts can be removed. Then, more soybean oil and catalyst would be added, and the reaction would start all over again. This type of reactor is not very good for making large amounts of biodiesel.

I have spent a lot of time studying algae and have learned a great deal about algae growth, extraction and conversion to biodiesel. In my opinion, the amount of algae oil that will be available for biodiesel production will eventually be much larger than the amount of soybean oil available.

If the liquid catalyst and batch reactor are used to change the algae oil into biodiesel, even more work and energy would be needed to separate the reaction products from the catalyst. Giant facilities with many large reactors would have to be built, and a large amount of waste would be produced. The energy and environmental benefits would be lost.

Fortunately, there are other types of catalysts and reactors. My doctorate is in chemical engineering and I have been working in the catalysis field for a long time. My background on heterogeneous (multiple component) catalysts and fixed-bed reactor engineering led me to a new catalytic approach for the algae oil biodiesel production.

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), I worked with my colleagues at United Environment & Energy (UEE) to develop a solid catalyst and a special reactor that can convert algae oil into biodiesel.

I spend most of my day working with other scientists and technicians on experiment design, execution and data analysis.

In the system we created, instead of using a large pot, like a batch reactor, we use a reactor that is a hollow tube filled with a solid catalyst. The algae or soybean oil flows through the tube, and the reaction to make biodiesel happens as the oil flows over the catalyst. The solid catalyst stays in the tube, so it is already separated from the biodiesel and byproducts–no extra work or energy is needed!

Also, the reactor can produce biodiesel continuously. It does not need to be stopped and re-started like a batch reactor, so it can make a lot more biodiesel in a given amount of time than the batch reactor can produce.

In addition, the solid catalyst does not need to be replaced very often– the liquid catalyst would have to be replaced every time the batch reactor is emptied–so no waste streams are produced. The cost is much lower, and the tube reactor is smaller than batch reactors, so it can be moved from one place to another.

I believe that using this solid catalyst and tube reactor can help to quickly replace petroleum diesel with biodiesel, and in the process, decrease the energy consumed during production, thereby reducing the overall environmental impact.

For Phase I of our NSF project, we had to successfully prove that our solid catalyst and tube reactor can work and determine optimal tube reactor configurations and operating conditions. Currently, we are using algae oil samples supplied from algae producers, but we have just started a new project with our partners to grow algae and extract oil from it.

Next, we are working on testing the stability of the algae biodiesel–and increasing its resistance to oxidation, if necessary–so that the fuel can be used in diesel engines.

After those tests are complete, we will concentrate on scaling up this solid catalyst and reactor system to a larger size so that more biodiesel can be produced.

Source: NSF

NASA Scientists Find Ingenious Process to Produce “Clean Energy” Biofuels

NASA scientists have proposed an ingenious and remarkably resourceful process to produce “clean energy” biofuels, while it cleans waste water, removes carbon dioxide from the air, retains important nutrients, and does not compete with agriculture for land or freshwater.

When astronauts go into space, they must bring everything they need to survive. Living quarters on a spaceship require careful planning and management of limited resources, which is what inspired the project called “Sustainable Energy for Spaceship Earth.” It is a process that produces “clean energy” biofuels very efficiently and very resourcefully.

“The reason why algae are so interesting is because some of them produce lots of oil,” said Jonathan Trent, the lead research scientist on the Spaceship Earth project at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. “In fact, most of the oil we are now getting out of the ground comes from algae that lived millions of years ago. Algae are still the best source of oil we know.”

Algae are similar to other plants in that they remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, produce oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis, and use phosphates, nitrogen, and trace elements to grow and flourish. Unlike many plants, they produce fatty, lipid cells loaded with oil that can be used as fuel.

Land plants currently used to produce biodiesel and other fuels include soy, canola, and palm trees. For the sake of comparison, soy beans produce about 50 gallons of oil per acre per year; canola produces about 160 gallons per acre per year, and palms about 600 gallons per acre per year. But some types of algae can produce at least 2,000 gallons of oil per acre per year.

The basic problem is growing enough algae to meet our country’s enormous energy-consumption demands. Although algae live in water, land-based methods are used to grow algae. Two land-based methods used today are open ponds and closed bioreactors. Open ponds are shallow channels filled with freshwater or seawater, depending on the kind of algae that is grown. The water is circulated with paddle wheels to keep the algae suspended and the pond aerated. They are inexpensive to build and work well to grow algae, but have the inevitable problem of water evaporation. To prevent the ponds from drying out or becoming too salty, conditions that kill the algae, an endless supply of freshwater is needed to replenish the evaporating water.

