Source: OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to
BIOENERGY AND BIOFUELS PRODUCTION FROM LIGNOCELLULOSIC BIOMASS VIA ANAEROBIC DIGESTION AND FISHER-TROPSCH REACTION
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0231118
Grant No.
2012-10008-20302
Project No.
OHO01100-SS
Proposal No.
2012-03983
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
BRDI
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2012
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2017
Grant Year
2012
Project Director
Zhao, L.
Recipient Organization
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
1680 MADISON AVENUE
WOOSTER,OH 44691
Performing Department
Food, Agric and Biological Engineering
Non Technical Summary
Integrated anaerobic digestion system (iADs) is an Ohio State University (OSU) patent technology (WO/2011/020000) that combines solid state anaerobic digestion (SS-AD) with commercially available liquid anaerobic digestion (L-AD). This combination mitigates technical challenges associated with each alone, and creates synergistic benefits that reduce cost, improve efficiency, and increase biogas production from a wide range of feedstocks. The biogas in turn is converted into bioenergy and biofuels, while the SS-AD digestate can be used to enhance soil quality (closing an ecological loop). Here, we propose to optimize the SS-AD technology for biogas production from lignocellulosic biomass; develop the upstream and downstream logistics around the iADs; and assess the potential environmental, economic, and social benefits of iADs. Pilot scale SS-AD tests with different feedstocks will be performed to validate the lab scale results and provide the critical data necessary to convince our industrial collaborators to move this technology into the next stage of commercialization, namely, the demonstration phase (which is beyond the scope of this grant). To achieve the objectives of the proposal, we have assembled a multidisciplinary team of scientists in the areas of soil and carbon sequestration (Dr. Rattan Lal, OSU), feedstock supply logistics (Dr. Scott Shearer, OSU), feedstock logistics and process modeling (Dr. Sudhagar Mani, University of Georgia (UGA)), anaerobic digestion (Dr. Yebo Li, OSU), anaerobic biology (Dr. Z. T. Yu, OSU), catalyst synthesis (Dr. Fei Yu, Mississippi State University (MSU)), and LCA (Bhavik Bakshi, OSU). The team will work closely with industry collaborators including quasar energy group (quasar), American Electric Power (AEP), Aloterra Energy, Marathon, CNH, AgSTAR and others on this project. The outcomes of the proposed project include: (1) optimization of novel iADs technology using effluent of L-AD as inoculum and nitrogen source for SS-AD, with increased knowledge about the microbiome in the SS-AD process; (2) miscanthus and crop production with SS-AD digestate that leverages BCAP-funded Miscanthus production for development of Miscanthus feedstock logistics (planting, harvesting and storage systems); (3) restoration and soil quality enhancement of marginalized lands; (4) assessment of the carbon sequestration in soils, trees and wetlands, and of the magnitude by which gaseous emissions in biofuel production process can be off-set by net gains in the ecosystem carbon pool; (5) A flexible platform system for exploring innovative uses of AD products including testing the techno-economic feasibility of production of liquid hydrocarbon fuels from biogas; (6) Positive economic, environmental, and social impact of iADs. The impacts of the project include: (1) extension of the feedstocks of AD from animal manure to all kinds of organic waste; (2) production of liquid transportation fuels production from organic waste; (3) assessment of the net ecosystem carbon budget in biofuel production.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
20%
Applied
30%
Developmental
50%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
5112410202030%
5115210202010%
1020199201020%
4022299202020%
6052299301020%
Knowledge Area
102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships; 605 - Natural Resource and Environmental Economics; 402 - Engineering Systems and Equipment; 511 - New and Improved Non-Food Products and Processes;

Subject Of Investigation
5210 - Fertilizers; 0199 - Soil and land, general; 2299 - Miscellaneous and new crops, general/other; 2410 - Cross-commodity research--multiple crops;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering; 2010 - Physics; 3010 - Economics;
Goals / Objectives
The long term goal of this project is to commercialize an integrated anaerobic digestion system (iADs) that promises cost competitive bioenergy and biofuels production from lignocellulosic biomass. The specific objectives of this proposal are to: (1)Develop a sustainable production and supply logistics system to provide multiple feedstocks to iADs for bioenergy and biofuels production; (2) Assess impacts of SS-AD digestate application to biofuel crops grown in marginal lands on soil quality and hydrological, microclimatic, and agronomic parameters; (3) Develop a pretreatment technology to increase lignocellulosic biomass digestibility and optimize SS-AD technologies to maximize biogas production; (4)Integrate feedstock supply chains with a pilot scale iADs to evaluate its potential for commercialization; (5) Develop a biogas to liquid hydrocarbon fuels (BTL) technology via catalytic reforming and Fisher-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis; (6) Use Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and process economic models to evaluate the proposed system performance and its environmental, economic, and social impacts on sustainability.
Project Methods
During the project period, lignocellulosic biomass such as corn stover and Miscanthus will be harvested, transported, and preprocessed to be fed into the SS-AD reactor. The impacts of harvesting corn stover and applying SS-AD digestate on soil quality and hydrological parameters will be assessed and related to the ecosystem carbon budget. Production of Miscanthus using SS-AD digestate will be tested on both AEP coal strip-mined land and the USDA Biomass Crop Assistance Program -approved land. Advanced Miscanthus production methods and management technologies, including mechanized planting of rhizomes (underground stems), will be tested and impacts on the ecosystem and soil carbon budget evaluated. The soil sustainability of farm land with application of SS-AD digestate and corn stover collection for biogas production will also be studied. The digestate will be shipped to the field with the same truck used for feedstock collection, thus helping to achieve better feedstock economics. The soil restorative effects of Miscanthus production with SS-AD digestate on marginal lands will also be studied. Innovative multi-pass feedstock harvesting and a densification system will be provided by Case IH, America will be tested for baling corn stover and Miscanthus. An innovative concurrent wet storage and pretreatment technology will be developed which will not only reduce the dry matter loss during storage, but also substantially increase the digestibility of corn stover. A cost effective SS-AD technology for the production of biogas from lignocellulosic biomass will be developed and production of electricity, CNG, and liquid hydrocarbon fuels from the biogas at lab and pilot scales will also be studied. The economics for each of the three products will be evaluated based on the pilot scale data. AD is a proven technology for biogas production from animal manure and food processing wastes. The proposed iADs technology extends its feedstocks to include lignocellulosic biomass such as crop residues, energy crops, and yard waste. With the innovative pretreatment technology for SS-AD feedstocks and the advanced design of the iADs process, substantial increases in methane yield and productivity are expected. The proposed BTL technology extends the products of AD from heat and power to liquid transportation fuels. The conversion efficiency of BTL will be improved with a novel catalyst system developed by researchers at MSU. Pilot scale testing and validation of multiple feedstock logistics and iADs technology at quasar's Zanesville facility will provide data to evaluate the commercialization potential of the proposed technology. The team will also use feedstock logistics modeling, process modeling, and life cycle analysis to compare the economic, environmental and social impacts of bioenergy and biofuel production with iADs and BTL from different feedstocks. The results will be used to improve the performance and sustainability of the technologies. Furthermore, to understand the sustainability potential of each proposed technology, this work will design optimum networks of technological and ecological systems to mimic nature and close all material cycles.

Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/17

Outputs
Target Audience:We have worked with the following stakeholders: (1) anaerobic digestion industry to evaluate feedstocks and determine operating parameters; (2) farmers and local communities for feedstock planting, harvesting, and collection and application of anaerobic digestion effluent; (3) Miscanthus producers to discuss options for utilizing biomass and miscanthus planting on strip mined land; (4) local groceries and food processing facilities that have food wastes; (5) farmers who produce cellulosic biomass; (6) manufacturers from the biofuels industry and other scientist in the field of biogas conversion into liquid fuels; (7) distributors of machinery for biomass feedstock reprocessing, loading and unloading of the digester; (8) local communities and industry through the Renewable Energy Workshop; and (9) scientists, including faculty, students, and industry, via incorporation of project results into college courses, presentations at technical meetings, and publications. Changes/Problems:Although the project has ended, it is expected that work to refine and optimize the iADs will continue: Pretreatment methods need to be tested and optimized for different feedstocks. Pilot-scale testing of feedstocks in the solid state anaerobic digester (SS-AD) at Zanesville will continue. The system was recently rebuilt and problems fixed, including gas leaking, heating and temperature control, and pumps and pipeline for effluent delivery. Gas meters and analyzers were added for real time measurement of gas production. In 2016, digestate from the SS-AD was applied to nearby strip mined land and ~3,500 hybrid poplar trees were planted. Effluent from the L-AD and digestate will be applied as a nutrient source and the trees harvested as an energy crop. Further process optimization and production of additional value-added products for AD systems are needed to improve system economics. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Graduate and undergraduate students, post-doctoral researchers, visiting scholars, and the general public were engaged in educational opportunities related to this project as indicted below. Undergraduate students. Ohio State University (OSU) trained 3 students on crop harvesting and data collection and a Brazilian group on biomass harvest and field crop production systems. For 2 OSU courses, students received field experience in soil data collection and analysis. A short course at MIT included project results related to LCA modeling. Master's students. OSU: 2-field testing for feedstock harvest and transport, 1-pretreatment. University of Georgia (UGA): 1-feedstock supply assessment, logistics, and techno-economic modeling. PhD students. OSU: 1-lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment; 1-AD process optimization; 1-biogas biological conversion to methanol; 1-thermophilic solid state AD; 2-LCA and techno-economic modeling. UGA: 1-feedstock supply assessment, logistics, and techno-economic modeling; Mississippi State University (MSSU): 1-biogas cleaning and reforming, syngas conversion process control. Post-doctoral researchers. OSU: 1- evaluation of soil quality and carbon sequestration; 1-microbial isolation and cultivation, analytical skills; 1- genomic analysis; 1-energy analysis for sustainability of AD; 3-solid state AD; 1-molecular biology, metagenomics, and bioinformatics analyses. MSSU: 3-catalyst development for catalytic conversion of biogas to liquid fuels. UGA: 1-feedstock supply assessment, logistics, and techno-economic modeling. Visiting Scholars. OSU: China (5)-bioenergy production via AD and biogas upgrading via methanotrophic organisms; USA (1)-bioinformatics and genomics of methanotrophic bacteria; India (3), Brazil (4), Spain (1), Germany (1), and Pakistan (2)-Carbon Management and Sequestration Center and field study site to gain experience on bioenergy crop production on strip mined in Ohio. Other. MSSU: 2 research associates trained in catalyst development for catalytic conversion of biogas to liquid fuels. Quasar: 4 employees trained in operation of the iADs system. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Project methodologies and results have been disseminated via a variety of programs and activities at Ohio State University (OSU), University of Georgia (UGA), Mississippi State University (MSSU), and other venues as follows: Presentations and field visits (OSU) of iADs for a workshop with area elected officials, community leaders, and industry representatives. Meeting and field visit (OSU) of iADs for a meeting of the Ohio Section of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Presentations (OSU) to bioenergy researchers and professionals at the USDA S1041 Annual Meeting and Symposium and OSU Renewable Energy Workshop. Presentations and displays (OSU) for farmers and the general public at the Huron County Ohio Farm Bureau meeting, BioProducts World 2014 Conference, Muskingum County Farm City Day, and Ohio State Farm Science Review. A brochure (OSU) for farmers, "Giant Miscanthus for Soil Quality Improvement and Biobased Products", was developed and distributed various programs for farmers and general public. OSU undergraduate courses (Soil Physics, Urban Soils and Ecosystem Services, and Sustainable Engineering) and an MIT short course (Techno-Ecological Synergy). OSU graduate course (Biomass to Energy). Lab tours and research seminars at MSSU highlighted the continuous process system established for conversion of biogas to liquid hydrocarbons fuel. Presentations at national and the international conferences (OSU, UGA, MSSU), including the Annual International American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ASABE), American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), US Biogas Council, BioCycle Annual Conference, North American Catalysis Society Meeting, International Composting Conference, International Society for Industrial Ecology, and Energy and Environmental Systems Engineering. Articles (OSU, UGA, MSSU) published in peer-reviewed journals and general publications, such as the Ohio Country Journal. