Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Lew P. Christopher
Lakehead University, Canada
Keynote: Consolidated bioprocessing of lignocellulosic materials for cost-competitive bioenergy production
Time : 09:30-10:00
Biography:
Lew Christopher holds a Masters degree in Chemical Engineering and a Ph.D. degree in Biotechnology. He has more than 25 years of industrial and academic experience in the field of industrial biotechnology and bioprocessing of lignocellulosic biomass. He has worked as industrial research scientist and held faculty positions in departments of biotechnology, chemical and biological engineering, and environmental engineering in South Africa and USA. Currently he serves as Director of the Biorefining Research Institute leading an interdisciplinary team of faculty and researchers from several science and engineering departments at Lakehead University in Canada. His research mission is to add value to the global Bioeconomy by applying an integrated biorefinery approach to the development of renewable bioenergy technologies. Dr. Christopher is a member of the editorial board of several international biotechnology journals, advisory boards, and professional societies. He has made over 400 scientific contributions to the field of Biomass Biorefining including 8 patents, 4 books, and over 50 invited lectures delivered in Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America.
Abstract:
Hydrogen (H2) is considered the “energy of the future” due to its high energy content (143 MJ/Kg) which is 5.3-fold and 3.3-fold higher than that of ethanol and gasoline, respectively, and non-polluting nature, with water as the only product. An environmentally-friendly alternative to the current H2 commercial production via steam reforming of methane is presented through microbial fermentation of simple sugars. However, a production processes based on glucose is not considered cost-competitive as the market price of glucose ($440-600/MT) is approximately 10-fold higher than the cost of lignocellulosics ($39-60/MT). Furthermore, the current cost of lignocellulose conversion to bioenergy (US $15-$25/GJ) exceeds the cost of fossil fuels (US $3.31-$17.37/GJ). A feasible, large-scale production of bio-H2 would require the development of advanced production processes such as Consolidated Bioprocessing (CBP). CBP has been proposed as the ultimate industrial configuration for cost-efficient hydrolysis and fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass. It was demonstrated that the extreme thermophile Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus was able to ferment switchgrass to H2 in one step without any physicochemical or biological pretreatment, whereas H2 production from glucose reached the theoretical maximum for dark fermentation of 4 mol H2/mol glucose. As pretreatment is the single most cost-intensive processing step in biomass bioconversion (25% of total costs on average), combining four processing steps (biomass pretreatment, enzyme production, biomass hydrolysis, biomass fermentation) into a single biorefinery operation makes C. saccharolyticus a promising CBP candidate for sustainable production of H2. The advantages of CBP, thermophiles and low-cost lignocellulosic feedstock for bioenergy production will be reviewed and discussed.
Keynote Forum
Jianzhong Sun
Jiangsu University, China
Keynote: Harnessing the biomass recalcitrance for fuels and chemicals: current state of the arts and our strategies in China
Time : 10:00-10:30
Biography:
Abstract:
Keynote Forum
Michael Kottner
German Biogas and Bioenergy Society, Germany
Keynote: Germany's future biogas market – Back to the roots?
Time : 10:30-11:00
Biography:
Abstract:
- Track 2: Biomass feed stocks for renewable energy generation
Location: -
Session Introduction
David Lewis
Muradel Pty Ltd, Victoria, Australia
Title: Microalgae - are they an appropriate feedstock for biofuels? What are the alternatives?
Time : 11:20-11:40
Biography:
David is the CEO of Muradel, a company commercialising the production of sustainable oils from organic feedstocks. He is an experienced Chartered Chemical Engineer with a strong background in leadership. He is proficient at motivating teams and has operated in the mining, automation, hospitality and defence industries. A calculated risk-taker with wide industry knowledge, David has spent the last 10 years developing new commercial opportunities focused on sustainable products from renewable feedstocks. David is also a tenured Professor at the University of Adelaide in the School of Chemical Engineering where he supervises postgraduate students on projects involving bioprocess technology R&D.
