Integrated System Approach to Integrated System Approach to Sustainability; BioSustainability; Bio--fuels and fuels and

BioBio--refineriesrefineriesSaid S.E.H. ElnashaieSaid S.E.H. Elnashaie

Quentin Berg University Chair Professor Quentin Berg University Chair Professor of of

Environmental and Sustainable EngineeringEnvironmental and Sustainable EngineeringPennsylvania State University at Harrisburg, USAPennsylvania State University at Harrisburg, USA

sse10@psu.edusse10@psu.edu

Presented by Tom RichardPresented by Tom RichardAssociate Professor of Agricultural and Biological EngineeringAssociate Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Director, Biomass Energy CenterDirector, Biomass Energy CenterPenn State UniversityPenn State University

Crossover 2007, PSU, UP, September 2007Crossover 2007, PSU, UP, September 2007

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Main TopicsMain Topics11-- Sustainable Development: Multidisciplinary by Its Very NatureSustainable Development: Multidisciplinary by Its Very Nature22-- Sustainable Engineering: A Subset of Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Engineering: A Subset of Sustainable Development33-- System Theory and the Integrated System ApproachSystem Theory and the Integrated System Approach44-- Sustainable economy and the role of biomass efficient utilizatiSustainable economy and the role of biomass efficient utilizationon

Biomass and Bio-energyThe matrix of biofuels The matrix of biofuels

5.Multidisciplinary research, sequential de5.Multidisciplinary research, sequential de--bottlenecking, innovation and bottlenecking, innovation and optimal configurationsoptimal configurations

66--Examples of Innovative DesignsExamples of Innovative DesignsHydrogen ReformersHydrogen ReformersBioBio--ethanol Fermentersethanol FermentersBioBio--diesel from biomass ++diesel from biomass ++

77-- Integrated BioIntegrated Bio--Refineries (IBRs)Refineries (IBRs)88-- Heterogeneous Reactors & Bioreactors. The Heart of BioHeterogeneous Reactors & Bioreactors. The Heart of Bio--fuels Development.fuels Development.

Principles of PrePrinciples of Pre--design Calculationsdesign CalculationsPrinciples of SizingPrinciples of SizingFrom Sizing to DesignFrom Sizing to DesignTraining CoursesTraining Courses

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11-- Sustainable Development. Multidisciplinary by Its Very NatureSustainable Development. Multidisciplinary by Its Very Nature

Main Components of Sustainable Development:

1- Political: e.g., legislationsand strategic decisions…..2-Economical: e.g., investmentin novel new technologies……3-Social: e.g., consumptionTrends, acceptance of novelclean technologies and products...4-Technological: e.g., novelefficient clean technologies, clean fuels,efficient utilization of renewablefeedstocks, new environmentallyfriendly products, In-processModification for MPMP, efficientwaste treatment…….________________________________

Ethical and Moral Factors ( Don Brown’s Book: American Heat, 2003)

Economics

PoliticsTechnology

SocialFactors

Sustainable Development

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22--Sustainable Engineering Subset of Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Engineering Subset of Sustainable DevelopmentAs Engineers we Focus on Technology within the Frame Work of OthAs Engineers we Focus on Technology within the Frame Work of Other Componentser Components

Technology Socioeconomics Politics

Sustainable Engineering+

Other Engineering/Science Disciplines

Sustainable Development

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Some Fundamental Principles Some Fundamental Principles

Sustainable Development Relies on Sustainable Sustainable Development Relies on Sustainable Engineering + other SocioEngineering + other Socio--economical, Political economical, Political and Moral/Ethical Factorsand Moral/Ethical Factors

Efficient Engineering is Necessary but Not Efficient Engineering is Necessary but Not Sufficient for Sustainable EngineeringSufficient for Sustainable Engineering

Clean Technology is Not Sustainable TechnologyClean Technology is Not Sustainable Technology

Sustainability Depends Mainly Upon the Use of Sustainability Depends Mainly Upon the Use of Sustainable Raw MaterialsSustainable Raw Materials

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33-- System Theory and the Integrated System ApproachSystem Theory and the Integrated System Approach

Integrated System Approach (ISA) based on System Theory is Integrated System Approach (ISA) based on System Theory is the best to organize knowledge and exchange it.the best to organize knowledge and exchange it.

