The Experts below are selected from a list of 3819 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Steven M Heilmann - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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phosphorus reclamation through Hydrothermal Carbonization of animal manures
Environmental Science & Technology, 2014Co-Authors: Steven M Heilmann, Joseph S. Molde, Jacobe G. Timler, Georgiy V. Vozhdayev, Anthony L Mikula, Edward C. Colosky, Kurt A Spokas, Brandon M Wood, Kenneth J ValentasAbstract:Projected shortages of global phosphate have prompted investigation of methods that could be employed to capture and recycle phosphate, rather than continue to allow the resource to be essentially irreversibly lost through dilution in surface waters. Hydrothermal Carbonization of animal manures from large farms was investigated as a scenario for the reclamation of phosphate for agricultural use and mitigation of the negative environmental impact of phosphate pollution. Hydrothermal reaction conditions were identified for poultry, swine, and cattle manures that resulted in hydrochar yields of 50–60% for all three manures, and >90% of the total phosphorus present in these systems was contained in the hydrochars as precipitated phosphate salts. Phosphate recovery was achieved in yields of 80–90% by subsequent acid treatment of the hydrochars, addition of base to acid extracts to achieve a pH of 9, and filtration of principally calcium phosphate. Phosphate recovery was achieved in yields of 81−87% based on st...
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industrial symbiosis corn ethanol fermentation Hydrothermal Carbonization and anaerobic digestion
Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2013Co-Authors: Brandon M Wood, Lindsey R Jader, Frederick J Schendel, Nicholas J Hahn, Kenneth J Valentas, Patrick J Mcnamara, Paige M Novak, Steven M HeilmannAbstract:The production of dry-grind corn ethanol results in the generation of intermediate products, thin and whole stillage, which require energy-intensive downstream processing for conversion into commercial animal feed products. Hydrothermal Carbonization of thin and whole stillage coupled with anaerobic digestion was investigated as alternative processing methods that could benefit the industry. By substantially eliminating evaporation of water, reductions in downstream energy consumption from 65% to 73% were achieved while generating hydrochar, fatty acids, treated process water, and biogas co-products providing new opportunities for the industry. Processing whole stillage in this manner produced the four co-products, eliminated centrifugation and evaporation, and substantially reduced drying. With thin stillage, all four co-products were again produced, as well as a high quality animal feed. Anaerobic digestion of the aqueous product stream from the Hydrothermal Carbonization of thin stillage reduced chemical oxygen demand (COD) by more than 90% and converted 83% of the initial COD to methane. Internal use of this biogas could entirely fuel the HTC process and reduce overall natural gas usage. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013;110: 2624–2632. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Industrial symbiosis: Corn ethanol fermentation, Hydrothermal Carbonization, and anaerobic digestion
Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2013Co-Authors: Brandon M Wood, Lindsey R Jader, Frederick J Schendel, Nicholas J Hahn, Kenneth J Valentas, Patrick J Mcnamara, Paige M Novak, Steven M HeilmannAbstract:The production of dry-grind corn ethanol results in the generation of intermediate products, thin and whole stillage, which require energy-intensive downstream processing for conversion into commercial animal feed products. Hydrothermal Carbonization of thin and whole stillage coupled with anaerobic digestion was investigated as alternative processing methods that could benefit the industry. By substantially eliminating evaporation of water, reductions in downstream energy consumption from 65% to 73% were achieved while generating hydrochar, fatty acids, treated process water, and biogas co-products providing new opportunities for the industry. Processing whole stillage in this manner produced the four co-products, eliminated centrifugation and evaporation, and substantially reduced drying. With thin stillage, all four co-products were again produced, as well as a high quality animal feed. Anaerobic digestion of the aqueous product stream from the Hydrothermal Carbonization of thin stillage reduced chemical oxygen demand (COD) by more than 90% and converted 83% of the initial COD to methane. Internal use of this biogas could entirely fuel the HTC process and reduce overall natural gas usage.
