Ethanol from Perennial Grasses Biobased Plastics from Canola

Ethanol from Perennial Grasses & Biobased Plastics from Canola Dr. Scott Pryor Assistant Professor Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering National Farm Business Management Conference June 13 - 17, 2010 Fargo - Moorhead

Topic Areas 1: Protein-based Plastics 2: Sugar Beet Pulp Ethanol 3: Ethanol with Mixed Perennial Feedstocks 4: Biobased Energy Course

1: Protein-Based Plastics & Composites Plastic Test Specimens Protein Isolates: 1. Solubilize proteins at high p. H 2. Filter/separate fiber and other solids 3. Precipitate proteins at low p. H Canola Seed Canola Protein Isolate

Influence of Solubilization and Precipitation p. H on Protein Yield

Influence of Solubilization and Precipitation p. H on Tensile Strength Area of Maximum Yield +

Improvement in Mechanical Properties Potential Plastic Improvements with Yield Sacrifice 1200% 1000% 800% Tensile Strength 600% Toughness Elongation 400% 200% 0% 0% 2% 4% Reduction from Maximum Yield 6%

2: Sugar Beet Pulp Ethanol By-product of table sugar industry 54% produced in North Dakota and Minnesota annually Moisture Content = 71%

Challenges for Cellulosic Ethanol Harvest “Typical” Biomass Beet Pulp New Equipment Nothing Extra Transportation Expensive Nothing Extra Storage Nothing Extra Challenge Expensive pretreatment No pretreatment Hydrolysis Inexpensive enzymes (Pretreatment) and enzymes More of a challenge Fermentation OK

3: Mixed Perennial Feedstocks Switchgrass Monoculture Diverse Species Perennials ? Paradeis, Breanna; NDSU Range Science. Gretz, Warren; NREL

3: Mixed Perennial Feedstocks Brome Target Species “Weeds” • Wheatgrass -Crested, Tall, Intermediate • Switchgrass -Sunburst, Trailblazer • Smooth Brome • Wildrye • Alfalfa • Green Needlegrass • Yellow Sweet Clover • Wild Buckwheat • Flixweed • Goat's Beard • Yarrow • Field Pennycress All photos via Bugwood. org: Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service; Ohio State Weed Lab Archive, The Ohio State University; Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte; Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service.

Ethanol Yields from Mixed Grasses Biomass yield data provided from Q. Xue and P. Nyren for biomass harvested from irrigated plots at the Williston NDSU REC

Perennial Grass Mixtures

4. Biobased Energy Course Motivation Resources Technologies • Environmental • Economic • Political • What? • Where? • How much? • How? • Corn Ethanol • Biodiesel • Thermochemical • Sugar Platform • Biogas

Thank you! Collaborators ABEN • • • N. Nahar A. Manamperi R. Rorick E. Monono Dr. D. Wiesenborn • Dr. Q. Xue • C. Sietsema • Dr. B. Karki ME • Dr. C. Ulven • M. Fuqua • S. Rathnasinghe CFS • Dr. K. C. Chang NRM • Dr. M. Biondini • Paul Nyren • Brea Paradeis