It depends on defining every system through its boundary, It depends on defining every system through its boundary, main processes within this boundary, exchange with the main processes within this boundary, exchange with the environment through this boundary and its subsystems/ environment through this boundary and its subsystems/ elementselements

Depends upon thermodynamics and information theory.Depends upon thermodynamics and information theory.

Applicable to all kinds of systems which makes it most suitable Applicable to all kinds of systems which makes it most suitable for multidisciplinary investigations.for multidisciplinary investigations.

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The matrix of biofuels The matrix of biofuels Bio= the process and/or the feedstockBio= the process and/or the feedstock

Membrane Separation, PSAMembrane Separation, PSA

FT FT

Bio, thermal, catalyticBio, thermal, catalytic

FT FT Gasification/fast PyrolysisGasification/fast Pyrolysis--ReformingReforming

Fermentation Fermentation HydrolysisHydrolysis

Dry/Wet MillingDry/Wet MillingBiomass

Biohydrogen

Bioethanol

Green- & Bio-diesel

Syngas

Sugars

Starch: Corn

Catalysis

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5.Multidisciplinary research, 5.Multidisciplinary research, sequential desequential de--bottlenecking, innovation and bottlenecking, innovation and

optimal configurationsoptimal configurations

Integrated Integrated BiorefineryBiorefinery Research Should Be Research Should Be ::

11-- Multidisciplinary:Multidisciplinary: different engineering and scientific disciplines as well as different engineering and scientific disciplines as well as humanities.humanities.

22-- Innovative:Innovative: novel units and processes development utilizing sequential denovel units and processes development utilizing sequential de--bottleneckingbottlenecking

33-- Combined processes in single units,Combined processes in single units, e.g., membrane reactors for breaking e.g., membrane reactors for breaking thermodynamic barriers.thermodynamic barriers.

44-- Integrated designs,Integrated designs, e.g., Integrated autothermal membrane coupled reactorse.g., Integrated autothermal membrane coupled reactors55-- Utilization of fundamental research into applied researchUtilization of fundamental research into applied research (e.g., Chaotic (e.g., Chaotic

Fermenter)Fermenter)66-- Optimal combination of experimental and mathematical techniquesOptimal combination of experimental and mathematical techniques77-- Close coClose co--operation with industryoperation with industry88-- Minimum data collectionMinimum data collection (extensive utilization of published and industrial data)(extensive utilization of published and industrial data)

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66--Examples of Innovative DesignsExamples of Innovative Designs

Hydrogen ReformersHydrogen ReformersBioBio--ethanol Fermentersethanol FermentersBioBio--diesel from biomass ++diesel from biomass ++

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Direct Biohydrogen

Catalytic Gasification with Hydrogen Membranes(1)Catalytic Gasification with Hydrogen Membranes(1)

Biological TrBiological Treatment (2)eatment (2)

(1)(1) Elnashaie and coElnashaie and co--workersworkers(2)(2) Bruce Logan (Penn State), and coBruce Logan (Penn State), and co--workersworkers

Biomass ++

Biohydrogen

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Hydrogen. Membrane Fluidized Bed Hydrogen. Membrane Fluidized Bed Reformers (MFBRs)Reformers (MFBRs)

• First Generation: Inefficient Fixed Bed Reformers • Second Generation: Bubbling Fluidized Membrane Reformer ( Grace, Jim Lim Alaa Adris, Elnashaie,UBC)• Third Generation: Circulating Fluidized Bed Membrane Reformer ( Elnashaie, Chen, Pradeep, AU)

• Further Developments for Third Generation:1. At UBC( Rakib, Andres, Grace, Jim Lim and Elnashaie)2. At Penn State ( Elnashaie, Ciocci, Issam and Abdelhady (Minnesota)

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The success story of the The success story of the ““chaotic chaotic fermenterfermenter”” for bioethanolfor bioethanol

Basic idea isBasic idea is::1.1. Operate Operate fermenterfermenter dynamically (periodic/chaotic) at high feed sugar dynamically (periodic/chaotic) at high feed sugar

concentration.concentration.2.2. Use Use pervaporationpervaporation membranes to prevent inhibitory effect of ethanol membranes to prevent inhibitory effect of ethanol

and stabilize the and stabilize the fermenterfermenter..