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Hydrothermal Carbonization of microalgae ii fatty acid char and algal nutrient products
Applied Energy, 2011Co-Authors: Steven M Heilmann, Marc G. Von Keitz, Paul A. Lefebvre, Michael J. Sadowsky, Lindsey R Jader, Frederick J Schendel, Laurie A Harned, Kenneth J ValentasAbstract:A process for isolation of three products (fatty acids, chars and nutrient-rich aqueous phases) from the Hydrothermal Carbonization of microalgae is described. Fatty acid products derived from hydrolysis of fatty acid ester groups in the microalgae were obtained in high yield and were found to be principally adsorbed onto the char also created in the process. With the highest lipid-containing microalga investigated, 92% of the fatty acids isolated were obtained by solvent extraction of the char product, with the remaining 8% obtained by extraction of the acidified filtrate. Obtaining the fatty acids principally by a solid–liquid extraction eliminates potential emulsification and phase separation problems commonly encountered in liquid–liquid extractions. The aqueous phase was investigated as a nutrient amendment to algal growth media, and a 20-fold dilution of the concentrate supported algal growth to a level of about half that of the optimal nutrient growth medium. Uses for the extracted char other than as a solid fuel are also discussed. Results of these studies indicate that fatty acids derived from Hydrothermal Carbonization of microalgae hold great promise for the production of liquid biofuels.
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Hydrothermal Carbonization of distiller's grains
Biomass & Bioenergy, 2011Co-Authors: Steven M Heilmann, Michael J. Sadowsky, Lindsey R Jader, Frederick J Schendel, Marc Von Keitz, Kenneth J ValentasAbstract:Abstract Wet distiller’s grains are intermediate byproducts of ethanol manufacture that have high moisture contents and require significant energy for drying and conversion into dry distiller’s grains. Hydrothermal Carbonization was investigated as a wet process to provide alternative products, and chars were obtained in moderate yield that possessed high heats of combustion. The mechanism of char formation was also investigated employing constituent materials representative of the chemical composition of distiller’s grains. Char formation was discovered to chiefly involve carbohydrates (other than cellulose) and proteins. A surprising discovery was that triacylglycerides and fatty acids created under the reaction conditions did not contribute to char yield and were adsorbed onto the chars and could be easily extracted.
Marta Sevilla - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Hydrothermal Carbonization of abundant renewable natural organic chemicals for high performance supercapacitor electrodes
Advanced Energy Materials, 2011Co-Authors: Lu Wei, Marta Sevilla, Antonio B Fuertes, Robert Mokaya, Gleb YushinAbstract:This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Wei, L., Sevilla, M., Fuertes, A. B., Mokaya, R. and Yushin, G. (2011), Hydrothermal Carbonization of Abundant Renewable Natural Organic Chemicals for High‐Performance Supercapacitor Electrodes. Adv. Energy Mater., 1: 356-361. doi:10.1002/aenm.201100019, which has been published in final form athttps://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.201100019 . This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions
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Hydrothermal Carbonization of abundant renewable natural organic chemicals for high performance supercapacitor electrodes
Advanced Energy Materials, 2011Co-Authors: Marta Sevilla, Antonio B Fuertes, Robert Mokaya, Gleb YushinAbstract:This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Wei, L., Sevilla, M., Fuertes, A. B., Mokaya, R. and Yushin, G. (2011), Hydrothermal Carbonization of Abundant Renewable Natural Organic Chemicals for High‐Performance Supercapacitor Electrodes. Adv. Energy Mater., 1: 356-361. doi:10.1002/aenm.201100019, which has been published in final form athttps://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.201100019 . This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions
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the production of carbon materials by Hydrothermal Carbonization of cellulose
Carbon, 2009Co-Authors: Marta Sevilla, Antonio FuertesAbstract:Abstract Highly functionalized carbonaceous materials were produced by means of the Hydrothermal Carbonization of cellulose at temperatures in the 220–250 °C range. The formation of this material follows essentially the path of a dehydration process, similar to that previously observed for the Hydrothermal transformation of saccharides such as glucose, sucrose or starch. The materials so formed are composed of agglomerates of carbonaceous microspheres (size ∼2–5 μm), as evidenced by SEM. The combination of the results of the elemental analysis with that obtained by different spectroscopic techniques (infrared and Raman spectroscopy, and XPS) has allowed us to inferred that, from a chemical point of view, the solid product consists of small clusters of condensed benzene rings that form stable groups with oxygen in the core (i.e. ether, quinone, pyrone), whereas the shell possesses more reactive/hydrophilic oxygen functionalities (i.e. hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxylic, ester).
