Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Anton Holland
NIVA Inc., Canada
Keynote: How do we make bioeconomy and biofuels research relevant and accessible to politicians, the public, industry, and the media?
Time : 09:00-09:30
Biography:
Anton Holland is President and CEO of NIVA Inc., a consultancy focused on all aspects of science communication and knowledge brokering. He leads the company’s strategy to assist science-based organizations to bridge the gap that exists between complex science subject matter and the information demands of different audience types. He has developed keen insight into the need for clear and concise science writing for public audiences; this has provided him with the ability to find innovative ways to make the connections that help people understand science and technology.
Abstract:
The bioeconomy, of which biofuels are a significant part, is essential to achieving a low-carbon future. But adopting the products of the research and development that support the bioeconomy is fraught with misunderstanding at many levels. For example, While the public understands that the bioeconomy is here, there is a poor understanding of what it is and what it means. There is also a need for much greater understanding about the bioeconomy among policymakers in general. This lack of understanding is one of the biggest hurdles in getting policy support for what professionals who research, develop, and commercialize bioproducts are trying to accomplish. The public and some policymakers erroneously feel that sustainability is a problem when it comes to the bioeconomy for example, the food versus fuel debate. That this is based on their biases rather than factual evidence presents significant and critical challenges that must be met. And to top it off, there is an incredible lack of knowledge in most countries about the bioeconomy's major benefits. Very clear, non-ambiguous messaging is needed, but it’s in short supply. Understanding these varied audiences, knowing how to craft clear evidence-based messages, and understanding effective approaches like plain language communication and data visualization are essential tools for all scientific and business professionals whose aim is to advance any aspect of the bioeconomy.
Keynote Forum
Bruce Hillen
Susteen Technologies Canada Ltd., Canada
Keynote: Thermo Catalytic Reforming (TCR®) sustainable resources from sewage sludge and organic waste
Time : 09:30-10:00
Biography:
Bruce Hillen has held the position of CEO within Susteen Technologies Canada Ltd (STC) since its beginning 3 years ago. STC is a spin-out company of Fraunhofer Umsicht in Germany which he also acts as a consultant for in the area of Thermochemical Conversion of carbon-based organics into renewable fuels for Canada. Previous to this, he had a 25-year career with the Calgary Board of Education in the Department of Facility and Environmental Services. He now considers himself an entrepreneur. He is certified in Advanced Biofuels through McGill University and is a member of the Alberta and International biochar initiatives.
Abstract:
Thermo-catalytic reforming is a three-stage thermo-chemical process combining catalytic pyrolysis, cracking and reforming to decompose organic materials into gas, oil, and char while upgrading these products throughout the process. A carbon-based, organic solid material enters the TCR® reactor through an injection system which is designed to keep oxygen out of the process, avoiding the combustion of the feedstock. The feedstock is heated up in an auger pipe reactor stage to temperatures ranging from 400-500°C. First water contained in the feedstock is evaporated. At higher temperatures, complex organic molecules such as cellulose or lignin are decomposed into carbon, carbon-monoxide, carbon-dioxide, hydrocarbons, and water. Carbon and minerals contained in the feedstock form a solid char while other products form a vapour phase. In other pyrolysis and gasification technologies, the produced hydrocarbons include significant quantities of highly viscous tars with high boiling temperatures. When the product vapours are cooled down these tars coat reactor walls and contaminate the product gas and oil. This results in major problems regarding plant availability and maintenance and requires too complex further product treatment to enable commercial use of the products. Some competing technologies avoid vapour condensation entirely and immediate combust the vapours to produce heat as their only product other than char. Taking this one step further a second stage–called post reforming–was added to the process to make further use of the unique properties of the char. Char and vapour move from the first stage into a vertical reactor stage while being heated up to temperatures ranging 550-700°C. The char forms a fixed bed which is continuously renewed by char coming from the top while char is extracted at the bottom. The vapour is forced to flow through the char bed before being extracted from the post reforming stage.
Keynote Forum
Hongsheng Guo
National Research Council Canada, Canada
Keynote: Dual fuel combustion in compression ignition engines and the application for low carbon fuels
Time : 10:00-10:30
Biography:
Hongsheng Guo is a Senior Research Officer and leader of the Low Carbon Fuels and Clean Combustion team of National Research Council Canada. He has more than 30 year experience in low carbon fuel and clean combustion research, and published more than 200 journal and conference papers in clean combustion area.