Said S.E.H.Elnashaie and Parag Garhyan, Chaotic Fermentation of Said S.E.H.Elnashaie and Parag Garhyan, Chaotic Fermentation of Ethanol, US Full Patent #10/978,293 filled on 10/29/2004.PublisEthanol, US Full Patent #10/978,293 filled on 10/29/2004.Published 4th hed 4th August 2005August 2005See a summary of the many mathematical and experimental papers See a summary of the many mathematical and experimental papers inin::

Said Elnashaie and Parag Garhyan, Said Elnashaie and Parag Garhyan, ““Bioethanol ProductionBioethanol Production--Solving the EfficiencySolving the EfficiencyBottleneckBottleneck”” The Chemical Engineer(tce), 755, May Issue, pp.30The Chemical Engineer(tce), 755, May Issue, pp.30--32, 200432, 2004

Invention is product of PhD work of my student: Dr.Parag GarhyanInvention is product of PhD work of my student: Dr.Parag Garhyan(Now researcher with Lilly in Indianapolis). He won the award of(Now researcher with Lilly in Indianapolis). He won the award of the the best PhD in Auburn University, 2004.best PhD in Auburn University, 2004.Patent bought in March 2006 by investors.Patent bought in March 2006 by investors.Investors formed a company, Investors formed a company, INFINOLINFINOL, on this patent., on this patent.

Much more improvement is still possible.Much more improvement is still possible.

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Biomass to Biodiesel Group (BMTBDG). Biomass to Biodiesel Group (BMTBDG). Penn State University, HarrisburgPenn State University, Harrisburg

The Multidisciplinary GroupThe Multidisciplinary Group

Elnashaie (Chemical/Sustainable Engineering)Elnashaie (Chemical/Sustainable Engineering)Eberlein (Chemistry)Eberlein (Chemistry)Goel (Mechanical Engineering)Goel (Mechanical Engineering)Imadojemu (Mechanical Engineering)Imadojemu (Mechanical Engineering)Funck (Project Management)Funck (Project Management)

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Compact Units for Biomass to Biodiesel and the Vegetable Oil Route

Gasification(2 steps)Gasification(2 steps)

Fast Pyrolysis (3 steps)Fast Pyrolysis (3 steps)Steam ReformingSteam Reforming

FTFT

Catalyst/Catalyst/biocatalystbiocatalyst

+ + FTFT

Biomass ++ Syngas

Bio-oil Bio-Diesel

Vegetable Oil & Waste

OilAlcohol

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Fuel is a major part of economy, Fuel is a major part of economy, but it is not all the economy.but it is not all the economy.A biorefinery integrates biomass conversion processes to produceA biorefinery integrates biomass conversion processes to produce; ; fuels, power, and chemicals from biomass;fuels, power, and chemicals from biomass; as shown below (DOE):as shown below (DOE):

77-- Integrated BioIntegrated Bio--Refineries (IBRs)Refineries (IBRs)

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••The biorefinery concept is analogous to today's The biorefinery concept is analogous to today's petroleum refineries/petrochemical complexes, petroleum refineries/petrochemical complexes, which produce multiple fuels and other products which produce multiple fuels and other products from petroleum.from petroleum.

••Industrial bioIndustrial bio--refineries are the most promising refineries are the most promising route to the creation of a new domestic sustainable route to the creation of a new domestic sustainable biobio--based industry.based industry.

••BioBio--fuel(s)( including biofuel(s)( including bio--diesel) plants as nucleus diesel) plants as nucleus for biofor bio--refineriesrefineries

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88-- Heterogeneous Reactors & BioreactorsHeterogeneous Reactors & BioreactorsThe Heart of BioThe Heart of Bio--fuels Developmentfuels Development

Kinetics/bioKinetics/bio--kinetics& Catalysis/biokinetics& Catalysis/bio--catalysis catalysis Mass and Heat TransferMass and Heat TransferMomentum TransferMomentum TransferNonNon--linear Coupling between alllinear Coupling between allReactor/bioreactor ConfigurationsReactor/bioreactor ConfigurationsOptimization and Conceptual OptimizationOptimization and Conceptual OptimizationRole of R&D and crossRole of R&D and cross--disciplinary research integrated in disciplinary research integrated in design and development.design and development.Innovation and sequential deInnovation and sequential de--bottleneckingbottlenecking

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Principles of PrePrinciples of Pre--design Calculationsdesign Calculations

Material and Enthalpy Balances for Heterogeneous Systems.Material and Enthalpy Balances for Heterogeneous Systems.