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chemical and structural properties of carbonaceous products obtained by Hydrothermal Carbonization of saccharides
Chemistry: A European Journal, 2009Co-Authors: Marta Sevilla, Antonio B FuertesAbstract:Carbon-rich-quick scheme: A carbon-rich solid product made up of uniform micrometer-sized spheres of tunable diameter has been synthesized by the Hydrothermal Carbonization of saccharides. These microspheres possess a core-shell chemical structure based on the different nature of the oxygen functionalities between the core and the outer layer (see figure).A carbon-rich solid product, here denoted as hydrochar, has been synthesized by the Hydrothermal Carbonization of three different saccharides (glucose, sucrose, and starch) at temperatures ranging from 170 to 240 degrees C. This material is made up of uniform spherical micrometer-sized particles that have a diameter in the 0.4-6 mum range, which can be modulated by modifying the synthesis conditions (i.e., the concentration of the aqueous saccharide solution, the temperature of the Hydrothermal treatment, the reaction time, and type of saccharide). The formation of the carbon-rich solid through the Hydrothermal Carbonization of saccharides is the consequence of dehydration, condensation, or polymerization and aromatization reactions. The microspheres thus obtained possess, from a chemical point of view, a core-shell structure consisting of a highly aromatic nucleus (hydrophobic) and a hydrophilic shell containing a high concentration of reactive oxygen functional groups (i.e., hydroxyl/phenolic, carbonyl, or carboxylic).
Kenneth J Valentas - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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phosphorus reclamation through Hydrothermal Carbonization of animal manures
Environmental Science & Technology, 2014Co-Authors: Steven M Heilmann, Joseph S. Molde, Jacobe G. Timler, Georgiy V. Vozhdayev, Anthony L Mikula, Edward C. Colosky, Kurt A Spokas, Brandon M Wood, Kenneth J ValentasAbstract:Projected shortages of global phosphate have prompted investigation of methods that could be employed to capture and recycle phosphate, rather than continue to allow the resource to be essentially irreversibly lost through dilution in surface waters. Hydrothermal Carbonization of animal manures from large farms was investigated as a scenario for the reclamation of phosphate for agricultural use and mitigation of the negative environmental impact of phosphate pollution. Hydrothermal reaction conditions were identified for poultry, swine, and cattle manures that resulted in hydrochar yields of 50–60% for all three manures, and >90% of the total phosphorus present in these systems was contained in the hydrochars as precipitated phosphate salts. Phosphate recovery was achieved in yields of 80–90% by subsequent acid treatment of the hydrochars, addition of base to acid extracts to achieve a pH of 9, and filtration of principally calcium phosphate. Phosphate recovery was achieved in yields of 81−87% based on st...
