Competitive Grants

U.S. Department of Transportation-Funded
Competitive Grants Program

Grants Awarded

2011

Bioprospecting for Enzymes to Break Lignin-Hemicellulose Bonds

PI: Tom Chang, Utah State University

The major impediment to the use of forest biomass for biofuels and platform chemicals is the difficulty of separating the polysaccharides in wood from lignin. The problem is mostly due to ether bonds between lignin and hemicelluloses, which are likely to be non-glycosidic. Tom Chang and his partner will investigate enzymes that that can break non-glycosidic ether bonds between lignin and hemicelluloses, thus cleaving the carbohydrates from lignin instead of using current environmentally unfriendly high stringency chemical procedures. The long-term goal is to enhance the efficiency in biofuel production from lignin-containing biomass.

Assessment of Production and Transportation Practices for Sweet Sorghum

PI: Kimberly Ogden, University of Arizona

Alternative fuel production is of increasing interest throughout the U.S. and the world as cost and demand increase while fossil fuel supplies decrease on a global scale. Kimberly Ogden and her team will assess the potential of sweet sorghum as an energy crop in the Southwest including field and fermentation studies to optimize production as well as economic and life cycle assessments (LCA). Sweet sorghum requires low inputs of nutrients, energy and water.

Lesquerella: A Low-water Use Crop as a Source of Biofuel Performance Enhancement for the Western United States

PI: Dennis Ray, University of Arizona

Lesquerella, native to the United States and Mexico, has the potential to rival any conventional oilseed crop with unique, functional molecules in its seed oil. While there is significant interest and demand for lesquerella oil by industry, Southwestern growers have two major concerns before they are willing to commit to commercial scale production: (1) weed control, and (2) irrigation and fertility requirements. Dennis Ray will address these hurdles through his research project.

Overcoming Crop Production Hurdles to Develop Russian Dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz, TKS) as a Renewable Domestic Source of Natural Rubber and Ethanol

PI: Richard Roseberg, Oregon State University

Natural rubber (NR), derived from the Brazilian rubber tree, is essential for manufacturing a wide array of industrial products. The United States uses over $6 billion worth of raw NR annually, and is completely dependent on imports. In the 1930s Soviet scientists identified the roots of Russian dandelion (TKS) as a promising source of NR that could be grown as an annual crop in temperate climatic zones. In addition to high quality rubber, TKS roots also produce inulin as a byproduct that can be converted into ethanol. Richard Roseberg will address crop production issues of TKS in an effort to optimize rubber and inulin production.

Enhanced Production of Reactive Intermediates from Cellulosic Biomass for Aqueous-Phase Catalytic Processing to Drop-In Fuels

PI: Charles Wyman, University of California, Riverside

Reactive intermediates (RIs) produced from cellulosic biomass, such as furfural, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), levulinic acid (LA), and formic acid (FA), can be catalytically converted into drop-in fuels that are compatible with the existing petroleum infrastructure. However, most catalytic conversions of these compounds have been with pure compounds in water, and experience in catalytic processing of RIs from actual biomass streams is limited. In addition, RI yields from cellulosic biomass are low by conventional aqueous processing. Charles Wyman proposes to fill that gap by building on existing expertise, equipment, and capabilities to develop processes that will provide commercially attractive, high yields.

2009

A Forest Residue-Based Pyrolysis Biorefinery

PI: Karl Englund, Washington State University

Biorefineries have the potential to produce much-needed biofuels, provide valuable bioproducts, utilize wate streams and create jobs in rural communities. Dr. Englund and his research team propose to develop a new model of biorefinery using pyrolysis conversion for producing bio-oils from forest residues, while concurrently developing resin from some of the unusable fractions.

New Concept to Obtain Higher Yields of Pyrolytic Sugars for Ethanol Production

PI: Manuel Garcia-Perez, Washington State University

The diverse nature of biomass resources in the Pacific Northwest requires suitable technologies for the conversion of distributed feedstocks, especially forest residues. Dr. Garcia-Perez is proposing a new model of biomass economy formed by distributed pyrolysis units located close to biomass resources and centralized refineries where second generation transporation fuels and high value chemicals can be obtained taking advantage of economies of scale.

Camelina Improvement for Insensitivity to Residual Herbicide Activity

PI: Scot Hulbert, Washington State University

Camelina is a newly emerging crop that has considerable potential as a biofuels feedstock in the inland Pacific Northwest and also has potential for making cropping systems more sustainable. However, the extreme sensitivity of Camelina to residual amounts of Group 2 herbicides in soils has, and will, hinder adoption of the crop by potential growers. Dr. Hulbert and his co-PI have initiated a program to develop Camelina germplasm that is resistant to these herbicides. The ultimate goal is to release these new lines of Camelina to breeders and seed producers, thus reducing the risks to those who want to adopt this crop as part of their rotation.

