Source: UNIV OF MINNESOTA submitted to
THE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FOR A BIOBASED INDUSTRY AND ECONOMY
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0217488
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
-OLD S1041
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2008
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2013
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Project Director
Ruan, RO.
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF MINNESOTA
(N/A)
ST PAUL,MN 55108
Performing Department
Bioproducts & Biosystems Engineering
Non Technical Summary
Declining supplies of fossil energy resources and adverse impacts of fossil energy uses on the global environment have prompted strong interests in renewable energy. A wide array of renewable energy technologies is being researched. Among them are biomass-based energy technologies such as processes converting corn to ethanol, soybean to biodiesel, lignocellulosics to bioethanol or biooils, etc. Rising food price has caused serious concerns over corn to bioethanol and soybean to biodiesel approaches. Increasing attentions are drawn to conversion of lignocellulosics to biofuels such as ethanol, bio-oils, and syngas. Thermochemical conversion processes are an attractive way to produce liquid fuels from solid biomass feedstock. Like all other renewable technologies, thermochemical conversion of biomass is facing many technical challenges. For example, the liquid fuels produced from pyrolysis of biomass are complex in chemical composition and highly unstable in terms of physical consistency, chemical properties, and combustion characteristics, seriously limiting the practical use of these liquid fuels. Research is needed to provide solutions to these problems. This project is intended to develop novel thermochemical conversion processes to convert lignocellulosic and other biomass to intermediates, and to develop additional processes to refine and upgrade the resultant intermediates to high quality fuels, chemicals, and materials. It is our objective to develop distributed biomass conversion and biorefining systems based on the new thermochemical conversion and refining processes. With increasing interests in algae as an alternative feedstock, a set of technologies for growing, harvesting, and utilizing microalgae for production of renewable energy and chemicals will be developed in our research. Thermochemical conversion of biomass to energy has a great potential as a valid alternative and even replacement of the cellulosic ethanol approach considering the fact that the high capital costs coupled with high costs of enzymes and feedstock present very high risks to investors. Thermochemical processing facilities are less expensive and consume much less water than biochemical processing facilities. For the reasons discussed above, thermochemical conversion has its own problems, making it unpractical in terms of conversions efficiency, product quality, and economics. Tremendous efforts are needed to find solutions to these problems. The proposed research is intended to take new approaches and address the major scientific and technical challenges hindering the practical application of thermochemical conversion technology. The success of the proposed research will lead to the development of conversion processes for making clean and high performance bio-oils and a low temperature and low pressure "Fischer Trophs" like process for production hydrocarbons from syngas, making thermochemical conversion and its products technically feasible, economically viable, and socially responsible.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
4025210202040%
4045340202030%
5117410202030%
Knowledge Area
511 - New and Improved Non-Food Products and Processes; 404 - Instrumentation and Control Systems; 402 - Engineering Systems and Equipment;

Subject Of Investigation
5340 - Nonfarm structures and related facilities; 7410 - General technology; 5210 - Fertilizers;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering;
Goals / Objectives
Reduce costs of harvesting, handling and transporting biomass to increase the competitiveness of biomass as a feedstock for biofuels, biomaterials and biochemicals Improve biofuel production processes Identify, develop and evaluate sustainable processes to convert biomass resources into biochemicals, biocatalysts and biomaterials Identify and develop needed educational resources, develop distance based delivery methods, and develop a trained work force for the biobased economy
Project Methods
Approaches: Novel thermochemical conversion processes will be developed to convert lignocellulosic and other biomass to intermediates. Additional processes will be developed to refine and upgrade the resultant intermediates to high quality fuels, chemicals, and materials. Distributed biomass conversion and biorefining systems consisting of new thermochemical conversion and refining processes will be developed. We will also develop a set of technologies for growing, harvesting, and utilizing microalgae for production of renewable energy and chemicals. Three key conversion techniques under study are organic solvent liquefaction, supercritical water liquefaction, and microwave-assisted pyrolysis. The liquefied materials, which contain polyols, from the organic solvent liquefaction process at atmospheric pressure are further processed to materials such as polyesters, polyurethane and adhesives. The supercritical water treatment of biomass using a high-pressure reactor resulted in burnable gases and liquids. The gas phase consists of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, and small amount of hydrocarbon. The liquid phase consists of cyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, ketone, aldehyde, carboxylic acid, ester, nitrogenated compound and related derivatives. An objective is to develop scalable continuous hydrothermal processing system. The third conversion process is microwave assisted pyrolysis. The new process is an environmental friendly technique in which energy transfer to the waste occurs via microwave radiation. Microwave pyrolysis has several advantages over conventional pyrolytic processes and represents a new opportunity to use pyrolysis to process biomass and municipal solid wastes as it overcomes the major difficulties that arise from other methods. The microwave pyrolysis process can be optimized to produce gas or liquid fuels. The organic pyrolytic volatile will be condensed to produce liquids and gas hydrocarbon fractions that can be used in power generation. We will investigate catalytic pyrolysis aimed at significantly improving product selectivity and quality. We will study and develop catalystic syngas reforming with the assistance of non-thermal plasma (NTP). We believe NPT assisted catalysis can revolutionize syngas reforming, i.e., making catalytic syngas reforming possible at low pressure and temperature. We will develop a set of technologies to grow high-oil-content algae using bioreactors. The oil yield per area for algae is a few hundred times more than that for soybean. Therefore growing algae on wastewater and flue gas has the great potential for production of feedstock for biodiesel and bio-oil production. The technologies developed and knowledge acquired during the research activities will be incorporated in teaching materials, used in workshop, and transferred to the commercial sector.

Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Our research findings were publicized to the academic community through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. On-site demonstrations were conducted to showcase our results to a broad range of audience including academic researchers, government officials, funding agencies, students, entrepreneurs, and the general public. Some research findings were brought to classroom teaching. Graduate and undergraduate students were involved in the research projects. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The project has provided following opportunities for training and professional development: Graduate research assistantships Postdoctoral research fellowships Internships for undergraduate and high school students Presentations in conferences and symposiums How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Our research results were disseminated to the academic community through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. Some research results were used in classroom teaching to benefit studetns. On-site demonstrations were conducted to showcase our results to a broad range of audience including academic researchers, government officials, funding agencies, students, entrepreneurs, and the general public. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Production of current major biofuels, i.e., biodiesel and ethanol, is competing with food and feed demands, prompting the need to use non-food biomass feedstock for biofuel production. Thermochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass feedstock is a platform which can provide short and mid-term solutions. The major challenges for thermochemical conversion are the poor quality and stability of the products, and costs associated with feedstock collection, handling, transportation and storage. In our project, we developed innovative microwave assisted pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction processes, and designed systems suitable for distributed conversion of biomass. We also studied and developed technologies for mass cultivation and conversion of algae to biofuels and bioproducts. Our work significantly improved the lignocellulosic feedstock conversion efficiency, product quality and stability, and facilitated distributed conversion of biomass and hence reduced feedstock delivery costs. These outcomes have positive impacts on the overall technical and economic performance of thermochemical conversion technologies. Our wastewater based algae technology also provides significant environmental benefits in addition to biofuels and bioproducts. 1. Reduce costs of harvesting, handling and transporting biomass to increase the competitiveness of biomass as a feedstock for biofuels, biomaterials and biochemicals We addressed the feedstock issues in two different strategies. One was to develop microwave assisted pyrolysis (MAP) technology which could be implemented in affordable scale suitable for distributed conversion, and the other was to produce algal biomass using wastewaters. Technical details of MAP technology research and development are described in Objectives 2 and 3. The work on algal biomass production was intended to develop transferable technologies for mass culture of microalgae utilizing nutrients from municipal and animal wastewaters. We believe that production of high oil content microalgae for biodiesel fuel, coupled with wastewater treatment, provides significant environmental benefits and improves the economic feasibility of the whole approach. Work conducted include (1) algae species/strain screening, (2) characterization of microalgae growth under different conditions, (3) photobioreactor (PBR) design and testing, (4) light management, (5) algae harvesting, (6) oil extraction, (7) catalytic microwave assisted pyrolysis and catalytic hydrothermal conversion of algal biomass, and (8) economic analysis. Our research has resulted in promising species/strains, novel PBRs, improved growth conditions, and cost effective harvest processes, which ultimately resulted in efficient removal of nutrients and rapid accumulation of algal biomass. We have developed and constructed outdoor algae production facility using our proprietary small footprint and low cost hybrid photobioreactors. 2. Improve biofuel production processes. Thermochemical conversion (e.g., pyrolysis and gasification) of biomass to bio-oil, syngas and other products is an attractive biomass conversion platform. However, the acceptance of this idea has been limited due to the low economic value of the products and the relative complexity of the processing equipment. We have been developing the microwave assisted pyrolysis (MAP) process for converting solid biomass to bio-oil, syngas, and biochar and successfully demonstrated a mobile MAP system. The evident technical advantages of microwave assisted thermochemical conversion over conventional pyrolytic conversion include: uniform (internal heating), precise heating control (instantaneous response for rapid start-up and shutdown), ability to handle mixed and large size biomass feedstock, etc. Characteristics of thermal process: Significant exothermic reactions took place during microwave assisted pyrolysis of biomass. Alternate microwave heating of corn stover show exothermic reactions in some temperature ranges, particularly when temperatures were at or above 188.4°C and 367.0°C. These exothermic reactions can potentially sustain the pyrolysis reactions themselves, indicating that alternative dielectric heating is a practical energy-saving operation mode for microwave-assisted pyrolysis. Catalytic pyrolysis: The thermal process produced three product fractions, namely bio-oil, syngas, and charcoal. The effects of the catalysts on the fractional yields were studied. KAc, Al2O3, MgCl2, H3BO3, and Na2HPO4 were found to increase the bio-oil yield by either suppressing charcoal yield or syngas yield or both. These catalysts may function as a microwave absorbent to speed up heating or participate in so-called “in situ upgrading” of pyrolytic vapors during the microwave-assisted pyrolysis of biomass. GC-MS analysis of the bio-oils found that chloride salts promoted a few reactions while suppressing most of the other reactions observed for the control samples. Fast microwave assisted conversion: One of the major breakthroughs achieved in the endeavor to improve the microwave assisted pyrolysis process is the result of using properly designed microwave absorbents. Our research found that some microwave absorbents such as silicon carbide (SiC) are excellent in enabling rapid temperature rise, making fast pyrolysis and gasification feasible and efficient, and can achieve very efficient high temperature gasification, such as above 1,200C to avoid hazardous gas emission, therefore eliminating the need of expensive downstream gas treatment. Algae derived bio-oil: MAP of algae yielded bio-oil with excellent fuel properties likely due to the fact that algae are high in hydrocarbons and low in lignin. MAP can be a good alternative to downstream processing of algal biomass, which currently faces many challenges. Catalytic upgrading of bio-oil: A lab device and processes were developed and tested for upgrading of biomass derived oils. The processes improved the heating value, reduced oxygen and nitrogen contents, and removed pigments from the oils. Pilot scale system development: One stationary and one mobile pilot systems were developed as a result of the activities of this project. These systems were used for large scale experiments, process validation, and demonstration. 