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industrial symbiosis corn ethanol fermentation Hydrothermal Carbonization and anaerobic digestion
Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2013Co-Authors: Brandon M Wood, Lindsey R Jader, Frederick J Schendel, Nicholas J Hahn, Kenneth J Valentas, Patrick J Mcnamara, Paige M Novak, Steven M HeilmannAbstract:The production of dry-grind corn ethanol results in the generation of intermediate products, thin and whole stillage, which require energy-intensive downstream processing for conversion into commercial animal feed products. Hydrothermal Carbonization of thin and whole stillage coupled with anaerobic digestion was investigated as alternative processing methods that could benefit the industry. By substantially eliminating evaporation of water, reductions in downstream energy consumption from 65% to 73% were achieved while generating hydrochar, fatty acids, treated process water, and biogas co-products providing new opportunities for the industry. Processing whole stillage in this manner produced the four co-products, eliminated centrifugation and evaporation, and substantially reduced drying. With thin stillage, all four co-products were again produced, as well as a high quality animal feed. Anaerobic digestion of the aqueous product stream from the Hydrothermal Carbonization of thin stillage reduced chemical oxygen demand (COD) by more than 90% and converted 83% of the initial COD to methane. Internal use of this biogas could entirely fuel the HTC process and reduce overall natural gas usage. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013;110: 2624–2632. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Industrial symbiosis: Corn ethanol fermentation, Hydrothermal Carbonization, and anaerobic digestion
Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2013Co-Authors: Brandon M Wood, Lindsey R Jader, Frederick J Schendel, Nicholas J Hahn, Kenneth J Valentas, Patrick J Mcnamara, Paige M Novak, Steven M HeilmannAbstract:The production of dry-grind corn ethanol results in the generation of intermediate products, thin and whole stillage, which require energy-intensive downstream processing for conversion into commercial animal feed products. Hydrothermal Carbonization of thin and whole stillage coupled with anaerobic digestion was investigated as alternative processing methods that could benefit the industry. By substantially eliminating evaporation of water, reductions in downstream energy consumption from 65% to 73% were achieved while generating hydrochar, fatty acids, treated process water, and biogas co-products providing new opportunities for the industry. Processing whole stillage in this manner produced the four co-products, eliminated centrifugation and evaporation, and substantially reduced drying. With thin stillage, all four co-products were again produced, as well as a high quality animal feed. Anaerobic digestion of the aqueous product stream from the Hydrothermal Carbonization of thin stillage reduced chemical oxygen demand (COD) by more than 90% and converted 83% of the initial COD to methane. Internal use of this biogas could entirely fuel the HTC process and reduce overall natural gas usage.
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Hydrothermal Carbonization of microalgae ii fatty acid char and algal nutrient products
Applied Energy, 2011Co-Authors: Steven M Heilmann, Marc G. Von Keitz, Paul A. Lefebvre, Michael J. Sadowsky, Lindsey R Jader, Frederick J Schendel, Laurie A Harned, Kenneth J ValentasAbstract:A process for isolation of three products (fatty acids, chars and nutrient-rich aqueous phases) from the Hydrothermal Carbonization of microalgae is described. Fatty acid products derived from hydrolysis of fatty acid ester groups in the microalgae were obtained in high yield and were found to be principally adsorbed onto the char also created in the process. With the highest lipid-containing microalga investigated, 92% of the fatty acids isolated were obtained by solvent extraction of the char product, with the remaining 8% obtained by extraction of the acidified filtrate. Obtaining the fatty acids principally by a solid–liquid extraction eliminates potential emulsification and phase separation problems commonly encountered in liquid–liquid extractions. The aqueous phase was investigated as a nutrient amendment to algal growth media, and a 20-fold dilution of the concentrate supported algal growth to a level of about half that of the optimal nutrient growth medium. Uses for the extracted char other than as a solid fuel are also discussed. Results of these studies indicate that fatty acids derived from Hydrothermal Carbonization of microalgae hold great promise for the production of liquid biofuels.
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Hydrothermal Carbonization of distiller's grains
Biomass & Bioenergy, 2011Co-Authors: Steven M Heilmann, Michael J. Sadowsky, Lindsey R Jader, Frederick J Schendel, Marc Von Keitz, Kenneth J ValentasAbstract:Abstract Wet distiller’s grains are intermediate byproducts of ethanol manufacture that have high moisture contents and require significant energy for drying and conversion into dry distiller’s grains. Hydrothermal Carbonization was investigated as a wet process to provide alternative products, and chars were obtained in moderate yield that possessed high heats of combustion. The mechanism of char formation was also investigated employing constituent materials representative of the chemical composition of distiller’s grains. Char formation was discovered to chiefly involve carbohydrates (other than cellulose) and proteins. A surprising discovery was that triacylglycerides and fatty acids created under the reaction conditions did not contribute to char yield and were adsorbed onto the chars and could be easily extracted.
