Iowa integrated biorefineries

10-Apr-06

Fuel and chemicals are noted to be produced from biomass since the 1800s, but were replaced by petrochemicals since 1930s and '40s. As oil prices rise, it makes sense to return to bio based chemicals. The US government has invited for proposals to build up to three facilities that will demonstrate the feasibility of "integrated biorefineries." The U.S. Department of Energy will grant up to US$80 million each to help with design, construction and initial operation. The concept of a biorefinery is the same as an oil refinery. An oil refinery manipulates the hydrocarbon molecules in petroleum to produce gasoline, diesel fuel and petrochemicals. A biorefinery would use biomass, such as crops or animal waste, to produce both fuels and chemicals, just like an oil refinery. A biorefinery would work like a petrochemical refinery, producing transportation fuel and high-value chemicals, but would use plant matter such as corn, wheat, barley, switchgrass, crop residues or waste wood, as the raw material instead of petroleum. The basic molecules in petrochemicals are hydrocarbons (compounds of carbon and hydrogen). In plants, the basic molecules are carbohydrates, proteins and vegetable oils (compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen). Molecules from either source can be processed to create building blocks for manufacturing a wide variety of goods, including plastics, solvents, paints, adhesives and drugs.