3. Identify, develop and evaluate sustainable processes to convert biomass resources into biochemicals, biocatalysts and biomaterials. Biopolymers from bio-oil: Rigid polyurethane (PU) foams were prepared from the oil phase of the bio-oils from microwave-assisted pyrolysis of corn stover. The recipes for the PU foams consisted of polyol-rich bio-oils, water as blowing agent, polyethylene glycol (PEG) as both polyol donor and plasticizer, diphenylmethane-4,4’-diisocyanate (polymeric MDI) as cross-linking agent, silicon-based surfactant, and tin-based catalyst. The effects of individual ingredients on the physical and mechanical properties of the foams were studied. Under optimal conditions, the compression strength of the prepared PU foams reached up to 1130 KPa with a density of 152.9 g/L. The results showed that bio-oils are potential renewable polyol sources for making rigid PU foams. Identify and develop needed educational resources, develop distance based delivery methods, and develop a trained work force for the biobased economy. Biobased economy is a relatively new field, and therefore has high demand for human resources. Our project has trained many students and junior researchers who either took on industry or academic jobs that require knowledge of renewable energy technology. Many of our findings have found their way in classroom teaching. Our thermochemical conversion and algae research activities have resulted in pilot scale facilities for demonstration to stakeholders.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wang, Z., Ma, X., Zhou, W., Min, M., Cheng, Y., Chen, P., Shi, J., Wang, Q., Liu, Y., Ruan, R. 2013. Oil Crop Biomass Residue-Based Media for Enhanced Algal Lipid Production. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology. 171(3): 689-703
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Zhou, W., Min, M., Hu, B., Ma, X. Liu, Y., Wan, Q., Shi, J., Chen, P and Ruan, R. 2013. Filamentous fungi assisted bio-flocculation: an efficient and low-cost technique for harvesting heterotrophic and autotrophic microalgal cells. Sep. Purif. Technol. DOI:10.1016/j.seppur.2013.01.030
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Du, Z., Hu, B., Ma, X., Cheng, Y., Liu, Y., Lin, X., Chen, P., and Ruan, R. 2012. Catalytic pyrolysis of microalgae and their three major components: carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. Bioresource Technology. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2012.12.115
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Du, Z.; Ma, X.; Li, Y.; Chen, P.; Liu, Y.; Lin, X.; Lei, H.; Ruan, R., Production of aromatic hydrocarbons by catalytic pyrolysis of microalgae with zeolites: catalyst screening in a pyroprobe. Bioresource Technology 2013.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hu, B.; Zhou, W.; Min, M.; Du, Z.; Chen, P.; Ma, X.; Liu, Y.; Lei, H.; Shi, J.; Ruan, R., Development of an effective acidogenically digested swine manure-based algal system for improved wastewater treatment and biofuel and feed production. Applied Energy 2013, 107, 255-263
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Min, M.; Hu, B.; Mohr, M. J.; Shi, A.; Ding, J.; Sun, Y.; Jiang, Y.; Fu, Z.; Griffith, R.; Hussain, F.; Mu, D.; Nie, Y.; Chen, P.; Zhou, W.; Ruan, R., Swine Manure-Based Pilot-Scale Algal Biomass Production System for Fuel Production and Wastewater Treatmenta Case Study. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology 2013, 1-17.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Du, Z., Mohr, M., Ma, X., Lin, X., Liu, Y., Zhou, W., Chen, P., and Ruan, R.. 2012. Hydrothermal pretreatment of microalgae for pyrolytic bio-oil production. Bioresource Technology, 120:13-8. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.06.007
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Hu, B., Min, M., Zhou, W., Li, Y., Mohr, M., Cheng, Y., Lei, H., Liu, Y., Lin, X., Chen, P., Ruan, R. 2012. Influence of exogenous CO2 on biomass and lipid accumulation of microalgae Auxenochlorella protothecoides cultivated in concentrated municipal wastewater. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology. 166(7):1661-73
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Zhou, W., Hu, B., Li, Y., Min, M., Chen, P and Ruan, R. 2012. Mass cultivation of microalgae on animal wastewater: a sequential two-stage cultivation process for biofuel feedstock and omega-3 rich animal feed production. Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol.168: 348-363.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Zhou, W., Li Y, Min M, Hu B, Zhang H, Ma X, Cheng Y, Chen P, Ruan R. (2012) Growing Wastewater-born Microalga Auxenochlorella protothecoides UMN280 on Concentrated Municipal Wastewater for Simultaneous Nutrient Removal and Energy Feedstock Production. Appl Energ. 98: 433-440.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Zhou, W., Min, M., Li, Y., Hu, B., Ma, X., Cheng, Y., Liu, Y., Chen, P, and Ruan, R. 2012. A Hetero-photoautotrophic Two-stage Cultivation process to Improve Wastewater Nutrient Removal and Enhance Algal Lipid Accumulation. Bioresour Technol. 110, 448-455.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Zhou, W., Li, Y., Min, M., Hu, B., Chen, P., Ruan, R. Local bioprospecting for high-lipid producing microalgal strains to be grown on concentrated municipal wastewater for biofuel production. Bioresource Technology (2011). 102(13): 6909~6919.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Li, Y., Zhou, W., Hu, B., Min, M., Chen, P and Ruan, R. 2012. Effect of light intensity on algal biomass accumulation and biodiesel production for mixotrophic strains Chlorella kessleri and Chlorella protothecoide cultivated in highly concentrated municipal wastewater. Biotechnol.Bioeng. Doi: 10.1002/bit.24491.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Min, M., Hu, B., Zhou, W., Li, Y., Chen, P., Ruan, R. Mutual influence of light and CO2 on carbon sequestration via cultivating mixotrophic alga Auxenochlorella protothecoides UMN280 in an organic carbon-rich wastewater. Journal of Applied Phycology (2011). Quote number: JAPH1679R3.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Zhou, W., Li, Y., Min, M., Hu, B., Chen, P., Ruan, R. (2011) Local bioprospecting for high-lipid producing microalgal strains to be grown on concentrated municipal wastewater for biofuel production. Bioresource Technology. 102(13): 6909~6919.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Min, M., Wang, L., Li, Y., Mohr, M.J., Hu, B., Zhou, W., Chen, P., Ruan, R. Cultivating Chlorella sp. in pilot scale photobioreactor using centrate wastewater for microalgae biomass production and wastewater nutrients removal. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology (2011). 165(1): 123~137.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Li Y, Chen YF, Chen P, Min M, Zhou W, Martinez B, et al. Characterization of a microalga Chlorella sp. well adapted to highly concentrated municipal wastewater for nutrient removal and biodiesel production. Bioresource Technol. 2011.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Li, Y., Zhou, W., Hu, B., Min, M., Chen, P., Ruan, R. (2011) Integration of algae cultivation as biodiesel production feedstock with municipal wastewater treatment: Strains screening and significance evaluation of environmental factors. Bioresource Technology. 102(23): 10861~10867.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Wang, L., Y. Wang, P. Chen, and R. Ruan. 2010. Semi-continuous Cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris for Treating Undigested and Digested Dairy Manures. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology DOI 10.1007/s12010-010-9005-1.