Frederick J Schendel - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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industrial symbiosis corn ethanol fermentation Hydrothermal Carbonization and anaerobic digestion
Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2013Co-Authors: Brandon M Wood, Lindsey R Jader, Frederick J Schendel, Nicholas J Hahn, Kenneth J Valentas, Patrick J Mcnamara, Paige M Novak, Steven M HeilmannAbstract:The production of dry-grind corn ethanol results in the generation of intermediate products, thin and whole stillage, which require energy-intensive downstream processing for conversion into commercial animal feed products. Hydrothermal Carbonization of thin and whole stillage coupled with anaerobic digestion was investigated as alternative processing methods that could benefit the industry. By substantially eliminating evaporation of water, reductions in downstream energy consumption from 65% to 73% were achieved while generating hydrochar, fatty acids, treated process water, and biogas co-products providing new opportunities for the industry. Processing whole stillage in this manner produced the four co-products, eliminated centrifugation and evaporation, and substantially reduced drying. With thin stillage, all four co-products were again produced, as well as a high quality animal feed. Anaerobic digestion of the aqueous product stream from the Hydrothermal Carbonization of thin stillage reduced chemical oxygen demand (COD) by more than 90% and converted 83% of the initial COD to methane. Internal use of this biogas could entirely fuel the HTC process and reduce overall natural gas usage. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013;110: 2624–2632. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Industrial symbiosis: Corn ethanol fermentation, Hydrothermal Carbonization, and anaerobic digestion
Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2013Co-Authors: Brandon M Wood, Lindsey R Jader, Frederick J Schendel, Nicholas J Hahn, Kenneth J Valentas, Patrick J Mcnamara, Paige M Novak, Steven M HeilmannAbstract:The production of dry-grind corn ethanol results in the generation of intermediate products, thin and whole stillage, which require energy-intensive downstream processing for conversion into commercial animal feed products. Hydrothermal Carbonization of thin and whole stillage coupled with anaerobic digestion was investigated as alternative processing methods that could benefit the industry. By substantially eliminating evaporation of water, reductions in downstream energy consumption from 65% to 73% were achieved while generating hydrochar, fatty acids, treated process water, and biogas co-products providing new opportunities for the industry. Processing whole stillage in this manner produced the four co-products, eliminated centrifugation and evaporation, and substantially reduced drying. With thin stillage, all four co-products were again produced, as well as a high quality animal feed. Anaerobic digestion of the aqueous product stream from the Hydrothermal Carbonization of thin stillage reduced chemical oxygen demand (COD) by more than 90% and converted 83% of the initial COD to methane. Internal use of this biogas could entirely fuel the HTC process and reduce overall natural gas usage.
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Hydrothermal Carbonization of microalgae ii fatty acid char and algal nutrient products
Applied Energy, 2011Co-Authors: Steven M Heilmann, Marc G. Von Keitz, Paul A. Lefebvre, Michael J. Sadowsky, Lindsey R Jader, Frederick J Schendel, Laurie A Harned, Kenneth J ValentasAbstract:A process for isolation of three products (fatty acids, chars and nutrient-rich aqueous phases) from the Hydrothermal Carbonization of microalgae is described. Fatty acid products derived from hydrolysis of fatty acid ester groups in the microalgae were obtained in high yield and were found to be principally adsorbed onto the char also created in the process. With the highest lipid-containing microalga investigated, 92% of the fatty acids isolated were obtained by solvent extraction of the char product, with the remaining 8% obtained by extraction of the acidified filtrate. Obtaining the fatty acids principally by a solid–liquid extraction eliminates potential emulsification and phase separation problems commonly encountered in liquid–liquid extractions. The aqueous phase was investigated as a nutrient amendment to algal growth media, and a 20-fold dilution of the concentrate supported algal growth to a level of about half that of the optimal nutrient growth medium. Uses for the extracted char other than as a solid fuel are also discussed. Results of these studies indicate that fatty acids derived from Hydrothermal Carbonization of microalgae hold great promise for the production of liquid biofuels.