Momentum BalancesMomentum Balances

Mainly formulation and solution of nonMainly formulation and solution of non--linear algebraic linear algebraic equations and/or general software ( e.g.: Hysis , Aspen,etc)equations and/or general software ( e.g.: Hysis , Aspen,etc)

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Principles of SizingPrinciples of Sizing

Transformation of materials and enthalpy balances Transformation of materials and enthalpy balances into sizing equations( some times called design or into sizing equations( some times called design or modeling equations):modeling equations):

1.1. Lumped systems. (Formulation and solution of nonLumped systems. (Formulation and solution of non--linear algebraic equations)linear algebraic equations)

2. Distributed systems (Formulation and solution of non2. Distributed systems (Formulation and solution of non--linear Ordinary( initial value and boundary value) and Partilinear Ordinary( initial value and boundary value) and Partial al

differential equations )differential equations )

Thermodynamic equilibriums and their limitations:Thermodynamic equilibriums and their limitations:1.1. Reversible reactionsReversible reactions2.2. Mass and heat transfer between phasesMass and heat transfer between phases

Software uses and limitations: from Hysis /Aspen to Software uses and limitations: from Hysis /Aspen to FEMLAB (COMSOL) and CFD ( e.g.: Fluent).FEMLAB (COMSOL) and CFD ( e.g.: Fluent).

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From Sizing to DesignFrom Sizing to DesignSimplest isSimplest is: : sizing to dimensionssizing to dimensions( ( for given configuration and for given configuration and mode of operationmode of operation))

Examples of other design issues : Examples of other design issues : Configuration, mode of Configuration, mode of operationoperation, , material(s) of constructionmaterial(s) of construction, , breaking of Th.D.E. breaking of Th.D.E. barriers (e.g.: membrane reactors/ bioreactors), material and barriers (e.g.: membrane reactors/ bioreactors), material and thermal integration (e.g.: membrane autothermal integration (e.g.: membrane auto--thermal reactors),thermal reactors),mixing, catalyst regeneration/recycle, biocatalyst mixing, catalyst regeneration/recycle, biocatalyst immobilization, etc.immobilization, etc.

Dynamics, stability and control.Dynamics, stability and control.

The strong relation between design/operation and R&D.The strong relation between design/operation and R&D.

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Next Generation Education?Next Generation Education?A curriculum for integrated A curriculum for integrated biorefinerybiorefinery engineering:engineering:

Integrated System Approach (ISA) to Catalytic and BioIntegrated System Approach (ISA) to Catalytic and Bio--catalytic catalytic heterogeneous systems.heterogeneous systems.Molar and Enthalpy Balances and sizing equations for one phase aMolar and Enthalpy Balances and sizing equations for one phase and nd multiphase reacting systems.multiphase reacting systems.From sizing to design for catalytic and bioFrom sizing to design for catalytic and bio--catalytic heterogeneous reactors catalytic heterogeneous reactors Dynamic behavior, stability and control of catalytic and bioDynamic behavior, stability and control of catalytic and bio--catalytic catalytic reactors.reactors.Training on software simulators, e.g.: Hysis , AspenTraining on software simulators, e.g.: Hysis , AspenTraining on software packages suitable for catalytic reactors, eTraining on software packages suitable for catalytic reactors, e.g.: .g.: FEMLAB (COMSOL)FEMLAB (COMSOL)Training on CFD software packages, e.g.: FluentTraining on CFD software packages, e.g.: FluentTraining on crossTraining on cross--disciplinary work (R&D, Design and operation).disciplinary work (R&D, Design and operation).

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Thank YouThank You

Said S.E.H. Said S.E.H. ElnashaieElnashaie

sse10@psu.edusse10@psu.edu

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Appendix:Appendix:Integrated BioIntegrated Bio--Refineries (IBRs)Refineries (IBRs)

Basic PrinciplesBasic Principles::Integrated bioIntegrated bio--refineries is a very important concept. Both refineries is a very important concept. Both NSF and DOE are putting lots of research funds into NSF and DOE are putting lots of research funds into development of biodevelopment of bio--refineries. The present few biorefineries. The present few bio--refineries refineries are still very limited because of a limited understanding of are still very limited because of a limited understanding of biobio--products. There are a number of basic principles that products. There are a number of basic principles that need to be very clear from the beginning:need to be very clear from the beginning:

