Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Objective 1: Develop sustainable biofuel feedstock and tropical crop production systems. (NP216 - C1, PS 1B1, and C2, PS 2B2; NP305 - C1, PS 1A4 & PS 1B3; and NP 213 � C2, PS 2B) Objective 2: Develop value-added products (such as animal feeds, fertilizers, soil amendments, and/or soil-less substrates) from waste streams of feedstock production or from biorefinery co-products to enhance economic viability of biofuel production systems. (NP216 - C1, PS 1B3; and NP 213 � C2, PS 2C) Objective 3: Determine the economic feasibility of the sustainable tropical agricultural production systems. (NP216 - C2, PS 2B2; and NP305 - C1, 1A4 & PS 1B3) Approach (from AD-416) The project utilizes feedstock that is plentiful and available year�round, and integrates its use into typical small farming systems that would benefit greatly from this biofuel project. The general technical approach is as follows: existing feedstock for biodisel (e.g. culled macadamia kernels) will be pressed for oil and biodiesel will be produced. A small fermentation/distillation system will be used to generate ethanol from papaya, banana, and tomato culls on farms. Feasibility of energy can will also be considered. Biodiesel and ethanol quality will be evaluated, and biofuel by-products will be analyzed and formulated as feed for animals (hogs) and fish, and the rest as compost for on-farm use. The operation will strive for zero waste and will be environmentally friendly. The cost effectiveness of this process versus the current fuel prices and the cost of importing feeds and fertilizer will be compared. The research focused on selecting strains of heterotrophic algae that could use regional feedstocks as a carbon source to produce oil for biofuel and protein for feeds. Papaya was selected as the regional feed stock and Chlorella protothechoides as the algae. Two algae strains were adapted to grow on papaya fruit puree were selected by our cooperator Biotork, Inc. and used in our laboratory in experiments to develop conditions to grow algae and maximize algae oil production. Efforts were also focused on maximizing algae cell disruption for efficient recovery of oil. The algae were raised successfully in two liter flasks and oil and meal recovered from the algae. It was shown that thorough disruption of algae cells before hexane extraction was necessary to maximize oil recovery. The most recent experiment that used the algae strain which utilized ammonium sulfate as a nitrogen source produced a yield of 40% oil (oil/dry meal weight + oil). Future efforts will focus on optimizing cell density and conditions for high oil production, and to scale up to 55 gallon containers. The algae meal will be used in feeding trials with tilapia. Our cooperator Rivertop Energy Solutions is gathering information to write a comprehensive transition plan of the research activities to the overall biofuel needs of the US Navy. The progress to date are: Conducted an analysis of the potential contribution of the algae oils derived from Hawaii Big Island waste products to the required supply chain for the Department of the Navy�s Title III Bio-Refinery. Developed a report for the Department of the Navy identifying the risks and rewards associated with the project, and the projected funding requirements to bring the project to completion. Developed a preliminary economic analysis using a range of projected efficiencies to identify needed algae growth range that is required to make the end process commercially viable. This economic analysis includes a series of ratios between the sale of meal and oil, and shows a range of combinations that can make the overall process viable. This analysis serves as the basis for the discussions and briefings with the Department of the Navy regarding future funding. Developed a proposed approach to demonstrating the value of the project during the 2011 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation to which the President of the United States, Secretary of the Navy, and Secretary of Agriculture would be invited. Initial approach is to develop value-added products from sweet potato and breadfruit by producing frozen strips that could be used for French fries and other products. Methods have been determined for measuring color, moisture content and oil content with oven cooked and deep-fat fried purple sweet potato strips. Accomplishments 01 Successfully produced oil and algae meal from papaya waste as a carbon source. Thirty-five percent of all papaya brought to the packinghouse i discarded as waste. Hawaii now produces about 20 million pounds of papay waste a year. Using papaya waste for biofuels and feed adds value to the papaya crop. Algae grew on papaya puree and algal oils and meal were harvested. Our work shows that, using this approach, we can return reven to the farmer that will increase their income and allow them to raise three times more papaya. This would increase their fresh sales and increase the amount of fuel and feed we get from papaya waste.
Impacts
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Publications
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Objective 1: Develop sustainable biofuel feedstock and tropical crop production systems. (NP216 - C1, PS 1B1, and C2, PS 2B2; NP305 - C1, PS 1A4 & PS 1B3; and NP 213 � C2, PS 2B) Objective 2: Develop value-added products (such as animal feeds, fertilizers, soil amendments, and/or soil-less substrates) from waste streams of feedstock production or from biorefinery co-products to enhance economic viability of biofuel production systems. (NP216 - C1, PS 1B3; and NP 213 � C2, PS 2C) Objective 3: Determine the economic feasibility of the sustainable tropical agricultural production systems. (NP216 - C2, PS 2B2; and NP305 - C1, 1A4 & PS 1B3) Approach (from AD-416) The project utilizes feedstock that is plentiful and available year�round, and integrates its use into typical small farming systems that would benefit greatly from this biofuel project. The general technical approach is as follows: existing feedstock for biodisel (e.g. culled macadamia kernels) will be pressed for oil and biodiesel will be produced. A small fermentation/distillation system will be used to generate ethanol from papaya, banana, and tomato culls on farms. Feasibility of energy can will also be considered. Biodiesel and ethanol quality will be evaluated, and biofuel by-products will be analyzed and formulated as feed for animals (hogs) and fish, and the rest as compost for on-farm use. The operation will strive for zero waste and will be environmentally friendly. The cost effectiveness of this process versus the current fuel prices and the cost of importing feeds and fertilizer will be compared. No progress to report.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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