Biomass Management Technology

Process

Products

Feedstocks
1)Feedstocks

1) Intermediate

2)Pretreatment

2) Main

3) Qualifications

3) By-products

Advantages

Commercialization Status

Sustainability &
Environmental Concerns

Societal Impacts

Downdraft co-current fixed bed

GASIFICATION

THERMOMOCHEMICAL

Fixed bed

Updraft co-current fixed bed

Updraft counter-current fixed bed
Cross-draft fixed bed
Open core fixed bed

Fluidized
bed

Pressurized circulating fluidized bed

Atmospheric Circulating fluidized bed

Novel designs

Plasma Arc Gasification

2-Stage Gasifier
Open top

Any Organic
Material

1.

Intermediate Products: Combustible gases, liquids,

tars, and inert fluidizing gases.

Examples: Ag wastes,
hazardous organic wastes,
industrial wastes.

2.

Main Products: Electricity, Thermal Energy,

Hydrogen, Ethanol and other alcohols, Diesel type
fuels, Gasoline.

Pretreatment: Waste
typically segregated.

3.

By-products: Charcoal, Ash, Carbon Dioxide.

Qualifications: Dry MSW

is favorable. Coal size
distribution must be
controlled to ensure good
bed permeability.
Final Conversion
Technology (Optional):
Fischer-Tropsch Catalytic
Conversion

The inhomogeneous biomass waste is converted into a

homogenous gas with a considerably higher level of
applicability The product gas may, without any cleaning, be
used for gas-fired steam boilers combined with steam
turbines or for increased steam superheating (and
consequently higher power efficiency) at e.g. municipal
solid waste energy plants.
The product gas may, after a modest clean-up, be burned
using low NOx gas burner technology in connection with
indirectly fired power technologies (such as indirectly fired
gas turbines and Stirling engines) with efficiencies
exceeding 28%.
After adequate clean-up the product gas may even be used
for direct firing of gas turbines and gas engines (with a
potential efficiency exceeding 32%), and in the future also
for powering fuel cells (with efficiencies exceeding 40%).
Integrated Gasification Combined Cycles can be
arranged, producing: Electricity, Ammonia, Oil, Methane and
Hydrogen for fuel cells

Gasification is in widespread use throughout most of the world. The

technology ranges from fully commercialized for certain feedstocks and
technologies to scientific exploration for other feedstocks and more
advanced technologies. The simplest -- the gasification of wood chips
producing a gas that is combusted to generate heat -- a wood or a wood
pellet stove, for example. The next step is to use the gas to produce
steam to power a turbine. Then use the gas to power an internal
combustion engine to produce electricity and thermal energy. Next,
produce a synthetic gas taken through a catalytic process to produce an
alcohol, a biofuel, hydrogen or other gases. Then take the produced
syngas through a fermentation proves to produce ethanol or other
alcohols.

The principle factor is the sustainability of the

feedstocks. Gasifiers can have an enormous
appetite for biomass of all types. Consequently, it
is imperative that all environmental factors -- soil
and soil organisms, water quality and quantity,
wildlife and their habitat, wetlands and watersheds
are well protected --even enhanced. There also
emissions from the gasification process and the
combustion or other use of the gases. All of these
concerns can be dealt with in an economic
manner. If there are heavy metals mixed with the
biomass this could represent significant problems.

Aqueous Phase Reforming

PYROLYSIS

Fast Pyrolysis

Ablative Fast Pyrolysis

Any Or gani c M at er i al

Cyclonic Fast Pyrolysis

Pretreatment: Sorting.
Qualifications: None

Rotating Core Fast Pyrolysis

Intermediate products: Syngas and Charcoal

Products: Bio-Oil and Charcoal

Slow Pyrolysis

By-products: Electricity and Thermal Energy

Any Or gani c M at er i al

Vacuum Pyrolysis

Pretreatment: Sorting.
Qualifications: W aste must be pre-sorted
and processed to <6 mm (1 to 2 mm.
preferred) and <10% moisture content to
assure high heat transfer rate.

