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Prof Lisandra Meneses from the Estonian University of Life Sciences is researching alternative pathways to produce bioenergy and biofuels and to make them more competitive with the conventional fuels.
In a project funded by the Estonian Research Council (MOB3JD1234) titled ‘Utilization of liquid by-products from hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) for the production of value-added products utilizing purple phototrophic bacteria and anaerobic digestion’ the Professor is focusing on the utilization of Estonian agricultural residues (e.g. barley straw) to produce bioenergy and biofuels. The utilization of such residues is particularly attractive since they are widely abundant, have a low-cost, and do not compete with food and feed production. In addition, this pathway also contributes to waste management practices since the residues from agricultural activities can be used for other purposes and generate value-added products.
In this project Prof. Lisandra is using hydrothermal carbonization to generate liquid products (L-HTC), which will be then further recycled and valorised using purple phototrophic bacteria and anaerobic digestion in order to generate valuable and marketable products such biogas, biomethane, and hydrogen.
This sequential and combined process is particularly advantageous to the scientific community, since it will:
– Facilitate the identification of suitable cost-effective handling options for the L-HTC and thereby decrease their harmful emissions in water bodies;
– Allow nutrient recovery from L-HTC;
-Enhance the feasibility of anaerobic digestion processes by reducing the digestion time and increasing biomethane yields;
– Generate new scientific knowledge on more effective ways of utilizing L-HTC for the production of bioenergy and biofuels.
Benefits to the society include a reduction in the usage of fossil fuels in the European energy sector; decrease in the greenhouse gases emissions; and reduction in the global warming potential. Economically, it will be possible to reduce the costs of bioenergy and biofuel production, and therefore increase the competitiveness of EU bioenergy industry. The project results will be used to develop new strategies to improve the rural economy in the EU.
This article was written by Prof. Lisandra Meneses, Visiting Full Professor at Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Forestry and Engineering , Chair of Biosystems Engineering.
If this look into biofuel has your brain firing on all (eco-friendly) cylinders, don’t burn out now! Cruise over to our next article and read more about how Science and technology may not be a magic wand in tackling the climate crisis, but part of the problem!
