Bioen 2 – Feedstocks

Learning Lab Group Discussions April 9 -12 2012

Introduction to Learning Lab

Cellulosic Boom• 36 Billion by 2022 called for by 2007 Energy Bill

– 15 billion from corn starch– 5 billion from biodiesel etc– 16 billion from cellulosic ethanol

• Today there is ~130 corn based ethanol plants in the United States

• To create the 16 billion gallons per year called for in the 07 energy bill

• 320 full scale cellulosic ethanol plants – 50 million gallons per year

50 million gallons

• 50 million gallon per year cellulosic biorefinery• 70 gal per ton of biomass

– 50 mgy / 70 gal per ton =

715,000 tons of biomass

50 million gallons • Tons to Acres• 715,000 tons • 150 bu yield = ~8000 lbs of stover• 50% harvest • = 350,000 acres

200,000 acres of corn York Co

150,000 acres of corn in Seward Co

Cellulosic

Fermentation

Distillation

Dehydration

Milling

Rotory Drying

Liquefaction

Centrifugation

Saccharification

Evaporation

Denaturing

Wet Distillers Grains

Dry Distillers Grains

Coo

k-E

nzym

esY

east

Alpha-Amylase

Gluco-amylase

Pretreatment Lignin

Cellulosic Ethanol Biorefinery

Introduction to Learning Lab

• 50 million gallon per year cellulosic ethanol plant• One dry ton of biomass = 70 gallons of ethanol

• Biomass boiler for heat and power• 200,000 tons per year for boiler fuel

• 50 million gallon per year cellulosic ethanol plant– One dry ton of biomass = 70 gallons of ethanol

• Biomass boiler for heat and power• 200,000 tons per year for boiler fuel

50 Million Gallon Biorefinery

• Needs – Feedstock(s)– Electricity – Heat – coal, oil, NG, biomass– Water– Roads – Rail?– People– Waste disposal/treatment

Bioen 2

• Select up to 4 biomass feedstocks (5 min)• Estimate the number of acres for each feedstock needed

(10 min)• Do you have enough acres to supply this? (5 min)• Discuss potential harvest, storage and transportation

methods (5 min)• Using budgets in section 2.1, estimate economic impact (10

min)• Which federal program is most important to the economic

success of this project and what happens to the project in year 10 if that program terminates?

Bioen 3• What is the closest water supply to the cellulosic ethanol plant and can it

provide the necessary water to operate the plant upon start up?• What level of quality must the water be at before it can be used in the

cellulosic conversion process and is the water readily available or will a water purification plant be needed?

• Is utilization of the available water supply financially feasible?• Is there enough water to support the cellulosic ethanol plant when mature

and operating at full capacity, and adequately supply current needs of the surrounding community?

• Can the water supply provide for potential community and other industry growth and/or manufacturing?

• Cellulosic crop production is generally less harsh on the environment than some other forms of ethanol feedstocks but what are potential environmental concerns that may be associated with cellulosic production?

Bioen 4• Is there a sufficient transportation infrastructure available? This

would include roads, railroad terminals, etc. • Are the roads accessing the facility capable of supporting the

increased traffic load?• Is an adequate, cost effective electrical supply available?• Is there a skilled labor force available to run the plant without

creating hardship for other employers in the area?• Will it conflict with current or projected uses for the same feedstock?• If not additional labor will need to be brought in. Is there adequate

housing available for new community members?• Is there financial support within the community/region available to

support the venture?

Bioen 2

• Select up to 4 biomass feedstocks (5 min)• Estimate the number of acres for each feedstock needed

(10 min)• Do you have enough acres to supply this? (5 min)• Discuss potential harvest, storage and transportation

methods (5 min)• Using budgets in section 2.1, estimate economic impact (10

min)• Which federal program is most important to the economic

success of this project and what happens to the project in year 10 if that program terminates?