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Added Value Preprocessing of
Low Quality Biomass for Bioenergy--Lynntech, Inc., 7607 Eastmark
Drive, Suite 102, College Station, TX
77840; 979-693-0017; www.lynntech.com
Dr. K. Scott McKenzie, Principal
Investigator, scott.mckenzie@lynntech.com
Dr. G. Duncan Hitchens,
Business Official, duncan.hitchens@lynntech.com
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-07ER84867
Amount: $100,000
In an
effort to decrease dependency on foreign oil, the United States has recently
implemented new strategies to increase demand for alternative renewable
fuels. One highly favorable alternative
is the conversion of biomass to bioenergy. Although the Biomass Research and Development
Technical Advisory Committee set forth goals for biomass to supply 5% of the
nation’s power, 20% of transportation fuels, and 25% of chemicals by 2030, many
technical and economic barriers must be addressed to achieve these goals. This project will develop and exploit a
commercially viable, environmentally safe, crop residue biomass preprocessing
system that is capable of degrading lignin, increasing bulk density, and
eliminating potentially hazardous and competitive microflora
in a single unit of operation. This
innovative system will benefit the biorefinery
industry by allowing for: (1) greater sustainability through conversion of low
quality biomass to high energy feedstock; (2) preprocessing at the point of
harvest before the biomass is transported; (3) increased transport and storage
capacity as a result of densification via lignin degradation; (4) reduced
hazards associated with fire caused by exothermic metabolic activity of
naturally-occurring microflora during storage; (5)
increased biofuel production efficiency by the
elimination of competitive microflora; (6) reduced
biomass decomposition during storage; and (7) added security through an
environmentally friendly, non-residual treatment process.
Commercial
Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The
biomass preprocessing approach should add significant value to the maturing