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Du, Z., Y. Wan, Y. Li, Q. Chen, X. Lin, P. Chen, R. Ruan. 2011. Microwave-assisted pyrolysis of microalgae for biofuel production. Bioresource Technology. 102( 7): 4890-4896.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Moen, J., C. Yang, B. Zhang, H. Lei, K. Hennessy, Y. Wan, Z. Le, Y. Liu, P. Chen, R. Ruan. 2010. Catalytic microwave assisted pyrolysis of aspen. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering 2(4):70-75.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Zhang, B., C. Yang, J. Moen, Z. Le, K. Hennessy, Y. Wan, Y. Liu, H. Lei, P. Chen and R. Ruan. 2010. Catalytic conversion of microwave-assisted pyrolysis vapors. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 32: 18, 1756  1762.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Kong, Q., L. Li, B. Martinez, P. Chen, and R. Ruan. 2010. Culture of Microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in Wastewater for Biomass Feedstock Production. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 160:918.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Wang, L., M. Min, P. Chen, Y. Li, Y. Chen, R. Ruan. 2010. Cultivation of green algae Chlorella sp. in different wastewaters from municipal wastewater treatment plant. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology 160(1): 9-18.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Wang, L., Y. Li, P. Chen, M. Min, Y. Chen, J. Zhu, and R. Ruan. 2010. Digested dairy manure as a nutrient supplement for cultivation of oil-rich green microalgae Chlorella sp. Bioresource Technology 101 (2010) 26232628.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Wang, Y., J. Wu, Y. Qan, H. Lei, F. Yu, P. Chen, X. Lin, Y. Liu, R. Ruan. 2009. Liquefaction of corn stover using industrial biodiesel glycerol. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering 2(2): 32-40.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Chen, P., M. Min, Y. Chen, L. Wang, Y. Li, Q. Chen, C. Wang, Y. Wan, X. Wang, Y. Cheng, S. Deng, K. Hennessy, X. Lin, Y. Liu, Y. Wang, B. Martinez, R. Ruan. 2009. Review of biological and engineering aspects of algae to fuel approach. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering 2(4):1-30.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Cheng YL, Deng SB, Ruan R, Chen P. Synthesis and characterization of poly(lactic acid) modified with polyethylene glycol. Abstr Pap Am Chem S. 2009;238.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Cheng, Y., S. Deng, P. Chen, and R. Ruan. 2009. Polylactic acid (PLA) synthesis and modifications: a review. Front. Chem. China 4(3):259-264.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Wan, Y., Y. Wang, X. Lin, Y. Liu, P. Chen, Y. Li, and Ruan, R. 2010. Experimental investigation on microwave assisted pyrolysis of algae for rapid bio-oil production, Transactions of the CSAE, 26(1):295-300
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Ruan, R. and P. Chen. 2009. Cover Story: Algae to Fuels Research at the University of Minnesota. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2009; 2(4):
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Wan, Y., Y. Liu, X. Lin, C. Yang, B. Zhang, P. Chen, H. Lei, and R. Ruan. 2009. Microwave assisted pyrolysis of corn stover pellets with catalysts for bio-oil production and its component. Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineers., 25(4):190-195
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Wan Y., Y. Wang, Y. Liu, C. Lin, P. Chen, and R. Ruan. 2009. Continuous Microwave Assisted Pyrolysis of Corn Cob for Producing Bio-Oil, Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin, 25(24):559-564
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Moen, J., C. Yang, B. Zhang, H. Lei, K. Hennessy, Y. Wan, Z. Le, Y. Liu, Y., P. Chen, and R. Ruan. et al. 2009. Catalytic microwave assisted pyrolysis of aspen. Int J Agric & Biol Eng,; 2(4): 70-75.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Wan, Y., P. Chen, B. Zhang, C. Yang, Y. Liu, X. Lin, and R. Ruan. 2009. Microwave-assisted pyrolysis of biomass: Catalysts to improve product selectivity. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis. 86 (2009) 161167.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Zhu, J., Y. Li, X. Wu, C. Miller, P. Chen, and R. Ruan. 2009. Swine manure fermentation for hydrogen production. Bioresource Technology. 100(2):5472-5477.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Wang, Y., J. Wu, Y. Wan, H.Lei, F. Yu, P. Chen, X. Lin, Y. Liu, and R. Ruan. 2009. Liquefaction of corn stover using industrial biodiesel glycerol. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 2(2):32-40.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Cheng, Y., Deng, S., Chen, P., and Ruan, R. 2009. Polylactic acid (PLA) synthesis and modifications: a review. Front. Chem. China. 10.1007/s11458-009-0092-x
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Wu, J., Y. Wang, Y. Wan, H. Kei, F. Yu, Y. Liu, P. Chen, L. Yang, R. Ruan. 2009. Processing and properties of rigid polyurethane foams based on bio-oils from microwave-assisted pyrolysis of corn stover. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering 2(1): 40-50.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2008 Citation: Ruan, R., P. Chen, R. Hemmingsen, V. Morey, and D. Tiffany. 2008. Size Matters: Small Distributed Biomass Energy Production Systems for Economic Viability. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineeringl 1(1): 64-68.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2008 Citation: Yu, F., Z. Le, P. Chen, Y. Liu, X. Lin, R. Ruan. 2008. Atmospheric pressure liquefaction of dried distillers grains (DDG) and making polyurethane foams from liquefied DDG. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology 148(1-3):235-43.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Chen, P. and Ruan, R. 2009. Chapter 2. Bioenergy Industry Status and Prospects, in Industrial Crops and Uses, edited by B. Singh. CABI.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Ruan, R. 2013. International Conference on Beneficial Uses of Algal Biomass. Hong Kong
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Ruan, R. Q. Xie, X. Ma, Y. Li, Y. Cheng, Y. Nie, M. Mohr, R. Griffith, Y. Liu, Y. Wan, R. Zhu, Y. Wang, X. Lin, P. Peng, M. Min, W. Zhou, Q. Wang, J. Shi, Y. Sun, Y. Jiang, Z. Fu, P. Chen. 2013. Microwave Assisted Fast Catalytic Pyrolysis and Gasification of Solid Wastes. TAPPI 2013 International Bioenergy and Bioproducts Conference, Green Bay, WI.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Ruan, R. 2013. Advanced wastewater-based algae technologies for water recycling, imporved nutrient removal and enhanced algal lipid accumulation for low-cost biofuel feedstock production. NSF Symposium on Metabolic pathways in microorganisms for biofuels. Davis, CA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Ruan, R., M. Min, W. Zhou, X. Ma, Y. Li, Q. Xie, M. Mohr, R. Griffith, Y. Cheng, Y. Liu, Y. Wan, R. Zhu, X. Lin, Q. Wang, J. Shi, Y. Sun, Y. Jiang, Z. Fu, P. Chen. 2013. Wastewater-to-algae Technologies for Biofuels and Biochemicals Production and Wastewater Treatment. In Conversion Technologies (Deconstruction or Synthesis): Microbial Science and Technology ll  Algae of the 35th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. Portland, OR.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Ruan, R. 2013. Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Energy, Environment, and Economy. USDA 2013 Cochran Program for Ukraine on BioFuels. Organized by Mid-America Consultants International. St. Paul, MN.