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Hydrothermal Carbonization of distiller's grains
Biomass & Bioenergy, 2011Co-Authors: Steven M Heilmann, Michael J. Sadowsky, Lindsey R Jader, Frederick J Schendel, Marc Von Keitz, Kenneth J ValentasAbstract:Abstract Wet distiller’s grains are intermediate byproducts of ethanol manufacture that have high moisture contents and require significant energy for drying and conversion into dry distiller’s grains. Hydrothermal Carbonization was investigated as a wet process to provide alternative products, and chars were obtained in moderate yield that possessed high heats of combustion. The mechanism of char formation was also investigated employing constituent materials representative of the chemical composition of distiller’s grains. Char formation was discovered to chiefly involve carbohydrates (other than cellulose) and proteins. A surprising discovery was that triacylglycerides and fatty acids created under the reaction conditions did not contribute to char yield and were adsorbed onto the chars and could be easily extracted.
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Hydrothermal Carbonization of microalgae
Biomass & Bioenergy, 2010Co-Authors: Steven M Heilmann, Marc G. Von Keitz, Paul A. Lefebvre, Michael J. Sadowsky, Lindsey R Jader, Frederick J Schendel, Ted H Davis, Kenneth J ValentasAbstract:a b s t r a c t Hydrothermal Carbonization is a process in which biomass is heated in water under pressure to create a char product. With higher plants, the chemistry of the process derives primarily from lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose components. In contrast, green and blue-green microalgae are not lignocellulosic in composition, and the chemistry is entirely different, involving proteins, lipids and carbohydrates (generally not cellulose). Employing relatively moderate conditions of temperature (ca. 200 ! C), time (<1 h) and pressure (<2 MPa), microalgae can be converted in an energy efficient manner into an algal char product that is of bituminous coal quality. Potential uses for the product include creation of synthesis gas and conversion into industrial chemicals and gasoline; application as a soil nutrient amendment; and as a carbon neutral supplement to natural coal for generation of electrical power.
Lindsey R Jader - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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industrial symbiosis corn ethanol fermentation Hydrothermal Carbonization and anaerobic digestion
Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2013Co-Authors: Brandon M Wood, Lindsey R Jader, Frederick J Schendel, Nicholas J Hahn, Kenneth J Valentas, Patrick J Mcnamara, Paige M Novak, Steven M HeilmannAbstract:The production of dry-grind corn ethanol results in the generation of intermediate products, thin and whole stillage, which require energy-intensive downstream processing for conversion into commercial animal feed products. Hydrothermal Carbonization of thin and whole stillage coupled with anaerobic digestion was investigated as alternative processing methods that could benefit the industry. By substantially eliminating evaporation of water, reductions in downstream energy consumption from 65% to 73% were achieved while generating hydrochar, fatty acids, treated process water, and biogas co-products providing new opportunities for the industry. Processing whole stillage in this manner produced the four co-products, eliminated centrifugation and evaporation, and substantially reduced drying. With thin stillage, all four co-products were again produced, as well as a high quality animal feed. Anaerobic digestion of the aqueous product stream from the Hydrothermal Carbonization of thin stillage reduced chemical oxygen demand (COD) by more than 90% and converted 83% of the initial COD to methane. Internal use of this biogas could entirely fuel the HTC process and reduce overall natural gas usage. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013;110: 2624–2632. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Industrial symbiosis: Corn ethanol fermentation, Hydrothermal Carbonization, and anaerobic digestion
Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2013Co-Authors: Brandon M Wood, Lindsey R Jader, Frederick J Schendel, Nicholas J Hahn, Kenneth J Valentas, Patrick J Mcnamara, Paige M Novak, Steven M HeilmannAbstract:The production of dry-grind corn ethanol results in the generation of intermediate products, thin and whole stillage, which require energy-intensive downstream processing for conversion into commercial animal feed products. Hydrothermal Carbonization of thin and whole stillage coupled with anaerobic digestion was investigated as alternative processing methods that could benefit the industry. By substantially eliminating evaporation of water, reductions in downstream energy consumption from 65% to 73% were achieved while generating hydrochar, fatty acids, treated process water, and biogas co-products providing new opportunities for the industry. Processing whole stillage in this manner produced the four co-products, eliminated centrifugation and evaporation, and substantially reduced drying. With thin stillage, all four co-products were again produced, as well as a high quality animal feed. Anaerobic digestion of the aqueous product stream from the Hydrothermal Carbonization of thin stillage reduced chemical oxygen demand (COD) by more than 90% and converted 83% of the initial COD to methane. Internal use of this biogas could entirely fuel the HTC process and reduce overall natural gas usage.