Abstract:
Are microalgae derived biofuels anywhere near commercial reality? Over the past few years significant scale-up of appropriate processing technologies has been undertaken to further develop production of energy positive biofuels with carbon footprints less than fossil equivalents. Several companies have adopted hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) as the method to convert biomass to hydrocarbon feedstocks, commonly known as green crude. A sub-critical water reaction is used to drive HTL. The true boiling point (TBP) distributions of green crude show equivalent data to fossil crude oils. The TBP for green crude derived from Tetraselmis sp. was found to be very similar to that of West Texas Intermediate crude oil, which can be readily fractionated to typical fuel components including approximately 30% petrol, 30% bunker fuel, 20% diesel and 20% jet fuel. Specific distillates can be blended with fossil derived distillates or used directly in the fuel supply chain. The yield and quality of green crude can be manipulated in several ways by manipulating either the biomass production protocols and/or manipulating the HTL reaction conditions. To realise commercialisation of biofuels feedstock costs must be minimal. This presentation will provide data that shows how the yield, quality and specificity of biofuel products derived from biomass generate commercial interest, but can economically viable processes be achieved?
Rob Mitchell
University of Nebraska, USA
Title: Herbaceous perennial feedstocks for marginally-productive landscapes in the central USA
Time : 11:40-12:00
Biography:
Abstract:
Taraneh Sowlati
The University of British of Columbia, Canada
Title: Optimization of sustainable forest-based biomass supply chains
Time : 12:00-12:20
Biography:
Abstract:
Alberto Coz
University of Cantabria, Spain
Title: Characterisation of spent sulfite liquor and its valorisation using Aspen Plus® simulation software
Time : 12:20-12:40
Biography:
Abstract:
Axel Schmidt
University of Trier, Germany
Title: Miscanthus for biogas production – Influence of harvest date and stand age on the biochemical methane potential (BMP) and soil properties
Time : 12:40-13:00
Biography:
Axel Schmidt has studied Environmental Geoscience and Environmental Assessment and Management in Trier, Germany. Since two years, he is PhD student at the Soil Science Department of the University of Trier, where he is also employed as Scientific Associate. His research activities focus on the cultivation of perennial energy crops and the impact on soil properties and biochemical methane potential (BMP).
Abstract:
Miscanthus giganteus is a perennial low-input energy crop with very high biomass production and positive effects on soil properties and carbon sequestration. It is usually harvested in early spring for thermal combustion when the aboveground part of the plant is dead and dry. This material is less suitable for the production of biogas because it is relatively resistant to microbial decomposition due to its high content of lignified compounds. Therefore, the harvest in autumn is recommended to get better degradable material. One drawback can be that the plant is incapable of transfer nutrients back to the rhizomes where they are stored for the growth in the next year. To quantify the influence of different harvest dates (September, November, April) we analysed two different old Miscanthus giganteus fields (planted 1995 and 2008) over two years. We performed measurements of biomass yields, total and volatile solids and biogas and methane potential. Additionally we analysed the content of the main nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) in different parts (leafs, stems, rhizomes) of the plants. To estimate the consequences of early harvest on the biomass and specific methane production samples were also taken and analysed from plots where Miscanthus giganteus was harvested in fall in the year before. Based on the results we can conclude that under the right cultivation management Miscanthus giganteus can be an auspicious alternative to other energy crops (e.g. maize) for biogas production according economic and in particular ecologic aspects.
Nallusamy Sivakumar
Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
Title: Production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) from wheat bran through enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation
Time : 14:00-14:20
Biography:
Nallusamy Sivakumar has completed his PhD from Bharathidasan University. He is working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. His research areas are microbial fermentation, bioprocessing and bioactive compounds. He has published more than 25 papers in reputed journals.