11-- Integrated BioIntegrated Bio--Refineries (IBRs) is an integral critical part Refineries (IBRs) is an integral critical part (subsystem) of Sustainable Development (SD), which is (subsystem) of Sustainable Development (SD), which is multidisciplinary system by its very nature (typical multidisciplinary system by its very nature (typical subsystems are: technology, politics, sociosubsystems are: technology, politics, socio--economics, etc)economics, etc)

22-- It is best to use Integrated System Approach (ISA) to study It is best to use Integrated System Approach (ISA) to study this complex multidisciplinary system and its subsystems.this complex multidisciplinary system and its subsystems.

33-- We engineers are most interested in the technology part We engineers are most interested in the technology part (subsystem of the SD system), but with a background (subsystem of the SD system), but with a background understanding of other subsystems and collaboration with understanding of other subsystems and collaboration with other disciplines.other disciplines.

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44-- It is very useful in another dimension to divide It is very useful in another dimension to divide SDSD into into production SDproduction SD and and consumption SDconsumption SD. This approach is strongly adopted by European . This approach is strongly adopted by European researchers and helps to complete the picture regarding the relaresearchers and helps to complete the picture regarding the relation between tion between IBRs IBRs and and SDSD

55-- SSustainable ustainable EEngineering (ngineering (SESE) is the most important ) is the most important subsystemsubsystem of theof thetechnologytechnology part (subsystem of part (subsystem of SDSD) which is itself a subsystem of the ) which is itself a subsystem of the SDSDsystem. So the sequence is: system. So the sequence is: SD SD is a system, is a system, TechnologyTechnology is a subsystem of is a subsystem of SDSD and and SESE is a subsystem of is a subsystem of TechnologyTechnology..

66-- Efficient EngineeringEfficient Engineering is is necessary but not sufficientnecessary but not sufficient for for clean clean technologytechnology. In other words, it can give excellent yields and productivity . In other words, it can give excellent yields and productivity but but does not satisfy the requirements of does not satisfy the requirements of Environmental Engineering.Environmental Engineering.

77-- EEnvironmental nvironmental EEngineering (ngineering (EEEE) is a subsystem of ) is a subsystem of SESE, for the clear reason , for the clear reason that very clean that very clean technologytechnology ( environmentally perfect) may not be ( environmentally perfect) may not be sustainablesustainable because because its raw materials are not sustainable( depletable).its raw materials are not sustainable( depletable).Therefore Therefore EEEE is again necessary but not sufficient for is again necessary but not sufficient for sustainability.sustainability.

88--These organizational principles show clearly the fact that efficThese organizational principles show clearly the fact that efficient utilization ient utilization of of RRenewable enewable RResources (esources (RRRR) is at the heart of ) is at the heart of sustainability.sustainability.

99-- RRRR should be defined very clearly, for it is strongly related to tshould be defined very clearly, for it is strongly related to the cycle of he cycle of renewability, i.e.: fossil fuels are renewable, but over a cyclerenewability, i.e.: fossil fuels are renewable, but over a cycle of hundreds of of hundreds of thousands of years. thousands of years. RR RR should be renewable over a period of should be renewable over a period of 66--18 months.18 months.

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1010-- RRRR can be any kind of renewable waste, e,g.: agricultural can be any kind of renewable waste, e,g.: agricultural waste, municipal waste, etc or waste, municipal waste, etc or special (energy) cropsspecial (energy) cropsproduced specifically to be used for this purpose, e.g.: produced specifically to be used for this purpose, e.g.: switchswitch--grassgrass cultivated and produced specially for cultivated and produced specially for biobio--fuels.fuels.

1111-- Useful Useful agricultural productsagricultural products used today for used today for biobio--fuelsfuels, e.g.: , e.g.: corn for ethanol; vegetable oil for transcorn for ethanol; vegetable oil for trans--esterification bioesterification bio--diesel, diesel, etc., are not strategic solutions for etc., are not strategic solutions for RRenewable enewable FFuelsuels(RF(RFss)) andandsustainabilitysustainability because of its consumption of because of its consumption of important edible important edible productsproducts at a time of food shortage every where especially in at a time of food shortage every where especially in developing nations.developing nations.