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Hydrothermal Carbonization of microalgae ii fatty acid char and algal nutrient products
Applied Energy, 2011Co-Authors: Steven M Heilmann, Marc G. Von Keitz, Paul A. Lefebvre, Michael J. Sadowsky, Lindsey R Jader, Frederick J Schendel, Laurie A Harned, Kenneth J ValentasAbstract:A process for isolation of three products (fatty acids, chars and nutrient-rich aqueous phases) from the Hydrothermal Carbonization of microalgae is described. Fatty acid products derived from hydrolysis of fatty acid ester groups in the microalgae were obtained in high yield and were found to be principally adsorbed onto the char also created in the process. With the highest lipid-containing microalga investigated, 92% of the fatty acids isolated were obtained by solvent extraction of the char product, with the remaining 8% obtained by extraction of the acidified filtrate. Obtaining the fatty acids principally by a solid–liquid extraction eliminates potential emulsification and phase separation problems commonly encountered in liquid–liquid extractions. The aqueous phase was investigated as a nutrient amendment to algal growth media, and a 20-fold dilution of the concentrate supported algal growth to a level of about half that of the optimal nutrient growth medium. Uses for the extracted char other than as a solid fuel are also discussed. Results of these studies indicate that fatty acids derived from Hydrothermal Carbonization of microalgae hold great promise for the production of liquid biofuels.
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Hydrothermal Carbonization of distiller's grains
Biomass & Bioenergy, 2011Co-Authors: Steven M Heilmann, Michael J. Sadowsky, Lindsey R Jader, Frederick J Schendel, Marc Von Keitz, Kenneth J ValentasAbstract:Abstract Wet distiller’s grains are intermediate byproducts of ethanol manufacture that have high moisture contents and require significant energy for drying and conversion into dry distiller’s grains. Hydrothermal Carbonization was investigated as a wet process to provide alternative products, and chars were obtained in moderate yield that possessed high heats of combustion. The mechanism of char formation was also investigated employing constituent materials representative of the chemical composition of distiller’s grains. Char formation was discovered to chiefly involve carbohydrates (other than cellulose) and proteins. A surprising discovery was that triacylglycerides and fatty acids created under the reaction conditions did not contribute to char yield and were adsorbed onto the chars and could be easily extracted.
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Hydrothermal Carbonization of microalgae
Biomass & Bioenergy, 2010Co-Authors: Steven M Heilmann, Marc G. Von Keitz, Paul A. Lefebvre, Michael J. Sadowsky, Lindsey R Jader, Frederick J Schendel, Ted H Davis, Kenneth J ValentasAbstract:a b s t r a c t Hydrothermal Carbonization is a process in which biomass is heated in water under pressure to create a char product. With higher plants, the chemistry of the process derives primarily from lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose components. In contrast, green and blue-green microalgae are not lignocellulosic in composition, and the chemistry is entirely different, involving proteins, lipids and carbohydrates (generally not cellulose). Employing relatively moderate conditions of temperature (ca. 200 ! C), time (<1 h) and pressure (<2 MPa), microalgae can be converted in an energy efficient manner into an algal char product that is of bituminous coal quality. Potential uses for the product include creation of synthesis gas and conversion into industrial chemicals and gasoline; application as a soil nutrient amendment; and as a carbon neutral supplement to natural coal for generation of electrical power.
