Biomass to Fuel

=Introduction=

Based on a personal gasifier (care of Dr. Yuyi Lin, Mike Koch, et al.):



which generates gas from any cellulosic biomass:



we can take the process further to make liquid fuels.

=Extension to Liquid Fuel Production=

Utilizing Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, a process proven on a large scale:



(from Wikipedia)

our collaboratory will evaluate the possibilities for optimization for small-scale fuel generation. We mean personal fuel makers - a radical proposition. We are writing a grant proposal for this - and will consider a dual license - free to small producers, and royalty-based for companies with gross sales of a million or more dollars.

=Student Projects=

Engineering, materials science, and design students are welcome to engage in research on this topic. The questions to be answered are:


 * Optimization of gasifier for controlled feed gas production
 * Integration of gasifier with proven Fischer-Tropsch technology
 * Optimization of efficiency for the above for the small scale (100-1000 gallon per day production

=History of Research=

This site is worth researching for an overview of research on Fischer-Tropsch synthesis to date.

=Pyrolysis Oil, Methane Storage=

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrolysis_oil

http://www.bioenergywiki.net/index.php/Pyrolysis_oil

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane_clathrate

=Business Planning Due Diligence=


 * Average corn and soybean yields - 140 and 30 bushels per acre -
 * 11 lbs of oil per 60 lb bushel of soybeans -
 * Iowa soybean yields - 40 bushels/acre -
 * Average soybean oil yields per acre - 48 gallons -
 * Wikipedia says 10 gallons in Indiana -
 * This site states 70 gallons -
 * Corn alcohol yield per acre - 230 gallongs -
 * Soybeans require an average of 12.5 gallons of fuel per acre to grow and harvest them -
 * $50/acre switchgrass cost -
 * Average switchgrass yield - 4-6 dry tons (central v. southeast) -
 * Average wood yield - 3 dry tons -
 * Biomass cost = $30/dry ton and $60 for switchgrass and wood -
 * 40% charcoal yield from dry wood -
 * Experiments show 40-50% charcoal yield -
 * 40% charcoal -
 * 20-30% charcoal yield in Missouri kiln - [folk.ntnu.no/lekangso/kurs2005/presentations/Day4-6_Bio-Energy/background/Gronli.pdf]
 * Charcoal contains 30-60% of energy content of original biomass - [folk.ntnu.no/lekangso/kurs2005/presentations/Day4-6_Bio-Energy/background/Gronli.pdf]
 * Max theoretical yield of Fischer Tropsch is 75% -
 * FT uses 200 or 300C temperature processes and 30 bar -
 * Max FT yield of c5+ liquid fuel - 65% - [www.ecn.nl/docs/library/report/2004/rx04041.pdf]