1212-- BioBio--fuelsfuels represent a subsystem of represent a subsystem of RFRFs, there are other s, there are other subsystems, e.g.: wind energy, hydro energy, etc.subsystems, e.g.: wind energy, hydro energy, etc.

1313-- Although the interest in Although the interest in biobio--fuelsfuels is dominating now because is dominating now because of energy and fuels problems especially in the Middle East of energy and fuels problems especially in the Middle East (ME).We do not live only on fuels, other products and (ME).We do not live only on fuels, other products and consumables should be sustainable.consumables should be sustainable.

1414--IBRIBRs should be able to contribute towards sustainability and s should be able to contribute towards sustainability and not only renewable not only renewable biobio-- fuelsfuels, although renewable , although renewable biobio--fuelsfuelsrepresent essential parts of it.represent essential parts of it.

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1515-- It is important for IBRs to include all what is bio, It is important for IBRs to include all what is bio, whether with regard to feedstock, or processes or both, whether with regard to feedstock, or processes or both, e.g.:e.g.:Biomass utilizing sequential thermal catalytic processes to prodBiomass utilizing sequential thermal catalytic processes to produce FTuce FT--biobio--diesel( the processes are not bio, but the feedstock is bio)diesel( the processes are not bio, but the feedstock is bio)Biological treatment of COBiological treatment of CO and water to produce CO2 and hydrogen( bioand water to produce CO2 and hydrogen( bio--catalyzed Water Gas Shiftcatalyzed Water Gas Shift--WGSWGS--reaction). The feed is not bio, but the reaction). The feed is not bio, but the process is bio).process is bio).LignoLigno--cellulosecellulose utilizing sequential biutilizing sequential bi--processes to produce processes to produce cellulosic biocellulosic bio--ethanolethanol( both feedstock and processes are bio).( both feedstock and processes are bio).Utilization of bio processes to transfer one form of energy to aUtilization of bio processes to transfer one form of energy to another, e.g.: nother, e.g.: IIntegrated ntegrated BBioio--EElectrolysis coupled to lectrolysis coupled to BBioio--FFueluel--CCells(ells(IBEIBE--BFCsBFCs) to change ) to change intermittent solar energyintermittent solar energy into into continuous electric energycontinuous electric energy, for many , for many applications including applications including autoauto--thermal housing.thermal housing.

1616-- IBRs can grow with time either as parts of existing IBRs can grow with time either as parts of existing plants (e.g.: Pulp and Paper Industry), or start as IBR plants (e.g.: Pulp and Paper Industry), or start as IBR based on renewable fuels production and grow into a based on renewable fuels production and grow into a complete IBR.complete IBR.

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1717-- Other forms of Other forms of renewable fuelsrenewable fuels ( when suitable, e.g.: wind ( when suitable, e.g.: wind energy) can be integrated with the energy) can be integrated with the biobio--fuelsfuels to generate the to generate the total renewable energy profile of an total renewable energy profile of an IBR.IBR.

1818-- The central intermediates for the The central intermediates for the biobio--fuelsfuels part of the part of the IBRIBRs s seem to be seem to be fermentable sugars fermentable sugars suitable for fermentation to suitable for fermentation to biobio--ethanolethanol and/or and/or biobio--butanol butanol and and syngas syngas suitable for both suitable for both hydrogenhydrogen extraction and use in extraction and use in FTFT process for producing process for producing fuels fuels from methanol up to diesel.from methanol up to diesel.

1919--BioBio--dieseldiesel can also be produced from the growth of can also be produced from the growth of AlgaeAlgaeunder favorable conditions for it which are not favorable for under favorable conditions for it which are not favorable for agriculture.agriculture.

2020--Renewable biomass Renewable biomass the mainthe main RRRR is a storage tank for is a storage tank for solar solar energyenergy through through biosynthesisbiosynthesis;CO2 and other nutrients.;CO2 and other nutrients.

2121--The ultimate aim for The ultimate aim for biobio--fuelsfuels is to produce as much CO2 as is to produce as much CO2 as consumed in the consumed in the biosynthesisbiosynthesis of the biomass that produced it. of the biomass that produced it. This with maximum efficiency may lead to the approach of This with maximum efficiency may lead to the approach of zero zero net CO2 emission.net CO2 emission.