Abstract:
Compression ignition diesel engines have been widely used in transportation and power generation industries due to the higher reliability and superior fuel conversion efficiency. However, they generate a significant amount of CO2 and particulate matter (PM) emissions. The Paris Climate Agreement requires a significant reduction in CO2 emission in next 10~30 years, which has exerted pressure to industries using diesel engines. Fuels produced from renewable resources generate significantly lower CO2 emissions than diesel combustion, such as renewable natural gas, biogas, and syngas. Replacing diesel by these renewable fuels in internal combustion engines help significantly reduce CO2 emissions. Dual fuel combustion mode is an efficient, practical and flexible way to burn these renewable fuels in internal combustion engines since it maintains the higher efficiency of diesel engines and retains the capability to switch back to pure diesel combustion mode when there are not enough renewable fuels. This study investigates a low carbon gaseous fuel–diesel dual fuel combustion engine. The low carbon gaseous fuel can be renewable natural gas, biogas or syngas. The results show that the dual fuel combustion significantly reduces CO2 emissions and almost remove PM emissions. Therefore, the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a dual fuel engine are much lower than those from a diesel engine operating at the same power output. The dual fuel combustion mode provides a great pathway for renewable gaseous fuels to replace diesel in internal combustion engines to reduce GHG emissions in future, such as for power generation and transportation.
Keynote Forum
Amarjit Bhakshi
Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies LLC, USA
Keynote: An overview of renewable fuels ethanol from cellulose and bio-diesel from conventional/algae feed status and economic options for ETBE
Time : 10:50-11:20
Biography:
Amarjit Bakshi, over 40 years’ experience in Engineering/Consulting Management at a senior level in Process Engineering, Technology, Business Development, Licensing, Acquisitions, Alliances and Project Management, and Engineering, Operations Management and Process Engineering. Provided proven leadership and vision with broader perspectives and ability to manage multiple tasks and personnel on mega projects. Patents provide refiners and petrochemical plants innovations to enhance the performance of the units. Worked in all EU countries including the UK, Germany and The Netherland. Major developments in Oil and gas business, downstream and petrochemicals technology, Catalysts, an international alliance, licensing & contract negotiation, technology marketing, new technology commercial launch, partner relations. He had his PhD and also undergraduate degree both in Chemical Engineering from University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
Abstract:
Advances in Biofuel technology: RHT-ETBE and RHT-TAEE are the Smart configuration technologies to enhance the conversion to over 97 to 90 percent respectively by having multiple sides draws from the columns, and one can much better quality also than competitive technologies. The major advantage in these processes is that it allows wet ethanol to be used in the process and still meeting TBA and TAA specifications in the product. Essentially the process is rejecting the water from wet ethanol and makes high-quality Ethers at low Capex and Opex to the competitive processes. RHT- Biodiesel process is optimized to produce biodiesel from palm oil, Rape seed oil, vegetable and animal product that are all fatty acids with an even number of carbon atom typically 12 to 22 atoms. This biodiesel is comparable to hydrocarbon diesel. The triglycerides are reacted with methanol/ ethanol or higher alcohol which all produce biodiesel in the acceptable boiling range. Methanol is most commonly used for the biodiesel production as being the cheapest alcohol, hence provides better economics. After the transesterification reaction, the product, methyl esters of those oils/fats as product and glycerine is produced as a byproduct. Glycerine is separated from the methyl esters of vegetable oils that are the biodiesel by phase separation by gravity settling due to density differences. The methyl esters and glycerine are purified to meet the product specifications. The technology is able to provide that reaction also to meet high overall conversions and selectivity at low Capex and Opex without producing any liquid waste.
Keynote Forum
Evgeny Katz
Clarkson University, USA
Keynote: Implantable biofuel cells operating in vivo— Potential power sources for bioelectronic devices
Time : 11:20-11:50
Biography:
Evgeny Katz received his PhD in Chemistry from Frumkin Institute of Electrochemistry (Moscow), Russian Academy of Sciences, in 1983. He was a senior researcher in the Institute of Photosynthesis (Pushchino), Russian Academy of Sciences, in 1983-1991. In 1992-1993 he performed research at München Technische Universität (Germany) as a Humboldt fellow. Later, in 1993-2006, he was a Research Associate Professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. From 2006 he is Milton Kerker Chaired Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, NY (USA). He has (co)authored over 440 papers in peer-reviewed journals/books with the total citation more than 30,000 (Hirsch-index 84). His scientific interests are in the broad areas of bioelectronics, biosensors, biofuel cells, and biomolecular information processing.
