What is the best renewable energy? To even attempt such an assessment requires answering two questions initially. First, what is encompassed by the term “renewable energy”? Second, how does one evaluate which is “best”? By…
Read More
Lignins
Lignins are natural polymers that give the cell walls of plants their strength, have been called some nasty names: an “ugly, unwieldy molecule,” ornery, tough, and uncooperative. But lignin experts say the unloved, but abundant, substance,…
Read More
Heat Transfer Issues in Mechanically Agitated Fermenters
Heat Transfer Issues in Mechanically Agitated Fermenters? Aerobic fermentation generates a significant amount of heat, which must be removed to maintain a constant temperature. The main heat sources are metabolic heat generation, agitator power input,…
Read More
Process Design
The task of process design is to lay out the process unit operations in a Block Flow Process Diagram (BFPD), in which the processing unit operations are connected by the continuous process stream flows. A…
Read More
Biomass Pyrolysis
In countries around the globe, biomass pyrolysis is increasingly being used to convert useless waste into useful fuel and other materials. Pyrolysis of biomass—an ancient technique that applies high heat to organic materials, decomposing them…
Read More
Hydro-Processing Consultant
What does a hydro-processing consultant or hydroprocessing expert do? Hydroprocessing is the term used for a number of chemical reactions that take place as part of oil refining. These include hydrogenation, hydrocracking, and hydrotreating. Hydroprocessing…
Read More
Biodiesel Environmental Expert
What does a biodiesel plant environmental expert do? First, let’s discuss biodiesel production. As people search for alternative energy resources, the popularity of biodiesel fuel continues to increase. Biodiesel is diesel fuel derived from non-petroleum-based sources…
Read More
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, a federally funded program designed to encourage research to meet national needs, aims to spark technological innovation, encourage creative ideas and participation by women and socially or economically…
Read More
Global Biofuels Production
What does global biofuels production look like worldwide? While global biofuels production did increase in all major producing regions, it was at slower rates than in the previous decade. The United States is still the…
Read More
Food v. Fuel
The “food v. fuel” argument revolves around whether using farmland or crops for biofuels production is a detriment to food supply and causes a rise in food prices. This debate has been around since the…
Read More