Flash Pyrolysis

Generally a simple, low-cost technology capable of

processing a wide variety of feedstocks producing gases, a
bio-oil, bio-chemicals and charcoal. A promising approach
is the production of a bio-oil t hat can be used to power
ethanol, biodiesel or other local industries facilities, and a
charcoal. The charcoal is incorporated into the soil to
promote its fertility and organic matter through synergistic
processes between the soil, soil organisms, the roots of the
plants, water and the CO2 and Nitrogen in the atmosphere

Pilot Project Cashton Greens Energy Park, Cashton, WI. Demonstration

Project BEST Australia. Limited commercialization Dynamotive, Canada

By using waste streams and fully sustainable

biomass, there are many environmental benefits
including greenhouse gas stabilization

Entrained Flow Fast Pyrolysis

Grains
Circulating Fluid Bed & Transported Bed
Mostly: Corn

Slow Pyrolysis

Grain Biomass

2-Stage

Slow
Pyrolysi
s

Wet-Mill Fermentation

Aerobic Digestion

ETHANOL PRODUCTION

Fluid Bed Fast Pyrolysis

Pretreatment: Wet-mill
fermentation

Intermediate Products: Mash, Sugar

2.

Main Products: Ethanol

3.

By-products: Distillers Grains plus solubles, Carbon

Dioxide

1.

Intermediate Products: Starch, Sugar

2.

Main Products: Ethanol

3.

By-products: Corn oil, corn gluten meal, corn gluten

feed, carbon dioxide, liquid bio-fertilizers

This process is more versatile than dry mill fermentation,

because of the products it yields.

Qualifications: Grain
processing

Sugars, Starches, and

other Biomass
Dry-Mill Fermentation

1.

Examples: Grains (corn,

sorghum, barley), Sugars
(Sugarcane and beets), Beer,
and other sugars and starches.

The current fuel ethanol industry was launched in the US in 1979 with
small on-farm plants and in educational institutions. They were very
small and inefficient. On average, the efficiency of the plants has
increased about 2% per year and the average size today is about 50
million gal/yr. The fossil energy in, to renewable energy out is now
about 1 to 1.6 and steadily improving. With innovations being
commercialized, that ratio will soon be well over 2:1. Within 2 years it
should be 3:1 and within four years it should be possible to incorporate
cellulosic feedstocks into standard corn to ethanol plants. In the US, it
is now anticipated that a capacity of 15 billion gal/yr from corn, milo,
sugar cane and other starch and sugar crops is possible without
interfering with the food/feed supply. As long as the price of oil remains
over $50/bbl and corn under $3/bushel, with todays incentives, the
ethanol industry will continue to grow and prosper.

There are critical factors in the advance of the

ethanol industry using starch and sugar crops
as feedstocks. The industry must ensure the
environmental community and the public in
general that, as the industry further matures, it
will ensure the protection and enhancement of:
organic matter in the soils, Soil organisms,
Water quality and quantity,
Wildlife and their habitat,
W etlands,
Watersheds,
Rural communities, through ownership in
biorefineries and appropriately keeping the
value-added benefits in the farm community

This process is not as expensive as wet mill.

Pretreatment: Dry-mill
fermentation
Qualifications: Grain
processing

Transesterif
ication

(generally sodium hydroxide or potassium

hydroxide an acid catalyst is used to for
pretreatment see pretreatment)

Transesterification

Mesophilic
Process
Thermofilic
Process
Bioreactor
Vessel

Anaerobic activated sludge process

Anaerobic clarigester
Anaerobic contact process
Anaerobic expanded-bed reactor
Anaerobic filter
Anaerobic fluidized bed
Anaerobic lagoon
Anaerobic migrating blanket reactor AMBR
Batch system anaerobic digester
Expanded granular sludge bed digestion EGSB
Hybrid reactor
Imhoff tank
One-stage anaerobic digester
Submerged media anaerobic reactor SMARs
Two-stage anaerobic digester
Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket digestion UASB
Upflow and down-flow anaerobic attached growth

Intermediate Products: Oils fats or

greases taken through transesterfication

2.

Main Products: Biodiesel

3.

By-products: Glycerin, Soaps

Almost any organic

material: paper, grass
clippings, leftover food,
sewages, animal wastes;
and other forms of biomass
like distillers grains.
Pretreatment: Sorting or
screening to remove inorganic
material.

Biodiesel is fully commercialized world wide.

The production of biodiesel is relatively easy and there is

no need for significant infrastructure changes to gain full
access to the market.

These factors are similar to those covered in the

ethanol section. There are fuel versus food and
feed factors as well as the potential of
environmental degradation. These are all
manageable if proper procedures are followed
and research, development and deployment are
aggressively pursued in advancing technologies
that will enhance the environment and provide
opportunities for low-income people throughout
the world.