Abstract:
The increasing global demand for sustainable resources necessitates the complete utilization of feedstock. Wheat is a major global commodity and the milled wheat generating huge quantity of wheat bran as a waste which is underutilized. As wheat bran consists of 45% cellulose and hemicellulose, 15% starch, 6% lignin and 6% β-(1,3) / β-(1, 4) glucan, it has the potential to serve as low-cost feedstock for renewable energy. Keep this in mind, present study was aimed to convert the wheat bran into fermentable sugars for further production of polyhydroxybutyrate. The destarched wheat bran was pretreated with 1% NaOH and then subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis by cellulase of Trichoderma reesei (37 FPU/g) and β - glucosidase of Aspergillus niger (15 CBU/g). After hydrolysis for 96h, 42.6 g/L glucose and 21.8 g/L xylose were produced. The overall sugar concentration was 60.3 g/L with a sugar yield of 0.620 mg/g of pretreated wheat bran. Further, the PHB producer, Ralstonia eutropha grown in this hydrolysate supplemented with mineral salt medium (C: N - 20) for 48h, produced PHB and cell density of 71.5% and 25.6 g/L respectively, with a productivity of 0.381 g/L/h.
Biography:
Abstract:
Rintu Banerjee
Indian Institute of Technology, India
Title: Yellow laccase mediated delignification: an attempt towards eco-friendly pretreatment of lignocellulosics
Time : 14:20-14:40
Biography:
Abstract:
Muhammed Khader Karunnappilli
Petrocare Engineering & Consultancy Services Private Limited, India
Title: Electricity generation by refined biogas from municipal solid waste
Time : 14:40-15:00
Biography:
Muhammed Khader Karunnappilli completed his BTech in Mechanical Engineering from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala and Piping Engineering from IIT Bombay. He is a major stake holder of Clear Vision Group of Companies for contracting in KSA, UAE & India. Petrocare is a consultancy service in India in the field of Engineering and Waste Management. He attended waste management summits conducted by CII & Saudi Environment Forum.
Abstract:
We have a special project proposed and negotiating with Kalamassery Municipal Corporation (neighboring and satellite city of Kochi, biggest city and business capital of Kearala sate, India) for treating its solid waste. Municipal Corporation has its own dumping yard, which is in the mid of highly populated area, national highway and railway station. Very important point is that this yard in the river side, in which river is utilized for drinking water supply by water authority and industrial water supply for more than 20 major industries. Now many people are suffering due to this dumping yard. Our project proposes to collect segregated waste from the sources by effective utilization of “Kumbasree’, cooperative groups from ladies supported by government are collecting the waste from individual houses as organic and inorganic by providing different color plastic containers to each house to collect plastic, organic, metallic & diapers waste. We will set up a modern plant to produce refined biogas and electricity as a final product. Plant will be set up in the municipal land to achieve “Zero Waste” as the target. Initial separation of the organic waste will be done a conveyer belt to ensure it is 100% organic. Then, it will be crushed as slurry send to primary storage tank. This slurry will be pumped to series of horizontal bio-reactors. Gas formed shall be compressed and passed through cross flow scrubber to get 95-98% pure methane. CO2 & H2S shall be separated by the refining process. This refined gas will be utilized for electric power generation. Final waste from the reactors shall be separated in to solid and liquid. Solid will be sold as organic fertilizer and liquid will be sold as organic pesticide. All inorganic waste will be segregated and utilized for recycling. The ultimate Zero Waste target will be achieved.
Nelson Abila
Busho Serenity Foundation, Ondo State, Nigeria
Title: Cassava production as an energy crop in Nigeria: Analysis of present and future potentials
Time : 15:00-15:20
Biography:
Nelson Abila holds a Doctor of Science degree in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Vaasa, Vaasa, Finland. He is a development economist with special interest in fueling sustainable development and economic growth. Nelson received the Åbo Akademi Award for his publications on the subject of renewable energy development in 2014. He has also received several grants including Fortum Foundation and Hilda and Evald Nissi Foundation Scholarships. Nelson has published journal articles in high ranking international journals.
