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…
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Landfill Consultants
What do landfill consultants do? In 1986, there were 7,683 MSW landfills in the United States. By 2009, there were just 1,908 active MSW landfills nationwide: a 75 percent decline in disposal facilities in less…
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Energy Crop Expert
What is an energy crop expert? An energy crop expert is someone that understands the many complexities of those plants that are grown solely for producing energy as opposed to those grown for food or…
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Biochar for Wastewater Treatment
Biochar for wastewater treatment, both municipal and industrial, is a good alternative as such multistage process accommodates a constantly changing influent. One of the most critical steps in the process is the aeration basin in…
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Technical Readiness Assessment
As part of a technical due diligence effort, the team is often requested to perform a Technical Readiness Assessment. This will assign a score to the technology, known as the Technical Readiness Level (TRL). Originally…
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Industrial Fermentation: Selecting the Host Strain
When developing an industrial fermentation process, the choice of the production organism dictates much of the large-scale fermentation characteristics in addition to the nature of research and development and process development. Well characterized strains with…
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Third Generation Biofuels
Third-generation biofuels are currently those related to algal biomass or linked to utilization of CO2 as feedstock. Unlike first-generation biofuels which were virtually all related to editable biomass, or second-generation biofuels produced from a wide…
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Emerging Feedstocks – Genetically Modified Trees
Genetically modified trees have been extensively academically explored as ideal feedstocks for pulp/paper and cellulosic ethanol. Novel trees include modifications that increase cellulose content, reduce lignin content, and even change lignin monolignol ratios. However, companies…
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Ethanol Proteins – Advanced Process Monitoring
Ethanol plants achieve the best quality ethanol proteins through advanced process monitoring and control. That means starting with consistent control of corn grinding, cook and liquefaction and fermentation so that each fermentation batch is very…
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Ethanol Protein – Importance of Co-Product Quality
Why is the importance of ethanol protein co-product quality? At least eight ethanol plants have recently installed new process technology that separates higher value corn fermentation protein from whole stillage. This ethanol protein is a…
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