Biofuels Production from Miscanthus Giganteus
Standing
Graduate (Masters)
Type of Proposal
Oral Presentation
Faculty
Faculty of Engineering
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Jerald Lalman
Proposal
Energy insecurity, climate change, and environmental pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels are factors driving our search for renewable energy alternatives. Dwindling fossil fuel supplies and increased awareness of environmental impacts are factors leading the global transition to renewable energy production. Developing processes for converting biomass to biofuels is an innovative and emerging research area. In this project, Miscanthus giganteus, a woody grass species which can grow up to 3.5 meters annually, is investigated as a renewable energy source. M. giganteus samples were genetically modified and harvested under selective environmental conditions in order to optimize the sugar content present in the grasses fibers. Through a series of refinement and biological processes, the grass fibers were utilized to produce methane. In the first step, a pressure cooker was operated under high temperature and pressure conditions, also known as steam explosion, to break the rigid grass fibers into a liquid stream containing sugars and other chemicals. Next, anaerobic cultures containing a mixture of microorganisms fed on this sugary liquid to produce methane. Methane produced from renewable resources is an energy rich alternative that can be used in co- generation units to produce heat and electricity. These biofuels are associated with reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Preliminary findings of this research show M. giganteus is a viable source for biofuels production at the laboratory scale. This work contributes to biofuels research by validating the possibility of using M. giganteus for renewable energy production and is a significant step towards the industrial utilization of this biomass source.
Grand Challenges
Sustainable Industry
Special Considerations
N/A
Biofuels Production from Miscanthus Giganteus
Energy insecurity, climate change, and environmental pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels are factors driving our search for renewable energy alternatives. Dwindling fossil fuel supplies and increased awareness of environmental impacts are factors leading the global transition to renewable energy production. Developing processes for converting biomass to biofuels is an innovative and emerging research area. In this project, Miscanthus giganteus, a woody grass species which can grow up to 3.5 meters annually, is investigated as a renewable energy source. M. giganteus samples were genetically modified and harvested under selective environmental conditions in order to optimize the sugar content present in the grasses fibers. Through a series of refinement and biological processes, the grass fibers were utilized to produce methane. In the first step, a pressure cooker was operated under high temperature and pressure conditions, also known as steam explosion, to break the rigid grass fibers into a liquid stream containing sugars and other chemicals. Next, anaerobic cultures containing a mixture of microorganisms fed on this sugary liquid to produce methane. Methane produced from renewable resources is an energy rich alternative that can be used in co- generation units to produce heat and electricity. These biofuels are associated with reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Preliminary findings of this research show M. giganteus is a viable source for biofuels production at the laboratory scale. This work contributes to biofuels research by validating the possibility of using M. giganteus for renewable energy production and is a significant step towards the industrial utilization of this biomass source.