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22- We can not really dispose of any CO2 resulting from fossil fuel,it only keep circulating from one form/place to the other, except with sequestration by injection under the bottom of the oceans which is expensive; its side effects are not known and can only be practiced by very large companies. All other techniques just move the CO2 from one location/form to the other without reducing the earth CO2 added inventory from the carbon source that came from under the ground.23- Hydrogen is a good clean fuel and will occupy its part in the clean fuels matrix. However, although the claim that it is 100% clean is locally true ; it is actually not globally true if its source is fossil fuel, whether directly through catalytic steam reforming (95% of hydrogen produced in USA is through catalytic steam reforming) or indirectly through production of electricity ( 90% of electricity in the USA is from Coal) followed by electrolysis. It can only be globally clean only if the source is bio, nuclear, wind, hydro, etc.24- Direct utilization of solar energy through different direct techniques (e.g.: photocells) without passing through the biosynthesis stage is a possibility, but it has its own bottlenecks.

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2525-- The range of The range of fermentable sugarsfermentable sugars is expanding due is expanding due to the development in microbiology and the discovery to the development in microbiology and the discovery of efficient mutated microorganisms capable of of efficient mutated microorganisms capable of fermenting the wide range of sugars produced from fermenting the wide range of sugars produced from cellulose/hemicellulose/hemi--cellulose hydrolysis.cellulose hydrolysis.

2626-- A strong challenge with lots of intensive research A strong challenge with lots of intensive research nowadays is in the field of nowadays is in the field of efficient and clean efficient and clean hydrolysis of cellulose/hemihydrolysis of cellulose/hemi--cellulose,cellulose, important important improvements are achieved in the enzymatic improvements are achieved in the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose/hemihydrolysis of cellulose/hemi--cellulose.cellulose.

2727--The process of fermentation is improving The process of fermentation is improving continuously using continuously using novel membrane immobilized novel membrane immobilized fermenters and novel modes of operation.fermenters and novel modes of operation.

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2828-- LigninLignin from Lignofrom Ligno--cellulose is used as a cheap fuel cellulose is used as a cheap fuel to improve the energy efficiency of the to improve the energy efficiency of the IBRsIBRs, however , however the future potential is to use it as a the future potential is to use it as a platform for a platform for a wide range of products to wide range of products to replace certain petroleum replace certain petroleum refining and petrochemical products.refining and petrochemical products.

2929--Important improvement are introduced to Important improvement are introduced to syngas syngas production from biomass through both one step production from biomass through both one step process ( biomass gasification to process ( biomass gasification to syngassyngas) and two ) and two step process( biomass fast pyrolysis to step process( biomass fast pyrolysis to biobio--oiloilfollowed by followed by CCatalytic atalytic SSteam team RReforming[eforming[CSRCSR] of ] of biobio--oiloil to to syngassyngas). The two steps process seems to better ). The two steps process seems to better with regard to the with regard to the % of H2% of H2 in the in the syngassyngas..

3030-- Certain difficulties associated with Certain difficulties associated with CSRCSR of bioof bio--oil oil are solvable through novel reformers configurations are solvable through novel reformers configurations such as such as CCirculating irculating FFluidized luidized BBed(ed(CFBCFB) reformers ) reformers

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3131--An important challenge in the biomass to An important challenge in the biomass to FTFT--biobio--fuels processfuels process is the integration of the endothermic is the integration of the endothermic CSRCSR process with the exothermic catalyticprocess with the exothermic catalytic FT FT process into process into one integrated membrane catalytic one integrated membrane catalytic autoauto--thermal process.thermal process.

3232-- The choice of bioThe choice of bio--fuels is strongly fuels is strongly location location sensitivesensitive and is also affected by many other factors and is also affected by many other factors including, but not limited to, available capital including, but not limited to, available capital investment, size of market, etc.investment, size of market, etc.

3333-- For the same For the same biobio--fuelfuel the technology to be used the technology to be used also depends upon the above factors and others.also depends upon the above factors and others.

3434-- From the above it is clear that no single bioFrom the above it is clear that no single bio--fuel, fuel, nor one technology will dominate. We will move from nor one technology will dominate. We will move from todaytoday’’s s matrix of dirty fuelsmatrix of dirty fuels to a future to a future matrix of matrix of clean fuels clean fuels with the subwith the sub--matrix of matrix of different biodifferent bio--fuelsfuelsfrom from different technologiesdifferent technologies occupying a large occupying a large portion of the portion of the clean fuels matrixclean fuels matrix..