When closed bioreactors are used to grow algae, water evaporation is no longer the biggest problem for algae’s mass-production. Bioreactors, enclosed hardware systems made of clear plastic or glass, present their own problems. They can be computer-controlled and monitored around the clock for a more bountiful supply of algae. However, storing water on land and controlling its temperature are the big problems, making them prohibitively expensive to build and operate. In addition, both systems require a lot of land.

“The inspiration I had was to use offshore membrane enclosures to grow algae. We’re going to deploy a large plastic bag in the ocean, and fill it with sewage. The algae use sewage to grow, and in the process of growing they clean up the sewage,” said Trent.

It is a simple, but elegant concept. The bag will be made of semi-permeable membranes that allow fresh water to flow out into the ocean, while retaining the algae and nutrients. The membranes are called “forward-osmosis membranes.” NASA is testing these membranes for recycling dirty water on future long-duration space missions. They are normal membranes that allow the water to run one way. With salt water on the outside and fresh water on the inside, the membrane prevents the salt from diluting the fresh water. It’s a natural process, where large amounts of fresh water flow into the sea.

Floating on the ocean’s surface, the inexpensive plastic bags will be collecting solar energy as the algae inside produce oxygen by photosynthesis. The algae will feed on the nutrients in the sewage, growing rich, fatty cells. Through osmosis, the bag will absorb carbon dioxide from the air, and release oxygen and fresh water. The temperature will be controlled by the heat capacity of the ocean, and the ocean’s waves will keep the system mixed and active.

When the process is completed, biofuels will be made and sewage will be processed. For the first time, harmful sewage will no longer be dumped into the ocean. The algae and nutrients will be contained and collected in a bag. Not only will oil be produced, but nutrients will no longer be lost to the sea. According to Trent, the system ideally is fail proof. Even if the bag leaks, it won’t contaminate the local environment. The enclosed fresh water algae will die in the ocean.

The bags are expected to last two years, and will be recycled afterwards. The plastic material may be used as plastic mulch, or possibly as a solid amendment in fields to retain moisture.

“We have to remember,” Trent said, quoting Marshall McLuhan: “we are not passengers on spaceship Earth, we are the crew.”

For further information, please visit: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/greenspace/

Or visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ames

Neste Oil Brings New Energy

ASFE, the Alliance for Synthetic Fuels in Europe, announced 18 March 2009 that Neste Oil has joined its alliance, reinforcing ASFE’s commitment towards promoting alternative fuel options that can significantly reduce impact on the environment and help diversify the EU energy mix.

Launched in March 2006 in Brussels, ASFE is a unique initiative at the European level bringing together leading automotive, technology and fuel supply companies working towards reducing the environmental impact of road transport through improved energy efficiency and cleaner fuels.

Until now, ASFE focused on synthetic fuels produced from biomass (BTL) or natural gas (GTL) feedstock which can be used in existing diesel engines and fuelling infrastructure. These cleaner fuels can significantly contribute to reinforcing Europe’s energy security and reducing pollution in cities. Moreover synthetic fuels made from biomass can help combating global warming as they offer up to 90% CO2 emissions reduction potential when compared with petroleum derived fuels.

Now with Neste Oil’s membership ASFE’s scope has broadened to include hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO), where Neste Oil has proprietary technology and a product in commercial scale production. The HVO fuel currently delivers 40 – 60% GHG reductions compared to conventional diesel, improves local air quality and offers health benefits through significantly lower emissions, similar to GTL and BTL.

Announcing the new member, ASFE said: “ASFE is delighted to welcome Neste Oil to the alliance, with this extension in the scope of our work we demonstrate ASFE’s commitment to promoting fuels which can contribute to sustainable mobility and towards reaching the EU’s energy and climate objectives. Recognised as a leader in environment and energy solutions, Neste Oil brings an invaluable technological experience to the alliance.”

Speaking at the World Biofuels Market, Neste Oil’s Simo Honkanen said: “We are very pleased to become a member of ASFE, an orqanisation which represents companies with leading expertise in technology and a shared view on the importance of resolving the climate and energy challenge. ASFE has a key role in European and global discussions on sound alternative fuel solutions that reduce environmental impacts and improve energy security”.

 About synthetic and paraffinic fuels

Synthetic fuels are a new generation of near zero sulphur and aromatics, transport fuels made with the Fischer Tropsch process from natural gas (GTL) or biomass (BTL), or through hydrotreatment process from vegetable oils or animal fats (HVO). GTL and HVO are the most commercially advanced fuels and they offer a practical alternative fuel today. A number of plants are being built or planned and product availability is increasing. BTL needs further R&D investment but has the potential to use domestic resources in Europe. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with synthetic fuels derived from natural gas are comparable with transport fuels made from crude oil, while those produced from biomass can contribute to greenhouse gas reductions of up to 90%. As synthetic fuels can be used neat or blended in existing diesel engines, distribution and refuelling infrastructure, they are one of the most cost effective solutions to reducing petroleum dependency. Synthetic fuels can provide significant local air quality improvement by reducing tailpipe emissions (particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons).