Exploring Field Crop Biomass Sources for Use in Pacific Ethanol's Boardman, Oregon Cellulosic Ethanol Plant

PI: Russ Karow, Oregon State University

Pacific Ethanol is the recipient of a federal grant to establish a 1/10th scale cellulosic ethanol pilot plant adjacent to their existing corn-based ethanol facility. This new plant will require 40-50,000 tons per year of feedstock materials, a full scale facility 400-500,000 tons. While biomass needed for the pilot plant operation can be readily obtained, full scale plant operation volumes seem problematic, but may be feasible with creative cropping system approaches. Dr. Karow and his multi-institution team will explore the possibility of delivering feedstock at the required level to the plant.

Life Cycle, Sustainability and Economic Analysis of Cellulosic Ethanol from Grass Straw in the Pacific Northwest

PI: Ganti Murthy, Oregon State University

Conversion of cellulosic feedstocks into liquid biofuels is critically dependent on the processing technology. Various pretreatment technologies have been developed for cellulosic feedstocks to facilitate enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation. Choice of pretreatment technology, while dependent on feedstock, is also a function of energy use, capital costs, downstream processing and possible environmental impact. Dr. Murthy seeks to answer these questions in a comprehensive and objective manner through development of engineering and economic models.

Arid Land Development of Sweet Sorghum as a Renewable Feedstock

PI: Kimberly Ogden, University of Arizona

Alternative fuel production is of increasing interest throughout the U.S. and cost and demand increase while fossil fuel supplies decrease on a global scale. The Southwestern U.S. is an ideal place for feedstock growth, with an abundance of sunny days; however, limited water availability is a growing concern. Dr. Ogden will explore sweet sorghum as a feedstock that requires low inputs of nutrients, energy and water. Sweet sorghum is salt tolerant and requires less seed, fertilizer, pesticide, irrigation water and tillage than other crops currently used to ethanol production.

Feasibility of Biopolymer Production in Poplar

PI: Steven Strauss, Oregon State University

The production of bioplastic by plants is a proven technology; however, the biological yield potential and economics of PHB production in a woody plants system is unclear. Dr. Strauss and his co-PIs have found in preliminary work that significant levels of PHB can be produced in poplar under regulation by a chemical-inducing promoter, with no apparent negative effects on plant health. The objectives of this project are to determine the genetic potential for production of PHB; develop practical methods for extraction and bioprocessing of PHB; examine the effects of PHB production on tree health; and analyze the economic, environmental and regulatory feasibility of PHB production.

2008

Customizing biodiesel derived from tropical trees

PI: Richard Ogoshi, University of Hawaii
Year 1 funding amount: $116,110

The substitution of biodiesel for petroleum-distillate diesel as a transportation fuel shows significant advantages in reducing some environmentally hazardous engine emissions; however, these advantages are also met with an increase in the emissions of mono-nitrogen oxide (NOx), an important contributor to photochemical smog, acid rain and other atmospheric pollutants. Dr. Ogoshi and his team from University of Alaska and the land-grant institutions of Guam, Micronesia, American Somoa and Northern Marianas seek to develop low NOx emitting biodiesel generated from Jatropha curcas, kamani (Calophyllum inophyllum), and coconut (Cocos nucifera) oils. Researchers will harvest oil seeds from various elevations located thoughout the Pacific, extract the oils using an oil press and analyze the fatty acid profile. The fatty acids will then be converted to biodiesel and tested for NOx emissions.

2007

Development of a Bio-based Industry Utilizing Organic Waste Streams (Confined Animal Feedlot and biodielsel co-Products): Production of Biological Thermoplastics and Natural Fiber-Plastic Composites (NFPCs)

PI: Erik Coats, University of Idaho
Year 1 funding amount: $113,830

Biologically-derived polyesters known as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) represent a potentially sustainable replacement to fossil-fuel based thermoplastics. However, current commercial production of PHAs has high fossil fuel demands and generates carbon emissions, and is therefore not environmentally benign. Dr. Coats and his co-PI seek to develop new biobased products and processes that utilize waste streams, improve waste management practices, enhance rural economic development opportunities, and ultimately, lead toward reduction in the dependence of petroleum-based feedstocks and products. The principal goal of their research will be to implement a PHA production and composting process utilizing biodiesel and manure waste streams.

