biomass technology related r & d at ghent university · 2019-01-15 · −based on plant &...

Building the biobased economyBuilding the biobased economy

Biomass technology related R & Dat Ghent University

Dr ir Margriet DrouillonDr. ir. Margriet Drouillon

Core technologies or ‘platforms’ of the biobased economybiobased economy

1 S li i l tf1. Sugar lignin platform2. C-rich chains platform3 Biogas platform3. Biogas platform4. Syngas & bio-oil platform5. Plant production platformp p

Core research groups

− Lab of Industrial Microbiology and Biocatalysis (LIMAB)Prof Wim SoetaertProf. Wim Soetaert

− Lab of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET)Prof. Willy VerstraeteProf. Willy Verstraete

− Research Group for Synthesis and Bioresources Chemistry (SynBIOC)Prof. Chris Stevens, Prof. Roland Verhé

− Plant Systems Biology (Prof. Wout Boerjan)D t t f Bi t E i i (P f W lt P i )− Department of Biosystems Engineering (Prof. Wolter Prins)

Core technologies or ‘platforms’g

1. Sugar lignin platform2 C i h h i l tf2. C-rich chains platform3. Biogas platform4 Syngas & bio-oil platform4. Syngas & bio oil platform5. Plant production platform

Sugar lignin: 1. Ethanol from sugar

− Extensive expertise on fermentation technology, Down-Stream ProcessingStream Processing

yeast fermentationbio-ethanolstarch

yeast fermentation

CO2

Sugar lignin: 1. Ethanol from sugar

− Current focus on valorisation of by-products

Metabolic engineering

bio-ethanolstarchyeast fermentation

Metabolic engineering

Metabolic modeling

AnalysisCO2

Fermentation technology

succinateglucoseChemicalsPolymers

Generic technology: metabolic engineering & metabolic modeling & analysis & fermentationmetabolic modeling & analysis & fermentation technology

Succinate: C4 building block for bioplastics and chemicals similar for fumarate & malatechemicals – similar for fumarate & malate

2. Improving energy content of bioethanol

− Ethanol drawbacks– Low energy densityLow energy density– High volatility– Water absorption from atmospherep p

− Synthesis of HMF and DMF from fructose or glucose– Higher energy density (+40%)– Lower volatility (boiling point +20°C)– Insoluble in water

Fructose

DMF

HMF

Next generation biofuels

− Non-food organic raw materialsAvailable in high volumes without negative competition for− Available in high volumes without negative competition for land

− In the long run: cost-competitive with gasoline and dieselg p g

Alternative raw materials

− Fast-growing trees: miscanthus, poplar, willowResidue from food crops: wheat straw corn stover− Residue from food crops: wheat straw, corn stover

− Leftovers from trees used for timber− Post-consumer waste: waste paper, waste wood, wastePost consumer waste: waste paper, waste wood, waste

food, sewage− Lipids: algae, jatropha Jatropha

1500 _ 2000 L/ha30 – 40 % oil/ kernel

Main biomass components

1. Cellulose: − Complex polymer of C6 (glucose)Complex polymer of C6 (glucose)− Resistant to hydrolysis into glucose monomers

2. Hemicellulose: Complex polysaccharide of C5 (xylose arabinose) & C6 sugars− Complex polysaccharide of C5 (xylose, arabinose) & C6 sugars (galactose, mannose)

− Easier to hydrolyse but more difficult to ferment3. Lignin:

− Complex polymer that maintains structural integrity of plants− Residual material after sugars have been converted into ethanol− Can be burnt to produce steam and electricity for biomass-to-

ethanol process

3. Second generation bio-ethanol: process

Biomass handling

Enzyme production Ethanol

Biomass pretreatment

Cellulose hydrolysis

Glucosefermentation

Ethanol recovery

Pentose Lignin fermentation

gutilization

UGent research: Improving economics and efficiencyand efficiency− Cellulose hydrolysis:

– Crystalline structure → hard to break downCrystalline structure → hard to break down– Performance and functioning of cellulases and

mannases of different origin

− Pentose fermentation:– Genetic engineering of micro-organisms toGenetic engineering of micro organisms to

improve fermentation of C5 and C6 sugars

Pl t d ti ffi i− Plant production efficiency: – Reducing lignin content of poplars