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? This project significantly increased knowledge on lignocellulosic feedstocks and anaerobic digestion (AD). Tests of feedstock harvesting methods identified those that maintained feedstock quality and minimized emissions and fuel use. Field trials with corn and miscanthus grown on strip mined land, previously planted in grass, found that fertilizer type and rate had minimal effects, but the change in land use led to soil structure degradation. Models were developed to optimize biogas plant locations, estimate delivery costs of feedstock to AD plants, and predict yield and water quality impacts of miscanthus grown on strip mined land. Corn stover and wheat straw were identified as the most promising lignocellulosic feedstocks for solid state (SS) AD and pretreatment methods were found to be feedstock specific. Microbiota changes under different AD operating conditions were assessed and will be used to improve biogas yield. Membrane separation was shown to be effective for upgrading AD biogas to Bio-CNG, but additional treatment may be needed to remove H2S. Several methanotrophic bacteria were isolated from AD and have the potential to convert biogas to methanol under mild conditions. Syngas catalytic conversion was optimized for conversion of biogas to liquid transportation fuels. Life cycle analysis of the integrated AD system (iADs) shows the potential of using lignocellulosic biomass to provide renewable energy; however, the major barrier is feedstock costs. 1-Feedstock development. Harvest strategies need to increase the yield and density of biomass, but reduce ash content. Corn stover harvest scenarios, cut heights, and storage methods were tested: MOG (material other than grain, i.e., stover plus cobs) harvesting had the lowest ash content (~5%) but biomass yield was low and bale handling was marginal. Stalk chopper with high cut setting had higher biomass yield than MOG, acceptable ash content, and better bale integrity. Stover cover in the field could be problematic (3-8 MT/ha remaining). MOG harvest had the lowest CO2 generation (1 kg/bale) in field operations. The high cut setting was second (2 kg/bale) and had the lowest fuel use for conditioning and baling operations. A pull-type harvester operated on a high cut setting provided the most sustainable biomass harvest due to its low emission rating. An integrated feedstock assessment and supply logistics model was developed to estimate cost, energy, and environmental impacts of feedstock delivery to an iADs plant. 2-Soil quality and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Strip mined land with meadow grass was used to grow corn and miscanthus and agronomic impacts were evaluated: Growth and aboveground biomass (AB) did not vary with fertilizer (mineral, AD effluent) or application rate. Miscanthus initially had a lower AB yield, but by year 3 it was 19.6 Mg ha-1, which was higher than corn (8.3 Mg ha-1) and grass (8.0 Mg ha-1). The net GHG emissions were ~6.6 Mg CO2 eq ha-1 y-1 (corn), 4.3-7.1 Mg CO2 eq ha-1 y-1 (miscanthus), and 1.6 Mg CO2 eq ha-1 y-1 (grass). Effluent application increased GHG emissions, but was mostly offset by the AB and C retained in the soil. Contribution of cumulative N2O-N to GHG emissions was ~11% when no effluent was applied and 22% when it was applied. Land use change from existing grass to corn and miscanthus during the first year of establishment would result in a net increase of GHG emissions. Converting the established grass to miscanthus and corn increased the bulk density of the surface (top 20 cm) soil by ~9%; decreased soil aggregation, with diameters of water stable aggregates of 2.00 mm for grass, 1.45 mm for corn, and 0.96 mm for miscanthus; and decreased water infiltration rates by 50%. In the top 10 cm, plant available water capacity decreased by 28% in the miscanthus and corn compared to grass. 3-Biomass pretreatment and SS-AD. Pretreatment, co-digestion, reactor design and operating parameters, and microbiomes were evaluated to increase CH4 yield of SS-AD: Corn stover and wheat straw were the most promising AD feedstocks due to large quantities and high CH4 yield (200-239 m3CH4/t VS). Energy crops (miscanthus, giant reed, switchgrass) had low energy inputs for cultivation, but lower CH4 yield (117-147 m3CH4/t VS). Woody biomass was least promising (~70 m3CH4/t VS). Food waste was the most promising feedstock for co-digestion and increased CH4 yield by up to 150%. Liquid hot water, alkaline, and fungal pretreatments of feedstocks improved CH4 yield up to 600%. Fungal pretreatment with/without sterilization were compared and a continuous pretreatment of non-sterile feedstocks was tested. Alkaline pretreatment using lime was most effective for giant reed, with high energy production and low economic inputs. Leachate recirculation and intermittent inoculation slightly enhanced CH4 yield for insufficiently inoculated or failed digesters, but was substantially lower than well inoculated digesters. The optimal feedstock/inoculum (F/I) ratio was around 2 and an F/I under 4 worked for most feedstocks. The highest volumetric CH4 production rate was at total solids content of 15-20%. Outdoor dry storage resulted in high losses of organic matter and CH4 yield. Wet storage had low dry mass loss (0.3%) and accelerated AD process, but requires late summer feedstock harvesting for adequate soluble sugar content. Microbiotas were tested under different AD conditions. Microbes in thermophilic AD had greater ability to digest cellulosic biomass and resulted in higher biogas yields, but were more susceptible to high organic loadings and high-N feedstocks, than in mesophilic AD. 4-Pilot-scale iADs testing. Scale up from lab tests required sufficient feedstock and troubleshooting the operating system. Gas leakages, heating and temperature control, pumps and pipeline for effluent delivery, and gas meters and analyzers were repaired or installed. Effluent from two quasar L-AD facilities were tested as inoculum, but their high salt contents affected biogas production. Inoculant quality and loading rate (F/I<6 is required) also affected AD operations at pilot scale. Wood chips/yard trimmings, corn stover and co-digestion of expired dog food with corn stover were tested in different runs. Biogas upgrading to Bio-CNG was elevated and a membrane system met the requirements. 5-Liquid hydrocarbon fuels production. A lab-scale continuous processing system, including raw biogas cleaning/purification, cleaned biogas reforming, and syngas catalytic conversion, was installed to demonstrate biogas-to-liquid (BTL) fuels. Findings: Identified critical variables in maintaining gas quality with low impurities. H2S should be removed from raw biogas. O2 does not affect raw biogas reforming. Ni-based catalysts were most effective for catalytic reforming of biogas to syngas. Both Fe-based and 3-D ordered macroporous Cu-based catalysts were used for liquid hydrocarbon and alcohols production. Produced liquid hydrocarbon fuels could be used in gasoline-rich, aromatic-rich, or other fuels. Two strains of methantrophic bacteria isolated from AD reactors were able to convert biogas to methanol without cleaning. Their genome were sequenced to understand the mechanism to tolerate H2S. This knowledge will be used to genetically engineer bacteria for improved conversion of biogas to methanol. 6- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Two new frameworks for sustainable engineering were developed: 1) "Process-to-Planet" integrates models and data at multiple spatial scales, increasing accuracy of solutions that prevent shifting of environmental impacts outside a narrow boundary. 2) "Techno-Ecological Synergy" considers demand and supply of ecosystem services at multiple scales, finding solutions that reduce life cycle impacts and encourage ecosystem restoration and protection. A comprehensive LCA of the iADs process was completed and compared to alternatives.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Jiang D, Ge X, Zhang Q, Zhou X, Chen Z, Keener H, Li Y (2017) Comparison of sodium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide pretreatments of giant reed for enhanced enzymatic digestibility and methane production. Bioresour Technol 244: 11501157.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Su Z, Ge X, Zhang W, Wang L, Yu Z, Li Y (2017) Methanol production from biogas with a thermotolerant methanol consortium isolated from an anaerobic digestion system. Energy Fuels 31: 29702975.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Sheets, J., Lawson, K., Ge, X., Wang, L., Yu, Z., Li, Y., 2017. Development and evaluation of a trickle bed bioreactor for enhanced mass transfer and methanol production from biogas. Biochemical Engineering Journal 122, 103-114.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Xu, F., 2014. Experimental studies and modeling of solid-state anaerobic digestion for enhanced methane production from lignocellulosic biomass. Ph.D.Dissertation. The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Zhao, J., 2013. Enhancement of methane production from solid-state anaerobic digestion of yard trimmings by biological pretreatment. M.S. Thesis, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Lin, L., 2017. Technical, Microbial, and Economic Study on Thermophilic Solid-state Anaerobic Digestion of Lignocellulosic Biomass. Ph.D. dissertation. The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Lin, L., Li, Y., Keener, H., Yu, Z. 2017. Sequential batch solid-state anaerobic digestion of lignocellulosic biomass via recirculating digestate as inoculum  Microbial community dynamics. OARDC Annual Research Conference, Columbus, OH, April 20, 2017 (poster).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Vasco-Correa, J., Ezeji, T., Li, Y. 2017. Butanol production from fungal pretreated lignocellulosic biomass: study of fermentation inhibitors. ASABE Annual International Meeting. Spokane, WA, July 16-19, 2017. Oral presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Vasco-Correa, J., Shah, A. 2017. Techno-economic analysis of fungal pretreatment of miscanthus for butanol production. ASABEAnnual International Meeting. Spokane, WA, July 16-19, 2017. Oral presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Vasco-Correa, J., Ezeji, T., Li, Y. 2017. Effect of fungal pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass in the production of inhibitors for biobutanol fermentation. 39th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. San Francisco, CA, May 1-4, 2017. Poster.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Vasco-Correa, J., Ge, X., Luo, X., Li, Y. 2016. Comparison of fungal pretreatment of different lignocellulosic feedstocks under sterile and non-sterile conditions for enzymatic saccharification. OARDC Annual Research Conference, Wooster, OH, April 21, 2016 (poster).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Lin, L., Li, Y. 2016. Semi-continuous solid-state anaerobic digestion of lignocellulosic biomass for biogas production: recirculating digestate as inoculum. OARDC Annual Research Conference, Wooster, OH, April 21, 2016 (poster).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Han, J., L. Zhang, Y. Lu, J. Hu, B. Cao, and F. Yu. 2017. The Effect of Syngas Composition on the Fischer Tropsch Synthesis over Three-Dimensionally Ordered Macro-porous Iron Based Catalyst. Molecular Catalysis. 440: 175183.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Dou, J., Z. Bao, and F. Yu. 2017. Mesoporous Ni(OH)2/CeNixOy composites derived Ni/CeNixOy catalysts for dry reforming of methane. ChemCatChem. DOI: 10.1002/cctc.201701073
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Lu, Y., R. Zhang, B. Cao, B. Ge, F. Tao, J. Shan, L. Nguyen, Z. Bao, T. Wu, J. Pote, B. Wang, and F. Yu. 2017. Elucidating the Copper - Hagg Iron Carbide Synergistic Interactions for Selective CO Hydrogenation to Higher Alcohols. ACS Catalysis. 7: 5500?5512.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Bao, Z., Y. Zhan, J. Street, W. Xu, F. To, and F. Yu. 2017. Insight into the phase evolution of NiMgAl catalyst from reduction to post-reaction for dry reforming of methane. Chemical Communications. 53: 6001-6004.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Sheets, J., 2017. Development of an integrated biomass-to-methanol process via solid-state anaerobic digestion and biological conversion of biogas to methanol. Ph.D.Dissertation. The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Vasco, J., 2017. Investigation of solid-state fungal pretreatment of miscanthus for biofuels production. Ph.D.Dissertation. The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Zhan, Y., J. Han, Z. Bao, B. Cao, Y. Li, J. Street, and F. Yu. 2017. Biogas Reforming of Carbon Dioxide to Syngas Production over Ni-Mg-Al Catalysts. Molecular Catalysis. 436: 248-258.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Han, J., Y. Zhan, J. Street, F. To, and F. Yu. 2017. Natural Gas Reforming of Carbon Dioxide for Syngas over Ni-Ce-Al Catalysts. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 42: 18364 e18374.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Lu, Y., Q. Yan, J. Han, B. Cao, J. Street, and F. Yu. 2017. Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of olefin-rich liquid hydrocarbons from biomass-derived syngas over carbon-encapsulated iron carbide/iron nanoparticles catalyst. Fuel. 193: 369-384.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Bao, Z., Y. Lu, and F. Yu. 2017. Kinetic Study of Methane Reforming with Carbon Dioxide over NiCeMgAl Bimodal Pore Catalyst. AIChE Journal. 63: 20192029.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Street, J., F. Yu, Q. Yan, J. Wooten, E. Columbus, and E. Hassan. 2016. Pilot-Plant Production of Gas-to-Liquid Synthetic Fuel Using Gasified Biomass over a Novel Biochar-Supported Catalyst. Transactions of the ASABE. 59(6): 1485-1496.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Bao, Z., Lu, Y., Zhan, Y., and Yu. F. 2017. The Kinetics of Dry Reforming of Methane over Ni15CeMgAl Catalyst. 25th North American Catalysis Society Meeting. Denver, CO. June 4-9, 2017. Poster Presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Zhan, Y., Z. Bao, J. Han, Y. Lu, F. To, and Yu. F. 2017. Raw biogas reforming to produce syngas over NiMgAl catalysts. 25th North American Catalysis Society Meeting. Denver, CO. June 4-9, 2017. Poster Presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Lu, Y., R. Zhang, Z. Bao, F. Tao, T. Wu, B. Wang, and Yu. F. 2017. In Situ Characterization of CuFe Catalyst for Higher Alcohols Synthesis from Syngas. 25th North American Catalysis Society Meeting. Denver, CO. June 4-9, 2017. Oral Presentation.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Wei X, Ge X, Li Y, and Yu Z. 2017. Draft genome sequence of Methylocaldum sp. SAD2, a methanotrophic strain that can convert raw biogas to methanol in the presence of hydrogen sulfide. Genome Announc 5:e00716-17. https://doi.org/10.1128/genomeA.00716-17.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Wei X, Ge X, Li Y, and Yu Z. 2017. Draft genome sequence of Methylocaldum sp. strain 14B, an obligate hydrogen sulfide-tolerant methanotrophic strain that can convert biogas to methanol. Genome Announc 5:e00153-17. https://doi.org/10.1128/genomeA.00153-17.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Guzman, J.G., Ussiri, D.A.N, Lal, R. Soil physical properties following conversion of a reclaimed minesoil to bioenergy crop production. Land Degradation Development.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: JG Guzman, D Ussiri, R Lal, 2017. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Following Conversion of a Reclaimed Minesoil to Bioenergy Crop Production. Land Degradation & Development. (DOI: 10.1002/ldr.2808)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2017 Citation: Guzman, J.G., Ussiri, D.A.N, Lal, R. Sommedy, U. Bioenergy crop production on reclaimed mine land in the Northern Apalachian region. Agronomy Journal (under review).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Okeke, I. and S. Mani. 2017. Techno-economic assessment of biogas to biofuels via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining Vol. 11 (3): 472-487.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Sahoo, K. K. and S. Mani. 2017. Techno-economic assessment of biomass bale storage systems for a large-scale biorefinery. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining Vol. 11 (3): 417-429