1. New wealth industries: New wealth in a society can only be generated by new wealth
industries based on the development of natural resources: Mining oil, gas, coal, oil
shale, tar sands, metals, minerals, etc. Agriculture Silvaculture forestry and wood lot
operations Aquaculture fishing Renewable energy technologies solar, wind, biomass,
geothermal, hydropower (including current, tidal and wave energy) and renewable hydrogen
Recovered and recycled materials Human creativity All activities generating enterprise
and wealth are derived from these basic resources. Crucially for this energy-oriented activity,
note that energy efficiency, rooted in human creativity, is the foundation of a sound energy
policy. It is also important to understand that new wealth industries generate a powerful
multiplier effect as the new wealth moves from its source through the marketplace. This
value is further multiplied when ownership and value-added benefits accrue to those
converting new wealth resources into marketable products, as well as to the communities
where the conversions occur. The mining of resources is facing difficulty, as these resources
are being depleted and skillful utilization of more sustainable, new wealth resources steadily
increase 2. "The economies of scale versus the economies of integration and value":
Routinely the economies of scale lead to large scale operations where profitability is the
commanding factor. But there are three other considerations: The economies of integration,
where every Btu of energy, every Kw of power, every nutrient, and every human talent is
cascaded through the facility until it reaches a point of minimal influence. The exception in
diminishing influence is the human talent that continually gains value as new skills and
interests accumulate. The economies of value, first to the workers who gain satisfaction,
value to the facility, and more income for both. This occurs as the person cascades through
and up the hierarchy. The economies of scale generally lead to compartmentalization
obviating this value. Where economies of integration and value occur, the family and the
community gain as the value-added benefits multiply. This strengthens the individual, the
family, the community and the nation since there is visible, meaningful and felt
interconnectivity between natural processes and the human endeavor. 3. "The benefits that
accrue to a nation and its people when there are committed actions to the preservation and
protection of Gods creation".

There are major opportunities to improve the well being of farmers and ranchers and
low-income rural citizens throughout the world. This will occur by having access to
locally produced fuels, through job creation, and opportunities for ownership in
production facilities. Energy and economic security factors are also improved.

Its capacity is more limited than ethanol because of

feedstock availability and does not have be ability to use
most biomass waste streams and cellulosic and woody
biomass. However, those feedstocks can be converted to
a diesel type fuel, like Sun Diesel in Germany. In the US,
biodiesel is defined by law as a mono ester of a long
chain fatty acid. This requires a transesterfication process.

Intermediate products: NA.

Products: Biogas, Thermal Energy, Digestate.
By-products: Liquid and Solid Bio-fertilizers.

Mesophilic digestion costs and energy requirements are not

as expensive as Thermofilic. This process is also more
stable than thermofilic digestion. Electricity produced by
anaerobic digesters is considered to be green energy and
may attract subsidies such as Renewable Energy
Certificates.

Qualifications: The material

may need to be pre-processed
and water added.

Anaerobic digesters are fully commercialized throughout the world.

However, the technology is constantly being upgraded and improvements
are impressive. They range in size from mammoth wastewater treatment
plants to single family units in the developing nations, In agriculture
operations, there are generally two approaches: 1) Dairy farmer or other
animal feeding operators owning and operating the digester and engine
generator set, marketing the electricity to the grid and using the thermal
energy and digestate. 2) The farmer owns the animals, a separate
business owns and operates the digester and engine generator set, farmer
is paid for the manure and buys the electricity and thermal as needed. In
some cases the farmer also owns the digester and the digestate.
Another option is to use the gas from the digestate only for thermal use or
to simply flare the gas. In these cases the purpose is to process the
manure to benefit the environment.

Pretreatment: Sorting pre-treatment

Qualifications: The waste must be
contained, compacted and covered in a
vessel

Intermediate products: Biogas composed of Methane,

Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen, Hydrogen, Hydrogen Sulfide and
Oxygen.
Products: Electricity, thermal energy, methane.

Compost

Biodiesel has slightly lower energy content than fossil

diesel. It has a higher cetane value, is essentially free of
contaminates like sulfur and aromatics, and burns cleaner
than diesel fuel. It significantly reduces smoke, unburned
hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. It does, however,
slightly increase oxides of nitrogen. The level of these
reductions is a function of the blend levels. B-5 is
acceptable by most engine manufactures. B-20 by a few,
and, in the US, essentially none at B-100. B-2, used to
decrease emissions and improve lubricity, is becoming
increasingly attractive.

Properly structured, this technology provides waste collecting jobs for low-income
people and opportunities for skilled technicians. This benefits communities through
waste clean up (public health benefits), the use of local feedstocks and by providing
decentralized power and fuels as well as charcoal to increase soil fertility and organic
matter levels.