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Ruan, R. 2013. Wastewater-to-algae technoogies for biofuels and biochemicals production and wastewater treatment. Waste to Value: Connecting the North American Community of Researchers and Industry Innovators. Vancouver, Canada.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Ruan, R. 2013. Catalytic Microwave Assisted Fast Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass and Solid Wastes for Energy Production. Tactical Power Source Submit. Washington, DC.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Ruan, R. 2012. Producing Bio-oil and Chemicals through In-situ Microwave Assisted Catalytic Pyrolysis. Southease Biofuels and Renewable Energy Conference. Jackson, MS.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Ruan, R. 2012. Trends in Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass. S-1041 Bioeconomy Symposium. Washington, DC.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Ruan, R. 2012. Catalytic microwave-assisted pyrolysis of biomass for distributed biofuels and chemicals production. National Science Foundatoin Workshop on Lignocellulosic Biofuels using Thermochemical Converson. Auburn, AL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Ruan, R., P. Chen., L. Schmidt, D. Kittelson, D. Tiffany, D. Raynie, W. Gibbons, K. Muthukumarappan. 2012. Develop Sustainable Renewable Energy Systems for Practical Utilization of Bulky Biomass. Sun Grant Annual Meeting. Indianapolis, IN.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Ruan, R., P. Chen, W. Zhou, M. Min, Y. Li, B. Hu, M. Mohr, Y. Cheng, X. Ma, L. Li, Y. Zhao, B. Wang, Z. Du, Y. Li, A. Shi, H. Lei, S. Deng, Y. Wan, Y. Liu, X. Lin, B. Martinez. 2011. Mass Culture of Mixotrophic Algae for Biofuels Production and Wastewater Treatment in Northern Climates. Algae Biomass Submit. Minneapolis, MN.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Ruan, R., P. Chen, K. Petrofsky, I. Zhang, M. Guo, Y. Li, A. Shi, and A. Hohn. 2011. Improving the Functionality and Bioactivity in Wheat Bran  An Overview. AACCI Workshop, Palm Springs, CA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Ruan, R., S. Deng, Y. Cheng, X. Lin, P Chen, and L. Metzger. 2011. CHIEF/electric field technology  A unique nonthermal processing system. Dairy Foods Symposium. ADSA-ADAS 2011 Joint Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Ruan, R., P. Chen, W. Zhou, M. Min, Q. Chen, Y. Li, B. Hu, Y. Cheng, X. Ma, L. Li, Y. Zhao, H. Lei, Z. Du, S. Deng, Y. Wan, Y. Liu, X. Lin, B. Martinez, R. Polta and A. Sealock. 2011. Mass Culture of Algae for Biofuel Production and Wastewater Treatment in Northern Climates. 4th Congress of the International Society for Applied Phycology, Halifax, NS, Canada.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Ruan, R. 2011. Distributed energy crop production and conversion. IDGAs 9th Tactical Power Sources Summit - Alternative Fuels focus Day. Washington, DC.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Ruan, R. 2010. Algae from Wastewater as an Energy Crop, Moderator for the Wastewater Treatment Operators Perspective on their Role in the Value Chain panel at the Algae World Submit 2010. San Diego, CA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Ruan, R., P. Chen, X. Wang, Y. Wan, Y. Cheng, X. Lin, and Y. Liu. 2010. Microwave Gasification and Pyrolysis of solid wastes. Exploring Waste-to-energy Technologies. Half Moon Seminars, Bloomington, MN.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Ruan, R. and P. Chen. 2009. Biomass pyrolysis technology research and development. Growing the Bioeconomy: Solutions for Sustainability. Fargo, ND.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Ruan, R. 2009. Mass culture of algae as an energy crop for biofuel production in Jamaica. Jamaica Energy Independence Forum. Kingston, Jamaica.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Ruan, R. 2009. Distributed biomass production and conversion technologies. Key Note Presentation of the First South America Bioenergy Conference. Guayaquil, Ecuador.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Ruan, R. 2009. Mass culture of algae from wastewater for biofuels production. 47th Annual Rural Energy Conference. Bloomington, MN.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2008 Citation: Ruan, R. 2008. Production of algae from wastewater. UMN IREE Algae Submit. Minneapolis, MN.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2008 Citation: Ruan, R. 2008. Distributed biomass production and conversion sysstem. BIO 2008 International Convension, State of Minnesota Exhibition, San Diego, CA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Submitted Year Published: 2008 Citation: Ruan, R., 2008. Small distributed biofuels production systems. BBI International Biomass Conference & Trade Show, Minneapolis, MN.


Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: In this period, we conducted research in following areas: (1) technology for mass cultivation of microalgae on wastewater for biomass production and wastewater treatment; (2) thermochemical biomass conversion processes, and (3) non-thermal plasma (NTP) assisted catalytic synthesis of hydrocarbons and ammonia. We focus our research on the wastewater treatment benefits of cultivation of algae on animal wastewater. The ability of algae to produce oxygen as replacement of mechanical aeration is being investigated. Growth of algae on process wastes such as soybean and sunflower meals is being studied. New microwave assisted gasification (MAG) is being developed. Innovative microwave absorbent to speed up heating rate has been developed. New heating element for hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is being developed. New NTP reactor was developed for catalytic synthesis of hydrocarbon fuels from syngas and ammonia. Catalysts and process conditions for NTP assisted synthesis are being studied. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Anaerobic digestion (AD) was incorporated into wastewater treatment to maximize the energy output. AD was also found to modify the nutrient profiles of animal wastewater. Intervention methods to make AD effluent a better medium for algae growth were examined. Some microalgae strains with good ability to generate oxygen during growth were identified and will be further tested in combination with bacteria sludge for wastewater treatment. The new MAG process was significantly improved after microwave absorption mechanism was implemented. Specifically, the heating rate increased dramatically. Some issues arose in development of new heating element for HTL process. A new material serving as electrodes was tested and appears promising. In NTP assisted catalytic synthesis, product absorption and recycling of unreacted gas proved to be essential in improving the conversion efficiency. to improve NTP assisted ammonia synthesis emerged. About 20 graduate students, postdoctoral research associates, and visiting scholars received training through working on these projects. Our research results were presented at many technical conferences, and published on peer-reviewed journals.

Publications

  • Ren, Shoujie; Lei, Hanwu; Wang, Lu; Bu, Quan; Wei, Yi; Liang, Jing; Liu, Yupeng; Julson, James; Chen, Shulin; Wu, Joan; Ruan, Roger. 2012. Microwave torrefaction of Douglas fir sawdust pellet. Energy & Fuels Accepted.
  • Du, Z., B. Hu, A. Shi, X. Ma, Y. Cheng, P. Chen, Y. Liu, X. Lin, and R. Ruan. 2012. Cultivation of a microalga Chlorella vulgaris using recycled aqueous phase nutrients from hydrothermal carbonization process. Bioresource Technology Accepted.
