Biofuels and Translational Plant Physiology
Pflanzenphysiologie
Physiologia Plantarum
Physiologie des plantes
Translational research is pushing a fundamental change in the way science has operated for decades, breaking down the literal and figurative walls that separate basic scientists and applied researchers.
fysiologie op planten
fysiologie op planten
식물 생리학
φυσιολογία των φυτών
fisiologia das plantas
plant physiology
физиология заводов
Energy rich environment
21 mio gal/d 6 mio gal/d $400 bio/year
Rudolph Diesel (1898) Paris World expo
Peanut oil
An american biofuels and biomaterials pioneer
Plants can be a source of biodiesel
Image sources: Tilo Hauke, University of Minnesota, Iowa State University Extension.
Biodiesel produced from rapeseed, algae and soybeans are replacing petroleum-derived diesel.
soybeans 50gal/acre
2010 Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion 1.2l TDI diesel 75 hp 80.7mpg
14K98MC7 MAN Diesel 87.220hp
Car model fuel type mpg
HONDA Insight Insight Gas Hybrid 83.10 CITROEN C2 1.4 HDi Diesel 68.90 CITROEN C1 1.4 HDi Diesel 68.90 RENAULT Clio 1.5 dCi 80 Diesel 67.30 CITROEN C2 1.4 HDi SensoDrive Diesel 67.30 CITROEN C3 1.4 HDi Diesel 67.30 RENAULT Clio 1.5 dCi 100 Diesel 65.80 RENAULT Clio 1.5 dCi 65 Diesel 65.80 CITROEN C2 1.4 HDi Diesel 65.70 TOYOTA Prius 1.5 VVT-i Hybrid Gas Hybrid 65.70
US car 22.6 mpg (2006) 21/27EU car 31 mpg EU diesel car 34 mpg
Oil palm 650 gal/acre
Canola 180gal/acre
Modern energy mix combining biodiesel and wind
Project Capacity (MW) StateRoscoe Wind Farm 781 TexasHorse Hollow Wind Energy Center 736 TexasAlta Wind Energy Center 720 CaliforniaTehachapi Pass Wind Farm 705 CaliforniaCapricorn Ridge Wind Farm 662 TexasSan Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm 619 CaliforniaFowler Ridge Wind Farm 600 IndianaSweetwater Wind Farm 585 TexasAltamont Pass Wind Farm 576 CaliforniaBuffalo Gap Wind Farm 524 TexasMeadow Lake Wind Farm 500 Indiana
Total electricity produced by wind in Indiana 1200 MW/year, enough for 6000 average households
How to make biodiesel?
The chemistry:
Vegetable oil + methylgroup + catalyst + energy = biodiesel
BaseMethanol
Vegetable oil
Plants can be a source of biofuels
Energy from
sunlight
Image source: Genome Management Information System, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Sugars, starches and cellulose can be fermented into ethanol
sugar cane 450-890 gal/acre
sugar cane 450-890 gal/acre
soybean 50 gal/acre
algae 2000 gal/acre
sugar cane 450-890 gal/acre
Biofuel made in the Midwest
corn 250-370 gal/acre
corn 250-370 gal/acre
Jatropha
Jojoba
Castor bean
Sunflower
Duckweed
Miscanthus
Switchgras
Ethanol isolated from cell wall cellulose is an important energy
source
Cell walls from corn stalks and
other agricultural
residue
Ethanol
Image source: Genome Management Information System, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Biofuel made from microalgae (2000 gal/acre)
Plants can replace petroleum for many products and purposes
Unfortunately, it takes millions and millions of years to convert dead organic material into petroleum...and we are running out of it.
Petroleum is NOT a renewable resource
Plants can replace petroleum for many products and purposes
Unfortunately, it takes millions and millions of years to convert dead organic material into petroleum.... And we are running out of it.
Petroleum is NOT a renewable resource
When I grow up I want to be
a fossil fuel
creativecartoons.org.
Regulation of sucrose and starch biosynthesis
Carbohydrates: where are they coming from, where are they going???
Iodine intercalates into the starch helix
Tri-iodide molecule
Starch helix
Translational Plant Physiology
Bioplastic products
Bioplastic products: bag that!!Polyethylene bags handed out to US customers/year:
100 billion12 mio. barrels oil/year 500 - 1000 years to decompose14 mio. trees/year 6 -12 month to decompose
4 weeks to decompose
46,000 plastic pieces/mile2 ocean surface
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