If properly constructed and operated, anaerobic

digesters can make major contributions to the
environment while reducing greenhouse gases. The
methane is produced in the digester and the gas
beneficially used instead of the manure decomposing
and releasing gases to the atmosphere. Additionally,
manure and urine give off bad odors and harbor
troublesome pathogens. Manure is costly to spread and
can contaminate the soil, and concentrate minerals in
excessive amounts. These problems are solved by the
digester, The liquid fraction of the digestate can be
safely applied to soils at opportune times. The solid
fraction can be used as bedding for the cows or used an
organic fertilizer.

The societal impact should be very positive if thoughtful practices and good
science/engineering practices are followed throughout the process. In some developing
countries, digesters are being made available at very low costs, permitting a family to
produce enough gas to cook all meals by using human and animate waste and whatever
other organic material is readily available. This also helps clean and sanitize the area
while providing a valuable soil amendment for improved gardening. Continued
engineering advances are needed to increase the effectiveness of small-scale digesters
while keeping the price affordable for poor people.

Or gani c Wastes

Bioreactor Vessel

Or ganic Wast es

Landfill Site

Static Pile

AEROBIC

Pretreatment: Used cooking oils, yellow

greases and some tree oils are taken through a
esterification process to remove fatty acid
which should, preferably, be reduced to less
than 1% (at least below 4%). In the
esterification process, the methanol or
ethanol/acid catalyst is used to reduce the fatty
acids. Dewatering is required as part of this
process.

1.

Qualifications: Essentially any biomass

based oil, animal fat or tallow, used cooking oil,
yellow/trap grease, plant or tree oil can be
converted into biodiesel if the fatty acid content
is low enough. If not, if must be pretreated.

Landfill
Site

LANDFILL

ANAEROBIC DIGESTORS

Biodiesel Production

Oils, fats, used cooking oils, greases,

methanol or ethanol and a catalyst

BIOMOCHEMICAL

The inherent difficulty in optimizing the benefits for local people is the
economies of scale. A shift in focus to the economies of integration and value
offers promise. The focus should be on cascading every Btu, kilowatt, drop of
water, nutrient, chemical and human talent through the system to save money,
produce co-products and optimize the productivity and satisfaction of the
workers. There are also opportunities in the formation of farmer/worker coops to
own and operate the facility. There could be a focus on keeping the value-added
benefits in the rural community and in strengthening the community while
gaining the multiplier of benefits by turning money over within the community. It
is necessary to develop gasification technologies that will encourage economies
of integration and value in order to ensure the competitiveness of such systems
with economies of scale facilities. Government policy, regulations and incentives
may be necessary for small facilities to compete. However, this could well be
justified in terms of overall benefits to society.

Enclosed Compost (bldg. or other container)

Turned windrow

In-vessel compost

Pretreatment: None

By-products: Carbon Dioxide for possible use in greenhouse

operations, and Biofertilizers.

In the case of bioreactors, reduced material in landfills.

Reduced release of methane and other gases to the
atmosphere and the beneficial use of these gases.

Fully commercialized worldwide

Significant greenhouse gas stabilization benefits.

Fully sustainable as long as humans produce waste

that would go to landfills or bioreactors. The key factor
is the sustainability of the biomass used in producing
materials ending up in landfills. There are major
environmental benefits from preventing the release of
biogas generated in landfills to the atmosphere.

Added renewable energy to the nations energy mix. Cleaner environment if landfills
are properly maintained. Availability of decentralized energy, both electric and thermal,
to the community. This would be of considerable value in the event of a regional or
local energy emergency

Qualifications: None

Practically any
Organic Waste

Intermediate products: None

Pretreatment: Sorting

Products: Valuable Compost

Qualifications: a separation
between organic and
contaminants is necessary

By-products: Heat and Carbon Dioxide. (May be useful in

a greenhouse environment or for heating)

Process and convert waste organic materials into organic

fertilizers containing the nutrients and minerals that were in
the original waste.

Fully commercialized worldwide. Wide range of technologies.

Fully sustainable because organic matter is being

recycled, improving overall environment.

Improves social quality through simple processes available to homeowners and farmers
alike. Reduces need for chemical fertilizers. Can be low cost.

Gasification
Fixed bed

Downdraft co-current fixed bed

Updraft co-current fixed bed
Updraft counter-current fixed bed
Cross-draft fixed bed
Open core fixed bed

Fluidized
bed

GASIFICATION

Pressurized circulating fluidized bed

Atmospheric Circulating fluidized bed

Plasma Arc Gasification

Novel designs

THERMOMOCHEMICAL

Biomass Management Technology

2-Stage Gasifier
Open top
Aqueous Phase Reforming

Products

Feedstocks
Any Organic
Material
Examples: Ag wastes,
hazardous organic
wastes, industrial
wastes.

