1. Biorenewable Resources
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

2. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Objectives
Versatility of biorenewable processes
Variety of products
Environmental/economic tradeoffs
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

3. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
US Energy Flow in Quads
2007 data
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

4. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

5. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Terminology
Renewable
Sustainable
Green
Alternative
Clean Tech
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

6. Renewable = Sustainable?
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

7. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

8. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Biomass Definition
Any renewable organic matter such as agricultural crops, crop-waste residues, wood, animal and municipal wastes, aquatic plants and fungal growth used for the production of energy.
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

9. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
The Promise of Biomass
Renewable
Abundant
Carbon Neutral
Diffuse
Global
Helps Agriculture, Forest
Multiuse
Food
Shelter
Energy
Materials
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

10. The Problem with Biomass
Costly to gather
Low energy content
Low physical density
Moisture content
Costly to transport
Additional processing
Arable land competition
Water resources
Fuel vs. feed
Deforestation
Energy contents: gasoline = 19,100 Btu/lb; diesel = 19,600 Btu/lb; wood = 8,000 Btu/lb
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

11. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Biomass Utilization
Bioenergy
heat & power
Transportation Fuels
Chemicals
Fibers
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

12. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

13. US Annual Biomass Resource
~8,000 petajoules/yr total or 8 exajoules ~ 8 quads. US uses about 100 quads/yr, 30 quads in transport.
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

14. Montana Biomass Resource
Electrical generating capacity 6 million megawatt-hours; 600,000 homes
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

15. Criteria for Biomass Development
Residues/wastes utilized
Does not compete with food/feed
Energy crops on unused or marginal lands
Minimizes or eliminates cultivation inputs
Irrigation, tilling, pesticides, herbicides
Regionally produced and consumed
Grain residue factor 1.5.
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

16. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Bioenergy
Combustion – CO2 Group
Gasification
Pyrolysis - biochar
Anaerobic digestion
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

17. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Another GHG Source
Unepdoc.pdf, Tonnes CO2eq
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

18. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Char Surface Pores
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

19. Downdraft Gasification
1st explored in late 1600’s
Used in WWII by Swedes & Germans
Updated technology
Computerized
Advanced process control
Combined heat & power
Modular & portable
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

20. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Gasifier Schematic
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

21. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Early examples of mobile gasification
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

22. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
UM Mobile Gasifier
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

23. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Helena Demo for Jag
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

24. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Transportation Fuels
Biodiesel
Ethanol
Methanol
Methane
Hydrogen
Producer gas
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

25. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Biodiesel Facts
Lower energy content than Diesel
Biodiesel: 118,296 BTUs per gallon
No. 2 Diesel: 129,500 BTUs per gallon
Source National Biodiesel Board
Energy Lifecycle
3.2 units of energy are produced for each energy unit used
Source NREL
K. Gustad’s Presentation
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana 25

26. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
The Chemistry
K. Gustad’s Presentation
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

27. US Bio Diesel Production
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

28. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
The Algae Option
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

29. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Algae Yields
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

30. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Bio-Ethanol Debate
“Ethanol fuel from corn faulted as 'unsustainable subsidized food burning' in analysis by Cornell scientist”
Cornell News Headline, 8/16/2001
Author: David Pimentel
Current studies estimate 25% to 35% more energy derived than invested.
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

31. Ethanol Energy Balance
NREL Report
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

32. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Ethanol Summary
NREL Study
Note Dates of Study
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

33. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Pimentel Critique
NREL Study
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

34. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
US Ethanol Capacity
my graph
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

35. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Biochemicals
Commodity chemicals
Ethylene, benzene, lactic acid, sorbitol
Specialty chemicals
Pharmaceuticals
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

36. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Fibers
Textiles
sisal, flax, hemp, ramie
Paper products
Composite materials
Trex
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

37. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

38. Biomass & the Environment
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

39. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Unepdoc.pdf
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

40. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Carbon Footprint
Carbon neutral
Carbon sequestering
Carbon negative
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

41. Other Alternative Fuels
Natural gas
Propane, lpg
Reformulated gasoline
Hybrid
Hydrogen
Electric
Compressed air
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

42. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Hydrogen
Hydrogen safety
ICE vs Fuel Cell
Storage
Water is exhaust
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

43. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Electric
Speed, range, charging
Batteries
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

44. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Compressed Air
68 mph
125 mile range
5 minute refill
On-board compressor
5000 psi
$13,000
India 2009
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

45. Conventional Mass Transit
Massive Costs
10 to 100’s million $
Limited coverage
Schedule
Frequent stops
Often crowded
Inconvenient
High maintenance & operating costs
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

46. Personal Rapid Transport
Skytran Brochure
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana

47. Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana
Summary
Biomass has vast potential
Focus on utilizing residues and marginal lands
Bio ethanol has a positive energy balance
Biorenewable resources improve environment, economy, and security
FOR 295 Presentation April 28, 2009
Alternative Energy Technologies The University of Montana