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2017 Citation: Sahoo, K. K., S. Das, P. Bettinger and S. Mani. 2017. GIS based sustainable assessment of crop residues using ANN model and optimal siting of biogas plants. Biomass and Bioenergy
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2017 Citation: Sahoo, K.K., A. M. Milewski, N. Hoghooghi, S. Mani. 2017. Assessment of biomass production potential from strip-mined lands and its impacts on stream water quality. Transactions of the ASABE
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: Sahoo, K, I. J. Okeke, S. Mani. 2017. Life cycle assessment of producing drop-in biofuels from miscanthus via Anaerobic Digestion and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Environmental Science & Technology
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: Sahoo, K, and S. Mani. 2017. Economic and environmental assessment of integrated anaerobic digestion technology to produce bio-CNG. Environmental Science & Technology
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Sahoo, K. K. and S. Mani. 2017. Economic and environmental assessments of Bio-CNG production via anaerobic digestion technologies. LCA XVII Conference, Oct. 3-5, 2017, Portsmouth, NH, USA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: B.A. Schroeder, A.A. Klopfenstein, and S.A. Shearer, 2016. Cycle Assessment for Evaluation of CO2 and Energy in Relation to Implement Type and Power Transfer Efficiency for Biomass Harvest. 2016 ASABE International Meeting  Orlando, Florida;
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: B.A. Schroeder, A.A. Klopfenstein, D. Wolters, S.A. Shearer. 2014. Life Cycle Assessment for Evaluation of CO2 and Energy in Relation to Transmission Type and Power Transfer Efficiency. ASABE Meeting Presentation 1913838.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Lin, N. 2014. Prediction of Wheeled Tractor Fuel Use Rate Distributions from CAN-bus Data for Agricultural Field Operations. M.S. Thesis. The Ohio State University: Columbus.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2017 Citation: Lin, L., Xu, F., Ge, X., Li, Y. Improving the sustainability of waste management practices in the food-energy-water nexus: a comparative review of anaerobic digestion and composting. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Lin, L., Yu, Z., Li, Y., 2017. Sequential batch thermophilic solid-state anaerobic digestion of lignocellulosic biomass via recirculating digestate as inoculum  Part II: Microbial diversity and succession. Bioresource Technology. 241, 10271035.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Lin, L., Li, Y., 2017. Sequential batch thermophilic solid-state anaerobic digestion of lignocellulosic biomass via recirculating digestate as inoculum  Part I: Reactor performance. Bioresource Technology. 236, 186193.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2017 Citation: Xu, F., Li, Y., Ge, X., Yang, L., Li, Y., 2017. Anaerobic digestion of food wastechallenges and opportunities. Bioresource Technology (in press).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Xu F, Wang F, Lin L, Li Y, 2016. Comparison of digestate from solid anaerobic digesters and dewatered effluent from liquid anaerobic digesters as inocula for solid state anaerobic digestion of yard trimmings. Bioresource technology 200, 753-760.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Wang, F., Xu, F., Liu, Z., Cui, Z., Li, Y., 2017. Effect of dry bale storage of corn stover on biogas production from anaerobic digestion. Submitted to Energy Conversion and Management.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Jiang, Y., Xu, F., Sheet, J., Chen, Z., Li, Y., 2017. Anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and waste paper: Reactor performance and energy analysis. Submitted to Applied Energy.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: Jiang, Y., Li, Y., Xu, F., Li, Y., 2017. Reaction kinetics of anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and paper under different total solids contents. Under preparation.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Wang ZW, Xu F, Manchala KR, Sun Y, Li Y, 2016. Fractal-like kinetics of the solid-state anaerobic digestion. Waste Management 53, 55-61.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Yang L, Ge X, Li Y (2016) Recovery of failed solid-state anaerobic digesters. Bioresour Technol 214: 866870.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Liu S, Xu F, Liew LN, Li Y, 2016. Food Waste Addition for Enhanced Giant Reed Ensilage and Methane Production. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers 59 (3), 727-736.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: Jiang D, Ge X, Lin L, Wang L, Yu Z, Zhang Q, Zhou X, Li Y., 2017. Simultaneous lime treatment and solid-state anaerobic digestion of corn stover for improved biogas energy production (in preparation).


Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16

Outputs
Target Audience:We have worked with the following stakeholders: (1) anaerobic digestion industry to evaluate feedstocks and determine operating parameters; (2) farmers and local communities for feedstock planting, harvesting, and collection and application of anaerobic digestion effluent; (3) Miscanthus producers to discuss options for utlizing biomass and miscanthus planting on strip mined land; (4) manufacturers from the biofuels industry and other scientists in the field of biogas conversion into liquid fuels; (5) local communities and industry through the Renewable Energy Workshop; and (6) scientists, including faculty, students, and industry, via incorporation of project results into college courses, presentations at technical meetings, and publications. Changes/Problems:Currently, both of quasar energy group's digesters in Zanesville and Columbus are failed due to low pH. After the reactors are recovered, we will conduct the pilot scale tests. Most of next year's efforts will focus on the pilot scale tests. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Provided hands-on experience for thee visiting scholars from China on bioenergy production via AD, and biogas upgrading via methanotrophic microorganisms. Trained one postdoc in methodology to conduct genomic analysis. Provided one research scientist hands-on experience with microbial isolation and cultivation. Trained two postdocs and two research associates in catalyst development for catalytic conversion of biogas to hydrocarbon fuels. Trained one Ph.D. student in biogas cleaning, biogas reforming, and syngas conversion process control. Provided one visiting associate professor the opportunity to learn bioinformatic and genomics of methanotrophic bacteria. Trained one PhD student in the development and application of LCA models. Trained one Ph.D. student and one M.Sc. student, and contributed to the professional development of a research scientist, on feedstock supply assessment, logistics, and techno-economic modeling. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Research results were presented at the 2016 Annual International Meeting of the American Society for Agricultural and Biological Engineers (3 poster presentations and 5 oral presentations). Results from feedstock logistics and techno-economic assessment have been disseminated at national and international conferences and shared with interested stakeholders. Paper on the process-to-planet framework was selected for student best paper awards by both the Sustainable Engineering Forum and Computing and Systems Technology divisions of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Use of miscanthus production on strip-mined soils as an improved land use option has been presented to Ohio farmers and area land owners via workshops and exhibits at agricultural events. OBIC continues to develop bioproduct and bioenergy markets for the miscanthus and has explored the concept of a farmer-owned cooperative to expand production acreage. The knowledge obtained from the project has been included in an OSU graduate course, FABE 5540, Biomass to Energy, which is being offered in the fall 2016 semester. Incorporated results of LCA in elective course on Sustainable Engineering and in short courses taught to practitioners. Researchers and/or scientists from different institutes and organizations learned about the continuous process system for biogas to liquid hydrocarbons fuel through lab tours and/or research seminars. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Optimize the AD process focusing on scale-up. Conduct pilot scale testing of SS-AD in Zanesville using corn stover as the feedstock. Build a pilot scale biogas upgrading system. Develop and test pilot scale biogas cleaning and upgrading technologies. Explore low-cost sources of reducing equivalents for biological conversion of biogas to methanol. Conduct economic and life cycle analyses based on lab-scale and pilot-scale data. Continues analysis of genomes of two methanotrophic bacteria isolated from AD reactors. Continue comparative genetic study of methanotrophic bacteria.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1. Develop a sustainable production and supply logistics system to provide multiple feedstocks to iADs for bioenergy and biofuels production. Conducted GIS based assessment of sustainably available biomass resources in Ohio, including the miscanthus potential in strip-mined lands. Developed biomass supply logistics modeling system for iADs biorefinery. 2. Assess impacts of SS-AD digestate application to biofuel crops grown in marginal lands on soil quality and hydrological, microclimatic, and agronomic parameters. Evaluated use of effluent from the AD on miscanthus plots, which responded positively. 3. Develop storage and pretreatment technology to increase lignocellulosic biomass digestibility and optimize SS-AD technologies to maximize biogas production Compared fungal pretreatment of different lignocellulosic feedstocks, including hardwood, softwood, miscanthus, and corn stover, under sterile and non-sterile conditions. Developed a continuous fungal pretreatment of non-sterile feedstock by partially recycling finished material as the inoculum. Used pyrolysis GC-MS, TGA, FT-IR and SEM analysis to understand how fungal pretreatment affected structure and composition of different lignocellulosic feedstocks, which will contribute to future optimization of fungal pretreatment. Demonstrated that liquid alkaline pretreatment of giant reed (energy crop) had the highest energy production and lowest economic inputs compared to hot water and fungal pretreatments. Demonstrated that simultaneous lime treatment with SS-AD improved the methane yield of SS-AD at a feedstock-to-inoculum ratio of 6, and increased the methane content in the biogas. Evaluated microbial community of inoculum using high-throughput pyrosequencing and demonstrated that storage of inoculum for longer than 3 months adversely affected the methane yield of corn stover. 4. Integrate feedstock supply chains with a pilot-scale iADs to evaluate its potential for commercialization Optimized locations for iADs plants across the study area and estimated the cost of delivery of various liquid and solid biomass feedstocks and the cost of bioCNG. Completed the integrated feedstock assessment and supply logistics model to estimate delivered cost, energy, and environmental impacts to iADs plants. 4(a). Pilot scale testing of the SS-AD system Conducted lab scale tests to address challenges identified at the pilot scale, including high moisture of feedstock, difficulties of grinding, and low activity of inoculum after storage. Evaluated total solids contents and feedstock-to-inoculum ratios for corn stover (3-inch) obtained from a new grinder installed at the Zanesville iADs site and found it to be suitable for SS-AD, with a total solids content of 26% preferred over 20%. Found that the Columbus cake and Zanesville effluent were not effective inocula. Worked with collaborators on the feedstock supply, iADS system repairs, and testing of the biogas upgrading system. 5. Develop a biogas to liquid hydrocarbon fuels (BTL) technology via catalytic reforming and Fisher-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis. Developed and installed a lab-scale continuous process system to demonstrate biogas-to-liquid (BTL) fuels technology. It included raw biogas cleaning/purification, cleaned biogas reforming, and syngas catalytic conversion. Evaluated nickel- and carbide-based catalysts in the biogas reforming process and compared them to previous results from methane reforming. Results showed CO2 conversion rates as high as 80%; catalyst deactivation of Ni-core nanoparticles during testing, due to oxidation; and no C deposition during the catalysis process. Utilized iron-based and 3-dimensional ordered macroporous copper-based catalysts for liquid hydrocarbon and alcohols production. Completed a techno-economic assessment of biogas to liquid fuels via FT synthesis. 