Researchers at Purdue University have received US$2.3 million in funding from the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) for their work to create computer models to simplify the design and construction of biorefineries to help them better perform reliably, sustainably, safely and economically. The grant supports mathematical modeling of biomass movement in large fermentation facilities.
An error occurred
On your profile you can see what subscriptions you have access to and more information.
Is some of the information wrong – please contact our customer service.
Please reload the page
Do you want to read the whole article?
- Six editions per year
- Full access to all digital content
- The E-magazine Bioenergy international
- And more ...
A big challenge in biomass processing, such as turning waste into ethanol fuel, is the difficulty in moving the biomass to, within and through the equipment needed to physically and chemically treat the biomass as part of the fuel production process.
Researchers at Purdue University have received US$2.3 million in funding from the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) for their work to create computer models to simplify the design and construction of biorefineries to help them better perform reliably, sustainably, safely and economically.
We have basically used fundamental theories, particle properties, and measured bulk characteristics to develop and verify computational tools for biorefineries that are taking a material like corn stalks, sugarcane bagasse, or sawdust and making them flow like a liquid, said Michael Ladisch, Distinguished Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Purdue, who leads the research team and has been studying the topic of cellulose conversion and pretreatment for more than 25 years.
Supports mathematical modeling
The grant supports mathematical modeling of biomass movement in large fermentation facilities. Ladisch said the team has created predictive analytical models that rigorously represent the flow performance of biomass materials to define the conditions for robust operation and minimal downtime due to plugging problems from moving the materials within and between reactors.
Other members of the Purdue team include Carl Wassgren, a professor of mechanical engineering; Arezoo Ardekani, an associate professor of mechanical engineering; Pankaj Sharma, managing director of the Integrative Data Science Initiative; Eduardo Ximenes, a senior research scientist at Purdue’s Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering; Kendra Erk, an associate professor of material engineering; Nathan Mosier, a professor of agricultural and biological engineering; and Kingsly Ambrose and Abigail Engelberth, both associate professors of agricultural and biological engineering.
The latest innovation and the predictive models come on top of other patented technologies created by the Purdue team and patented through the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization.
The analytical models address on machinery and operating conditions developed at several locations, including Purdue, with the latest grant going to address techniques previously developed and patented at Purdue based on technology that avoids chemical agents in the production of ethanol fuel.
A combination of water and enzymes are used to break down the waste materials into forms usable in the production of biofuels.
We are a small piece of the bioenergy puzzle, but we believe our work is part of the larger progress to reduce carbon emissions and help farmers, Ladisch said.
The Purdue team is working with Argonne National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory and industry partners on the patented technologies.
