Posted on 08/19/2020 8:12:01 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Researchers at the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) have genetically engineered a fungus to produce a cocktail of enzymes that break down the carbohydrates in biomass, such as sugarcane trash (tops and leaves) and bagasse, into fermentable sugar for industrially efficient conversion into biofuel.
The development of low-cost enzyme cocktails is one of the main challenges in producing second-generation ethanol.
Second-generation biofuels are manufactured from various kinds of nonfood biomass, including agricultural residues, wood chips and waste cooking oil. The CNPEM research group's process paves the way for optimized use of sugarcane residues to produce biofuels.
The fungus Trichoderma reesei is one of the most prolific producers of plant cell wall-degrading enzymes and is widely used in the biotechnology industry. To enhance its productivity as a biofactory for the enzyme cocktail in question, the researchers introduced six genetic modifications into RUT-C30, a publicly available strain of the fungus. They patented the process and reported it in an article published in the journal Biotechnology for Biofuels.
The bioprocess developed by the CNPEM researchers produced 80 grams of enzymes per liter, the highest experimentally supported titer so far reported for T. reesei from a low-cost sugar-based feedstock. This is more than double the concentration previously reported in the scientific literature for the fungus (37 grams per liter).
Although the platform was customized for the production of cellulosic ethanol from sugarcane residues, he added, it can break down other kinds of biomass, and advanced sugars can be used to produce other biorenewables such as plastics and intermediate chemicals.
(Excerpt) Read more at phys.org ...
genetically engineered a fungus
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lignin
Ping.
Question: if not for the agricultural special interests would we still be making fuel out of food? We started when there were fuel shortages and people were scared there was a ‘peak oil’ crisis coming, neither of which are real issues now. Looking to get better understanding of why we continue with ethanol other than farmers at the Iowa caucus won’t vote for you unless you support subsidies.
I don't doubt that is a laboratory breakthrough. The question is, can this bio-fuel compete against cheap natural gas, and cheap oil?
I don't think so.
What is 2nd generation ethanol? 300 proof vodka?
“Peak oil” is real, not that there isn’t oil to be found, but that the discovery of new super large deposits worldwide isn’t happening, and the cost of producing oil is rapidly exceeding its energy value, with water cuts approaching 40%. All that water must be disposed of, and that’s another expense. The “fracking boom” is a debt ponzi scheme based on constantly drilling new wells to compensate for the rapid decline of existing wells.
Of all the oil-producing countries in the world, it’s Russia that holds the biggest reserve potential, not Saudi Arabia.
Well that would be some potent stuff—being 150% abv.
Cellulosic 2-butanol (a drop-in replacement for gasoline) would be even better.
What could possibly go wrong?
Well, you know more about than I do. All I know is that ethanol is hard on some engines and dissolves seals and stuff so you need to doctor it with stabilizers and stuff and still they recommend burning it out of the engine fast. So it works but it’s not as good for it’s intended purpose as straight up gasoline. But if you think you won’t be able to get gasoline you explore other options, even ones that are maybe not a 100% perfect substitute for pure gasoline. But scarcity isn’t the factor driving ethanol mandates these days because there is no scarcity.
https://www.betalabservices.com/biofuels/petroleum-ethanol.html
Yes. Isobutanol actually makes sense as a biofuel or synfuel - it can be produced from syngas. Dimethyl ether is also interesting as a clean-burning diesel-replacement synfuel. Leave ethanol in my booze, where it belongs.
Like the 103 pump octane of straight iso-butanol (t-butanol 97 and n- butanol 87). These other chemical variants of butanol having a lower octane property would be blended for a targeted octane value. The Isobutanol isomer is about 98% the energy content pure gasoline per one source. Need a turbo engine or high compression normally aspirated engine to gain the full benefit. Higher viscosity may be an issue above 20% blends for gasoline direct injection engines.
Does not attract water from air, and can be mixed with gasoline in any proportion. Can be used straight with a richer A/F mixture as a replacement for gasoline in unmodified / older engines. Possesses much lower corrosion and elastomeric seal damage potential.
A BU 16 butanol/gasoline fully legal blend can be dropped into an engine optimized for E 10 blend with no engine changes. Can be mixed with 85% ethanol as a BU 85 alternative to E 85, as the butanol spark-ignites as well as gasoline.
Smells like over-the-hill ripe bananas. Fumes are literally intoxicating. Has poisoning issues similar to methyl alcohol consumption.
https://www.iea-amf.org/content/fuel_information/butanol/
Making ethanol is easy.
My ancestors used to do it all the time out in the woods behind the house..................
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