5(a). Biogas cleaning and upgrading (extension of the proposal scope) Studied biological approaches for conversion of biogas to methanol, a liquid fuel, including: (1) isolated H2S tolerant methanotrophic bacteria from anaerobic digestion (AD) systems that contained biogas with high levels of H2S; (2) Enriched thermos-tolerant methanotrophic consortium from AD systems; and (3) developed a methanotrophic trickle bed bioreactor for non-sterile and efficient conversion of biogas to methanol. Sequenced the genomes of two methanotrophic bacteria isolated from AD reactors. Currently, analyzing genomes using bioinformatics to help understand the metabolism and the physiology of these two bacteria. Began a comparative genomic study designed to reveal common features of methanotrophic bacteria as well as unique features that are specific to different methanotrophic bacteria. 6. Use Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and process economic models to evaluate the proposed system performance and it environmental, economic, and social impacts on sustainability. Developed and applied two new frameworks to evaluate options for agricultural land use: (1) "Process-to-Planet" integrates models (detailed engineering, life cycle inventory, and economic input-output models) and data at multiple spatial scales. Applied it to biofuel manufacturing to find more accurate solutions that prevent shifting of environmental impacts outside a narrow boundary. (2) "Techno-Ecological Synergy" considers the demand and supply of ecosystem services at multiple scales. It includes development of new metrics that consider differences between demand and supply of several ecosystem services and is used to find solutions that not only reduce life cycle impact, but also encourage restoration and protection of ecosystems. Completed a comprehensive LCA of the iADs process and some alternatives with the best data available to date. Developed a model based on OpenLCA and the TRACI method. Developed process based simulation model for iADs technology to evaluate capital investment, operating expenses, and production costs of heat, electricity, CNG, and biofuels.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Xu. F., Li, Y., Wang, Z. 2015. Mathematical modeling of solid-state anaerobic digestion. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science 51:49-66.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Ge, X., Xu, F., Vasco-Correa, J, Li, Y. 2016. Giant reed: A competitive energy crop in comparison with miscanthus. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews 54:350-362.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Li, Y. F., Shi, J., Nelson M.C., Chen P. H., Graf J., LI, Y., Yu, Z. 2015. Impact of different ratios of feedstock to liquid anaerobic digestion effluent on the performance and microbiome of solid-state anaerobic digesters digesting corn stover. Bioresource Technology 200:744-752.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Liu, S., Ge, X., Xu, F., Li, Y. 2016. Effect of total solids content on giant reed ensilage and subsequent anaerobic digestion. Process Biochemistry 51(1):73-79.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Sheets, J. P., Ge, X., Li, Y. F., Yu, Z. T., Li. Y. 2016. Biological conversion of biogas to methanol using methanotrophs isolated from solid-state anaerobic digestate. Bioresource Technology 201:50-57.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Li, Y. F., Shi, J., Nelson M.C., Chen P. H., Graf J., LI, Y., Yu, Z. 2016. Impact of different ratios of feedstock to liquid anaerobic digestion effluent on the performance and microbiome of solid-state anaerobic digesters digesting corn stover. Bioresource Technology 200:744-752.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Xu, F., Wang, F., Lin. L. Li, Y. 2016. Comparison of digestate from solid anaerobic digesters and effluent from liquid anaerobic digesters as inocula for solid-state anaerobic digestion of yard trimmings. Bioresource Technology 200:753-760.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Vasco-Correa, J., Ge, X., Li. Y. 2016. Fungal pretreatment of non-sterile miscanthus for enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis. Bioresource Technology 203:118-123.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Liu, S., Xu, F., Liew, L. N., Li, Y. 2016. Food waste addition for enhanced giant reed ensiling and methane production. Transactions of the ASABE.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Ge, X., Xu, F., Li, Y. 2016. Solid-state anaerobic digestion of lignocellulosic biomass: Recent progress and perspectives. Bioresource Technology.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Liu, S., Ge, X., Liu, Z., Li, Y. 2016. Effect of harvest date on Arundo donax L. (giant reed) composition, ensilage performance, and enzymatic digestibility. Bioresource Technology.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Liu, S., Xu. F., Ge, X., Li, Y. 2016. Comparison between ensilage and fungal pretreatment for storage of giant reed and subsequent methane production. Bioresource Technology.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Zhang, W., Ge, X., Li. Y. F., Yu, Z. Li, Y. 2016. Isolation of a methanotroph from a hydrogen sulfide-rich anaerobic digester for methanol production from biogas. Process Biochemistry 51:838-844.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Jiang, D., Ge, X., Zhang, Q., Li, Y. 2016. Comparison of liquid hot water and alkaline pretreatments of giant reed for improved enzymatic digestibility and biogas energy production. Bioresource Technology 216:60-68.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Vasco-Correa, J., Luo, X., Ge, X., Li, Y. 2016. Fungal pretreatment of non-sterile lignocellulosic biomass: changes in composition and structure. ASABE Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL, July 17-20, 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Lin, L., Li, Y. 2016. Recirculating digestate as inoculum for semi-continuous solid-state anaerobic digestion: reactor performance and microbial communities. ASABE Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL, July 17-20, 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Sheets, J. P., Lawson, K., Li, Y. 2016. Development of a non-sterile methanotrophic trickle bed bioreactor for conversion of biogas to methanol. ASABE Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL, July 17-20, 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Su, Z., Ge, X., Zhang, W., Li, Y. 2016. Methanol production from biogas with a thermo-tolerant methanotrophic consortium. ASABE Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL, July 17-20, 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Xu, F., Jiang, Y., Li, Y. 2016. Comparison of anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and waste paper in solid and liquid media. ASABE Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL, July 17-20, 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Jiang, D., Ge, X., Zhang, Q., Li, Y. 2016. Comparison of liquid hot water and alkaline pretreatments of giant reed for improved enzymatic digestibility and biogas energy production. ASABE Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL, July 17-20, 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Gong, X., Xu, F., Li, Y. 2016. Effect of inoculum storage and activation time on microbial community and biogas production of solid-state anaerobic digestion of corn stover. ASABE Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL, July 17-20, 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Bao, Z., Lu, Y., Li, Y., and Yu. F. 2016. Biogas reforming with addition of carbon dioxide to syngas over Ni-based bimodal pore catalyst. 2016 Aiche Spring Meeting. Houston, TX. April 10-14, 2016. Poster Presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Bao, Z., Lu, Y., Li, Y., and Yu. F. 2016. Kinetic study of methane reforming with carbon dioxide over NiCeMgAl. 2016 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL. July 17-20, 2016. Oral Presentation. ID: 2461020
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Bao, Z., Lu, Y., Yu. F., and Li, Y. 2016. The kinetic study of model biogas reforming with CO over NiCeMgAl bimodal pore catalyst. 2016 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL. July 17-20, 2016. Poster Presentation. ID: 2461287
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Lu, Y.; Yu, F. 2016. Higher Alcohol Synthesis from Biomass-derived Syngas over Heterogeneous Catalysts in Syngas: Production, Emerging Technologies and Ecological Impacts, Myers, R. Ed.; Nova Science Publishers, ISBN: 978-1-63484-805-3, Page 3778. (Invited Book Chapter)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Luo, Y., V. Guda, E. Hassan, P. Steele, B. Mitchell, and F. Yu. 2016. Hydrodeoxygenation of oxidized distilled bio-oil for the production of gasoline fuel type. Energy Conversion and Management. 112: 319-327.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Mohammad, M., X. Li, F. Yu, and F. Zhou. 2016. Supply Chain Design and Management for Syngas Production. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 4:890?900.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Yan, Q., J. Street, and F. Yu. 2015. Synthesis of scarbon-encapsulated iron nanoparticles from wood derived sugars by hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and their application to convert bio-syngas into liquid hydrocarbons. Biomass and Bioenergy. 83:85-95.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Yu, F. 2016. Woody biomass to transportation fuel via gasification bio-syngas cleaning and catalytic conversion. Biomass Energy and Sustainable Economy International Symposium. Nanchang, China. August 13-15, 2016. Oral Presentation.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Li Y-F, Nelson MC, Chen P-H, Graf J, Li Y, and Yu Z. 2015. Comparison of the microbial communities in solid-state anaerobic digesters (SS-ADs) operated at mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 99:969-980.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Zhang W, Ge X, Li Y-F, Yu Z, and Li Y. 2016. Isolation of a methanotroph from a hydrogen sulfide-rich anaerobic digester for methanol production from biogas. Process Biochemistry, 51(7):838-844. doi:10.1016/j.procbio.2016.04.003
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Li Y-H, Shi J, Nelson MC, Chen P-H, Graf J, Li Y, Yu Z. 2015. Impact of different ratios of feedstock to liquid anaerobic digestion effluent on the performance and microbiome of solid-state anaerobic digesters digesting corn stover. Bioresource Technology, under revision.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Li Y-H, Shi J, Nelson MC, Chen P-H, Graf J, Li Y, Yu Z. 2016. Impact of different ratios of feedstock to liquid anaerobic digestion effluent on the performance and microbiome of solid-state anaerobic digesters digesting corn stover. Bioresource Technology, 200:744-752. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2015.10.078.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: V. Gopalakrishnan, B. R. Bakshi, and G. Ziv. Assessing the Capacity of Local Ecosystems to Meet Industrial Demand for Ecosystem Services. AIChE Journal 62.9 (2016), pp. 33193333
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: R. J. Hanes and B. R. Bakshi. Comprehensive life cycle accounting in sustainable process design. Sustainability of Products, Processes and Supply Chains: Theory and Applications. Ed. by Fengqi You. Computer Aided Chemical Engineering. Elsevier, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: V. Gopalakrishnan, G. Ziv, B. R. Bakshi, Designing Synergies Between Technological and Ecological Systems for Chemical Manufacturing, AIChE Annual meeting, November 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: R. J. Hanes, V. Gopalakrishnan, B. R. Bakshi, Designing Techno-Ecological Synergies at Multiple Spatial Scales - Application to Integrated Biofuel Process and Land Use Design, AIChE Annual meeting, November 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: R. J. Hanes, B. R. Bakshi, A Pseudo-Equilibrium Approach for Process-to-Planet Design Under Environmental Tax Policies, AIChE Annual meeting, November 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Rattan Lal. Poster presentation at annual Agronomy Society of America Meetings. Title Carbon Dynamics in Bioenergy Production Systems on Marginal Land
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Rattan Lal. Poster presentation at annual Agronomy Society of America Meetings. Title Soil Organic Carbon Changes in Reclaimed Minesoils Planted with Miscanthus for Biofuel Production
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2016 Citation: R. Lal, Guzman J., Bioenergy crop production in Reclaimed Mine Land submitted to Agronomy Journal
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2016 Citation: Sahoo, K. K., S. Das, P. Bettinger and S. Mani. 2016. GIS based sustainable assessment of crop residues using ANN model and optimal siting of biogas plants. Industrial Crops and Products.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Okeke, I. and S. Mani. 2016. Techno-economic assessment of biogas to biofuels via Fischer-Tropch synthesis. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Sahoo, K. K. and S. Mani. 2016. Techno-economic assessment of biomass bale storage systems for a large-scale biorefinery. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Mani, S., J. Sundaram, KC. Das. 2016. Process simulation and modeling: Anaerobic digestion of complex organic matter. Biomass and Bioenergy 93,158-167.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Sahoo, K. K. GL Hawkins, XA Yao, K. Samples and S. Mani. 2016. GIS based biomass assessment and supply logistics system for a sustainable biorefinery: A case study with cotton stalks in the Southeastern US. Applied Energy, 182, 260-273.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Sahoo, K. K. and S. Mani. 2016. Engineering Economics of Cotton Stalk Supply Logistics Systems for Bioenergy Applications. Transactions of the ASABE 59(3): 1-11.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Sahoo, K. K. and S. Mani. 2016. Sustainable assessment of agricultural crop residues using integrated GIS and ANN predictive modeling tools for a biorefinery. 2016 ASABE Annual International Meeting, July 17-21, 2016, Orlando, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Mani, S. and S. Sundaram. Process modeling and simulation of anaerobic digestion of food wastes and biomass to produce bioCNG. 2016 ASABE Annual International Meeting, July 17-21, 2016, Orlando, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Okeke, I. and S. Mani. 2015. Process simulation of biogas to renewable liquid Fuels. 2015 AIChE Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (Best Oral Presentation Award).


Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/15

Outputs
Target Audience:We have worked with the following stakeholders: (1) anaerobic digestion industry to evaluate feedstocks and determine operating parameters; (2) farmers and local communities for feedstock planting, harvesting, and collection and application of anaerobic digestion effluent; (3) Miscanthus producers to discuss options for utlizing biomass and miscanthus planting on mine stripped land; (4) manufacturers from the biofuels industry and other scientist in the field of biogas conversion into liquid fuels; (5) local communities and industry through the Renewable Energy Workshop, Ohio Farm Science Review trade show, and Farm City Day county-wide event; and (6) scientists, including faculty, students, and industry, via presentations at technical meetings and publications. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Five visiting scholars from China participated in research and gained experience on bioenergy production via AD. One post-doc, Dr. Fuqing Xu (Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering), was trained to conduct emergy analysis to evaluate the sustainability of iADs. A research scientist, Dr. Xumeng Ge (Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Ohio State University), obtained hands-on experience with microbial isolation and cultivation, and various analytical skills such as scanning electron microscopy. Scholars from India (2), Brazil (4), Spain (1), Germany (1), and Pakistan (1) visted the Carbon Management and Sequestration Center (CMASC) and the field study site to gain experience on bioenergy crop production on minesoils in Ohio. Post-doc Jose Guzman (School of Environmental and Natural Resources) contributed to an Ohio State University course in "Soil Physics", providing hands-on experiences with soil quality measurements in the lab and field. Dr.Yue-Fin Li, a recent Ph.D. graduate, participated in microbial analyses including molecular biology analysis, metagenomic analysis, and bioinformatic analysis. She gained experience all these three fields. Three post-docs (Mississippi State University) was trained for catalyst development for catalytic conversion of biogas to hydrocarbon fuels. One Ph.D. student (Mississippi State University) was trained for biogas cleaning, biogas reforming, and syngas conversion process control. Two PhD students (OSU Chemical Engineering) have developed the LCA models. One of them has finished her PhD and joined the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Results from this work are used in short courses offered at MIT. These courses provide professional development opportunities to participants from the US and other countreis. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Organized the Renewable Energy Workshop for 75 invited experts and stakeholders at the Ohio State University's Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) in Wooster, Ohio. Provided an overview of AD technology and associated opportunities and challenges, project goals, and activities. Organized the 2015 USDA S1041 Business Meeting and Symposium at The Ohio State University's OARDC in Wooster, Ohio. The business meeting was attended by 56 faculty and students from across the country. The symposium, held on day 2, focused on stakeholder perspectives on the bioeeconomy and had 87 attendees from industry and academia. Presented a project overview at the 2015 International Composting Conference held in Beijing, China. Developed a brochure for farmers titled "Giant Miscanthus for Soil Quality Improvement and Biobased Products", which was distributed at the Muskingum County Farm City Day and the Ohio State Farm Science Review and is available for other events and audiences. Provided information on the biogas-to-liquid hydrocarbons fuels continuous process system, which includes biogas cleaning/purification, biogas reforming, and syngas catalytic conversion. This system was introduced to researchers and scientists from different institutes and organizations (e.g., SRI, FAO) through lab tours and/or research seminars Presented project findings at conferences and meetings of national and international organizations, including the Agronomy Society of America, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, American Society for Agricultural and Biological Engineers, North American Catalysis Society, International Society for Industrial Ecology, and Energy and Environmental Systems Engineering, What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Continue measuring soil and agronomic parameters and greenhouse gas emissions at field plots to evaluate changes over time. Develop a continuous fungal pretreatment process. Characterize microbial structure and dynamics in semi-continuous SS-AD and optimize the AD process, focusing on scale-up. Conduct pilot scale testing of SS-AD in Zanesville using corn stover as the feedstock. Continue development of L-AD and SS-AD process simulation models for food waste, agricultural wastes, and other feedstocks. Optimize the growth conditions of methanotrophs and design a prototype bioreactor for enhanced methanol production from biogas. Conduct economic and life cycle analyses based on lab-scale and pilot-scale data. Continue genetic sequencing and identifcation of methantroph isolates. Contiinue development of a diesel fuel process simulation model for cleaning biogas to methane and converting methane to diesel fuel. Using biogas samples from a quasar digester, evaluate cleaning and/or purification by sulfur removal on Zn- and Cu-based catalysts and produce syngas and biofuel. Incorporate project data (e.g., transportation distances, AD process, biogas composition, FT conversion process) into process and LCA models.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? (1) Develop a sustainable production and supply logistics system to provide multiple feedstocks to iADs for bioenergy and biofuels production. Estimated crop residues, manure production, and soil erosion in Ohio via a GIS assessment, which includes sustainable removal strategies and optimal plant locations. Studied the harvesting, densification and storage of corn stover harvested with different methods: Low cut stalk chopper, high cut stalk chopper, low cut windrower, high cut windrower, MOG bales (2) Assess impacts of SS-AD digestate application to biofuel crops grown in marginal lands on soil quality and hydrological, microclimatic, and agronomic parameters. Planted corn and managed all bioenergy plots, including tillage, application of herbicides, mowing, and application of effluent and synthetic fertilizer. Conducted field and laboratory measurements, including soil samples with analysis (fall 2014), soil and agronomic parameters (regular measurement throughout the growing season to account for changes over time), and greenhouse gas emissions (beginning in fall 2014 with periodic measurements to account for changes over time). Started a new collaboration with a hydrologist to monitor water balances and water use efficiency in the bioenergy plots. (3) Develop a pretreatment technology to increase lignocellulosic biomass digestibility and optimize SS-AD technologies to maximize biogas production. Based on the previously developed fungal pretreatment method, tested a new process using fungal pretreated materials as inoculum for unsterilized feedstock in order to reduce the process cost for sterilization. Development of continuous fungal pretreatment by recycling partial finished material as inoculum is under progress. Evaluated giant reed, a competitive energy crop, for methane production with promising results. Ensilage of giant reed obtained lo dry matter loss of less than 1% throughout a 3-month storage time. Compared to fungal pretreatment, ensilage was found to be a superior wet storage option for giant reed with less dry matter loss and more methane production. The effects of harvesting time and different wet storage methods for giant reed on methane production were also examined. Addition of urea or food waste during wet storage improved methane production of giant reed. Different pretreatment methods and fungal pretreatment with co-substrate are currently under evaluation. Conducted energy analysis of SS-AD based on lab-scale data. Results showed SS-AD of switchgrass had positive net energy production at both mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. Emergy analysis was also conducted to evaluate the sustainability of iADs. (4) Integrate feedstock supply chains with a pilot scale iADs to evaluate its potential for commercialization. Developed supply logistics cost model and process simulation of iADs; Integrated L-AD and SS-AD simulation models for dairy manure and corn stover; and Developed kinetic models of hydrolysis, VFA production and degradation, and biogas production for the iADs. (5) Pilot scale testing of the SS-AD system. Conducted various preparations and lab scale tests for the pilot scale test. SS-AD digestate and dewatered L-AD effluent were compared as inoculum for SS-AD, and were found to be comparable for methane production, while L-AD effluent increased system stability. L-AD effluent from different sources, including dewatered sludge cake from a biosolids digester, effluent from the Zanesville digester, and their mixture, were compared as the potential inoculum for the pilot scale tests. The mixture showed higher methane yield. Corn stover harvested in 2013 after 12 month storage was tested for the effect of different storage conditions and particle sizes. The pilot scale test will be conducted after fixing the stickling pipeline of L-AD effluent. (6) Biogas cleaning and upgrading (extension of the proposal scope) Tested micro-aeration for H2S removal from biogas. The controlled air exposure did not significantly affect methane yield but could potentially reduce H2S in biogas. Investigated a biological pathway for upgrading biogas to methanol. Sulfide-tolerant methanotrophs were successfully isolated from an SS-AD system and were found to convert pure methane and biogas to methanol with comparable productivity. The effects of formate and various malate dehydrogenase inhibitors (phosphate, NaCl, etc.) addition on methanol productivity were also evaluated to optimize the growth conditions of methanotrophs. Continued the bioinformatic analysis of the pmoA gene sequences that were obtained from three full-scale anaerobic digesters. The pmoA gene sequences that are most similar to our pmoA gene sequences were obtained from public GenBank. Those that were derived from uncultured samples were removed, while the pmoA gene sequences from known bacteria were retained. These pmoA genes from known bacterial species were used as reference sequences in determining the genetic diversity of methanotrophs present in the three anaerobic digesters. All bioinformatic and statistical analyses have been completed. Identified a number of isolates obtained from enrichment cultures (with methane as the sole substrate) by sequencing their 16S rRNA gene. Some of these isolates were identified as species of Methylocaldum, Methylomonas, and Methylobacillus. Their pmoA genes were also sequenced to confirm their ability to oxidize methane and to determine the metabolic mechanism they use to oxidize methane to methanol. As more isolates are obtained, they will be sequenced and identified genetically. (7) Develop a biogas to liquid hydrocarbon fuels (BTL) technology via catalytic reforming and Fisher-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis. Synthesized carbon-encapsulated nickel nanoparticles for the methane dry reforming process. These nanoparticles had high activity and stability for catalytic conversion of methane to syngas. CO2 conversion can be improved to over 98% and the stability testing of the nickel-core nanoparticles in biochar matrix showed no catalyst deactivation during the 70 hours test duration. Evaluated the effect of the reaction temperature on catalyst activity of Ni@C nanoparticles and product yields in CH4/CO2 reforming was evaluated. Results showed that the lower the reaction temperature, the lower the CH4 and CO2 conversions and CO yield. Designed and installed a cleaning and purification biogas system to remove impurities in the biogas, including, but not limited to, moisture, H2S, COS, SO2, HCl, and ammonia. (8) Use Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and process economic models to evaluate the proposed system performance and its environmental, economic, and social impacts on sustainability. Updated miscanthus simulation model with life cycle energy and GHG emissions. Developed nine iADs life cycle models with multiple combinations of feedstocks (miscanthus/food waste, corn stover/food waste, yard waste/food waste) and end products (biogas CHP, biogas purification, syngas conversion, CNG compression, FT liquid hydrocarbons). Product systems were compared with soybean biodiesel, U.S. grid electricity, and natural gas from fossil fuel. A comprehensive LCA of the iAD process and some alternatives has been completed with the best data available to date. A model based on OpenLCA and the TRACI method has been developed. This model is now being improved by including more accurate data from collaborators, and by performing an uncertainty analysis. Trade-off between economic and life cycle environmental aspects is also being explored. New frameworks for accomplishing various goals of sustainable engineering have also been developed.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Sheets, J., Ge, X., Zhang W., Li, Y. 2015. Conversion of biogas to methanol using novel methanotrophs isolated from solid-state anaerobic digestate. ASABE Annual International Meeting, New Orleans, LA, July 26-29, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Vasco Correa J., Ge, X., Li, Y. 2015. Enhanced Enzymatic Digestibility of Miscanthus�giganteus by solid-state fungal pretreatment without sterilization. 