Abstract:
Implantable devices harvesting energy from biological sources and based on electrochemical transducers are currently receiving high attention. The energy collected from the body can be utilized to activate various microelectronic devices. This presentation is an overview of the recent research activity in the area of enzyme-based biofuel cells implanted in biological tissue and operating in vivo. The electrical power extracted from the biological sources presents use for activating microelectronic devices for biomedical applications. While some microelectronic devices can work within a fairly broad range of electrical operating conditions, others, such as pacemakers, require precise voltage levels and voltage regulation for correct operation. Thus, certain classes of electronic devices powered by implantable energy sources will require careful attention not only to energy and power considerations but also to voltage scaling and regulation. This requires appropriate interfacing between the energy harvesting device and the energy consuming microelectronic device. The lecture focuses on the problems in the present technology as well as offers their potential solutions. Lastly, perspectives and future applications of the implanted biofuel cells are also discussed. The considered examples include a pacemaker and a wireless signal transfer system powered by an implantable biofuel cell extracting electrical energy from biological sources
- Biomass | Biomass feed stocks for renewable energy generation | Biomass technologies
Location: Diefenbaker
Chair
Roger Ruan
University of Minnesota, USA
Session Introduction
Roger Ruan
University of Minnesota, USA
Title: Microwave assisted fast catalytic pyrolysis and gasification of biomass for biofuels and bioenergy production
Biography:
Roger Ruan is the Director of Center for Biorefining and Professor of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering Department at University of Minnesota, and Fellow of ASABE. He has published over 400 papers in referred journals, books, and book chapters, and over 300 meeting papers and other reports, and holds many patents. He is also a top-cited author in the area of agricultural and biological sciences. He has served as guest editor and/or editorial board member of Bioresource Technology, etc. and an Editor-in-Chief and chairman of the board for International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.
Abstract:
Various biomass, such as crop residues, food wastes, and municipal wastes are a potential feedstock for the production of renewable energy and fuels. Gasification and pyrolysis are efficient ways for conversion and utilization of these wastes. Fluidized bed processes that are the most common methods employed in fast pyrolysis and gasification have some significant issues include a complex and expensive system and process, high ash particles in products due to violent agitation, the low energy density of syngas due to the dilution by carrying gases, etc. In this presentation, we will present our improvement and new development of a fast microwave assisted downdraft catalytic pyrolysis and gasification processes and system using the novel microwave heating mechanism in which microwave susceptors and catalysts are used to significantly improve the heating characteristics, and the yield and quality of the products. Solid feedstocks are directly fed onto the hot microwave absorbents efficiently and efficiently maintained at desirable temperatures, resulting in higher temperature rise rate of the feedstock and therefore much more efficient absorption of the microwave energy also, and in turn fast gasification and pyrolysis. A separated packed-bed catalysis for the volatiles was also developed to improve the quality and yield of the pyrolytic and gasification products. Results and discussion on the effects of key process variables such as microwave susceptor type, particle size, and loading, microwave power input and control, feedstock loading method, raw material and catalyst temperatures, and the ratio of raw material and catalyst loading on product yields and quality, and energy consumption will be presented.
Rafal Strzalka
Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences, Germany
Title: Flexible bioenergy system integration into energy supply systems of urban areas
Biography:
Rafal Strzalka has been working at the Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences since 2002. As part of his work, he was involved in numerous national and European projects. Since 2013, he has been coordinating the research activities of the university in the field of energetic use of biomass as a project manager. The core competencies of him includes the optimization of energy production processes, the comprehensive analysis of biomass energy infrastructure and specialized, simulation-based efficiency enhancement measures for biomass-fired energy generation systems.
Abstract:
Bioenergy is nowadays by far the most important renewable energy source. In order to achieve high sustainability of bioenergy utilization under the increasing requirements of future-oriented energy supply, the performance of biomass plants has to be increased and used “smarter” as before. The highest efficiency of the utilization of biomass potentials is currently achieved in decentralized systems, as they can be characterized by relatively high conversion efficiencies, high flexibility, and reasonable investment costs. Due to their system characteristics, decentralized bioenergy plants are operated in a heat-driven mode, which leads to problems to achieve the designed conversion efficiency if an urban area with fluctuating heat demand serves as the heat sink. Resulting from this difficult operating conditions of bioenergy plants, the aim of the study is the development of innovative system applications that will enable optimal integration of bioenergy plants with the objective of optimal exploitation of their system potential in the context of future-oriented energy supply. In the case of decentralized bioenergy plants, the available options for the application of effective process control technology are limited due to the scaling effects. This usually leads to fluctuations of the process parameters and consequently to significant losses in system efficiency. To solve this problem, an optimization concept developed in the context of the presented study, consisting of new hardware components for combustion air management and fuel parameters control will be described in the paper. The presented approach includes also the implementation of model-based improvement of the system control, which will lead to a significant increase in the system stability and process efficiency. In order to achieve optimal integration of modern bioenergy plants within sustainable energy supply systems, the infrastructure requirements of the supply areas must also be taken into account. For this purpose, a 3D CityGML model of the building infrastructure was developed by using a GIS system. The simulation platform created in this way was extended by a heat network model. This platform can be used to predict the evolution of heat demand of the supplied urban area, which will make the operation of bioenergy plants more efficient. Furthermore, this platform can be applied to remedy infrastructure deficits, which can additionally increase supply efficiency. The comprehensive system application presented in the study, consisting of new hardware components, model-based system optimization, and an infrastructure integration platform, can be universally used to improve the operation of existing and new planned bioenergy plants. With respect of a large number of bioenergy plants as the most important producer of regenerative energy, the utilization potential of this effective system application can be estimated as very high.
