High gravity hydrolysis and fermentation of lignocellulosic material for production of bio-fuels (High Gravity Biofuels / HGBiofuels)
Research Project, 2010
– 2015
The search for sustainable production of 2nd generation biofuels is an ongoing effort. The aim is to substitute fossil-based transportation fuels with their renewable counterparts, e.g. ethanol and butanol, while not affecting food production. Lignocellulosic materials such as wood and straw can be used for the production of these biofuels. However, it has been a challenge to develop economically feasible processes for their production.
In this project high gravity production of ethanol is developed and compared to the production of butanol using bacteria and yeast. Specifically the project aims at: 1) advancing the technology for production of 2nd generation liquid biofuels at very high gravity; 2) expanding the knowledge-base on yeast and bacterial growth and physiology under industrially relevant conditions, and 3) using life cycle assessment (LCA) as a tool to evaluate (i) yeast based ethanol production under high gravity conditions and (ii) to assess research steps necessary to make butanol conceivable as a biofuel.
Using LCA in the early stages of technology development, in conjunction with process simulation, can improve guidance of this development.
Participants
Lisbeth Olsson (contact)
Industrial biotechnology
Mathias Janssen
Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Environmental Systems Analysis
Anne-Marie Tillman
Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Environmental Systems Analysis
Collaborations
Inbicon
Fredericia, Denmark
Sekab
Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
Statoil
Stavanger, Norway
University of Copenhagen
Köbenhavn, Denmark
Funding
Nordic Energy Research (NER)
Project ID: TFIPK-bio02
Funding Chalmers participation during 2010–2015
Related Areas of Advance and Infrastructure
Sustainable development
Driving Forces
Energy
Areas of Advance