2015 OARDC Annual Conference. Columbus, OH. April 16, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Sheets J. P., Li, Y. 2015. Effect of limited air exposure and comparative performance between thermophilic and mesophilic solid-state anaerobic digestion of switchgrass. 2015 OARDC Annual Conference. Columbus, OH. April 16, 2015. (Second place award in Ph.D. category)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Yang, L., Ge, X., Wan, C., Yu, F., Li, Y. 2015. Pathways for converting biogas to transportation fuels. ASABE Annual International Meeting, New Orleans, LA, July 26-29, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Zhang W., Ge, X., Li, Y. 2015. A new strategy for removal of hydrogen sulfide from biogas during solid-state anaerobic digestion. ASABE Annual International Meeting, New Orleans, LA, July 26-29, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Yu, F. 2014. Syngas to Alcohols and Hydrocarbons. 2014 ATLAS seminar to ExxonMobil Chemical Co. Baytown, TX. November 3, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Lu, Y., Yu, F., Shan, J., and Tao, F. 2014. In situ Surface Chemistries and Catalytic Performances of Three-dimensionally Ordered Macroporous Cu-Fe Catalysts for Higher Alcohols Synthesis from Syngas. 2014 AIChE Annual Meeting. Atlanta, GA. November 16-21, 2014.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hanes, R. J., & Bakshi, B. R. (2015). Sustainable process design by the process to planet framework. AIChE Journal, 61(10), 3320-3331.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hanes, R. J., & Bakshi, B. R. (2015). Process to planet: A multiscale modeling framework toward sustainable engineering. AIChE Journal, 61(10), 3332-3352.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Bakshi, B. R., Ziv, G., & Lepech, M. D. (2015). Techno-Ecological Synergy: A Framework for Sustainable Engineering. Environmental Science & Technology, 49(3), 1752-1760.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hanes, Gopalakrishnan and Bakshi. From Process to Planet: A Multiscale Modeling Framework for Assessment and Design of Techno-Ecological Synergies. International Symposium of Sustainable Systems and Technology. Dearborn, MI. May 2015
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hanes, Gopalakrishnan and Bakshi. Design for sustainability by accounting for techno-ecological synergies at multiple scales. International Society of Industrial Ecology. Guildford, Surrey, UK. July 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Rattan Lal. Oral presentation at annual Agronomy Society of America Meetings. Title A method for quantifying recent soil organic carbon and gelogenic carbon in reclaimed minesoils planted with miscanthus and corn for biofuel production
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Rattan Lal. Oral presentation at annual Agronomy Society of America Meetings. Title Carbon dynamics under bioenergy crop production from minesoil in eastern Ohio
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Rattan Lal. Type: Poster presentation at annual Agronomy Society of America Meetings. Title Greenhouse gas emissions from bioenergy crop production in minesoil.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Li Y-H, Shi J, Nelson MC, Chen P-H, Graf J, Li Y, Yu Z. 2015. Impact of different ratios of feedstock to liquid anaerobic digestion effluent on the performance and microbiome of solid-state anaerobic digesters digesting corn stover. Bioresource Technology, 200:744-752.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Mani, S., K. K. Sahoo. 2015. GIS based discrete event modeling and simulation of biomass supply chain. In the Proceedings of the 2015 Winter Simulation Conference, Ed. Yilmaz et al., pp 1-8.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Mani, S., and K. Sahoo 2015. Storage of large volume biomass for a biorefinry. 2015 ASABE Annual International Meeting, July 25-29, 2015, New Orleans, USA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Sahoo, K. and S. Mani. 2015. Estimation of energy and carbon footprints for Miscanthus supply chain from strip-mined lands. GA-FL ASABE Annual Meeting, June 3-6, FL, USA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Okeoke, I and S. Mani. 2015. Process simulation of biogas to reneable fuels. AIChE 2015 Annual International Meeting, Salt Lake City, Nov 12-15, 2015, UT, USA.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Lu, Y., P. Zhou, J. Han, and F. Yu. 2015. Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of liquid hydrocarbon over mesoporous SBA-15 supported cobalt catalysts. RSC Advances. 5:59792-59803.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Yan, Q., Y. Lu, Y. Li, and F. Yu. 2015. Synthesis of Tungsten Carbide Nanoparticles in Biochar Matrix as a Catalyst for Dry Reforming of Methane to Syngas. Catalysis Science & Technology. 5:3270-3280.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Bao, Z., Y. Lu, J. Han, Y. Li, and F. Yu. 2015. Highly Active and Stable Ni-based Bimodal Pore Catalyst for Dry Reforming of Methane. Applied Catalysis A, General. 491:116-126.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Lu, Y., B. Cao, F. Yu, J. Liu, Z. Bao, and J. Gao. 2014. High Selectivity Higher Alcohols Synthesis from Syngas over Three-dimensionally Ordered Macroporous Cu-Fe catalysts. ChemCatChem. 6:473-478.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Bao, Z., Lu, Y., Yan, Q., Street, J., Li, Y., and Yu. F. 2015. Methane dry reforming with carbon dioxide via Ni-based bimodal catalyst. 2015 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual Meeting. New Orleans, LA. July 26-29, 2015. Oral Presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Yan, Q., Street, J., To, F., Li, Y., and Yu. F. 2015. Liquid hydrocarbons from biogas via reforming, syngas cleaning and catalytic conversion. 2015 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual Meeting. New Orleans, LA. July 26-29, 2015. Oral Presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Yu, F. and Lu. Y. 2015. Higher alcohol synthesis over Three-dimensionally ordered macroporous Cu-Fe catalysts. 15th National Youth Conference on Catalysis of China (15thNYCC). Hefei, China. July 19-23. Oral Presentation. Yu, F. and Bao. Z. 20.15. The development of Ni-based bimodal catalyst for methane reforming with carbon dioxide. 15th National Youth Conference on Catalysis of China (15thNYCC). Hefei, China. July 19-23. Poster Presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Bao, Z., Lu, Y., Yan, Q., Li, Y., and Yu. F. 2015. The development of Ni-based bimodal catalyst for methane reforming with carbon dioxide. 24th North American Catalysis Society Meeting. Pittsburgh, PA. June 14-19, 2015. Poster Presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Lu, Y., Yu. F., Bao, Z., Tao, F., Shan, J., Wu, T., and Halder. G. 2015. In situ AP-XPS, EXAFS/XANES, synchrotron powder diffraction studies of three-dimensionally ordered macroporous Cu-Fe catalyst for higher alcohols synthesis from syngas. 24th North American Catalysis Society Meeting. Pittsburgh, PA. June 14-19, 2015. Poster Presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Yu, F. 2015. Integrated gasification syngas conditioning and catalytic conversion process for biomass to wide-cut diesel production. 2015 International Conference on Energy and Environmental Systems Engineering (EESE2015) Beijing, China. May 17-18, 2015. Poster Presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Bao, Z., Lu, Y., and Yu, F. 2014. The activity and stability of dry reforming of methane over Ni-based Catalysts. 2014 AIChE Annual Meeting. Atlanta, GA. November 16-21, 2014. Poster Presentation.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Ge, X., Xu, F., Vasco-Correa, J. 2015. Giant reed: a competitive energy crop in comparison with miscanthus. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews 54:350-362.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Xu. F., Li, Y., Wang, Z. 2015. Mathematical modeling of solid-state anaerobic digestion: A review. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Xu, F., Wang, F., Lin. L. Li, Y. 2015. Comparison of digestate from solid anaerobic digesters and effluent from liquid anaerobic digesters as inocula for solid state anaerobic digestion (SS-AD) of yard trimmings. Bioresource Technology.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2015 Citation: Liu, S., Xu, F., Liew, L. N., Li, Y. 2015. Food waste addition for enhanced giant reed ensiling and methane production. Trans ASABE.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Liu, S., Ge, X., Xu, F., Li, Y. 2015. Effect of total solids content on giant reed ensilage and subsequent anaerobic digestion. Process Biochemistry.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Sheets, J. P., Ge, X., Li, Y. F., Yu, Z. T., Li. Y. 2015. Biological conversion of biogas to methanol using methanotrophs isolated from solid-state anaerobic digestate. Bioresource Technology.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2015 Citation: Vasco-Correa, J., Ge, X., Li. Y. 2015. Fungal pretreatment of non-sterile miscanthus for enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis. Bioresource Technology.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hochman, G., Wang S., Li, Q., Gottlieb P. D., Xu, F., Li, Y. 2015. From organic waste and manure to energy and by-products: A sustainable pathway with New Jersey as an example. AIMS Energy
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Sheets, J. P., Yang, L., Ge, X., Wang. Z., Li, Y. 2015. Beyond land application: Emerging technologies for the treatment and reuse of anaerobically digested agricultural and food waste. Waste Management 44:94-115.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Liu, S., Ge. X., Liew, L. N., Liu, Z., Li, Y. 2015. Effect of urea addition on giant reed ensilage and subsequent methane production by anaerobic digestion. Bioresource Technology 192 (2015) 682688.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Lin, L., Yang, L., Li, Y. 2015. Effect of feedstock components on thermophilic solid-state anaerobic digestion of yard trimmings. Energy and Fuel.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Yang, L., Xu, F., Ge, X, Li, Y. 2015. Challenges and strategies for solid-state anaerobic digestion of lignocellulosic biomass. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews 44: 824-834.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Ge, X., Matsumoto, T., Keith, L. Li, Y. 2015. Fungal pretreatment of albizia chips for enhanced biogas production by solid-state anaerobic digestion. Energy and Fuel 29:200-204.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Sheets, J. P., Ge, X., Li, Y. 2015. Effect of limited air exposure and comparative performance between thermophilic and mesophilic solid-state anaerobic digestion of switchgrass. Bioresource Technology 180:296-303.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Zhu, J., Yang, L., Li, Y. 2015. Comparison of premixing methods for solid-state anaerobic digestion of corn stover Bioresource Technology 175: 430435.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Ge, X., Xu, F., Li, Y. 2015. Comparison of giant reed and miscanthus as feedstocks for bioenergy and bioproducts. ASABE Annual International Meeting, New Orleans, LA, July 26-29, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Xu, F., Li, Y., Wang, Z. 2015. Use of respirometer in the evaluation of the fractal kinetics of the solid-state anaerobic digestion of corn stover. ASABE Annual International Meeting, New Orleans, LA, July 26-29, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Zhang, W., Ge, X., Li, Y., Yu, Z., Li, Y. 2015. A methanotrophic bacterium isolated from solid state anaerobic digestion system. ASABE Annual International Meeting, New Orleans, LA, July 26-29, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Liu, S., Ge, X., Dong, R., Pang, C., Li. Y. 2015. Effect of urea addition on giant reed ensilage and subsequent methane production by anaerobic digestion. ASABE Annual International Meeting, New Orleans, LA, July 26-29, 2015. ASABE Paper No. 152190221.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Wang, F., Xu F., Li, Y. 2015. Comparison of digestate from solid anaerobic digesters and effluent from liquid anaerobic digesters as inocula for solid state anaerobic digestion of yard trimmings. ASABE Annual International Meeting, New Orleans, LA, July 26-29, 2015. ASABE Paper No. 152190124.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Vasco Correa, J., Ge, X., Li, Y. 2015. Fungal pretreatment of non-sterile Miscanthus x giganteus for enhanced sugar yield in enzymatic hydrolysis. ASABE Annual International Meeting, New Orleans, LA, July 26-29, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Liu, S., Xu, F., Liew, L. N., Li, Y. 2015. Food waste addition for enhanced giant reed ensiling and methane production. ASABE Annual International Meeting, New Orleans, LA, July 26-29, 2015. ASABE Paper No. 152219857.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Jiang Y., Xu, F., Liew, L. N., Li. Y. 2015. Solid-state anaerobic co-digestion of kitchen food waste and food packages. ASABE Annual International Meeting, New Orleans, LA, July 26-29, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Sheets, J., Ge, X., Li. Y. 2015. Effect of limited air exposure and comparative performance between thermophilic and mesophilic solid-state anaerobic digestion of switchgrass. ASABE Annual International Meeting, New Orleans, LA, July 26-29, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Xu, F., Li. Y. 2015. Emergy analysis of solid-state anaerobic digestion and liquid anaerobic digestion systems for bioenergy production and waste management. ASABE Annual International Meeting, New Orleans, LA, July 26-29, 2015.