  • Peng, H., J. Zhang, Y. Liu, D. Liu, Z. Yu, Y. Wan, and R. Ruan. 2012. Structural characterization of hemicellulosic polysaccharides isolated from bamboo. Current Organic Cehmistry 2012(16):1855-1862.
  • Zhang, J., Y. Liu, Z. Jin, and R. Ruan. 2012. Studies on wheat resistant starch by NMR technique. Advanced Materials Research 550-553(2012):1357-1363.
  • Wu, X., Ruan, R., Du, Z., Liu, Y. 2012. Current Status and Prospects of Biodiesel Production from Microalgae. Energies 2012(5): 2667-2682.
  • Du, Z., M. Mohr, X. Ma, Y. Cheng, X. Lin, Y. Liu, W. Zhou, P. Chen, and R. Ruan. 2012. Hydrothermal pretreatmetn of microalgae for production of pyrolytic bio-oil with a low nitrogen content. Bioresource Technology 120:13-18.
  • Li Y, Zhou WG, Hu B, Min M, Chen P, Ruan R 2012. Effect of light intensity on algal biomass accumulation and biodiesel production for mixotrophic strains Chlorella kessleri and Chlorella protothecoide cultivated in highly concentrated municipal wastewater. Biotechnol Bioeng. 109(9):2222-2229.
  • Zhou WG, Li Y, Min M, Hu B, Zhang H, Ma X, Cheng Y, Chen P, Ruan R. 2012. Growing Wastewater-born Microalga Auxenochlorella protothecoides UMN280 on Concentrated Municipal Wastewater for Simultaneous Nutrient Removal and Energy Feedstock Production. Appl Energ. 98:43-440.
  • Zhou WG, Cheng Y, Li Y, Wan Y, Liu Y, Lin X, Ruan R. 2012. Novel Fungal Pelletization Assisted Technology for Algae Harvesting and Wastewater Treatment. Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 167(2):214-228.
  • Zhou WG, Min M, Hu B, Ma X, Cheng Y, Liu Y, Chen P, Ruan, R. 2012. A hetero-photoautotrophic two-stage cultivation process to improve wastewater nutrient removal and enhance algal lipid accumution. Bioresour Technol. 110: 448-455.
  • Min, M., B. Hu, W. Zhou, Y. Li, P. Chen, and R. Ruan. 2012. Mutual influence of light and CO2 on carbon sequestration via cultivating mixotrophic alga Auxenochlorella protothecoides UMN280 in an organic carbon-rich wastewater. Journal of Applied Phycology 24(5):1099-1105. Peng, H., Hu, Z., Yu, Z., Zhang, J., Liu, Y., Wan, Y., and Ruan, R. 2012. "Fractionation and thermal characterization of hemicelluloses from bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel) culm," BioRes. 7(1), 374-390.
  • Zhou, W., Y. Li, M. Min, B. Hu, H. Zhang, X. Ma, L. Li, Y. Cheng, P. Chen, and R. Ruan. 2012. Growing Wastewater-born Microalga Auxenochlorella protothecoides UMN280 on Concentrated Municipal Wastewater for Simultaneous Nutrient Removal and Energy Feedstock Production. Applied Energy. Accepted.
  • Wang. X, W. Morrison, Z. Du, Y. Wan, X. Lin, P. Chen, and R. Ruan. 2012. Biomass temperature profile development and its implications under the microwave-assisted pyrolysis condition. Applied Energy. Accepted.
  • Zhou, W., B. Hu, Y. Li, M. Min, M. Mohr. Z. Du, P. Chen, and R. Ruan. 2012. Mass Cultivation of Microalgae on Animal Wastewater: a Sequential Two-stage Cultivation Process for Energy Crop and Omega-3 Rich Animal Feed Production. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology 168: 348-363.
  • Lin, X., J. Wu, R. Zhu, P. Chen, G. Huang, Y. Li, N. Ye, B. Huang, Y. Lai, H. Zhang, W. Lin, J. Lin, Z. Wang, H. Zhang, and R. Ruan. 2012. California Almond Shelf Life: Lipid Deterioration During Storage. J. Food Science. 77(6):583-593.
  • Xu, C., H. Wang, Y. Liu, R. Ruan, Y. Li. 2012. Research on edible fungi and algae as feed supplement. Advanced Materials Research 518-523(2012): 608-613.


Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: In this period, we conducted research in following areas: (1) technology for mass cultivation of microalgae on wastewater for biofuel production; (2) thermochemical biomass conversion processes, (3) catalytic upgrading and refining of conversion products; and (4) NTP assisted catalytic synthesis of polymers, hydrocarbons, and ammonia. On mass cultivation of microalgae, we continue to study the growth characteristics, biomass and lipid yields, and nutrient removal efficiency of selected microalgae strains under different culture medium conditions, exogenous CO2 and light effect, and hydraulic retention time. Special attentions were paid to the utilization of animal wastewater for algal biomass production and at the same time treating the wastewater. Larger pilot scale photobioreactors (PBR) in greenhouse were set up and tested. New harvest techniques including fungi based and starch based methods were developed. On thermochemical conversion of biomass, we focused on microwave assisted pyrolysis (MAP), hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of different feedstocks including algae, corn residues, waste tires, nut shells, and wood residues with or without catalysts, in situ transesterification of algae. Catalytic upgrading bio-oils from thermochemical conversion of biomass to high grade hydrocarbon fuels. Non-thermal plasma (NTP) assisted catalytic synthesis of poly-lactic acids (PLA) polymers and ammonia is being studied. PARTICIPANTS: Paul Chen, Associate Research Professor, University of Minnesota, chenx088@umn.edu R. Vance Morey, Professor University of Minnesota, rvmorey@umn.edu Muthukumarappan, Kasiviswanath, Professor, South Dakota State University Kas.Muthukum@sdstate.edu Bill Gibbons, Professor, South Dakota State University William.Gibbons@sdstate.edu TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
Several mixotrophic microalgae strains were found to perform well on concentrated wastewater streams from municipal wastewater treatment plants and animal production facilities in terms of biomass and lipid yields and ability to remove COD, nitrogen and phosphorus. These strains require low light for optimal growth. Some of them responded to exogenous CO2 well but some did not. Two-stage cultivation mode was designed and tested. This mode is able to reduce nutrients to levels close to discharge stands. Anaerobic digestion (AD) was incorporated into wastewater treatment to maximize the energy output. The role of AD in nutrient profiles of animal wastewater and intervention methods to make AD effluent a better medium for algae growth are being studied. Novel starch based flocculants were further improved. MAP of biomass feedstock shows improved bio-oil yield and quality. Especially, bio-oil from MAP of dried algae is much better than cellulosic feedstock derived bio-oil in terms of heat value, viscosity, acid numbers, and other fuel properties, and can be mixed directly with gasoline for engine use. The HTL process is found to a good method for torrefaction of algal biomass. The torrefied algae retain most of lipids, and can be a good intermediate feedstock for oil extraction or direct in situ transesterification. New ideas including product absorption to improve NTP assisted ammonia synthesis emerged. About 15 graduate students, postdoctoral research associates, and visiting scholars received training through working on these projects. Our research results were presented at many technical conferences, and published on peer-reviewed journals.