Peter A Jackman
Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox PLLC, USA
Title: Lessons from IPRs involving biomass-related patents
Biography:
Peter Jackman is a Director in both the Biotechnology and Cleantech Industry Groups at the Washington, DC-based intellectual property law firm Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox. He helps to protect industrial biotechnologies including biomass, biofuel, biochemical, bioprocessing, and genetic engineering technologies, leveraging his BS in biology and MS in microbiology. He frequently lectures and publishes on patent issues surrounding green technologies. He is a contributing author of Patent Office Litigation, Second Edition, published in 2017, and further served on the BIO International Convention and the BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology Program Committees. His practice includes counseling clients in global patent portfolio procurement and management strategies, technology transfer, invalidity, non-infringement, freedom-to-operate and patentability opinions, and due diligence investigations. He also assists clients in reexamination and Inter Partes Review proceedings at the USPTO.
Abstract:
Modern agriculture is being transformed by a confluence of advancing technologies. Agricultural biology, cell biology, genome and proteome research, gene sequencing, and gene editing technology like CRISPR is reshaping agriculture to face the challenges of an expanding global population, climate change, and a finite natural resource base. Patents provide the infrastructure to protect innovation and enable technology progress in the area of agriculture, particularly biomass. According to data obtained from the US Patent and Trademark Office, patenting in agricultural technologies has increased steadily over the past few decades. For many years, the only way to challenge the validity of a patent was through protracted and expensive district court litigation. Inter parts review was introduced by the America Invents Act on September 16, 2012, and designed as an efficient alternative to district court litigation to challenge patent validity. Since its debut, IPRs have enjoyed widespread adoption across many industries. As of March 2018, more than 7,500 petitions have been filed. Although the total number and frequency of IPR petitions filed related to the biomass industry are relatively low compared to other industries, the data are interesting. To date, about 30 IPRs have been filed attacking plant utility patents. Given the IPR filing rate in the biotech industry, it is reasonable to believe that more patents in this sector will be challenged in the future. Patent owners who believe that their patents may be challenged in an IPR proceeding should consider adjusting their patent prosecution strategies accordingly. This presentation will provide an analysis of recent IPR filings related to the plant industry and discusses action steps based on lessons learned from these proceedings to further strengthen patent portfolios in view of IPRs.
Biography:
Cristian Panaite is a Managing Director at Forstpan, a company which provides consulting services for wood trade business, including acquisition strategies, budget planning, and legal advisory, timber harvesting management, and personal training. He’s professional experience is based on his work in main multinational companies present on Romanian wood market (Romanel Wood Industry, Kastamonu Romania SA, Kronospan) in different positions, from junior buyer to wood purchase manager. Holds a Bachelor Degree in Forestry and a Master Degree in Business Administration.
Abstract:
The bioeconomy has two main drivers: climate protection, especially by reducing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG); and the foreseeable shift from fossil-based to renewable feedstocks. Biomass is widely accepted as the only sustainable alternative to fossil carbon sources and the starting point for developing production processes that can be characterized as having a low, or even zero carbon footprints. The bioeconomy development faces a number of hurdles. Although the processing and transformation of agricultural and silvicultural biomass to chemicals and fuels is established, the feedstock base of these industries is still dominated by fossil carbon sources. However, the transition into the bioeconomy is also an opportunity to build new cross-sectorial value chains. A bioeconomy involves three elements: biotechnological knowledge, renewable biomass, and integration across the application. The emerging “bioeconomy” reflects the dramatic increase in companies using renewable resources to develop new products and processes. The social benefits of the bioeconomy are compelling: expanded energy availability, better food security, mitigation of climate change, and more. Evaluated at 2 trillion Euro and employer for 21.5 mil people, the existing European bioeconomy market is a strong foundation for further expansion and development. Its potential growth is based on sustainable management and availability of primary biomass and various side streams. The present biomass supply in EU is estimated at 314 MtOE and the biomass potential is between 375 to 429 MtOE depending on the sustainability criteria applied.
- Advanced Biofuels | Production of Biofuels
Location: Diefenbaker
Chair
Elsa Weiss-Hortala
IMT Mines Albi, France