Abstract:
Cassava is increasingly being cultivated for much more than food in Nigeria. Industrial utilization of cassava for starch, ethanol and flour is on the increase in the major production belts across the country. This industrial cassava utilization trend can be seen as one of the benefits-outcomes of the many initiatives in the last two decades which aimed at further exploring the crop beyond it staple potentials. As a country facing persistent energy challenges, Nigeria can derive some succors from the production of cassava for energy. There exist opportunity for producing ethanol to meet the set target for petrol-ethanol blending. This paper explores the present and future potentials of stimulating the production of cassava as an energy crop. The paper attempts to answer the questions relating what are the advantages and disadvantages of promoting the production of cassava as an energy crop. To answer the questions of this research, data were sourced from the secondary sources, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) production statistics. The estimation of the potential derivable biofuels from cassava is based on the ethanol yield given by Mekonnen and Hoekstra. Nigeria can derive upto 9.23 million cubic meters of ethanol from cassava based on the current production. As Nigeria is setting the stage for boosting agricultural production towards diversifying and stimulating the economy, the country must pay more attention to cassava as a crucial focal crop. The paper presents recommendations for exploiting the potentials of cassava as an energy crop.
Alireza Mehrdadfar
Islamic Azad University,Tehran, Iran
Title: Compare the ability to generate electricity by Azolla fern’s biogas in different systems of small scale CHP
Time : 15:20-15:40
Biography:
Alireza Mehrdadfar has completed his master at the age of 25 years from Islamic Azad University. He is the director of energy section in FATH Company, a premier Bioenergy organization.
Abstract:
Azolla is non-native aquatic plants that introduced into the Anzali wetlands, Azolla is recognized as Environmental threat in Anzali Wetland. We produced biogas from Azolla biomass via supercritical water gasification and as result we achieved to produce biogas that contained 30% hydrogen. CHP is the sequential or simultaneous generation of multiple forms of useful energy (usually mechanical and thermal) in a single, integrated system. We simulated and optimized different units of CHP such as gas turbine, internal combustion, sterling, and etc. and use biogas of Azolla fern as feed to investigate Azolla ability for power generation, through Aspen Plus. We achieved 1MW to 2.25MW electricity from this small scale power plants. Consequently the results of our study depicted that this fern which known as threat, can be used as an alternative biomass feedstock for efficient power generation and indicates that biogas from Azolla biomass had excellent and considerable ability in order to generate power and less NOX emission.
Iqbal Munir
The University of Agriculture Peshawar-Pakistan
Title: Exploring brassica for low viscosity biodiesel production through Genetic Engineering
Biography:
Abstract:
P. Shanmugam
Central Leather Research Institute, India
Title: Optimization of enzymatic hydrolysis and transesterification of leather fleshing waste for biodiesel recovery
Biography:
Abstract:
Helen Adetoun, Akinlami-Lawal
CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute, India.
Title: Specific methanogenic activity of tannery limed fleshing and, fruits and vegetables wastes codigested with treatment plant sludge
Biography:
b
Abstract:
Reshma. C.H
Central Leather Research Institute, India
Title: Biogas enhancement and microbial ecology study in lipase aided anaerobic digestion process
Biography:
b
Abstract:
P Shanmugam
Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR), India
Title: Enzymatic bio-refinery for the sequential production of bio-diesel, bio-ethanol, bio-hydrogen and bio-methane using tannery fleshing, sludge and molasses waste
Biography:
Abstract:
Lew P. Christopher
Lakehead University, Canada
Title: Consolidated bioprocessing of lignocellulosic materials for cost-competitive Bioenergy production
Biography:
Abstract:
Osvaldo Romero Romero
University of Sancti Spiritus, Cuba.
Title: Renewable Energy Matrix Based In The Biomass
Biography:
Sugar technologist 1980, Chemical Engineer 1989, Masters Science in energy efficient and thermal design 1997, PhD in Technical Sciences, specialty chemical 2005 at UCLV, titular Professor at Sancti SpÃritus University 2007. 36 year work experience in sugar, milk industries and in the university. 60 postgraduate courses about process analysis, sugar technology, energy and environment, agriculture, water chemistry, pedagogy, investigation methodology. Professor of practice engineering, investigation methodology, process quality control, thermodynamic, administration, cogeneration and renewable energy. Advised more than 80 engineering thesis, 30 master degree and 6 PhD currently advise 5 PhD. 74 papers in scientific events and 68 publications.