1.

Intermediate Products: Combustible

gases, liquids, tars, and inert fluidizing
gases.

Pretreatment: Waste
typically segregated.

2.

Main Products: Electricity, Thermal Energy,

Hydrogen, Ethanol and other alcohols,
Diesel type fuels, Gasoline.

3.

By-products: Charcoal, Ash, Carbon

Dioxide.

Qualifications: Dry
MSW is favorable.
Coal size distribution
must be controlled to
ensure good bed
permeability.
Final Conversion
Technology
(Optional): FischerTropsch Catalytic
Conversion

Advantages

Commercialization
Status

Sustainability &
Environmental Concerns

The inhomogeneous biomass waste is converted

into a homogenous gas with a considerably higher
level of applicability The product gas may, without
any cleaning, be used for gas-fired steam boilers
combined with steam turbines or for increased
steam superheating (and consequently higher
power efficiency) at e.g. municipal solid waste
energy plants.
The product gas may, after a modest clean-up, be
burned using low NOx gas burner technology in
connection with indirectly fired power technologies
(such as indirectly fired gas turbines and Stirling
engines) with efficiencies exceeding 28%.
After adequate clean-up the product gas may even
be used for direct firing of gas turbines and gas
engines (with a potential efficiency exceeding
32%), and in the future also for powering fuel cells
(with efficiencies exceeding 40%).
Integrated Gasification Combined Cycles can be
arranged, producing: Electricity, Ammonia, Oil,
Methane and Hydrogen for fuel cells

Gasification is in widespread use throughout

most of the world. The technology ranges
from fully commercialized for certain
feedstocks and technologies to scientific
exploration for other feedstocks and more
advanced technologies. The simplest -- the
gasification of wood chips producing a gas
that is combusted to generate heat -- a wood
or a wood pellet stove, for example. The next
step is to use the gas to produce steam to
power a turbine. Then use the gas to power
an internal combustion engine to produce
electricity and thermal energy. Next, produce
a synthetic gas taken through a catalytic
process to produce an alcohol, a biofuel,
hydrogen or other gases. Then take the
produced syngas through a fermentation
proves to produce ethanol or other alcohols.

The principle factor is the sustainability of the

feedstocks. Gasifiers can have an enormous
appetite for biomass of all types. Consequently, it
is imperative that all environmental factors -- soil
and soil organisms, water quality and quantity,
wildlife and their habitat, wetlands and
watersheds are well protected --even enhanced.
There also emissions from the gasification
process and the combustion or other use of the
gases. All of these concerns can be dealt with in
an economic manner. If there are heavy metals
mixed with the biomass this could represent
significant problems.

Societal Impacts

The inherent difficulty in optimizing the benefits for local people is the
economies of scale. A shift in focus to the economies of integration
and value offers promise. The focus should be on cascading every
Btu, kilowatt, drop of water, nutrient, chemical and human talent
through the system to save money, produce co-products and
optimize the productivity and satisfaction of the workers. There are
also opportunities in the formation of farmer/worker coops to own and
operate the facility. There could be a focus on keeping the valueadded benefits in the rural community and in strengthening the
community while gaining the multiplier of benefits by turning money
over within the community. It is necessary to develop gasification
technologies that will encourage economies of integration and value
in order to ensure the competitiveness of such systems with
economies of scale facilities. Government policy, regulations and
incentives may be necessary for small facilities to compete. However,
this could well be justified in terms of overall benefits to society.

Pyrolysis
Slow Pyrolysis

Feedstocks

Products

Vacuum Pyrolysis

Any Organic
Material

Flash Pyrolysis

Pretreatment:
Sorting.

Intermediate products:
Syngas and Charcoal

Qualifications: None

Products: Bio-Oil and

Charcoal

Any Organic
Material

By-products: Electricity
and Thermal Energy

Open Core fixed bed

Fast Pyrolysis

PYROLYSIS

THERMOMOCHEMICAL

Biomass Management Technology

Ablative fast Pyrolysis

Cyclonic Fast Pyrolysis
Rotating Core Fast Pyrolysis

Pretreatment: Sorting.
Qualifications: Waste
must be pre-sorted and
processed to <6 mm (1
to 2 mm. preferred) and
<10% moisture content
to assure high heat
transfer rate.

