Title:
Microbial Biodiesel Production - Screening of Different Crops and Agricultural Crop Residues for their Suitability Based on the Sugar Content and C/N-Ratio
Author(s):
Mast, B., Zöhrens, N., Graeff-Hönninger, S., Merkt, N., Hernandez, R., French, W.T., Claupein, W.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
In Germany and Europe biodiesel is one of the most important biofuels; currently 1st generation biodiesel is usually produced from oil extracted from rapeseed and sunflower. However, future 2nd generation biofuels have to be characterized by a lower competition to food production, improved energy balance and land use efficiency. The production of biodiesel from lignocellulosic biomass converted to lipids by oleaginous microorganisms is a promising approach. Oleaginous microorganisms are able to convert high amounts of carbon substrates into lipids, which can be utilized as a biodiesel feedstock. Basic preconditions for a high lipid production are high sugar contents and a wide C/N-ratio of the substrate. In the present work a screening of a number of different, usually lignocellulosic, biomasses (e.g. miscanthus, willow, etc.) and agricultural crop residues (e.g. wheat straw, etc.) was carried out to determine their sugar pattern and contents (glucose and xylose) as well as the C/N-ratio in order to evaluate their potential suitability for microbial lipid production. The results indicated high sugar contents for miscanthus and wheat straw. The sugar contents of all investigated biomasses and agricultural residues increased in most cases significantly with the duration of the hydrolysis process (1 h – 3h). The widest C/N-ratio were measured for wheat straw, however, different other biomasses provided also a high and suitable C/N-ratio.
Keywords:
biodiesel, lignocellulosic biomass, lipids, oleaginous microorganisms, sugar content, C/N ratio
Topic:
R&D on Processes for Solid, Liquid and Gaseous Fuels from Biomass
Subtopic:
Oil-based biofuels
Event:
20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
3CO.11.2
Pages:
1536 - 1540
ISBN:
978-88-89407-54-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/20thEUBCE2012-3CO.11.2
Price:
FREE
