BIOFUELS SUPPLEMENT
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A bi-weekly summary of world developments on biofuels, produced by the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology, International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications SEAsiaCenter (ISAAA)
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June 18, 2009
In This Issue:
News and Trends
- B20 Biodiesel Blend and (Petroleum-based) Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel in Trucks Compared
- Metagenomcs for Obtaining Novel Biomass Degradation Enzymes for Biofuel Production
Energy Crops and Feedstocks for Biofuels Production
- Water Footprints of Bioenergy from Major Bioenergy Crops Assessed
Biofuels Processing
- Bioconversion of Miscanthus Grass to Biofuel Hydrogen
Biofuels Policy and Economics
- Increased Biofuel Production and Water Security
- Economic-Hydrologic Model for Water Impact Analysis in a Biofuel Production Area
- Kenya Targets Jatropha as Primary Source of Biodiesel Production
- China Opens First Bioenergy Research Center
* NEWS AND TRENDS *
B20 Biodiesel Blend and (Petroleum-based) Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel in Trucks Compared
http://asae.frymulti.com/abstract.asp?aid=26884&t=2 (may require paid subscription for complete access) http://www.purdue.edu/uns/x/2009a/090609LumkesBiodiesel.html
Scientists from Purdue University (United States) recently conducted a study comparing the performance of B20 (20% blend) soybean-based biodiesel and petroleum-based "Ultra Low Sulfur (ULS) Diesel" on a fleet of 20 trucks. The trucks were paired by make, model, mileage, and drive cycles, with ten trucks operated with the B20 biodiesel and ten trucks operated with ULS diesel. The performance indices for comparison (measured over a 12-month period) were: fuel consumption, idle time, truck speed, engine load, and engine speed. Fuel properties such as cetane number, energy content, density, kinematic viscosity, and lubricity were also measured for both fuels. Their results showed that "there [was] almost no statistical performance difference in semitrailer trucks using B20, a 20-percent blend of biodiesel, and No. 2 ultra-low sulfur diesel, the current standard". According to the Purdue University News article, "the only statistical difference related to the B20 was that it lowered the oil viscosity between maintenance intervals in engines slightly more than the ultra-low sulfur diesel". Nevertheless, the oil is said to still possess "sufficient viscosity so as not to damage engine parts". The study is published in the journal, Applied Engineering in Agriculture (URL above)..
Metagenomcs for Obtaining Novel Biomass Degradation Enzymes for Biofuel Production
http://www.biotechnologyforbiofuels.com/content/pdf/1754-6834-2-10.pdf
One of the bottlenecks in the production of cellulose ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass is the saccharification step, where the cellulose from the biomass is broken down into simple sugars which can then be fermented to ethanol. Cellulose is a long chain of glucose molecules which are connected together by what is known as "glycosidic bonds". Enzymes which have "glycosyl hydrolase" (GHase) activities are said to be potentially useful for degradation of cellulosic biomass for biofuel production. Enzymes with high biomass degradation activities are often "discovered" by microbial screening programs, involving the cultivation of microorganisms in the laboratory. An emerging field, known as "metagenomics", stands as an alternative strategy for the discovery of biomass degradation enzymes without the need for direct cultivation of the microorganism.
Using molecular biology techniques, DNA from microbial communities (for example, in soil samples), is obtained and investigated for genes that encode enzymes for biomass degradation. A recent article by Luen-Luen Li and associates from the Brookhaven National Laboratory (United States) reviews "metagenomic approaches to mining complex microbial communities (comprising both non-cultivable and cultivable microorganisms) for biofuel production". One of their review findings mentioned that metagenomes (genetic material from an environmental sample) from microbial communities derived from termite guts displayed "more putative glycosyl hydrolase (GHase) homologues compared to other samples, such as human oral microflora. The complete review can be accessed in the online open journal, Biotechology for Biofuels (URL above).
Related information on metagenomics http://dels.nas.edu/metagenomics/overview.shtml
Researchers from the Environment and Production Technology Division of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) report the use of an "integrated hydrologic-economic basin model" to study the impacts of enforced water pollution standards on fertirrigation in a biofuel feedstock (sugarcane) plantation, located in a sub-basin of the Pirapama River (Brazil). The model was also used to assess "sustainable water allocation in the basin." Fertirrigation can be considered as a "joint process of irrigation and fertilization, using the irrigation water to carry and distribute the chemical or organic fertilizer over the crops". This is reportedly an important practice in the light of increased demand for sugarcane as the primary feedstock for ethanol production in Brazil. According the report, "incorporating water quality aspects into water allocation decisions leads to a substantial reduction in application of vinasse to sugarcane fields. To enforce water quality restrictions, the shadow price for maintaining water in the reservoir could be used as a pollution tax for fertirrigated areas, which are currently not subject to pollution charges. The full report can be accessed at the IFPRI website (URL above).
Related information on fertirrigation: http://issct.intnet.mu/ISBUCresprop2.HTM
A meeting on Biodiesel Development held at the World Agroforestry Center in Nairobi on June 9, 2009 has identified the Jatropha plant as the best candidate for production of biodiesel in Kenya. Eng. Kuloba of the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) revealed that the Jatropha seeds may contain up to 35% oil in composition. This is in addition to the plant's ability to survive even in the harshest arid and semi-arid areas, which means it doesn't have to compete for space with food crops.
Jatropha is also already in existence in many parts of the country, and all that needs to be done is to educate farmers on its commercial value. As Dr. Githunguri of the Kenya Agriculture Research Institute (KARI) puts it, "The plant already exists in many farms, being used as a hedge or even as clothes lines. Efforts have to be focused on educating and empowering the farmers so they can harness the full commercial potential of the plant." He also explained that in addition to being a source of fuel, the plant can serve as a source of revenue to farmers and thus help in reducing poverty in many parts of the country that are otherwise unsuitable for farming of food crops. On its part, the Ministry of Energy has set various targets and objectives which include a 5% blend (B5) of biodiesel with diesel by 2012. This would help the country save billions in energy costs.
For details and for more information on biodiesel development in Kenya contact Ms. Faith Odongo, Chief Renewable Energy Officer, Ministry of Energy at fahamala@yahoo.com.