Publications

  • Min, M., B. Hu, W. Zhou, Y. Li, P. Chen, and R. Ruan. 2011. Mutual influence of light and CO2 on carbon sequestration via cultivating mixotrophic alga Auxenochlorella protothecoides UMN280 in an organic carbon-rich wastewater. Journal of Applied Phycology DOI:10.1007/s10811-011-9739-3Online First.
  • Peng, H., Hu, Z., Yu, Z., Zhang, J., Liu, Y., Wan, Y., and Ruan, R. 2012. "Fractionation and thermal characterization of hemicelluloses from bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel) culm," BioRes. 7(1), 374-390.
  • Yecong Li, Wenguang Zhou, Bing Hu, Min Min, Paul Chen, Roger Ruan. 2011. Integration of Algae Cultivation as Biodiesel Production Feedstock with Municipal Wastewater Treatment: Strains Screening and Significance Evaluation of Environmental Factors. Bioresour Technol. 102(23):10861-10867.
  • Zhou, W., Y. Li, M. Min, B. Hu, P. Chen, R. Ruan. 2011. Local Bioprospecting for High-lipid Producing Microalgal Strains to be Grown on Concentrated Municipal Wastewater for Biofuel Production. Bioresour Technol. 2011 Apr 20. [Epub ahead of print].
  • Min M., L. Wang, Y. Li, M. Mohr, B. Hu, W. Zhou, P. Chen, R. Ruan. 2011. Cultivating Chlorella sp. in pilot scale photobioreactor using centrate wastewater for microalgae biomass production and wastewater nutrients removal. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 165(1): 123-137. Gao, Y., W.W. Chen, H. Lei, Y. Liu, X. Lin, R. Ruan. 2011. Optimization of Transesterification Conditions for the Production of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) from Chinese Tallow Kernel Oil with a Nano-Scale Magnetic Catalyst. Transactions of ASABE 54(3):1169-1174.
  • Lei, H., S. Ren, L. Wang, Q. Bu, J. Judson, J. Holladay, and R. Ruan. 2011. Microwave pyrolysis of distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS) for Biofuel Production. Bioresource Technology. 2011 May;102(10):6208-13. Epub 2011 Feb 15.
  • Li, Y., Chen YF, Min M, Chen P, Martinez B, Zhu J, R. Ruan. 2011. Characterization of a microalgae Chlorella sp. well adapted to highly concentrated municipal wastewater for nutrient removal and biodiesel production. Bioresource Technology. 102 (2011):5138-5144.
  • Heredia-Arroyoa, T., W. Wei, R. Ruan, B. Hu. 2011. Mixotrophic Cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris and its Potential Application for the Oil Accumulation from Non-sugar Materials. Biomass and Bioenergy. 35(5):2245-2253.


Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: In this period, we conducted research on following ongoing and new research programs: (1) technology for mass cultivation of microalgae on wastewater for biofuel production; (2) thermochemical biomass conversion processes, (3) catalytic upgrading and refining of conversion products; and (4) NTP assisted catalytic synthesis of polymers and hydrocarbons. On mass cultivation of microalgae, we studied the growth characteristics, biomass and lipid yields, and nutrient removal efficiency of more than two dozens of microalgae strains under different culture medium conditions, exogenous CO2 and light effect, and hydraulic retention time. We are also developing photobioreactors (PBR) and harvest techniques and schemes. A greenhouse based pilot scale production system is being developed. On thermochemical conversion of biomass, we focused on microwave assisted pyrolysis (MAP), and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of different feedstocks including algae, corn residues, waste tires, nut shells, and wood residues with or without catalysts. Catalytic upgrading bio-oils from thermochemical conversion of biomass to high grade hydrocarbon fuels. Non-thermal plasma (NTP) assisted catalytic synthesis of poly-lactic acids (PLA) polymers is being studied. About 12 graduate students, postdoctoral research associates, and visiting scholars received training through working on these projects. Our research results were presented at many technical conferences, and published on peer-reviewed journals. PARTICIPANTS: Roger Ruan, Paul Chen, Min Min, Wenguang Zhou, Xiaoquan Wang, Yecong Li, Zhenyi Du, Xiaochen Ma, Yanling Cheng, Liang Li, Bing Hu, Blanca Martinez, Hong Zhang, Yuan Zhao, Kevin W Hennessy, Michael J Mohr, Shaobo Deng TARGET AUDIENCES: Academics and industry in biomass feedstock production and conversion, and bio-fuel and biomaterial production. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
Several mixotrophic microalgae strains were found to perform well on concentrated wastewater streams in terms of biomass and lipid yields and ability to remove COD, nitrogen and phosphorus. These strains require low light for optimal growth. Some of them responded to exogenous CO2 well but some did not. Harvest level and frequency, which determine the hydraulic retention time, affect the biomass yield. One or two top performance strains will be selected for further test and demonstration using a pilot scale production system which is being built. New materials have been identified for PBR construction. Novel starch based flocculants for algae harvest we developed exhibit promising characteristics. MAP of biomass feedstock shows improved bio-oil yield and quality. Especially, bio-oil from MAP of dried algae is much better than cellulosic feedstock derived bio-oil in terms of heat value, viscosity, acid numbers, and other fuel properties, and can be mixed directly with gasoline for engine use. The HTL process, which is considered an ideal process for wet algae conversion because it does not require costly drying operation, is faced with challenges in process control. We have developed hydrodeoxygenation and hydrodenitrogenation processes for upgrading of bio-oils. These processes significantly improve the heat value and viscosity, and remove pigments. The PLA polymers obtained from NTP assisted polymerization of lactic acids show physiochemical characteristics similar to those of conventionally synthesized products.

Publications

  • Wang, L., Y. Wang, P. Chen, and R. Ruan. 2010. Semi-continuous Cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris for Treating Undigested and Digested Dairy Manures. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology DOI 10.1007/s12010-010-9005-1.