2. C-rich chains platform

− Based on plant & animal fats and oilsLong hydrocarbon chains− Long hydrocarbon chains

− Some oils may be used directly (SVO), or modified to better meet current needs (biodiesel)( )

2. C-rich chains platform: UGent expertise

− Extensive expertise on biodiesel production from Crude oil refined oil waste oils and fats– Crude oil, refined oil, waste oils and fats

– Crop-based: rapeseed, sunflower, palm oil, jatropha– Refining, degumming, desodorisation prior to lipidRefining, degumming, desodorisation prior to lipid

conversion to biodiesel− Pilot projects in Subsaharan Africa (Ivory Coast, Benin)

biodieselrapeseedoil

rapeseed

glycerol

oil


− Refining of glycerineRefining of algae derived oil− Refining of algae derived oil


− Current focus on building blocks derived from byproducts of biodiesel productionbiodiesel production

biodieselrapeseedoil

rapeseed

glycerol

S ( ) 1 3 di lfermentation

Sorona™ (DuPont)synthetic fibre

1,3-propanediol

Added value by products of glycerol


− Chemical modification of biobased building blocks:Development of new castor oil based monomersDevelopment of new, castor-oil based monomers

− REACH: classification of new biobasedREACH: classification of new biobased building blocks

− Biosurfactant production by fermentation:Development of sophorolipids with shorter C chain than C16 C18 chainshorter C chain than C16, C18 chain


− Microcalorimetry based directed evolution platform for development of a generic glycosylation technologydevelopment of a generic glycosylation technology (Glycodirect)

Glycosylation of small molecules

3. Biogas platform

Input materials: manure, energy crops, food waste municipal wastefood waste, municipal waste,…

Anaerobic fermentation

37° or 55°C

BiogasBiogas DigestateBiogas

Power & heat generation

Biogas Digestate

Power & heat generation SoilPower & heat generation, (partial) upgradingPower & heat generation(partial) upgrading

Soil

3. Biogas platform

− Dry Anaerobic Composting (DRANCO) technology was developed at UGent (Organic Waste Systems)developed at UGent (Organic Waste Systems)

− Extensive know-how on process design and coupling with digestate treatment, waste water technology and microbial fuel cell technology

− Service to industry for semicontinuous and batch experimentsexperiments

Microbial fuel cell technology− Anode: bacterial oxidation

of glucose, acetate, waste water to COwater to CO2Electrons are transferred to the cathode

− Current is generated over a resistor/electrical circuitH+ transfers over a proton− H+ transfers over a proton exchange membrane

− Cathode: reduction of O2 to 2H2O

− Tested at pilot scale


1. Sugar lignin platform2 C rich chains platform2. C-rich chains platform3. Biogas platform4. Plant products platform4. Plant products platform

VIB, Prof. Wout BoerjanILVO, Hilde MuylleS & f5. Syngas & Bio-oil platformDr. W. Prins, April 2008

Biomass technologyBuilding the biobased economy

Research & Development at Ghent University

D i M i t D illDr. ir. Margriet Drouillon

margriet drouillon@ugent [email protected]

Second generation bio-ethanol: state of the art

− Feed stock: selection, gathering, deliveryPretreatment: efficiency down stream impact− Pretreatment: efficiency, down stream impact

− Enzymes: costs, yields, volumes− Fermentation organisms: stability, adaptability, safetyFermentation organisms: stability, adaptability, safety

Barriers to commercialization

− Feed stocks:– Crop residues & dedicated energy cropsCrop residues & dedicated energy crops

• Change farming culture• Efficient harvest storage and delivery techniques

– Municipal solid wastes• Collecting and sorting efficiency

− Pretreatment− Pretreatment– High capital costs– Production of fermentation inhibitors

Barriers to commercialization (2)

− Enzymes & organismsEnzyme costs: past 5 years: 30 fold reduction but still– Enzyme costs: past 5 years: 30-fold reduction, but still 10-fold too high

– GMO’s: increase robustness− Plant construction (US)

– Capital cost 2 to 3 times higher than first generation (US)– Permitting takes 2 to 3 times longer (US)

biomass technology related r & d at ghent university · 2019-01-15 · −based on plant &...

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