Biofuels form Salt Basin Algae: A Renewable Energy Crop for Carbon Sequestration

PI: John Cushman, University of Nevada
Year 1 funding amount: $57,048

The long-term goal of this research and extension project is to optimize and implement the use of halophytic microalgae as a biofuel crop. Halophytic algae are an ideal renewable energy resource because they grow on marginal lands with brackish or saline water and have been shown to be 30 times more productive than terrestrial feedstocks. Dr. Cushman and his co-PIs will screen algae strains and mutants for high production of triacylglycerols (TAGs) under different growing conditions and identify genes related to oil production by microarray analysis. Ultimately, this project will provide an assessment of the potential of algae as a biodiesel feedstock. The PIs will educate the public of their results with a room-size “demonstration” production facility and develop a pilot-scale “proof-of-concept” algae-based biodiesel production system.

Regional Economic Analysis of Feedstock Production and Feedstock Processing for Biofuels in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska: Expected Economic Impact Under Possible Price and Productivity Scenarios

PI: David Holland, Washington State University
Year 1 funding amount: $135,420

Existing analyses of feedstock production potential and economic impacts have largely excluded Pacific Northwest (PNW) states. Drs. Holland and Painter, along with a multidisciplinary team of researchers, will examine crop and fuel production for biodiesel, corn ethanol, and cellulosic ethanol in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska using current IMPLAN data for each state. The team seeks to answer the following questions: 1) can in-state developed feedstocks and production industries compete with imported feedstocks, 2) will biofuel feedstocks be an attractive alternative crop across the varied production regions in the PNW region, and 3) how will increased biofuels production and utilization impact the broader regional economy. The researchers will develop Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) economic simulation models incorporating biofuel production activities into the regional economies of each state and the region as a whole. The resulting data will inform policymakers and elected officials as well as agriculture and industry sectors.

Hybrid Poplar as a Regional Ethanol Feedstock: Its Development, Production and Economics

PI: Jon Johnson, Washington State University
Year 1 funding amount: $218,003

Hybrid poplar is a well-known biomass feedstock in the Western U.S. and has a number of advantages over other feedstocks: fast-growing, widely adaptable to various soils and climates, and requires low energy inputs to grow. The goal of this research project is to couple hybrid poplar production with end-use ethanol production. Dr. Johnson, working in collaboration with industrial partners, will analyze feedstocks taken from selected hybrid poplar clones to develop ethanol yield data, which will then be used to determine breeding and selection criteria of hybrid poplar with specific feedstock characteristics. The team will also conduct an economic analysis of the process using the yield data. At project completion, the best performing hybrid poplar varieties, along with economic feasibility and planting recommendations, will be shared through a project website maintained by WSU.

Synergies between Heme Peroxidases and Cellulases in the Bioconversion of Lignocellulosic Feedstocks to Ethanol

PI: Christine Kelly, Oregon State University
Year 1 funding amount: $100,000

Forest thinnings, particularly forestry wastes composed of softwoods, in the Western region are a major potential source of biomass for biofuel production. However, softwoods, such as Douglas fir, tend to be more resistant to conversion processes due to the high presence of lignin. Dr. Kelly, along with her co-PIs, proposes to develop a new enzyme-mediated bioconversion process technology for more efficient separation of lignocellulosic biomass into its component parts for bioconversion to ethanol. The team will examine fungal heme peroxidases, which exist in pulp mill processes, to discover new “accessory” enzymes that function synergistically with the latest generation of commercially available cellulases to increase the rate and extent of conversion of softwoods to ethanol.

Bio-electrolysis: Novel Technology for Hydrogen Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass

PI: Hong Liu, Oregon State University
Year 1 funding amount: $99,938

Hydrogen, one of the cleanest and most desirable fuels, is expected to play an increasingly important role in our economy. At present, non-renewable fossil fuels are the main sources of hydrogen production. The overall goal of the proposed research is to develop a novel bio-electrolytic process to generate hydrogen directly from renewable, abundant and readily available lignocellulosic biomass in a cost-effective manner. Dr. Liu, along with her co-PI, will examine the factors affecting hydrogen production from complex lignocellulosic biomass in order to improve the overall efficiency of the process. The team will use pine wood flour as the model lignocellulosic biomass. The successful completion of the project will result in the development of a novel process for hydrogen production from woody biomass.

Development of Camelina as a Low-Input Oilseed Crop for Oregon, Idaho and Washington

PI: Russ Karow, Oregon State University
Year 1 funding amount: $96,621

Camelina, a member of the mustard family, is a summer annual oilseed crop that has been used and cultivated by civilizations stretching back to the Bronze Age. Present-day preliminary research in Montana and Idaho has shown that this crop possesses unique agronomic traits which suggest that it may be well suited to the Pacific Northwest (PNW) and an ideal feedstock for biofuel production. Dr. Wysocki and his multi-state and multi-disciplinary team will conduct test trials, examining crop response to plant varieties, seeding rate, nitrogen rates, planting dates and rainfall. The ultimate goal of this research project is to develop agronomic practices to incorporate Camelina into PNW crop production systems and assist the fledgling oilseed industry’s understanding and utilization of this crop.

Left Menu