Advantages

Commercialization
Status

Sustainability &
Environmental Concerns

Societal Impacts

Generally a simple, low-cost technology

capable of processing a wide variety of
feedstocks producing gases, a bio-oil,
bio-chemicals and charcoal. A
promising approach is the production of
a bio-oil t hat can be used to power
ethanol, biodiesel or other local
industries facilities, and a charcoal. The
charcoal is incorporated into the soil to
promote its fertility and organic matter
through synergistic processes between
the soil, soil organisms, the roots of the
plants, water and the CO2 and Nitrogen
in the atmosphere

Pilot Project Cashton Greens Energy

Park, Cashton, WI. Demonstration Project
BEST Australia. Limited
commercialization Dynamotive, Canada

By using waste streams and fully sustainable

biomass, there are many environmental
benefits including greenhouse gas
stabilization

Properly structured, this technology provides waste

collecting jobs for low-income people and opportunities
for skilled technicians. This benefits communities
through waste clean up (public health benefits), the
use of local feedstocks and by providing decentralized
power and fuels as well as charcoal to increase soil
fertility and organic matter levels.

Ethanol Production
Wet-Mill
Fermentation
Dry-Mill Fermentation

ETHANOL PRODUCTION

BIOCHEMICAL

Biomass Management Technology

Advantages

This Wet Mill Fermentation process is

more versatile than dry mill
fermentation, because of the products it
yields.

This Dry Mill Fermentation process is

not as expensive as wet mill.

Feedstocks
Grains

1. Intermediate Products: Mash, Sugar

Mostly: Corn

Wet-Mill Fermentation

Pretreatment: Wet-mill
fermentation
Qualifications: Grain
processing

Sugars, Starches, and

other Biomass

Dry-Mill Fermentation

Products

Examples: Grains (corn,

sorghum, barley), Sugars
(Sugarcane and beets), Beer,
and other sugars and starches.
Pretreatment: Dry-mill
fermentation

2. Main Products: Ethanol

3. By-products: Distillers Grains plus solubles,
Carbon Dioxide

1. Intermediate Products: Starch, Sugar

2. Main Products: Ethanol
3. By-products: Corn oil, corn gluten meal,
corn gluten feed, carbon dioxide, liquid biofertilizers

Qualifications: Grain
processing

Commercialization
Status
The current fuel ethanol industry was
launched in the US in 1979 with small onfarm plants and in educational institutions.
They were very small and inefficient. On
average, the efficiency of the plants has
increased about 2% per year and the
average size today is about 50 million gal/yr.
The fossil energy in, to renewable energy
out is now about 1 to 1.6 and steadily
improving. With innovations being
commercialized, that ratio will soon be well
over 2:1. Within 2 years it should be 3:1 and
within four years it should be possible to
incorporate cellulosic feedstocks into
standard corn to ethanol plants. In the US, it
is now anticipated that a capacity of 15
billion gal/yr from corn, milo, sugar cane and
other starch and sugar crops is possible
without interfering with the food/feed supply.
As long as the price of oil remains over
$50/bbl and corn under $3/bushel, with
todays incentives, the ethanol industry will
continue to grow and prosper.

Sustainability &
Environmental
Concerns
There are critical factors in the
advance of the ethanol industry using
starch and sugar crops as
feedstocks. The industry must ensure
the environmental community and the
public in general that, as the industry
further matures, it will ensure the
protection and enhancement of:
organic matter in the soils, Soil
organisms,
Water quality and quantity,
Wildlife and their habitat,
Wetlands,
Watersheds,
Rural communities, through
ownership in biorefineries and
appropriately keeping the valueadded benefits in the farm community

Societal Impacts
1. New wealth industries: New wealth in a society can only be generated by new wealth industries
based on the development of natural resources: Mining oil, gas, coal, oil shale, tar sands, metals,
minerals, etc. Agriculture Silvaculture forestry and wood lot operations Aquaculture fishing
Renewable energy technologies solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, hydropower (including current, tidal
and wave energy) and renewable hydrogen Recovered and recycled materials Human creativity All
activities generating enterprise and wealth are derived from these basic resources. Crucially for this
energy-oriented activity, note that energy efficiency, rooted in human creativity, is the foundation of a sound
energy policy. It is also important to understand that new wealth industries generate a powerful multiplier
effect as the new wealth moves from its source through the marketplace. This value is further multiplied
when ownership and value-added benefits accrue to those converting new wealth resources into
marketable products, as well as to the communities where the conversions occur. The mining of resources
is facing difficulty, as these resources are being depleted and skillful utilization of more sustainable, new
wealth resources steadily increase 2. "The economies of scale versus the economies of integration and
value": Routinely the economies of scale lead to large scale operations where profitability is the
commanding factor. But there are three other considerations: The economies of integration, where every
Btu of energy, every Kw of power, every nutrient, and every human talent is cascaded through the facility
until it reaches a point of minimal influence. The exception in diminishing influence is the human talent that
continually gains value as new skills and interests accumulate. The economies of value, first to the workers
who gain satisfaction, value to the facility, and more income for both. This occurs as the person cascades
through and up the hierarchy. The economies of scale generally lead to compartmentalization obviating
this value. Where economies of integration and value occur, the family and the community gain as the
value-added benefits multiply. This strengthens the individual, the family, the community and the nation
since there is visible, meaningful and felt interconnectivity between natural processes and the human
endeavor. 3. "The benefits that accrue to a nation and its people when there are committed actions to the
preservation and protection of Gods creation".