About ASFE

Launched in March 2006 in Brussels, the Alliance for Synthetic Fuels in Europe (ASFE) is a unique initiative at the European level bringing together car manufacturers and fuel suppliers working towards reducing the environmental impact of road transport through improved energy efficiency and cleaner fuels. The members of ASFE are: Bosch, Daimler, Neste Oil, Sasol Chevron, Shell, Toyota and Volkswagen.

About Neste Oil

Neste Oil Corporation is a refining and marketing company concentrating on low-emission, high-quality transport fuels. Neste Oil’s refineries are located in Porvoo and Naantali, Finland, and have a combined crude oil refining capacity of approx. 260,000 barrels a day. Neste Oil produces HVO under the trademark “NExBTL”. This renewable diesel is an advanced fuel based on sustainably produced renewable raw materials. NExBTL diesel performs more efficiently and has a lower level of environmental impact than fossil diesel or FAME-type biodiesel. Neste Oil requires its raw material suppliers to observe a responsible approach and to comply with strict sustainability criteria. Feedstock of this type ensures that NExBTL renewable diesel has a 40-60% lower level of greenhouse gas emissions over its entire lifecycle compared to fossil diesel. NExBTL renewable diesel can be blended with conventional diesel fuel or used as such, and it is fully compatible with existing diesel engines and infrastructure.

For further information please contact:  

Nour Amrani, Weber Shandwick (ASFE Secretariat)

Tel: + 32 (0)487 546 322 E-mail: synthetic_fuels@webershandwick.com

 Simo Honkanen, Vice President, Neste Oil Corporation

Puh. +358 050 458 4170

PetroAlgae Takes Its Message of Commercialization of Next Generation Biofuels to World Biofuels Markets 09

(BRUSSELS, March 16) PRNewswire-FirstCall — At World Biofuels Markets (WBM) 09, the scene last year of mass protests against corn and soy based biofuels, PetroAlgae (OTC Bulletin Board: PALG) will this year help demonstrate the near-term commercial viability of algae-based biofuel. In contrast with corn and soy, algae does not compete with the food supply, actually consumes C02 (2.2 times its own weight), leaves no toxic waste during the harvesting process, is essentially carbon neutral and is 25x to 100x more productive than other crop feedstocks. PetroAlgae can replace the entire world’s supply of diesel on a very small fraction of the Earth’s landmass.

While the benefits of algal fuel are clear, commercialization has so far been unattainable. While most algae companies to date have focused almost exclusively on the science of algae, PetroAlgae has focused on developing a turnkey modular construction that can be replicated on a massive scale globally. The PetroAlgae process ensures consistency and efficiency, which directly leads to lower costs.

“While the final verdict has not yet been issued on the long-term prospects of the algal fuel market, we have reached nearly every plateau we’ve aimed to hit,” said John Scott, Chairman of PetroAlgae. “We’ve never been more confident in our business model and ability to compete with other biodiesel crop feedstocks. We expect to have a fully functioning commercial scale pilot facility operational in the coming months.”

PetroAlgae can be found at booth 40 at World Biofuels Markets 09. PetroAlgae Chairman John Scott will present during the closing plenary session on 18 March, while chief marketing officer Fred Tennant will participate in a panel on algae as the ultimate biomass source on 16 March. PetroAlgae was nominated for this year’s WBM Sustainable Biofuels Technology Award in the technology supplier category. Winners will be announced on 17 March at a gala reception.

About PetroAlgae

PetroAlgae is commercializing next generation technologies to grow and harvest oil and animal feed from algae. A cost-effective substitute for petroleum oil, this remarkable process creates a renewable, carbon-neutral feedstock source for biodiesel. PetroAlgae uses naturally selected strains of micro-algae to produce rapid growth and high oil yield. Our algae-cultivation bioreactor system can be built on a massive commercial scale, creating the opportunity to produce a cost effective alternative to fossil fuels and high-protein animal feed while absorbing CO2 from green house gas emissions. Expecting to begin commercial deployment in 2009, we are engaging with licensing prospects throughout the world. PetroAlgae offers a path to sustainable and clean energy independence through a process that is scalable globally. SOURCE PetroAlgae

CONTACT: European Media, Dragan Barbutovski, Weber Shandwick Brussels, +32 2 894 9022, mobile: +32 498 982 984, dbarbutovski[at]webershandwick.com; US Media, Katie Hays, Weber Shandwick Seattle, +1-425-452-5428, khays[at]webershandwick.com

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