Abstract:
This paper shows the potential of biomass to contribute a change in Cuba's energy matrix, based on results achieved by Sancti SpÃritus University "José Martà Pérez", UNISS, identifying potential for power generation using renewable energy sources in the province, in order to change the current energy structure for a matrix based largely on renewable sources to: increasing quality and stability of energy supply, reduce oil imports and environmental impacts of energy sector, financial performance and greater energy sovereignty. At work is exposed from an energy diagnosis in 2014 the contribution that would have the implementation of renewable energy potentials of available biomass to the energy matrix of Sancti SpÃritus province, which have been identified by researches conducted to increase cogeneration in sugar industry, biogas production by biodigestión of different waste and biomass torrefaction of Marabú; also considering other projects promoted by the Cuban government. As results, the implementation of biomass as energy resource through potential identified by UNISS and projects promoted by the Cuban government in the consumption of 2014, would have helped to transform the renewable contribution from 6% to 55% in the matrix and generate more than 100% of the power consumption, biomass would provide around 98% of renewable, showing its importance for the Cuban energy matrix transformation; by a growth of 4% annual of energy consumption, could be covered from renewable more than 50% of whole demand and 90% of electricity consumption until 2020 and Sancti SpÃritus could achieve energy indicators comparable with developed countries.
Glaucia Mendes Souza
Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil
Title: Sustainable biomass for energy and chemicals
Biography:
Abstract:
Nallusamy Sivakumar
Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
Title: Production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) from wheat bran through enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation
Biography:
Abstract:
Jian Shi
University of Kentucky Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, USA
Title: How does genetic modification impact the fractionation, depolymerization and catalytic upgrading of lignin from engineered plants
Biography:
Abstract:
Veronica Nwakaego Uzokwe
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Tanzania
Title: Cassava production as an energy crop in Nigeria: Analysis of present and future potentials
Biography:
Abstract:
Archana Dash
Indian Institute of Technology, India
Title: Biodiesel production using algae-fungi consortium
Biography:
Abstract:
- Track 4: Bioenergy Transition
Track 7: Processes for bio energy
Location: -
Session Introduction
Ananda S. Amarasekara
Prairie View A&M University, USA
Title: Ionic liquid based artificial cellulase type catalysts for cellulosic ethanol process
Time : 16:00-16:20
Biography:
Ananda S. Amarasekara is a professor in the Department of Chemistry at Prairie View A&M University in Texas. He received his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the City University of New York in 1985. His research interests include cellulosic ethanol, renewable fuels, and catalysis in biomass processing. He has published ~ 100 research publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Abstract:
Efficient hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass to fermentable sugars is a challenging step and the primary obstacle for the large scale production of cellulosic ethanol. Ionic liquids are well known for their ability to dissolve cellulose and our interest in the search for efficient catalytic methods for saccharification of polysaccharides has led us to develop -SO3H group functionalized Brönsted acidic ionic liquids (BAILs) as solvents as well as catalysts [1]. Later we found that these sulfuric acid derivatives can be used as catalysts in aqueous phase as well. For example, BAIL 1-(1-propylsulfonic)-3-methylimidazolium chloride aqueous solution was shown to be a better catalyst than H2SO4 of the same [H+] for the degradation of cellulose [2]. This observation is an important lead for the development of a BAIL based cellulase mimic type catalyst for depolymerization of cellulose. In an attempt to develop a recyclable, simple enzyme mimic type catalysts we have studied quantitative structure activity relationships (QSAR) of a series of BAIL catalysts and found that activity with different cation types decreases in the order: imidazolium > pyridinium > triethanol ammonium. Furthermore, we have investigated the effects of selected metal ions on 1-(1-propylsulfonic)-3-methylimidazolium chloride BAIL catalyzed hydrolysis of cellulose in water at 140-170 °C. The total reducing sugar (TRS) yields produced during the hydrolysis of cellulose (DP ~ 450) in aq. 1-(1-propylsulfonic)-3-methylimidazolium chloride solution at 140 - 170 °C using Cr3+, Mn2+, Fe3+, Co2+ Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and La3+ chlorides as co-catalysts as well as interactions of catalysts with cellulose are shown in the figure below. These results show that cellulose samples heated with Mn2+, Fe3+, Co2+ as co-catalysts produce significantly higher TRS yields compared to the sample heated without the metal ions. The highest catalytic effect enhancement is observed with Mn2+ and produced TRS yields of 59.1, 78.4, 91.8, and 91.9 % at 140, 150, 160, and 170 °C respectively; whereas cellulose hydrolyzed without Mn2+ produced TRS yields of 9.8, 16.5, 28.0, and 28.7 % at the same four temperatures. This is a 503, 375, 228, and 220 % enhancement in TRS yield due to the addition of Mn2+ as a co-catalyst to BAIL catalyzed cellulose hydrolysis at 140, 150, 160 and 170 °C respectively. This paper will present the development of BAIL based artificial cellulase type catalysts, QSAR studies, catalyst immobilizations, applications on lignocellulosic biomass materials (corn stover, switchgrass, poplar) and recycling studies.
