AMES, Iowa --Two Iowa State University (ISU) experts, George Kraus, director, Center for Catalysis within the Institute for Physical Research and Technology, and Larry Johnson, director, Center for Crops Utilization Research, predict that biorefineries will develop in a similar manner to petroleum refineries. According to Kraus,
“Petroleum refineries efficiently convert petroleum into gasoline, oil and monomers such as ethylene and propylene. As a result of six decades of improvements, petroleum refineries are flexible and efficient. They produce high volume chemicals such as gasoline and diesel, plus a number of low-volume, high-value materials.”
“In contrast, biorefineries, which make similar products from agricultural crops, residues, and waste streams, are only in their first stages of development. For biorefineries to be successful on a long-term basis, they too must efficiently produce high volume fuels such as ethanol or biodiesel, and a portfolio of high value products and chemicals,” Kraus continued.
Johnson said “Many researchers at ISU are focusing their research on ideas that can improve the flexibility and efficiency of biorefineries.” One such example is a project led by Deland Myers, professor, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. The research team is exploring the opportunity to produce soy-based, environmentally-friendly adhesives that can replace petroleum-based adhesives currently used in manufacturing wood and fiber-based composite products. “The Center for Crops Utilization Research is also coordinating other projects that seek to use soy and corn protein in biobased products and use biotechnology to improve soy oil for biolubricants and biodiesel,” Johnson said.
Kraus leads a team that is investigating new catalysts that may increase the efficiency and profitability of biodiesel production. The team is also working on a project aimed at creating 1,3-propanediol from glycerol, a common byproduct of biodiesel production. 1,3-propanediol is commonly used to make biobased polymers, which are then used in the production of consumer goods including upholstery and apparel. Glycerol is the focus of another research effort that is looking at fermentation processes to obtain succinic acid, which is a platform chemical used to produce a wide array of products including clothing fibers, solvents, paints, inks and food additives.
Industrial partners like West Central Cooperative, as well as government departments, are partnering in the research being conducted at ISU. The technologies being discovered are helping pave the way for successful, efficient and flexible biorefineries. To highlight some of the successes in biodiesel and value-added products, representatives from ADM, Inc., West Central Cooperative, and the USDA will be speaking during the upcoming 2005 Biobased Industry Outlook Conference in Ames, Iowa, on August 29-30. The representatives will also be discussing partnership opportunities and the future of biobased products and the bioeconomy.
The conference, Growing the Bioeconomy: Planting Ideas, Cultivating Partnerships, and Harvesting Progress, will focus on providing information for individuals and groups interested in business opportunities in the area of renewable energy and biobased products. The conference features several internationally known keynote speakers. Participants will have the opportunity to share ideas, strategies and new technologies to promote the expansion and diversification of existing biobased businesses. Breakout sessions will provide information about new technologies and strategies for manufacturing biobased chemicals and fuels, as well as funding options for research and development, commercialization and marketing.
For more information about crop oils research, visit the Office of Biorenewables Programs Web site at http://www.biorenew.iastate.edu/. To learn more about the 2005 Biobased Industry Outlook Conference, visit http://www.valuechains.org/bewg/Conf2005/.
--30--