Building a Bridge to the Ethanol Industry--Follow-Up Project Period of Performance: 2/22/01-12/31/02
4/30/2003
The first trial of the corn fiber pretreatment process has been completed. The data and operating experience for the pump, heat exchanger, coil, and centrifuge show the pretreatment of corn fiber in water is technically achievable and economically feasible. The goals of this trial include showing that the pretreatment process is scaleable to fit the existing process at Williams Bioenergy, that pilot-size equipment achieves the goals of pretreatment--at least 75% recovery of starch from the corn fiber, and testing the performance of pilot-scale equipment at or near operational conditions. These goals were met. Cellulose conversion was also significantly enhanced by the pretreatment process.
Authors: Ladisch, M.; N. Mosier, G. Welch, B. Dien
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report - March 3, 2003
3/3/2003
This is the ninth issue of the Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report, a quarterly newsletter keeping you up to date on the price of alternative fuels in the U.S. and their relation to gasoline and diesel prices. This issue discusses prices that were gathered from Clean Cities coordinators and stakeholders during the weeks of February 3, February 10, and February 17 2003, with comparisons to the prices in the previous Price Report, which were collected in October, 2002.
Authors: Lott, M.
Innovative Methods for Corn Stover Collecting, Handling, Storing and Transporting
3/1/2003
Corn stover, the material remaining on the surface after the grain is collected, is the largest underutilized crop in the U.S. Currently, stover is field dried and baled, limiting transportation to a 50-mile radius. For corn stover feedstock to become a reality for large biorefineries, innovations are needed between the field and delivery to the the processor in three areas: collection, storage, and transportation.
Authors: Atchison, J.E.; Hettenhaus, J.R.
The Effect of Biodiesel Composition on Engine Emissions from a DDC Series 60 Diesel Engine
2/28/2003
Certificaation fuel runs exhibited a mean NOx emission level of 4.59 g/bhp-h (+/-.053) with no significant drift over the four month test program. PM emissions averaged 0.261 g/bhp-h (+/-0.019). A small downward drift in PM emissions was evident (11% over the course of the project). Thus, no correction for drift was applied to the NOx emissions data but a small correction wass applied to PM.
Authors: Graboski, M.S.; R.L. McCormick, T.L. Alleman
Bioassay Analyses of Particulate Matter From a Diesel Bus Engine Using Various Biodiesel Feedstock Fuels
2/28/2003
Diesel exhaust is a complex mixture of compounds present in both the particle and vapor phases and includes specific classes of compounds such as the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, many of which are genotoxic. Many technologies have been employed to reduce diesel particulate emissions, including engine modification, emission control devices, and the use of alternative fuels such as biodiesel.
Authors: Kado, N.Y.; P.A. Kuzmicky
NOx Solutions for Biodiesel -- Final Report -- #6 in a series of 6
2/28/2003
This study has examined a number of approaches for Nox reduction from biodiesel. Blending FT diesel at very high percentages can produce a NOx neutral fuel. Lowering the base fuel aromatic content from 31.9% to 7.5% (nominally 10% aromatic fuel) was very successful at lowering NOx.
Authors: McCormick, R.L.; J.R. Alvarez, M.S. Graboski
A Bioethanol Process Development Unit: Initial Operating Experiences and Results with a Corn Fiber Feedstock
1/1/2003
Interest in bioethanol production from lignocellulosic feedstocks for use as an alternative fuel is increasing, but near-term commercialization will require a low cost feedstock. One such feedstock, corn fiber, was tested in the US DOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) bioethanol pilot plant for the purpose of testing integrated equipment operating and generating performance data. During initial runs in 1995, the plant was operated for two runs lasting 10 and 15 days each and utilized unit operations for feedstock handling, pretreatment by dilute sulfuric-acid hydrolysis, yeast inoculum production, and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation using a commercially available cellulase enzyme. Although significant operational problems were encountered, as would be expected with the startup of any new plant, operating experience was gained and preliminary data were generated on corn fiber pretreatment and subsequent fermentation of the pretreated material. Bacterial contamination was a significant problem during these fermentations.
Authors: Schell, D.J.; C.J. Riley, N. Dowe, J. Farmer, K.N. Ibsen, M.F. Ruth, S.T. Toon (NREL) R.E. Lumpkin (SWAN)
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report - December 27, 2002
12/27/2002
This is the eighth issue of the Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report, a quarterly newsletter keeping you up to date on the price of alternative fuels in the U.S. and their relation to gasoline and diesel prices. This issue discusses prices that were gathered from Clean Cities coordinators and stakeholders during the weeks of October 21, October 28, and November 4, 2002, with comparisons to the prices in the previous Price Report which were collected in July, 2002.
Authors: Lott, M.
Issues Associated with the Use of Higher Ethanol Blends (E17-E24)
10/1/2002
This report reviews the issues associated with utilizing higher ethanol blends (E17-E24), and is intended to advise the Department of Energy (DOE) on factors that might encourage or constrain the integration of such blends into the marketplace. Subjects include technical vehicle issues, emissions and emissions testing, infrastructure, market issues, and regulatory and policy considerations.
Authors: Hammel-Smith, C.; J. Fang, M. Powders, J. Aabakken
Using Unmodified Vegetable Oils as a Diesel Fuel Extender: A Literature Review
9/22/2002
This paper is a review of literature concerning using vegetable oils as a replacement for diesel fuel. The term vegetable oils as used in this paper refers to vegetable oils which have not been modified by transesterification or similar processes to form what is called biodiesel. The oils studied include virgin and used oils of various types including soy, rapeseed, canola, sunflower, cottonseed and similar oils. In general, raw vegetable oils can be used successfully in short term performance tests in nearly any percentage as a replacement for diesel fuel. When tested in long term tests blends above 20 percent nearly always result in engine damage or maintenance problems. Some authors report success in using vegetable oils as diesel fuel extenders in blends less than 20 percent even in long term durability studies. Degumming is suggested by one author as a way to improve use of raw oils in low level blends.
Authors: Jones, S.; Peterson C.L.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority: Biodiesel Fuel Comparison Final Data Report
8/15/2002
The West Virginia University measured the exhaust emissions from a Flxible Transit bus with a 1990 Cummins L10 engine operated on standard federal type-1 deisel fuel (D1), ultra-low sulfur type-1 diesel fuel (ULSD1) and on a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% ULSD1 fuel (BD20). During the ULSD1 and BD20 tests the transit bus was equipped with an Engelhard DPX catalyzed particulate filter. The vehicle was exercised over a chassis dynamometer test cycle that was developed from data logged from WMATA buses during normal passenger service in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area. All measurements were made in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations CFR40 Part 86 Subpart N.
Authors: Donald W. Lyons
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report - August 8, 2002
8/8/2002
This is the seventh issue of the Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report, a quarterly newsletter keeping you up to date on the price of alternative fuels in the U.S. and their relation to gasoline and diesel prices. This issue discusses prices that were gathered from Clean Cities coordinators and stakeholders during the weeks of July 15, July 22, and July 29, 2002, with comparisons to the prices in the previous Price Report which were collected in April, 2002.
Authors: Lott, M.
Beyond Diesel-Renewable Diesel
8/1/2002
This fact sheet explores domestically produced, renewable fuels such as biodiesel and E-diesel as possible alternatives to conventional diesel and a way to displace some of America's petroleum imports.