  • Wang, L., M. Min, P. Chen, Y. Li, Y. Chen, R. Ruan. 2010. Cultivation of green algae Chlorella sp. in different wastewaters from municipal wastewater treatment plant. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology 160(1): 9-18.
  • Chen, P., M. Min, Y. Chen, L. Wang, Y. Li, Q. Chen, C. Wang, Y. Wan, X. Wang, Y. Cheng, S. Deng, K. Hennessy, X. Lin, Y. Liu, Y. Wang, B. Martinez, R. Ruan. 2010. Review of biological and engineering aspects of algae to fuel approach. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering 2(4):1-30.
  • Wang, L., M. Min, Y. Chen, Y. Li, R. Ruan. 2010. Digested dairy manure as a nutrient supplement for cultivation of oil-rich green microalgae Chlorella sp. Bioresource Technology 101(2010): 2623-2628.
  • Moen, J., C. Yang, B. Zhang, H. Lei, K. Hennessy, Y. Wan, Z. Le, Y. Liu, P. Chen, R. Ruan. 2010. Catalytic microwave assisted pyrolysis of aspen. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering 2(4):70-75.
  • Zhang, B., C. Yang, J. Moen, Z. Le, K. Hennessy, Y. Wan, Y. Liu, H. Lei, P. Chen and R. Ruan. 2010. Catalytic conversion of microwave-assisted pyrolysis Vapors. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 32: 18, 1756-1762.
  • Yu, F., P. H. Steele, and R. Ruan. 2010. Microwave pyrolysis of corn cob and characteristics of the pyrolytic chars. Energy Sources, Part A, 32:475-484.


Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: In this period, we conducted research on following ongoing and new research programs: (1) technology for mass cultivation of microalgae on wastewater for biofuel production; (2) thermochemical biomass conversion processes, (3) catalytic upgrading and refining of conversion products; and (4) NTP assisted catalytic synthesis of polymers and hydrocarbons. We conducted experiments to screen algae species and strains which can grow well on wastewater and produce high lipids. We developed and tested a unique photobioreactors. Municipal and animal wastewaters were tested. Effects of nutrients, lighting, CO2, and other conditions on algae growth were evaluated. The ability of algae to remove nitrogen and phosphorus were also tested. We developed new harvest techniques. We conducted experiments on (1) microwave assisted pyrolysis (MAP), and (2) hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) using both batch and continuous reactors. Different feedstocks including algae, corn residues, and wood residues and catalysts were tested. We developed processes to upgrade oil and bio-oil to high grade hydrocarbon fuels. Different liquid feedstocks and catalysts were tested. We conducted experiments to explore the potential of non-thermal plasma (NTP) assisted catalytic synthesis of polymers and hydrocarbon fuels. About 20 graduate students, postdoctoral research associates, and visiting scholars received training through working on these projects. We presented our research results at many technical conferences, and published our work on peer-reviewed journals. We are in the process of filing patent applications for several inventions as a result of our research. PARTICIPANTS: Hanwu Lei, Washington State University Muthukumarappan, Kasiviswanath, South State University TARGET AUDIENCES: Related scientific community General public PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
We screen more than 50 algae stains obtained from the fields and commercial sources. We have selected several high potential strains which are being tested on small pilot scale production facility. Our production facility is of low cost and has very high productivity compared with others. A new harvest technique we developed utilizes processes and equipment mostly available in any wastewater treatment plants. Our novel MAP process has been improved in terms of bio-oil yield and product quality. Some catalysts show great potential in practical production of high value chemicals and fuels. The HTL process is found to be an ideal process for wet algae conversion because it does not require costly drying operation. We made breakthroughs in catalytic upgrading and refining vegetable oils and bio-oils to high grade hydrocarbon fuels. Conversion rates as high as 98% were achieved. The resultant hydrocarbons have gasoline like chemical profiles and are mixable with gasoline. With NTP assisted catalysis, we were able to produce biopolymers from low molecular weight feedstock such as lactic acids at low temperature and pressure. We also successfully made hydrocarbons from water and CO, which is impossible for conventional catalytic reforming reactions.

Publications

  • Wang, L., M. Min, P. Chen, Y. Li, Y. Chen, R. Ruan. 2009. Cultivation of green algae Chlorella sp. in different wastewaters from municipal wastewater treatment plant. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology. In Press.
  • Zhu, J., Y. Li, X. Wu, C. Miller, P. Chen, and R. Ruan. 2009. Swine manure fermentation for hydrogen production. Bioresource Technology 100: 5472-5477.
  • Wang. L., M. Min, Y. Chen, Y. Li, R. Ruan. 2009. Digested dairy manure as a nutrient supplement for cultivation of oil-rich green microalgae Chlorella sp. Bioresource Technology. In Press.
  • Zhang, B., C. Yang, J. Moen, Z. Le, K. Hennessy, Y. Wan, Y. Liu, H. Lei, P. Chen and R. Ruan. 2009. Catalytic Conversion of Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis Vapors. Energy Sources, in press.
  • Wang, Y., J. Wu, Y. Qan, H. Lei, F. Yu, P. Chen, X. Lin, Y. Liu, R. Ruan. 2009. Liquefaction of corn stover using industrial biodiesel glycerol. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering 2(2): 32-40.
  • Cheng, Y., S. Deng, P. Chen, and R. Ruan. 2009. Polylactic acid (PLA) synthesis and modifications: a review. Front. Chem. China 4(3):259-264.
  • Wan, Y., P Chen, B. Zhang, C. Yang, Y. Liu, X. Lin, and R. Ruan. 2009. Microwave assisted pyrolysis of corn stover pellets with catalysts for bio-oil production. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis 86(1): 161-167.
  • Wu, J., Y. Wang, Y. Wan, H. Kei, F. Yu, Y. Liu, P. Chen, L. Yang, R. Ruan. 2009. Processing and properties of rigid polyurethane foams based on bio-oils from microwave-assisted pyrolysis of corn stover. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering 2(1): 40-50.
  • Gao, Y., W. Chen, H. Lei, Y. Liu, X. Lin, R. Ruan. 2009. Optimization of esterification conditions for the production of biodiesel from Chinese tallow kernel oil with surfactant-coated lipase using surface response methodology. Biomass and Bioenergy 33(2):277-282.
  • Ruan, R. and P. Chen. 2009. Bioenergy Industry Status and Prospects. In Industrial Crops and Uses. CAB International. In press.