Janusz A. Kozinski
York University, Canada
Title: Gasification of lactose in supercritical water as a model compound of dairy industry effluent
Time : 16:20-16:40
Biography:
Janusz A. Kozinski is the Founding Dean and Professor in Lassonde School of Engineering at York University, Canada. His multi-disciplinary research background relates to thermodynamics, space science, chemical and biological engineering. Some of his notable works are in supercritical water gasification for biofuel production, hydrothermal flames for toxic waste remediation, next generation nuclear energy reactors and development of immune buildings systems.
Abstract:
The adverse effects of climate change resulting from increasing greenhouse gas emissions and intense consumption of fossil fuels are well-known. The pollution of natural resources, such as water, air and soil, by refractory industrial wastes has also become a global environmental concern. The effluents from dairy industries are one of such wastes that require proper attention prior to disposal. Dairy effluents are comprised chiefly of spoiled milk, yogurt, cream, cheese whey, fat and other milk-based products. The dairy industry effluents, including whey waste and milk-based residues, are enriched in lactose and minor amounts of glucose that could potentially be converted to biofuels and biochemicals. Lactose was used in this work as a model compound of dairy effluents for gasification in supercritical water using a continuous flow tubular reactor. Four parameters impacting supercritical water gasification were studied, namely temperature (550-700°C), residence time (30-75 s), feed concentration (4-10 wt%) and catalyst concentration (0.2-0.8 wt%). The best total gas yields, carbon gasification efficiency, H2 yields and other major gases (CO2 and CH4) were obtained at 700°C using a feed concentration of 4 wt% lactose and a residence time of 60 s at 25 MPa. Furthermore, catalytic lactose gasification involving 0.8 wt% Na2CO3 resulted in maximum H2 yield (22.4 mol/mol) compared to those obtained by 0.8 wt% K2CO3 (21.5 mol/mol) and non- catalytic gasification (16 mol/mol). The results indicate that waste effluents from dairy industries could potentially serve as an attractive raw material for hydrogen production from gasification.
Juan Matos
University of Concepcion,Chile
Title: PHOTO-LMEn: Biochar-based materials for the sustainable photoproduction of liquid and gaseous molecules to energy
Biography:
Juan Matos Lale completed his Ph.D in Physics and Chemistry of Surface at the Central School of Lyon (France) in 1999. He worked upon the influence of carbon materials in different heterogeneous photocatalytic reactions with potential applications in solar nanotechnology. Prof. Matos focus his research in the synthesis, characterization and applications of nanomaterials in catalysis, photocatalysis, environmental, industrial and green chemistry and alternative energies processes. He has been Invited Professor at Clark University (USA) in 2004, Claude Bernard University (France) in 2005, Palermo University (Italy) in 2007, Szceczin University (Poland) in 2008, Max Plank Institute for Colloids and Interfaces (Germany) in 2010, Politechnique University of Valencia (Spain) in 2010-2011, Adam Mickiewizs University (Poland) in 2011, and National Carbon Institute at Oviedo, Spain (2012). Prof. Matos is now Full Professor and Researcher of the Biomaterials Department in the Technological Development Unit (UDT) of University of Concepcion. He currently has about 70 papers published in high impact journals, about 1500 citations and h-factor 18.
