In the UK, researchers at the University of Bath are studying seven different strains of algae found in Roman baths to try to find ones that will survive at higher temperatures while producing high levels of fats for biodiesel production. Most algae grows best in temperatures of around 25c, the same as food crops, so […]
In Illinois, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne have found that growing perennial grasses on the least productive farmland now used for corn ethanol production in the U.S. would result in higher overall corn yields, more ethanol output per acre and better groundwater quality while slashing carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions.
In France, a team of researchers have developed a novel catalyst which enables continuous production of biodiesel. The team developed a new method that generates the cellular hybrid biocatalyst in situ inside a chromotography column. This novel approach makes it possible to carry out continuous, unidirectional flow synthesis over long periods, since catalytic activity and […]
In Washington, a new report from USDA examines the rise in food commodity prices, including factors such as demand, weather, energy prices, trade and monetary policies, and biofuels. The report, noting the continuity in biofuels demand both before and after recent food price swings, states: “While the expansion of biofuels was an important factor underlying […]
In California, LS9 announced a collaboration with MAN Latin America in Brazil, to test LS9’s renewable diesel in both stationary engines and operational fleet vehicles in Brazil. The project will include performance, emissions, fuel consumption and engine durability testing, as well as field testing of LS9’s biofuel in Volkswagen trucks and buses. Roberto Cortes, president […]
In Minnesota, researchers at the University of Minnesota have teamed with Crown Iron Works and Glycos Biotechnologies to develop a process that uses ethanol as a solvent with DDGS to produce fiber, protein, oil, FFAs and zein to make a high-protein feed, cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel, and glycerin—which is then also turned into ethanol. A typical […]
In France, researchers at the Centre de Recherches Paul Pascal have developed modified silica-based cellular matrices that make it possible to confine lipases (triglyceride hydrolases used as catalysts) in order to obtain exceptional yields for hydrolysis, esterification and transesterification reactions in biodiesel production. Their work had also shown that unpurified enzymes could be used in […]
In the UK, researchers at Aberystwyth University claim seaweed may become a viable biofuel feedstock, especially if harvested in summer. Carbohydrate levels in kelp are at their highest in July, when harvesting would ensure optimal sugar release for biofuel production.Researchers collected monthly samples and used chemical analysis to assess the seasonal variability of kelp off […]
In Connecticut, a team from Arbor Fuel, reported in Bioresource Technology, the first example of ethanol fermentation from lignocellulosic biomass via simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) without addition of exogenously produced cellulases. In the research, the team used an engineered derivative of s. cerevisiae yeast to convert corn stover to ethanol. The team writes that, […]
In Canada, Dr. Nader Mahinpey, with the University of Calgary is working with pyrolysis to turn the non-edible parts of plants into biofuel. The resulting oil than needs to be upgraded before it can be used as transportation fuel, so Dr. Mahinpey and his team are working on developing the upgrading processes and to turn […]