Progress 09/01/13 to 08/31/14

Outputs
Target Audience: We have worked with the following stakeholders: (1) anaerobic digestion industry to evaluate feedstocks and determine operating parameters; (2) farmers and local communities for feedstock planting, harvesting, and collection and application of anaerobic digestion effluent; (3) Miscanthus producers to supply rhyzomes; (4) local communities and industry through the OARDC Annual Renewable Energy Workshop and a special workshop at Zanesville to communicate with the communities about this project. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? (1) Visiting scholars from India (9), China (15), Brazil (2), and Pakistan (1), had visited the field study site and AD system to gain experience on bioenergy crop production on minesoils in Ohio and bioenergy production via AD. (2) Post-doc, Dr. Jose Guzman, contributed to courses in “Soil Physics” and “Urban Soils and Ecosystem Services” from the Ohio State University, providing hand on experiences with soil quality measurements in the lab and field. (3) Post-doc, Dr. Lee ( Animal Sciences), participated in the microbial analyses including molecular biology analysis, metagenomic analysis, and bioinformatic analysis. (4) Two post-docs from Mississippi State University were trained for catalyst development for catalytic conversion of syngas to hydrocarbon fuels; (5) Three postdocs were trained to work on solid state anaerobic digestion and one of them has become faculty at Illinois State University and jus received a new grant from Illinois EPA to build new digester on their university farm. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? (1) Planned and held a meeting for 41 invited stakeholders, including local elected officials and representatives from the local school boards, extension, and state agencies. Provided an overview of AD technology and the project goals and activities and toured project site. (2) Presented a project overview at the Huron County Ohio Farm Bureau meeting (100 attendees) and at the BioProducts World 2014 Conference in Columbus, Ohio (125 attendees). (3) Reported experiments on macroporous catalysts developed for hydrocarbons from syngas at 23rd North American Catalysis Society Meeting, 2013. (4) Introduced researchers and scientists to the continuous process system for biogas to liquid hydrocarbons fuel via lab tours and/or research seminars. (5) Papers and posters on GIS assessmemt and supply logistics modeling were presented at conferences. (6) Results of the work so far have been presented at the Annual meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the American Society for Agricultural and Biological Engineers. These presentations were made by the graduate students. (7) The Techno-Ecological Synergy framework has been included in an elective course taught at OSU, and in a short course taught at MIT. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? (1) Harvesting and storage of miscanthus will be bested. (2) Continue monitoring the miscanthus field in Zanesville and plant more miscanthus in 2015. (3) GIS and supply logistics models will be verified and validated to optimize potential iADs plant locations. The process based iADs model will be validated with lab scale and pilot scale experimental results to estimate cost of CNG and biofuels production. (4) Continue the fungal pretreatment research, optimize the AD process focusing for scale-up, and evaluate feedstock harvested at different stages. (5) Pilot scale testing of SS-AD of corn stover harvested and stored in 2013-2014 project year. (6) For the biogas to liquid fuels systems the following will be accomplished: (1) Syngas from partial oxidation (using air) of biogas on Ni based catalyst. (2) Syngas cleaning (purification) by sulfur removal on Zn based catalyst. (3) Biofuel production from biogas based syngas. (7) The currently developed life cycle models will be augmented by including data from collaborators, and results of AD will be compared with other uses of the biomass feed such as production of cellulosic ethanol. A hybrid LCA model will also be developed by combining the process data with an environmentally extended input-output model. The Techno-Ecological Synergy framework will be developed further and as data becomes available, it will be applied to the iAD process and alternatives. Social and cost aspects of various alternatives will also be considered.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1) Develop a sustainable production and supply logistics system to provide multiple feedstocks to iADs for bioenergy and biofuels production. Biomass harvesting consisted of baling 300 corn stover bales for SS-AD biogas testing at the Farm Science Review site near London, Ohio. Three different stover cut heights were tested to determine if components (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and extractives) could be altered. The bales were then stored for a period of six months on a well-drained gravel lot in covered and uncovered stacks to determine component changes over time. This investigation is currently being repeated for a second season. Data on machine harvest performance and fuel use were collected in support LCA. 2) Assess impacts of SS-AD digestate application to biofuel crops grown in marginal lands on soil quality and hydrological, microclimatic, and agronomic parameters. Applied AD effluent and fertilizer to 72 plots (with corn, miscanthus, and cool-season grasses) established in 2013. Collected and analyzed soil and plant samples after land use changes (fall 2013) for comparison with baseline samples (spring 2013). Measured soil and agronomic parameters to evaluate changes with time. Established a replicated field experiment and different source of fertilizers and rates in reclaimed minesoil. Developed method for identifying coal, carbonates, and soil organic carbon in minesoils. 3) Develop a pretreatment technology to increase lignocellulosic biomass digestibility and optimize SS-AD technologies to maximize biogas production. Features and structure of the microbiome in SS-AD reactors operated at thermophilic and mesophilic temperatures have been characterized comprehensively. The groups of bacteria and methanogens that are associated with digestion performance and thus important to the digestion process were identified. The finding may help optimize SS-AD in particular and AD in general. The microbiome in SS-AD reactors that were operated under healthy conditions or stressed with organic overloading was investigated and data are being analyzed. A new method has been developed for fungal pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass for enhanced biogas production. The fungal pretreated materials were used as inoculum for fresh feedstock without sterilization which has great potential to reduce energy cost . Mushroom culture with tree trimmings and dried distiller grains with solubles (DDGS) was also evaluated as a method for the pretreatment of tree trimmings for methane production. Mushroom cultivation was found to improve the methane production from the tree trimmings due to the pretreatment effects of mushroom culture. Mushroom culture can be used as a pretreatment method of lignocellulosic biomass for biogas production, and also produce mushroom as a value-added product. Composting and solid state anaerobic digestion (SS-AD) of yard trimmings and liquid AD (L-AD) effluent were compared for biogas/CO2 production and the nutrient value of the residues (compost and digestate). In the yard trimming mixture, leaves and lawn grass were found to be the major contributor of methane production. Evaluated effects of feedstock mixing ratio; feedstock to effluent ratio; and premixing methods for on methane produciton to obtain baseline data for pilot scale SS-AD process. Kinetic models, statistical models and artificial neural network models were developed to scale up the SS-AD process. System performance can be predicted using different feedstocks and operating conditions such as water content and inoculation ratio. 4) Integrate feedstock supply chains with a pilot scale iADs to evaluate its potential for commercialization. Studied the effect of harvesting time of Miscanthus on its digestibility and methane yield as baseline data to develop the favorable harvesting strategy. Developing data sets, including roads, biomass supplies, and soil loss, for feedstock logistics multi-layered GIS model. Developed a Geographic Information System (GIS) based biomass resource assessment model to estimate available feedstocks (corn stover, wheat and soybean stalks, animal manure, potential energy crops in mined soils) in Ohio to optimize potential locations for iADs facilities. Developed discrete event simulation model to estimate cost of harvesting, transport and storage Miscanthus bales delivered to a biorefinery ($37 to $48 per dry tonnes) with and without intermittent storage options. Developed a process based simulation model for both liquid and solid-state AD technologies to estimate the cost of production of compressed natural gas (CNG). Model validation with experimental data are under progress (5) Pilot scale testing of the SS-AD system. Two experimental runs were tested in Zanesville Ohio with soybean processing waste and spoiled hays. The baseline pilot scale data were obtained and the finished materials were further composted. Corn stover have been harvested and stored on site for the pilot scale test next year. Anaerobic sludge from different dewater technologies, including belt press and centrifugation with flocculent addition have been obtained from by quasar digesters. The basic physical, chemical and biological parameters of the sludge were tested to evaluate their potential as supplemental inoculum for SS-AD. Partial premixing ratio of feedstock and liquid AD effluent, and partial digestate recycle as inoculum of SS-AD will also be tested in lab scale to provide guidelines for the operating of the pilot scale reactors. (6) Develop a biogas to liquid hydrocarbon fuels (BTL) technology via catalytic reforming and Fisher-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis. Intensive literature research was done for different biogas purification and upgrading technologies for liquid transportation fuels production. Hydrogen sulfide removal methods were developed using iron sponge as a cheap and effective reactant. Developed and installed a lab-scale continuous process system including biogas cleaning, biogas reforming, syngas cleaning, syngas compression, and syngas conversion to demonstrate biogas-to-liquid (BTL) fuels technology. Investigated biogas dry reforming performance over these tungsten carbide nanoparticles, which was found to be comparable to those of noble metals. Evaluated tungsten promoted char via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and temperature programmed carbothermal reduction (TPCR). Evaluated effects of reaction temperature, molar CH4/CO2 ratio, and GHSV on CH4 and CO2 conversions to liquid hydrocarbons. (7) Use Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and process economic models to evaluate the proposed system performance. Life cycle assessment of anaerobic digestion technology has been completed based on data from the literature. The resulting model is based on selecting the most important processes in the life cycle and relies on the OpenLCA software, NREL life cycle inventory and TRACI for impact assessment. In addition, a framework that accounts for ecosystem capacity, called techno-ecological synergy has been developed.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Li Y-H, Abraham C, Nelson M, Chen P-H, Graf J, and Yu Z. 2014. Effect of organic loading on the microbiome in a temperature-phased anaerobic digestion (TPAD) system co-digestion dairy manure and waste whey. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Submitted.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Bao, Z., Y. Lu, J. Han, Y. Li, and F. Yu. 2014. Highly Active and Stable Ni-based Bimodal Catalyst for Dry Reforming of Methane. Applied Catalysis.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Lu, Y., B. Cao, F. Yu, J. Liu, Z. Bao, and J. Gao. 2014. High Selectivity Higher Alcohols Synthesis from Syngas over Three-dimensionally Ordered Macroporous Cu-Fe catalysts. ChemCatChem. 6:473-478.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Yongwu Lu, Fei Yu, Jin Hu, Peng Zhou. Higher alcohols synthesis from syngas over three-dimensionally ordered macroporous Cu-Fe bimetallic catalyst. 23rd North American Catalysis Society Meeting, Louisville, Kentucky, USA, June 2-7, 2013.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Guzman, Jose G., and Rattan Lal. "Miscanthus and switchgrass feedstock potential for bioenergy and carbon sequestration on minesoils." Biofuels 5.3 (2014): 313-329.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Guzman, Jose G., et al. "CARBON LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT FOR PRAIRIE AS A CROP IN RECLAIMED MINE LAND." Land Degradation & Development (2014).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Ge, X., Yang, L., Sheets, J., Yu, Z.T., Li, Y. 2014. Biological conversion of methane to liquid fuels: status and opportunities. Biotechnology Advances 32: 14601475
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Lin, L, Yang L., Xu, F., Michel F. C., Li, Y. 2014. Side-by-side comparison of solid-state anaerobic digestion and composting of yard trimmings with effluent from liquid anaerobic digestion. Bioresource Technology 169:439-446
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Xu, F., Wang, Z., Li, Y. 2014. Mathematical modeling of solid-state anaerobic digestion for methane production. 2014 Annual ASABE meeting, Montreal, QC Canada. Jul 13-16, 2014. Paper No. 141909527
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Vasco Correa J., Li, Y. 2014. Effect of harvest date on methane production by solid-state anaerobic digestion of Miscanthus sinesis. 2014 Annual ASABE meeting, Montreal, QC Canada. Jul 13-16, 2014
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Zhu, J., Yang, L., Li, Y. 2014. Effects of premixing methods of feedstock and inoculum on solid-state anaerobic digestion of corn stover. 2014 Annual ASABE meeting, Montreal, QC Canada. Jul 13-16, 2014
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2014 Citation: Mani, S., K. K. Sahoo. 2014. Economics of storing biomass bales for a large-scale biorefinery. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Mani, S., and K. Sahoo 2014. GIS based cotton stalk assessment and supply logistics system for a large-scale biorefinery. 2014 ASABE Annual International Meeting, July 12  15, 2014, Montreal, Canada
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Sahoo, K. and S. Mani. 2014. Discrete-event simulation of Miscanthus supply logistics system for a biorefinery. 2014 Bioenergy Systems Research Institute Annual Retreat, University of Georgia (UGA), May 02, 2014, Athens, GA USA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Sahoo, K. and S. Mani. 2014. Modeling and simulation of sustainable biofuels supply chain. 2014 Sustainability Science Symposium and Workshop, University of Georgia (UGA), February 28, 2014, Athens, GA USA
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Li Y-F, Nelson MC, Chen P-H, Graf J, Li Y, and Yu Z. 2014. Comparison of the microbial communities in solid-state anaerobic digesters (SS-ADs) operated at mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, in press
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Sundaram, J., S. Mani. and KC. Das. 2014. Process Simulation of Integrated Liquid-State and Solid-State Anaerobic Digestion of Dairy Manure and Crop Residues. 2014 AIChE Annual International Meeting, November 17-22, 2014, Atlanta, GA, USA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hanes, R. J., B. R. Bakshi.2014. Embedding Fundamental Models of Technological Alternatives within a Hybrid Inventory for Multi-Scale Life Cycle Design, AIChE 2014 Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Gopalakrishnan, V., B. R. Bakshi, G. Ziv.2014. Innovation and Sustainability in Process Design By Including Ecosystems As Unit Operations, AIChE 2014 Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hanes, R. J., B. R. Bakshi, ``Bridging the Gap Between LCA and PSE Via a Framework for Multi-Scale Sustainable Process Design,'' AIChE 2014 Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Bakshi, B. R., V. Gopalakrishnan, G. Ziv, M. D. Lepech.2014.Techno-Ecological Synergy: A Framework for Sustainable Engineering, AIChE 2014 Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Billman, R.W., Klopfenstein, A. A., Shearer, S. A., 2014. Assessing the Densification Characteristics of Lignocellulosic Biomass Based on Changes in Harvest Strategies. 2014 ASABE Annual International Meeting, July 12  15, 2014, Montreal, Canada
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Xu, F., Wang, Z. Li, Y. 2014. Predicting the methane yield of lignocellulosic biomass in mesophilic solid-state anaerobic digestion based on feedstock characteristics and process parameters. Bioresource Technology 173:168-176
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Yang, L., Li, Y. 2014. Anaerobic digestion of giant reed for methane production. Bioresource Technology 171: 233-239
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Yang, L., Ge, Xumeng, Wan, C, Yu, F., Li, Y.2014. Progress and perspectives in converting biogas to transportation fuels. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews 40: 1133-1152
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Lin, Y., Ge, X., Li, Y. 2014. Solid-state anaerobic co-digestion of spent mushroom substrate with tree trimmings and wheat straw for biogas production. Bioresource Technology 169:468-474
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Xu, F., Wang, Z. W., Tang, L., Li, Y. 2014. A mass diffusion-based interpretation of the effect of total solids content on solid-state anaerobic digestion of cellulosic biomass. Bioresource Technology.167: 178185
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Zheng, Y., Zhao, J., Xu, F., Li, Y. 2014. Pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass for enhanced biogas production. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science: 42:35-53
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Zhao, J., Ge, X. Vasco Correa J., Li, Y.2014. Fungal pretreatment of unsterilized yard trimmings for enhanced methane production by solid-state anaerobic digestion. Bioresource Technology 158: 248252
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Shi J, Xu F., Wang Z., Stiverson, J. A., Yu Z. Li, Y. 2014. Effects of microbial and non-microbial factors of liquid anaerobic digestion effluent as inoculum for solid-state anaerobic digestion of corn stover. Bioresource Technology. 157: 188196
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Zhao, J., Zheng, Y., Li, Y. 2014. Fungal pretreatment of yard trimmings for enhancement of methane yield from solid-state anaerobic digestion. Bioresource Technology. 156: 176-181
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Zhu, J., Zheng, Y., Xu, F., Li, Y. 2014. Solid-state anaerobic co-digestion of hay and soybean processing waste for biogas production. Bioresource Technology 154:240-247
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Wang, Z. W., Li, Y. 2014. A theoretical derivation of the Contois equation for kinetic modeling of the microbial degradation of insoluble substrates. Biochemical Engineering Journal. 82: 134-138
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Li, Y. 2014. Fungal pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass for biofuel and bioenergy production. 2014 Institute of Biological Engineering (IBE) Annual Conference. Lexington, KY. March 6-8, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Lin, Y., Ge, X., Li, Y. 2014. Co-digestion of spent mushroom compost, yard waste and wheat straw for enhanced solid-state anaerobic digestion. 2014 Annual ASABE meeting, Montreal, QC Canada. Jul 13-16, 2014. Paper No. 141897552
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Lin, L, Yang, L., Li, Y. 2014. Side-by-side comparison of solid-state anaerobic digestion and composting of yard trimmings with effluent from liquid anaerobic digestion. 2014 Annual ASABE meeting, Montreal, QC Canada. Jul 13-16, 2014. Paper No. 141897526
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Racharaks R., Ge, X., Li, Y. 2014. Integration of shale gas wastewater treatment with microalgae-based biofuel production. 2014 Annual ASABE meeting, Montreal, QC Canada. Jul 13-16, 2014
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Fuqing Xu. 2014. Experimental study and modeling of solid-state anaerobic digestion for enhanced methane production from lignocellulosic biomass. Ph.D. Dissertation. The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Billman, R.W. 2014. Evaluation of Harvesting, Densification, and Storage Practices of Corn Stover for Bioenergy Feedstock Production. M.S. Thesis, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.


Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13

Outputs
Target Audience: We have worked with the following stakeholders: (1) anaerobic digestion industry to evaluate feedstocks and determine operating parameters; (2)farmers and local communities for feedstock planting, harvesting, and collection and application of anaerobic digestion effluent; (3) Miscanthus producers to supply rhyzomes; (4) local communities and industry through the OARDC Annual Renewable Energy Workshop. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Graduate students and post docs are working closely with their Co-PI to learn and implementmethodologies forsampling, laboratory analyses, modeling,and systemoperations. Specific trainings, workshops, or conferences attended by one or more project participants included: - American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) International Annual Meeting, July 21-24, 2013, Kansaas City, MO. - Bioenergy Crops Workshop on April 8, 2013 atOSU South Centers, Piketon, OH. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? We have disseminated the project results to communities through peer reviewed journal publications, workshops,conferences, Extension fact sheets, field day, and tours. Specific activites include: - Held lab tours and/or research seminars for high school students, community leaders, and industryrepresentatives. - Hosted a meeting for the Ohio Section of ASABE meeting at the project site in Zanesville, OH. - Developed a fact sheet on the project. - Published an article about the use of miscanthus as a bioenergy feedstockin the March 2013 issue of Ohio Country Journal. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? (1) Develop a sustainable production and supply logistics system to provide multiple feedstocks to iADs for bioenergy and biofuels production. Extend the current miscanthus cultivation plot to 10 acres to produce feedstock for the digester. Continue evaluation of feedstock handling equipment and methods that will optimize biogas yield and system economics.Continue to collect data and assess impactsofequipment and methodologies for feedstock chopping, baling, densification, and storageon feedstock quality and system economics. (2) Assess impacts of SS-AD digestate application to biofuel crops grown in marginal lands on soil quality and hydrological, microclimatic, and agronomic parameters. Collect end of year plant and soil samples and complete analyses of all 2013 samples, including soil quality, agronomic paramenters, and carbon emissions. Publishtwo review papers on: (a)biofuel crop production on mine land, and (b) feedstocks for lignocellulosic biofuel production. Submit an AFRI water quality proposal to fund data collection and analyses of the impact of this project on water quality, which will enhance the scope andimpacts of this BRDI project. (3) Develop a pretreatment technology to increase lignocellulosic biomass digestibility and optimize SS-AD technologies to maximize biogas production. Develop an artificial neural network and kinetic modelsfor scale up of afungal pretreatment system that will optiimze the process for mutliple parameters and levels, e.g.feedstock mixing ratios, feedstock to effluent ratios, and premixing and loading strategies.Evaluate fungal (C. subvermispora)pretreatment of miscanthus and mushroom pretreatment of yard trimmings. (4) Integrate feedstock supply chains with a pilot scale iADs to evaluate its potential for commercialization. Harvest corn stover and conduct pilot scale SS-AD testingat the project siteinZanesville, OH. Develop a GIS based biomass resource assment model for Ohio and base case logistics models for corn stover and miscanthus. Collect field data and validate simulation model. (5) Pilot scale testing of the SS-AD system. New pilot scale runs with corn stover will be tested in Zanesville Ohio. The biogas produced will be purified to produce compressed bio-natural gas to be used as atransportation fuel. The produced digestate will be used as fertilizer for miscanthus cultivation. (6) Develop a biogas to liquid hydrocarbon fuels (BTL) technology via catalytic reforming and Fisher-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis.Test the following systems: syngas from partial oxidation (using air) of biogas on Ni based catalyst, syngas cleaning (purification) by sulfur removal on Zn based catalyst, andbiofuel production from biogas based syngas. (7) Use Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and process economic models to evaluate the proposed system performance and its environmental, economic, and social impacts on sustainability. Compile data from collaborators and begin developingLCA, Eco-LCA, and Eco-Synergy models.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The tasks accomplished to datefor each project objective are as follows: (1) Develop a sustainable production and supply logistics system to provide multiple feedstocks to iADs for bioenergy and biofuels production. Established a 2-acre area onstrip mined land in Zanesville, Ohio next to the quasar digester for miscanthus and corn cultivation.Identifiedand modified equipment for planting and harvesting.Ongoing assessment ofequipment and methodologies for feedstock chopping, baling, densification, and storageand their impacts on feedstock quality and system economics. (2) Assess impacts of SS-AD digestate application to biofuel crops grown in marginal lands on soil quality and hydrological, microclimatic, and agronomic parameters. Baseline soil and plant samples were collected and analyzed.Established 72 research plots using a split/randomized design. Each plot was planted with seed corn or miscanthus or native grass was left in place.Each plot received one of three N-P-K application rates using either commercial nutrientsor AD digestate. Conducted periodic observations of soil quality andagronomic parameters, and collected carbon emission data. (3) Develop a pretreatment technology to increase lignocellulosic biomass digestibility and optimize SS-AD technologies to maximize biogas production.Evaluatedfungal pretreatment and concurrent wet storageof yard trimmingsfor improving biogas production.The white-rot fungus, Ceripoiopsis subvermispora,was effective in selectively degrading lignin and improvingmethane yield.Evlauated effectiveness offeedstock mixing ratios; feedstock to effluent ratios; andpremixing strategies foryard waste, soybean proecssing water, and spoiled hay. (4) Integrate feedstock supply chains with a pilot scale iADs to evaluate its potential for commercialization. Developing data sets, including roads, biomass supplies, and soil loss,for feedstock logisticsmulti-layered GIS model.Completed initial test of pilot-scale SS-AD system. (5) Pilot scale testing of the SS-AD system. Two experimental runs were tested in Zanesville Ohio with soybean processing waste and spoiled hays. The baseline pilot scale data were obtained and the finished materials were further composted. Currently conducting lab studies to optimize partial premixing of feedstock and liquid AD effluent for the processing of low moisture feedstocks. (6) Develop a biogas to liquid hydrocarbon fuels (BTL) technology via catalytic reforming and Fisher-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis. Lab-scale continuous process system, including biogas reforming, syngas cleaning, and syngas conversion, was developed and installed to demonstrate biogas-to-liquid fuels technology. Production of liquid hydrocarbon was tested with simulated biogas (60% methane and 40% CO2). (7) Use Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and process economic models to evaluate the proposed system performance and its environmental, economic, and social impacts on sustainability.Completed literature review of methods for assessing sustainability steps and technologies relevant to AD technology. Frameworks for Ecologically-Based LIfe Cycle Assessment ad Techno-Ecologic synergy areunder development.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wang, Z. J., Xu, F. Q., Li, Y. B. 2013. Effects of total ammonia nitrogen concentration on solid-state anaerobic digestion of corn stover. Bioresource Technology 144:281-287.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Shi, J., Wang Z. J., Stiverson, J. A., Yu, Z. T., Li, Y. B. Reactor performance and microbial community dynamics during solid-state anaerobic digestion of corn stover at mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. Bioresource Technology 136:574-581.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Zhu, J. Y., Zheng, Y., Xu, F. Q., Li, Y. B. 2013. Solid-state anaerobic co-digestion of hay and soybean processing waste for biogas production. Bioresource Tech.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Zhao, J., Zheng, Y., Li, Y. B. 2013. Fungal pretreatment of yard trimmings for enhancement of methane yield from solid-state anaerobic digestion. Bioresource Tech.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Zheng, Y., Zhao, J., Xu, F.Q., Li, Y.B. 2013. Pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass for enhanced biogas production. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science:
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Lin, L, Xu, F. Q., Michel F, Li, Y. B. Yard trimmings and liquid AD effluent  dry digestion vs. composting comparisons. BioCycle 13th Annual Conference, 10/20-10/23, 2013, Columbus, OH.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2013 Citation: Zhao, J., Li, Y. B. 2013. Enhancement of methane production from solid-state anaerobic digestion (SS-AD) of yard trimmings by fungal pretreatment. 2013 ASABE Annual International Meeting. Kansas City, KS. (July 21-July 24).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Li, Y. B., Zhu, J. Y. 2013. Solid state anaerobic co-digestion of hay and soybean processing waste in a reactor with leachate recirculation. 2013 ASABE Annual International Meeting. Kansas City, KS. (July 21-July 24).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Zhu, J., Zheng, Y., Xu, F., Li, Y.B. 2013. Co-digestion of soybean processing waste and deteriorated hay in solid-state anaerobic digestion for biogas production. 2013 OARDC Annual Meeting, Columbus, OH. (April 25, 2013) Second Place Award Post-Doc Category.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Zhao, J., Zheng, Y., Li, Y.B. 2013. Enhancement of methane production in solid-state anaerobic digestion from yard trimmings by fungal pretreatment. 2013 OARDC Annual Meeting, Columbus, OH. (April 25, 2013)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2013 Citation: Yongwu Lu, Fei Yu, Jin Hu, Peng Zhou. Higher alcohols synthesis from syngas over three-dimentionally ordered macroporous Cu-Fe bimetallic catalyst. 23rd North American Catalysis Society Meeting, Louisville, Kentucky, USA, June 2-7, 2013.