Abstract:
Biochar-based materials applications in catalytic and photocatalytic reactions related with the photoproduction of liquid and gaseous molecules will be presented [1]. Sawdust of a soft wood was used to prepare biochars for H2 photoproduction on Au-TiO2/biochars under visible irradiation. A remarkable increase in the photoactivity of the composite up to a factor about 3 times higher than the commercial catalyst free of biochars was found and ascribed to the surface pH of biochars [1]. Biomass-derived molecules such as furfural, chitosane, and saccharose were used to prepare hybrid C-TiO2 materials by solvothermal synthesis. Hybrid TiO2-C supports led to an important enhancement in the catalytic activity of Pd-based catalysts in the electrooxidation of formic acid with a maxima density power up to 3.3 times higher [2] than the same catalyst on a commercial carbon. Pd-based catalysts supported on hybrid Biochar-TiO2 supports can be designed to control the selectivity of phenol hydrogenation to cyclohexanone or cyclohexanol (up to 100% yield) by controlling the chemical nature of the biochar supports [3]. Up to 10 times higher photoactivity that the standard semiconductor was found in the photodegradation of methylene blue under visible-irradiated Biochar-based/TiO2 materials [1]. An integrated approach will be presented to remark the potential of biochar-based sustainable catalysis and photocatalysis considering energy production and environmental considerations. It can be concluded that biochars-based materials show new perspectives for the sustainable catalysis and photocatalysis related with clean energy production, green and selective catalytic processes, and for the environmental remediation of polluted water by solar technology.
Jordan Godwin
Platts, USA
Title: Sink or Swim: Navigating the Biofuels climate in an oil price recession
Time : 16:40-17:00
Biography:
Jordan Godwin is a Biofuels Analyst for Platts in Houston, Texas. He has covered biofuels pricing, trends and policies since 2012, originally serving as a price reporter on the U.S. ethanol, biodiesel and RINs markets for two years before moving over to the Platts Analytics team. His main areas of focus include supply/demand forecasts, tracking global trade flows and other trends in the biofuels industries, with a key focus on North American, Asian and African markets. Prior to joining Platts, he served as a journalist for two years after receiving his Bachelor of Journalism for the University of Texas at Austin in 2010.
Abstract:
With so much uncertainty plaguing global biofuels markets in 2015, producers, investors, traders and market participants of all backgrounds need answers on what direction the industry takes in 2016. How has the historic oil decline affected the biofuels outlook in the past six months, and what does it mean for the industry moving forward? Will policy setbacks in the US and UK continue to stunt biofuel industry growth in 2016? How can the markets thrive with explosively volatile feedstock agriculture prices dragging margins on for a rollercoaster ride? Will Asian and Middle Eastern markets continue to emerge as major consumers in 2016 and if so, how can Western holders capitalize? Platts offers answers to all of these questions with our vast and in-depth global biofuels market coverage. For nearly three years, I worked as a price reporter with an ear on the ground as US ethanol markets shifted all over the place, driven by wild corn prices and federal government policy swings. Now, my mission as a Biofuels Analyst is to provide insight into both the status quo in the global biofuels picture as well as the future of the markets, utilizing specific historical trends and dozens of producer margin models.
Umaiyakunjaram R
Central Leather Research Institute, India.
Title: Study on submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SAMBR) treating hypersaline raw tannery wastewater for Biogas production.
Time : 17:00-17:20
Biography:
Umaiyakunjaram R. has completed his UG Civil Engineering in Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamilnadu, India in 1985 and completed his PG Civil/Environmental Engineering in Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Tamilnadu, India in 2000. He is pursuing Ph.D in Anna university, Chennai, India from January 2011. He has been working as Environmental Engineer in Pollution Control Board, Tamilnadu, India.