Biodiesel Production
Biomass Management Technology

Products

Feedstocks

(generally sodium hydroxide or potassium

hydroxide an acid catalyst is used to for
pretreatment see pretreatment)
Transesterification

TRANSESTERIFICATION

BIOMOCHEMICAL

Oils, fats, used cooking oils, greases,

methanol or ethanol and a catalyst

Transesterification

Pretreatment: Used cooking oils, yellow

greases and some tree oils are taken through
a esterification process to remove fatty acid
which should, preferably, be reduced to less
than 1% (at least below 4%). In the
esterification process, the methanol or
ethanol/acid catalyst is used to reduce the
fatty acids. Dewatering is required as part of
this process.

1.

Intermediate Products: Oils

fats or greases taken through
transesterfication

2.

Main Products: Biodiesel

3.

By-products: Glycerin, Soaps

Qualifications: Essentially any biomass

based oil, animal fat or tallow, used cooking
oil, yellow/trap grease, plant or tree oil can be
converted into biodiesel if the fatty acid
content is low enough. If not, it must be
pretreated.

Advantages
Biodiesel has slightly lower energy content than fossil diesel. It has a higher
cetane value, is essentially free of contaminates like sulfur and aromatics,
and burns cleaner than diesel fuel. It significantly reduces smoke, unburned
hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. It does, however, slightly increase
oxides of nitrogen. The level of these reductions is a function of the blend
levels. B-5 is acceptable by most engine manufactures. B-20 by a few, and, in
the US, essentially none at B-100. B-2, used to decrease emissions and
improve lubricity, is becoming increasingly attractive.
The production of biodiesel is relatively easy and there is no need for
significant infrastructure changes to gain full access to the market.
Its capacity is more limited than ethanol because of feedstock availability and
does not have be ability to use most biomass waste streams and cellulosic
and woody biomass. However, those feedstocks can be converted to a diesel
type fuel, like Sun Diesel in Germany. In the US, biodiesel is defined by law
as a mono ester of a long chain fatty acid. This requires a transesterfication
process.

Commercialization
Status
Biodiesel is fully commercialized
world wide.

Sustainability &
Environmental
Concerns
These factors are similar to
those covered in the ethanol
section. There are fuel versus
food and feed factors as well
as the potential of
environmental degradation.
These are all manageable if
proper procedures are
followed and research,
development and deployment
are aggressively pursued in
advancing technologies that
will enhance the environment
and provide opportunities for
low-income people throughout
the world.

Societal Impacts

There are major opportunities to

improve the well being of farmers and
ranchers and low-income rural
citizens throughout the world. This will
occur by having access to locally
produced fuels, through job creation,
and opportunities for ownership in
production facilities. Energy and
economic security factors are also
improved.

Anaerobic Digesters

Advantages

Mesophilic digestion costs

and energy requirements are
not as expensive as
Thermofilic.
This process is also more
stable than Thermofilic
digestion.
Electricity produced by
anaerobic digesters is
considered to be green
energy and may attract
subsidies such as
Renewable Energy
Certificates.

Mesophilic Process
Thermofilic Process

ANAEROBIC DIGESTERS

BIOMOCHEMICAL

Biomass Management Technology

Anaerobic activated sludge process

Anaerobic clarigester
Anaerobic contact process
Anaerobic expanded-bed reactor
Anaerobic filter
Anaerobic fluidized bed
Anaerobic lagoon
Anaerobic migrating blanket reactor AMBR
Batch system anaerobic digester
Expanded granular sludge bed digestion EGSB
Hybrid reactor
Imhoff tank
One-stage anaerobic digester
Submerged media anaerobic reactor SMARs
Two-stage anaerobic digester
Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket digestion
UASB
Upflow and down-flow anaerobic attached
growth

Commercialization Status
Anaerobic digesters are fully commercialized
throughout the world. However, the technology is
constantly being upgraded and improvements are
impressive. They range in size from mammoth
wastewater treatment plants to single family units in the
developing nations, In agriculture operations, there are
generally two approaches: 1) Dairy farmers or other
animal feeding operators owning and operating the
digester and engine generator set, marketing the
electricity to the grid and using the thermal energy and
digestate. 2) The farmer owns the animals, a separate
business owns and operates the digester and engine
generator set, farmer is paid for the manure and buys
the electricity and thermal as needed. In some cases
the farmer also owns the digester and the digestate.
Another option is to use the gas only for thermal use or
to simply flare the gas. In these cases, the purpose is to
process the manure to benefit the environment.