Abstract:
A pilot-scale submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor treating fine screened and equalized raw tannery waste water without any pretreatment was investigated in this paper to explore the biogas yield from both particulate (CODP) & soluble organic pollutants (CODS). Flat sheet anaerobic membrane with pore size of 0.4 µm was used in this study and evaluated its performance of biogas production with Organic Loading Rate of 12 g of COD.L-1d-1. Anaerobic microbial growth in the SAMBR was measured and compared with VSS (mg.L-1) at elapsed time intervals which was further evaluated using membrane fouling characteristics by scanning electron microscope picture (SEM) of membrane, permeate velocity, CODin, CODout, COD in the reactor, biogas yield and composition of biogas etc., The biogas generation started from the 9th day and reached the maximum by 27th day. Initially volatile suspended solids (VSSs) and total suspended solids (TSSs) in the reactor were 4 g. L-1 and 5 g. L-1 respectively with ratio of 0.80. On the 27th day, the VSS and TSS in the SAMBR have reached a maximum value of 24 g. L-1 and 27 g. L-1 respectively with ratio of 0.89. The permeate flux was maintained at 7.06 LMH which is less than the critical flux discussed in literatures and due to that fact there was no reduction in permeate flux till the end of the experiment. Also at steady conditions, high treatment efficiency was achieved by the SAMBR with COD removal efficiency of approximately 97.14%. The methane content in the biogas was observed between 60 to 70%. High R2 value was observed between NH3 levels and Alkalinity during high fouling conditions attributed to precipitation of ammonium acetate salt or struvite responsible for membrane fouling. The optimum VFA/Alkalinity ratio was 0.5, which was consistent with the peak gas yield conditions. The study recommends the removal of NH3 to avoid the membrane fouling at high OLR of 12 g of COD.L-1d-1 treating raw tannery waste water.
Samer Aouad
1University of Balamand, Lebanon
Title: The effect of doping NiMgAl catalysts with lanthanum on the dry reforming of methane
Biography:
Samer Aouad has completed his PhD in 2007 at the age of 25 years from “Université du Littoral – Côte d’Opaleâ€, France and is currently an Associate Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Balamand, Lebanon. He has published more than 30 papers in reputed journals and has been an “Invited Professor†several times at European Universities. He has been awarded funds for several national and international projects and he also serves as a scientific committe member of the JFL conference series.
Abstract:
The dry reforming of methane is a prospective process that can be used for the valorisation of the greenhouse gas; carbon dioxide. It also produces syngas suitable for use in Fischer-Tropsch oxygenated compounds syntheses. The main issue with this process is that the catalysts used are quickly deactivated by coke formation. Many studies focus on finding a catalyst that can resist deactivation. Hydrotalcite catalysts are stable and active in the dry reforming of methane. Moreover, the addition of lanthanum to the hydrotalcite composition improves catalytic activity. NixMg6-xAl2 and NixMg6-xAl1.8La0.2 (x = 2, 4 or 6) catalysts were prepared via the hydrotalcite route. The XRD showed that the calcined NixMg6-xAl1.8La0.2 catalysts contained different lanthanum oxide species. The FTIR spectra demonstrated that lanthanum doped catalysts adsorb more CO2. TPR analyses proved that the addition of lanthanum affected nickel species distribution in the catalysts and strengthened NiO-MgO interaction inside the solid matrix. The CO2 reforming of methane reaction (Ar/CO2/CH4:60/20/20; GHSV 60000 mL.g-1.h-1) was carried out in the 600oC to 800oC range. Lanthanum addition improved the catalytic activity especially by favoring the dry methane reforming reaction over all other secondary reactions in addition to the creation of more basic sites that enhance CO2 adsorption and contribute to carbon deposits removal. The most active lanthanum containing catalyst kept a constant catalytic performance for 14 hours on streamregardless of the formation of carbon deposits. These deposits can be removed under oxidative atmosphere at moderate temperature due to the presence of lanthanum oxide species in the catalyst.