Products

Feedstocks
Almost any organic
material
Ex: paper, grass
clippings, leftover food,
sewages, animal
wastes; and other
forms of biomass like
distillers grains.

Intermediate products: N/A.

Products: Biogas, Thermal Energy,
Digestate.
By-products: Liquid and Solid Biofertilizers.

Pretreatment: Sorting
or screening to remove
inorganic material.
Qualifications: The
material may need to
be pre-processed and
water added.

Sustainability &
Environmental Concerns
If properly constructed and operated, anaerobic
digesters can make major contributions to the
environment while reducing greenhouse gases.
The methane is produced in the digester and
the gas beneficially used instead of the manure
decomposing and releasing gases to the
atmosphere. Additionally, manure and urine give
off bad odors and harbor troublesome
pathogens. Manure is costly to spread and can
contaminate the soil, and concentrate minerals
in excessive amounts. These problems are
solved by the digester, The liquid fraction of the
digestate can be safely applied to soils at
opportune times. The solid fraction can be used
as bedding for the cows or used an organic
fertilizer.

Societal Impacts

The societal impact should be very positive if thoughtful

practices and good science/engineering practices are
followed throughout the process. In some developing
countries, digesters are being made available at very
low costs, permitting a family to produce enough gas to
cook all meals by using human and animate waste and
whatever other organic material is readily available.
This also helps clean and sanitize the area while
providing a valuable soil amendment for improved
gardening. Continued engineering advances are needed
to increase the effectiveness of small-scale digesters
while keeping the price affordable for poor people.

Landfill
Bioreactor Vessel
Landfill Site

LANDFILL

BIOMOCHEMICAL

Biomass Management Technology

Advantages

In the case of bioreactors, reduced

material in landfills.
Reduced release of methane and
other gases to the atmosphere and
the beneficial use of these gases.
Significant greenhouse gas
stabilization benefits.

Bioreactor Vessel

Landfill Site

Commercialization
Status
Fully commercialized worldwide

Feedstocks

Organic Wastes
Pretreatment: Sorting pretreatment
Qualifications: The waste
must be contained,
compacted and covered in
a vessel

Products

Intermediate products: Biogas composed of

Methane, Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen,
Hydrogen, Hydrogen Sulfide and
Oxygen.
Products: Electricity, thermal energy,
methane.
By-products: Carbon Dioxide for possible use
in greenhouse operations, and
Biofertilizers.

Organic Wastes
Pretreatment: None
Qualifications: None

Sustainability &
Environmental Concerns

Societal Impacts

Fully sustainable as long as humans

produce waste that would go to landfills or
bioreactors. The key factor is the
sustainability of the biomass used in
producing materials ending up in landfills.
There are major environmental benefits
from preventing the release of biogas
generated in landfills to the atmosphere.

Added renewable energy to the nations energy mix.

Cleaner environment if landfills are properly
maintained. Availability of decentralized energy,
both electric and thermal, to the community. This
would be of considerable value in the event of a
regional or local energy emergency

Compost

Compost

Static Pile

COMPOST

BIOMOCHEMICAL

Biomass Management Technology

Advantages

Process and convert waste organic

materials into organic fertilizers
containing the nutrients and minerals
that were in the original waste.

Enclosed Compost (bldg. or other container)

In-vessel compost
Turned wind roll

Commercialization
Status
Fully commercialized worldwide. Wide
range of technologies.

Products

Feedstocks

Practically any
Organic Waste
Pretreatment: Sorting
Qualifications: a
separation between
organic and
contaminants is
necessary

Intermediate products: None

Products: Valuable Compost
By-products: Heat and Carbon
Dioxide. (May be useful in a
greenhouse environment or for
heating).

Sustainability &
Environmental Concerns
Fully sustainable because organic matter
is being recycled, improving overall
environment.

Societal Impacts

Improves social quality through simple processes

available to homeowners and farmers alike.
Reduces need for chemical fertilizers. Can be low
cost.